Veteran Outreach Program Specialist

Veterans Health Administration • Du Bois, PA

7d • 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 role involves travel throughout an assigned geographical area, with a substantial portion of services provided away from the Vet Center—in other agencies’ offices, nontraditional settings, and military, Reserve, and National Guard facilities.

The incumbent provides information about services and eligibility, develops and distributes outreach materials, represents the Vet Center in the community, supports referrals, coordinates outreach events, and documents contacts and administrative activities. The position uses a Government Owned Vehicle and Mobile Vet Center for daily outreach. The employee operates and sets up the Mobile Vet Center, which may be up to 40 feet long, including leveling it and checking communications and electrical systems. This is a multi-grade career-ladder position; the listed duties describe the GS-11 full-performance level, while lower grades perform work of more limited scope and independence.

The work schedule is Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Some nights and weekends may be required to meet mission needs. Telework is unavailable, and the position is not virtual. The position requires a state-issued driver's license and a physical examination. Work typically involves sitting at a desk or in meetings, briefings, and news conferences, or riding in vehicles or public transportation. A high level of physical energy is required to meet with people at multiple locations. The employee must be able to operate a passenger vehicle or larger vehicle that does not require a commercial driver's license, and must use moderate physical effort to operate the Mobile Vet Center's hand and foot controls. Driving may involve all types of weather and traffic conditions.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship.
• A state-issued driver's license that must be maintained; the driving record will be verified as part of selection and annually on the employee's birthday.
• Pass a pre-employment physical examination and, if selected, submit a completed OF-345 Physical Fitness Inquiry for Motor Vehicle Operators.
• For GS-09 qualification through experience: one year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-07, such as assisting with outreach planning and referrals, providing presentations about services, creating or distributing marketing materials, maintaining client records, or collecting outreach data and reporting it.
• For GS-09 qualification through education: a master's or equivalent graduate degree, two full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree, or a related LL.B. or J.D.; qualifying combinations of education and experience may also be used.
• For GS-11 qualification through experience: one year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-09, such as community outreach and referral work, developing and conducting events, presenting formal briefings to varied audiences, managing outreach materials, maintaining records, and preparing reports or cursory analyses of outreach data.
• For GS-11 qualification through education: a Ph.D. or equivalent degree, three full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree, or a related LL.M.; qualifying combinations of education and experience may also be used.
• A transcript must be submitted if education is used to meet qualification requirements. Education must be from an institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education; foreign education requires a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency.
• Current Federal employees and certain former Federal employees must meet applicable time-in-grade requirements. For GS-09, the announcement specifies 52 weeks at GS-07.
• Complete all required application steps, including an online assessment. Males born after December 31, 1959, must meet Selective Service registration requirements.
• Undergo a background/security investigation and complete the online onboarding process; acceptable identification is required.
• Participate in the seasonal influenza vaccination program as a Department of Veterans Affairs health care personnel requirement.
• Serve a one-year probationary period or two-year trial period, as applicable.
• To operate a government vehicle, complete a pre-placement evaluation through employee occupational health and subsequent evaluations every four years.

Nice To Haves

• Superior Academic Achievement may qualify applicants where applicable, based on class standing, grade-point average, or membership in a national scholastic honor society.
• Volunteer experience, including work through National Service programs and other organizations, may be credited when it provides qualifying experience.

Responsibilities

• Provide information, explain services, offer support, and connect people from varied educational, environmental, ethnic, and cultural backgrounds with information about benefits and eligibility for VHA, RCS, VBA, and NCA.
• Develop, manage, and distribute outreach materials, including brochures, presentations, flyers, fact sheets, web content, and other targeted information about Vet Center services, locations, and the combat Veteran experience.
• Create presentations and materials in formats that help Veterans, Service Members, their families, and representatives understand the information provided.
• Serve as a community liaison representing the Vet Center to Veterans Service Organizations, community groups, and other organizations focused on helping and protecting Veterans and their families and representatives.
• Collaborate with Vet Center direct service providers, initiate client referrals, and follow up to help ensure client needs are met in a timely manner.
• Participate in planning, coordinating, and carrying out outreach events.
• Prepare documentation of contacts, client visits, and administrative activities in accordance with program guidelines and policies.
• Drive a Government Owned Vehicle and Mobile Vet Center to provide outreach services, and set up and close the Mobile Vet Center for operation, including leveling it and checking communications and electrical systems.
• Develop, plan, schedule, and conduct outreach events and referral processes; prepare reports and cursory analyses of outreach data as assigned.

Benefits

• Federal employees and their families have access to a comprehensive benefits package; specific benefit eligibility depends on position type, and applicants are directed to contact the hiring agency for details.
• VA may offer newly appointed Federal employees credit for job-related non-federal experience or active-duty uniformed military service when determining annual leave accrual; approval is required before appointment and is not guaranteed.

What This Job Offers

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