Recreation Assistant (Yoga Instructor)

Clarification from the agency

Area of Consideration- Eligible applications will be reviewed and referred in the following order: 1. Current permanent VA employees of the facility. NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this position.

Major Duties:

• Instructs classes demonstrating appropriate adaptations and modifications using cues to ensure safety, appropriate alignment, and props as needed to participants in individual and group classes, as appropriate for physical, mental or behavioral well-being.
• Conducts engaging individual and group well-being classes for the purpose of promoting, preserving or restoring health and well-being and supports participants in achieving their goals.
• Prepares class sequences such as grounding, warm up, cool down, physical postures, breathing techniques and meditation or relaxation appropriate for the type of class and the ability of participants while ensuring safe movement.
• Uses English terminology of postures and trauma sensitive language to provide clear, simple verbal and visual cues and instructions to guide participants with alignment and modifications.
• Ensures safety protocols are followed for sanitizing, setting up and maintaining yoga space.
• Ensures props and reusable medical equipment are in safe working condition, stored in an organized manner and are available to support scheduled events and activities.
• Recognizes and communicates concerns to the supervisor and appropriate health care team to ensure individual and group safety.
• Conducts regular inspections of equipment.
• Uses technology and equipment to provide virtual instruction.
• Collaborates with the health care team in the development and integration of movement into a Veteran's personal health plan.
• Uses appropriate notes in the electronic medical record to document progress, communicates with providers and utilizes appropriate coding and tracking of the services.
• May develop patient and provider facing educational and marketing materials on the benefits of yoga, assist with promotional efforts and encourage participation in yoga classes, special events and community programs.

Work Schedule: 7:30am - 4:00pm Monday - Friday
Compressed/Flexible: Not Authorized
Telework: Not available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Position Description/PD#: Recreation Assistant (Yoga Instructor)/PD99340S
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized

Conditions of employment

• U.S. Citizenship; non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.
• Suitable for Federal employment, determined by a background investigation
• Selective Services Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
• 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.
• Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement.

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary 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.

Qualifications

Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met.

Basic Requirements:

• United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.

English Language Proficiency. In accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7403(f), no person shall serve in direct patient care positions unless they are proficient in basic written and spoken English.

Registration or Certification. Must possess one of the following:

• Experienced Registered Yoga Teacher 200 or 500 (E-RYT 200 or E-RYT-500) registration with Yoga Alliance.
• International Association of Yoga Therapists (IAYT) certification (C-IAYT).

GS-07 Yoga Instructor- At least 1 year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-6) that includes applying a basic knowledge of adapting yoga practices to individual participants in group classes as appropriate for physical, mental or behavioral health conditions; using English terminology of postures and trauma sensitive language; instructing classes demonstrating appropriate adaptation and modification using cues to ensure safety, appropriate alignment and props as needed; preparing class sequence such as grounding, warm up, cool down, physical postures, breathing techniques and meditation or relaxation appropriate for the type of class and the ability of participants to ensure safe movement; and, ensuring safety protocols are followed for sanitizing, setting up and maintaining yoga space that demonstrates the following Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
(a) Skill in developing appropriate resources to enhance participant personal practice.
(b) Skill in presenting the benefits of yoga for self-care at meetings, promotional events and community partnerships.
(c) Ability to maintain supplies and equipment.
(d) Ability to develop a schedule of programs and activities.
(e) Ability to develop marketing material.
(f) Ability to recommend changes to ensure ongoing program effectiveness.
(g) Ability to create local yoga standards, protocols and operating procedures that align with national guidance and policy.
(h) Ability to serve as a yoga subject matter expert (SME).

May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria).



Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-7.

Physical Requirements: The work requires moderately heavy physical exertion on an intermittent basis such as assisting a veteran in transfer activities; wheelchair to transport vehicle. There are also regular periods of standing and walking throughout the medical center and at off-station sites. Additionally, at times the work requires lifting, moving, and carrying of moderately heavy items and equipment for set-up or use by Veterans during recreational activities. Work is primarily performed in various medical center facilities; however, off-station resources within a reasonable radius are utilized. Incumbent must be alert to the potential for uncooperative, and unpredictable behaviors of Veterans. The incumbent may be the only medical center staff in the assigned work area. Appropriate safety precautions are taken depending on activities provided.

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 MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Your application, resume, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment.

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.

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.

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:

• Long-form resume/Curriculum vitae (CV)
• SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action

The following documents are accepted, and may be required if applicable to your eligibility and/or qualifications for this position. Please ensure you have included all documents required for your application, such as a copy of your transcript (if using education to qualify), SF-50's (current/former Federal employees), etc.

• Long-form resume/Curriculum vitae (CV)
• Separation Notice (RIF)
• SF-15
• SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action
• Transcript

Veterans' Preference: When applying for Federal Jobs, eligible Veterans should claim preference for 5pt (TP), 10pt (CP/CPS/XP), or for Sole Survivor Preference (SSP) in the questionnaire. You must provide a legible copy of your DD214(s) which shows dates and character of service (honorable, general, etc.). If you are currently serving on active duty and expect to be released or discharged within 120 days you must submit documentation related to your active duty service which reflects the dates of service, character of service (honorable, general, etc.), and dates of impending separation. Additionally, disabled veterans and others eligible for 10-point preference (such as widows or mothers of eligible Veterans) must also submit an SF-15 "Application for 10 Point Veteran Preference" with required proof as stated on the form. Documentation is required to award preference. For more information on Veterans' Preference, please visit Feds Hire Vets - Veterans - Job Seekers - Veterans' Preference.

Veterans' preference does not apply for internal or other current permanent Federal agency employees.

Next steps