Veteran Outreach Program Specialist

Veterans Health Administration • Port Richey, FL

4d • Onsite

About The Position

The Veterans Outreach Program Specialist serves as the principal outreach staff member for Military Reserve and National Guard members returning from the Global War on Terrorism (GWOT), Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF), Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF), and Operation New Dawn (OND). The nature of the job requires travel throughout an assigned geographical area away from the Vet Center.

Requirements

• Must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job
• Must complete all required steps in the process, including application, questionnaire, and online assessment.
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
• Must pass pre-employment physical examination
• 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.
• Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued dentification 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)
• Must serve a 1-year probationary period or 2-year trial period.
• Must have and maintain a state issued driver's license.
• Driving record will be verified and annually on your birthday should you be selected.
• Time-In-Grade Requirement: Applicants who are current Federal employees and have held a GS grade any time in the past 52 weeks must also meet time-in-grade requirements by closing date of this announcement. For a GS-09 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-07. For a GS-11 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-09.
• Specialized Experience (GS-09): One full year of specialized experience, which equips you with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the Veterans Outreach Program Specialist, GS-09 position, and that is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled. To be creditable, this specialized experience must have been equivalent to the grade GS-07 level in Federal service to qualify at the grade GS-09.
• Specialized Experience (GS-11): One full year of specialized experience, which equips you with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the Veterans Outreach Program Specialist, GS-11 position, and that is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled. To be creditable, this specialized experience must have been equivalent to the grade GS-09 level in Federal service to qualify at the grade GS-11.
• Must be able to operate a passenger vehicle or larger vehicle that does not require a commercial driver's license.
• To drive the MVC. the incumbent uses moderate physical effort in operating hand and foot controls.
• Incumbent is responsible for driving the MVC in all types of weather and traffic situations.
• Submit a completed OF-345, Physical Fitness Inquiry for Motor Vehicle Operators.
• To drive a government vehicle, the incumbent will be subject to a pre-placement evaluation and once every 4 years through employee occupational health (EOH).
• Complete a pre-employment physical.

Nice To Haves

• Superior Academic Achievement: SAA is based on (1) class standing, (2) grade-point average, or (3) honor society membership.
• Grade-point average (G.P.A.): Applicants must have a grade-point average of: 3.0 or higher out of a possible 4.0 ("B" or better) as recorded on their official transcript, or as computed based on 4 years of education, or as computed based on courses completed during the final 2 years of the curriculum; or 3.5 or higher out of a possible 4.0 ("B+" or better) based on the average of the required courses completed in the major field or the required courses in the major field completed during the final 2 years of the curriculum.
• Election to membership in a national scholastic honor society.
• Class standing: Applicants must be in the upper third of the graduating class in the college, university, or major subdivision, such as the College of Liberal Arts or the School of Business Administration, based on completed courses.
• Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

Responsibilities

• Providing information, explanation of services, support, and connection to a variety of individuals of various educational, environmental, ethnic, and cultural backgrounds, regarding benefits and eligibility to VHA, RCS, Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) and the National Cemetery Administration (NCA).
• Developing, managing, and distributing outreach materials to include brochures, presentations, flyers, fact sheets, web content, and other targeted information which highlights Vet Center services and locations as well as the combat Veteran experience.
• Creating presentations and materials with information in the appropriate format to allow the Veteran and/or Service Members, their families and representatives to understand the information they are receiving.
• Serving as a community liaison representing the Vet Center with organizations to include but not limited to Veterans Service Organizations, community groups, and others whose interest is in helping and protecting Veterans, their families, and their representatives.
• Collaborating closely with Vet Center direct service providers, helps initiate client referrals, and follows up to ensure client needs are being met timely.
• Collaborating, participating in the planning, coordinating, and executing of a variety of outreach events.
• Preparing documentation of contacts, client visits, and administrative activities in accordance with program guidelines and policies.
• Driving a Government Owned Vehicle (GOV) and a Mobile Vet Center to perform outreach services on a daily basis. Each Mobile Vet Center may be up to 40 feet long.
• Setting up and closing the Mobile Vet Center for operation, i.e., leveling the Mobile Vet Center, checking communications systems, electrical systems, etc.

Benefits

• A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package.
• As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding.
• Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level