Supervisory Recreation Therapist

Clarification from the agency

Open to Current VHA employees on permanent appointments NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this position.

Major Duties:

• Provides technical leadership to local facility management on all issues related to the National Veterans Summer Sports Clinic (NVSSC) and is responsible for the overall planning, administering, monitoring, and evaluating of the NVSSC.
• Coordinates and oversight of various sub-committees supporting the planning and execution of the NVSSC (e.g., volunteers, registration, transportation, meals, donations/fund raising, public affairs, information technology, ceremonies, security, emergency management, warehouse, logistic, venues, equipment set-up and take-down, medical support and business/ finance, etc.) to ensure activities proceed as planned and issues are resolved as quickly as possible.
• Serves as the principal liaison to Veteran Service Organizations, Congress, executive level personnel from public and private organizations, and other stakeholders.
• Utilizes budget estimate prepared by the Department staff to determine base resource levels.
• Works directly with physicians, nurses, physical therapists, occupational therapists, recreation therapists, blind rehabilitation specialist, prosthetists, orthotists and other adaptive sports clinical providers from across VA health care systems regarding therapeutic outcomes for Veterans participating in the NVSSC to accomplish oversight responsibilities.
• Leads formulation and execution of the NVSSC budget which includes budget formulation, justification and execution; financial management; and financial reporting.

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 08:00am - 04:30pm
Compressed/Flexible:May be authorized
Telework: This position may be authorized for telework. Telework eligibility will be discussed during the interview process.
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Return to Office (RTO): RTO mandates are in effect and selectees will be required to report to in-person work unless they are approved for an exception or an exemption. Any approval for an RTO exception, exemption, or extension will happen after a tentative job offer, but before a final job offer.
Functional Statement #: 001820
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): 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.
• Must be proficient in written and spoken English.
• 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 identification 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).
• 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 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 trial 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.
• Education: The following education requirements apply to the recreation therapist:
  • (a) A bachelor's degree or higher, from an accredited college or university, with a major in therapeutic recreation or recreation/leisure, with an option and/or emphasis in therapeutic recreation. The degree must be approved by the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification (NCTRC); OR,
  • (b) A bachelor's degree or higher in any field from an accredited college or university and must be a certified therapeutic recreation specialist (CTRS). The degree must be approved by the NCTRC.
• Required Certification: Applicants must be certified in recreation therapy as a CTRS by the NCTRC.
• English Language Proficiency. Must be proficient in spoken and written English, as required by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f).

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).

Grade Determinations: Supervisory Recreation Therapist (Service Chief), GS-14:

• Experience: At least one year of creditable experience equivalent at the next lower grade level GS-13.
• Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs:
  • i. Skill in supervising, motivating, and managing a diverse clinical staff applicable to a service level department in a large, complex, or multi-division facility, including inherent strategic planning and fiscal management.
  • ii. Skill in providing authoritative advice and coordination of recreation therapy and/or creative arts therapy services across the continuum of care that may encompass multiple medical centers, including consolidated facilities or departments.
  • iii. Skill in collaborating with strategic planning committees at local, VISN, or national levels for new ventures addressing patient care delivery systems, facilities management, system reorganization, etc.
  • iv. Ability to translate extensive recreation/creative art therapy, rehabilitation, mental health, long term-care, and other specialty care knowledge areas into cogent and useful policy in complex facilities.
  • v. Knowledge in reconciling contradictory requirements based upon regulations and standards of various regulatory and medical or other professional credentialing groups, such as The Joint Commission.
  • vi. Knowledge of pertinent analytical and evaluative methods sufficient to analyze complex issues to provide workable solutions and alternative solutions to executive leadership that support timely and sound decision making.

Preferred Experience: Experience leading a large-scale adaptive sports or rehabilitation program for Veterans or individuals with disabilities.

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

Physical Requirements: The work is primarily sedentary, working at a desk with limited physical requirements. However, occasional work may require some physical exertion such as long periods of standing, walking, or recurring crouching, bending, standing, such as in performing occasional activities required for this adaptive sports medicine position, including equipment inspections in storage facilities, and operations assessments in venues where healthcare for this national rehabilitation event are delivered. Work also includes occasional lifting of moderately heavy items weighing less than 23 kilograms (i.e., under 50 pounds) such as record boxes, adaptive sports equipment, and other program equipment that facilitate rehabilitation at the National Veterans Summer Sports Clinic.

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
• Transcript

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.

• Cover Letter
• License
• Long-form resume/Curriculum vitae (CV)
• Other (1)
• Performance Appraisal
• Professional Certification
• Separation Notice (RIF)
• 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.

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