Summary
This position is in the Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA), San Diego Veterans Affairs (VA) Regional Office (RO), Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (VR&E) division; and serves as a Program Specialist responsible for administrative and technical work.
Duties
The incumbent is responsible for managing the efficient and effective coordination and accomplishment of the planning, scope, development, design, and direction of the programs VR&E provides servicemembers and their dependents. Responsible for assisting the Vocational Rehabilitation Counselors (VRC) and the Employment Coordinators (EC) with technical management of the VR&E case load and aiding veteran clients. Oversees the management, control, and execution of office programs, develop action plans to achieve established goals, assess program effectiveness, and coordinate with various stakeholders and entities to ensure program success. Offers program specifications guidance to Veterans, managers, staff, and representatives from other Federal agencies, as well as developing support agreements and Memoranda of Understanding with other Federal agencies while ensuring compliance with the agreements. Organizes the procurement of services and evaluates invoices in accordance with the contract's requirements. Conducts outreach assistance to candidates, providing program information, assessing candidates' eligibility for the program, and making referrals for placement. Represents the organization in engaging with community elements to garner support for the VA Program, organizing and participating in community outreach programs, visiting medical facilities and conferences to inform the public about the program and its services, as well as facilitating group orientation sessions and scheduling Veterans while providing information on eligibility and benefits entitlement. Develops and recommends programming decisions that impact long and short-range goals, ensuring the accomplishment of individual program objectives and milestones within the overall program objectives, compliance, and analyzing program information data to provide a comprehensive assessment of the program. Prepares and responds to program-related correspondence, creating briefing charts, fact sheets, and issue papers, marketing the program through design of brochures, and flyers, attending high-level meetings with key stakeholders to coordinate, explain, and provide guidance on the program, serving as an expert and primary point of contact for the assigned program, and keeping management informed of program progress, issues, and resolutions. Promotion Potential: This position has promotion potential to the GS-11 Grade Level. Work Schedule: Full Time, Monday - Friday 7:00 am - 3:30 pm Compressed/Flexible: Available Telework: This position is eligible for situational (ad hoc) telework only. The selectee is required to report to the official duty station each scheduled workday. Telework may be approved only on a case-by-case basis with supervisory approval. Routine or recurring telework is not authorized for this position. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Description/PD#: Program Specialist; PD40259A and PD40258A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized. Financial Disclosure Report: Not Required. Bargaining Unit: Yes
Requirements
As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the Agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the Agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Upon completion of your probationary period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest. Additional Conditions of Employment are as follows: You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959 You may be required to serve a probationary or trial period Subject to background/security investigation Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements I-9 Acceptable Documents. Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
Education
A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education. Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://www.ed.gov/about/initiatives/international-affairs/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications. You may submit unofficial transcripts when applying. However, if you are selected for the position, you will be required to provide an official transcript or a statement from the institution (e.g., from the registrar, dean, or other appropriate official) or equivalent documentation prior to the start date.
How you will be evaluated
IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE WILL NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. You will be evaluated based on how well you meet the qualifications listed in this vacancy announcement. Your qualifications will be evaluated based on your application materials (e.g., resume, supporting documents), your responses on the application questionnaire, and your responses to all assessments required for this position. You will be assessed on the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics): Attention to Detail Customer Service Decision Making Flexibility Integrity/Honesty Interpersonal Skills Learning Reading Comprehension Reasoning Self-Management Stress Tolerance Teamwork Project Management Contracting/Procurement Oral Communication Manages and Organizes Information Technical Competence Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application materials or application questionnaire may result in your removal from consideration. Cheating on an assessment may also result in your removal from consideration. To preview the application questionnaire, click the following link:https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13021447 The USA Hire Assessments includes a cut score based on the minimum level of required proficiency in these critical general competencies. You must meet or exceed the cut score to be considered. You will not be considered for the position if you score below the cut score or fail to complete the assessment. Narrative responses are not required at this time. If you are referred for consideration, you may be asked to submit additional job related information, which may include, but not limited to; responses to the knowledge, skills and abilities; completion of a work sample, and/or an interview. Your resume and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your rating or consideration for employment.