Clarification from the agency

Open to current and permanent Memphis VAMC Station (614) only.

The Incumbent assists with the development of standard operating procedures concerning liaison activities between the VHA facility and the Fisher House program within the framework of existing regulations and policy. Develops operating procedures related to facility maintenance/repairs and prepares and submits work requests. Determines the appropriate method of accomplishing identified work based on policy and procedures and ensures the safety and welfare of guests. Regularly assesses the resource needs of the facility's Fisher House and the utilization of resources, recommending appropriate actions to adequately maintain the Fisher House and to assure an appropriate level of operation.

Major duties and responsibilities include but are no limited to:

• Oversee, monitor, and coordinate the lodging program consisting of the Fisher House and off-site lodging.
• Operate government vehicles, to include passenger cars and vans.
• Manages Fisher House operations and assures that the needs of Fisher House guests are met, including orienting guests to the Fisher House and its programs.
• Solicits, analyzes, and reports feedback from patients and families regarding their experience with Fisher House lodging.
• Assists with the development of standard operating procedures concerning liaison activities between the VHA facility and the Fisher. House program within the framework of existing regulations and policy.
• Maintains effective working relationships with community organizations and promotes good relations between the VA and the community and at times, represents the VAMC at various functions concerning the Fisher House.
• Monitors the utilization of resources, recommending appropriate actions to adequately maintain the Fisher House and to assure an appropriate level of operation.

Work Schedule: Sunday - Wednesday 7:30am - 6:00pm
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Position Description/PD#: Program Specialist/PD505150
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Approved
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
• 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 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)

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 or trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 05/04/2026.

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 the closing date of this announcement. For a GS-11 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-9. The grade may have been in any occupation, but must have been held in the Federal service. An SF-50 that shows your time-in-grade eligibility must be submitted with your application materials. If the most recent SF-50 has an effective date within the past year, it may not clearly demonstrate you possess one-year time-in-grade, as required by the announcement. In this instance, you must provide an additional SF-50 that clearly demonstrates one-year time-in-grade. Note: Time-In-Grade requirements also apply to former Federal employees applying for reinstatement as well as current employees applying for Veterans Employment Opportunities Act of 1998 (VEOA) appointment.

You may qualify based on your experience and/or education as described below:

To qualify for this position at the GS-11 level, you must meet one of the following:

Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-09 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to:

• Knowledge of pertinent laws, regulations, policies, and precedents which affect the use of program and related support resources (people, money, or equipment) in the area studied.
• Skilled in public speaking and the ability to effectively convey ideas and job tasks to others for completion.
• Knowledge of office management including use of computer software, word processing, spreadsheet applications, graphics to develop presentation materials, bookkeeping/accounting series and applications, and the creation and management of filing systems.
• Ability to clearly communicate orally and in writing ideas, concepts, facility policies and special programs to volunteers, community members and service organizations.
• Assigns specific projects in terms of issues, organizations, functions, or work processes to be studied and set deadlines for completing work.
• Review and evaluate local Fisher House procedures, revised cost limitations, workflow, and methods as they affect the cost of maintenance and the adequacy and availability of suites and recommend changes or adjustments conducive to increased efficiency and economy of operations.
• Gathering information, identifying, and analyzing issues, and developing recommendations to resolve substantive problems or effectiveness and efficiency of work operations in a program or program support setting.
• Involves planning, scheduling, coordinating, and monitoring the operation and utilization of the Fisher House.

OR,

• Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have successfully completed a Ph. D. or equivalent doctoral degree or 3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.M., if related that demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of this position. NOTE: Transcripts must be submitted with application. Education cannot be credited without documentation.

OR,

• Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have equivalent combinations of successfully completed graduate level education (in excess of the first year or 18 semester hours) and specialized experience to meet total experience requirements. NOTE: If using education combined with specialized experience to qualify, a copy of your transcript is required.

You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position:

• Administration and Management
• Communications
• Customer Service
• Organizational Stewardship
• Stakeholder Management

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.

Note: 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.

Physical Requirements: No special physical demands are required for this job. Average physical ability, dexterity, and strength are needed for this position. This includes preparation for programs, moving/lifting of equipment (100 cup coffee pot, boxes of donated items, up to 40 pounds etc.). Although some of the work is sedentary, the employee will be walking, standing, bending, climbing stairs, and carrying some light items, as well as driving an automobile for the purpose of transporting Veterans and guests and delivering materiel to and from the VAMC. Trips into the community to attend meetings in support of Fisher House will be required.

For more information on these qualification standards, please visit the United States Office of Personnel Management's website at https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE WILL NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE.

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 contact for 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.

The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position.

For more information on the "Who may apply" eligibility requirements, please refer to the OHRM Status Candidates and Other Candidate Definitions document.

Placement Policy: The posting of this announcement does not obligate management to fill a vacancy or vacancies by promotion. The position may be filled by reassignment, change to lower grade, transfer, appointment, or reinstatement. Management may use any one or any combination of these methods to fill the position.

It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.

Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.

To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:

• Resume

The following documents are accepted, and may be required if applicable to your eligibility and/or qualifications for this position. Please make sure you have included other documents required for your application, such as a copy of your transcript (if using education to qualify), SF-50's (current/former Federal employees), documentation to support Veterans Preference claims, or ICTAP/CTAP documentation (for displaced Federal employees). You will not be contacted for additional information.

• Cover Letter
• Other (1)
• Performance Appraisal
• Resume
• SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action
• Transcript

SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action (if applicable for Time in Grade and/or Eligibility):

• Most recent SF-50 if you are a current or former Federal employee
• An SF-50 showing your time-in-grade eligibility must be submitted with your application materials. If the most recent SF-50 has an effective date within the past year, it may not clearly demonstrate you possess one-year time-in-grade, as required by the announcement. In this instance, you must provide an additional SF-50 that clearly demonstrates one-year time-in-grade
• Award 50's do not provide sufficient information and will not be accepted for the purpose of verifying time-in-grade.
• Examples of appropriate SF-50's include:
  • Within grade increases at the highest grade held; or
  • Promotions with an effective date more than one year old; or
  • SF-50's at the highest grade held with an effective date more than one year old.

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