Summary
The VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System is seeking a Voluntary Services Officer to join our team at the Pittsburgh VA Medical Center-University Drive facility.
Duties
The Voluntary Services Officer serves as the Chief of CDCE/Voluntary Services reporting directly to a member of the executive leadership team. The incumbent has oversight for CDCE/Voluntary Services for the full scope of business for each of the interrelated lines of business, which include Voluntary Service, Philanthropic Engagement, and Partnership Solutions. Due to the cross-cutting nature of this office, the incumbent shows a comprehensive understanding of the federal government, VA and each of its Administrations, with a primary focus on VHA; to include the relevant laws, regulations, policies and procedures, accrediting organizations, as well as the organizations within the agency to facilitate a systems-oriented approach to the Center's success. This position requires occasional travel (local and national) between worksites, including outpatient clinics, VBA regional offices, and national cemeteries. Major duties include, but are not limited to: Providing technical and administrative supervision to subordinates which may include an Assistant Chief, Specialist, Program Support Assistant, Secretary, or other administrative staff. Planning and leading all philanthropic activities and programs within widely dispersed locations across the healthcare system, VA Administrations and State Veterans Homes. Conducting and analyzing comprehensive needs assessments for optimal alignment of the program in support of the organization's mission and goals. Exercising final authority for the full range of personnel actions and organization design proposals recommended for the integration of this category of without compensation (WOC) employees. Ensuring compliance with all applicable standards of The Joint Commission (TJC) for VHA volunteers, to include maintaining the official volunteer personnel files, mandated training records, assignment guides, competency and performance assessments, and other applicable role-specific documentation. Designing, developing, and implementing the recognition and incentive awards program for the organization's volunteer workforce. Providing oversight of the organization's General Post Funds and in-kind development activities. Managing the day-to-day operations of the philanthropic development activities. Monitoring all donated monetary funds at the healthcare system level within the station's General Post Fund (GPF) Accounts. Exercising discretionary authority to approve the allocation and distribution of such funds. Preparing business case justification for anticipated expenses, including alignment with VA and VHA goals and priorities, strategy identification, benchmarking, and evaluation in support of proposed budget. Planning, design and development of each volunteer role and the work to be accomplished. Serving as a strategic advisor to executive leadership for the utilization of community resources in support of operational goals, assesses risks, anticipates outcomes, and alternative strategies. Establishing local policies and procedures for the strategic utilization of volunteers and community partnerships across the healthcare system. Serving as an advisor to VA Headquarters Voluntary Service National Advisory Committee. Conducting thorough and exhaustive research on potential community partners to determine suitability for development of non-monetary partnership agreements. Serves as the local subject matter expert on volunteer and donation management. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 7:00 am-3:30 pm; extended evening or weekend hours may be required. Telework: This position may be authorized for telework at service line discretion. Telework eligibility will be discussed during the interview process. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Description/PD#: Voluntary Services Officer/PD99897S Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Approved Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not Authorized
Requirements
You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job To be considered for this position, you must complete all required steps in the process. In addition to the application and questionnaire, this position requires an online assessment. The online assessment measures critical general competencies required to perform the job. Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959 Physical Requirements: The work required does not inherently include any physical requirements essential for successful job performance that could not otherwise be performed with accommodation or workplace adjustment. A pre-placement physical examination is not required. 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 (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-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. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP) As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period or 2-year trial 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.
Education
There is no educational substitution at this grade level. 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://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.
How you will be evaluated
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 for this position: Accountability Customer Service Decisiveness Flexibility Interpersonal Skills Problem Solving Resilience Your experience must be fully documented on your resume and must include job title, duties, month and year start/end dates AND hours worked per week. A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. Part-time experience will be credited on the basis of time actually spent in appropriate activities. Applicants wishing to receive credit for such experience must indicate clearly the nature of their duties and responsibilities in each position and the number of hours a week spent in such employment. IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE WILL NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application materials or application questionnaire may result in your removal from consideration. Cheating on the online assessment may also result in your removal from consideration. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions. Special Employment Consideration: VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply, including those eligible for hiring under 5 CFR 213.3102(u), Schedule A, Appointment of persons with disabilities [i.e., intellectual disabilities, severe physical disabilities, or psychiatric disabilities], and/or Disabled veterans with a compensable service-connected disability of 30% or more. Contact the Agency Contact for information on how to apply under this appointment authority via the Selective Placement Coordinator.