Veterans Outreach Program Specialist

Veterans Health Administration•Boston, MA

2d•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 GWOT, OEF, OIF, and OND. The position is based at a Vet Center, but a major portion of services is delivered away from the office, including at other agencies, in nontraditional settings, and at military, reserve, and National Guard facilities. The role requires travel throughout an assigned geographical area and daily use of a Government Owned Vehicle and Mobile Vet Center, which may be up to 40 feet long. The specialist sets up and closes the Mobile Vet Center for operation, including leveling it and checking communication and electrical systems. This is a multi-grade career-ladder position, with duties described at the GS-11 full-performance level. At lower grades, assignments are narrower in scope and performed with less independence; employees may progress to the full-performance level when regulatory, qualification, and performance requirements are met. The schedule is Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., with some nights and weekends potentially required to meet the mission. Telework and virtual work are not available. The specialist informs individuals from varied educational, environmental, ethnic, and cultural backgrounds about benefits and eligibility for VHA, RCS, VBA, and NCA services. The position develops and distributes outreach materials and presentations, serves as a community liaison, coordinates referrals with Vet Center direct service providers, participates in outreach events, and documents contacts, client visits, and administrative activities in accordance with program policies. The position requires a state-issued driver's license, a driving-record review, and the ability to operate a passenger vehicle or larger vehicle that does not require a commercial driver's license. A pre-employment physical is required.

Requirements

U.S. citizenship is required.
Maintain a state-issued driver's license; the driving record will be verified as part of selection and annually on the employee's birthday.
Pass a pre-employment physical examination and, for driving a government vehicle, a pre-placement evaluation; submit a completed OF-345 Physical Fitness Inquiry for Motor Vehicle Operators if selected.
Meet the specialized experience, education, or permissible combination requirements for the applicable GS-09 or GS-11 grade.
GS-09 specialized experience: one year equivalent to GS-07, including experience such as assisting with outreach events and referrals, presentations about services, outreach marketing materials, client records, or outreach data and reports. Alternatively, qualifying education is a master's or equivalent graduate degree, two years of progressively higher graduate education leading to such a degree, or a related LL.B. or J.D.; a combination of education and experience may also qualify.
GS-11 specialized experience: one year equivalent to GS-09, including experience such as developing, planning, scheduling, and conducting community outreach and referrals; creating and presenting formal briefings to varied audiences; developing and distributing outreach materials; maintaining records; and preparing reports and cursory analyses of outreach data. Alternatively, qualifying education is a Ph.D. or equivalent, three years of progressively higher graduate education leading to such a degree, or a related LL.M.; a combination of education and experience may also qualify.
Current Federal employees and certain other applicants with Federal service must meet applicable time-in-grade requirements; for GS-09, the announcement specifies 52 weeks at GS-07.
Complete the application, questionnaire, and required online assessment; comply with applicable background/security investigation and onboarding requirements.
Register with Selective Service if applicable to males born after December 31, 1959.
Successfully serve the required one-year probationary period or two-year trial period, as applicable.
Be able to meet with many people at different locations throughout the workday and operate a passenger vehicle or larger vehicle that does not require a commercial driver's license.
Education used to qualify must be from an accredited institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education; transcripts are required when relying on education.

Nice To Haves

Superior Academic Achievement may qualify at the GS-07 level, based on class standing, grade-point average, or membership in a national scholastic honor society.

Responsibilities

Provide information, explanations of services, support, and connections regarding benefits and eligibility for VHA, RCS, VBA, and NCA services.
Develop, manage, and distribute outreach materials, including brochures, presentations, flyers, fact sheets, and web content.
Create presentations and materials in formats that help Veterans, Service Members, families, and representatives understand the information provided.
Represent the Vet Center as a community liaison with Veterans Service Organizations, community groups, and other organizations serving Veterans and their families.
Collaborate with Vet Center direct service providers to initiate client referrals and follow up to ensure needs are met in a timely manner.
Participate in planning, coordinating, and executing 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, including travel throughout an assigned geographical area.
Set up and close the Mobile Vet Center for operation, including leveling it and checking communications and electrical systems.
At the GS-11 level, prepare and provide accurate reports and cursory analyses of outreach data as assigned.