Summary
The Voluntary Services Assistant serves as the Center for Development and Civic Engagement (CDCE)/Voluntary Service Assistant of the facility's CDCE/Voluntary Service office. They will be reporting directly to the CDCE/Voluntary Service Officer/Chief. Due to the cross-cutting nature of this office, the incumbent shows a general understanding of the federal government, VA, and each of its Administrations, with a primary focus on VHA.
This job is open to
Internal to an agency
Current federal employees of the hiring agency that posted the job announcement.
Clarification from the agency
This job is only open to current and permanent employees at the Lexington VA Healthcare System and CBOCs aligned under Duty Station #596.
(Duty Station information can be found in block 40 on your most recent SF-50 and to be eligible for this vacancy the first 3 alpha-numeric characters in block 40 must read 596.)
Duties
Major duties include, but are not limited to:
- Providing support to the facility's CDCE/Voluntary Service operations as the first point of contact for potential volunteers, patients, visitors, service organizations, corporate and community leaders, donors, and other internal and external stakeholders.
- Exhibiting a high degree of tact, diplomacy, and courtesy with every interpersonal interaction daily.
- Communicating and coordinating on behalf of the CDCE/Voluntary Service Officer with services across the health care system, agency representatives (including VHA, VBA, and NCA), and community officials regarding programs, events, and activities.
- Maintaining many physical and/or electronic records for reports due monthly, quarterly, annually, and ad hoc.
- Serving as the primary timekeeper for all CDCE/Voluntary Service employees.
- Assisting the CDCE/Voluntary Service Officer in position management to project staffing needs, entering actions by Human Resources and employment decisions into HR Smart, USA Staffing, and any other relevant position management portals as determined by local, VISN, or national protocols.
- Responsible for clerical functions associated with the CDCE/Voluntary Service program management.
- Collaborating with CDCE/Voluntary Service Officer to complete equipment inventory surveys and ensures proper documentation of equipment assigned to the CDCE/Voluntary Service department.
- Receiving, processing, and tracking gifts and donations including accurate entry into the Voluntary Service System or subsequent electronic donation database programs.
- Coordinating requests and purchases of office operating supplies, generates reports from automated information systems, and completes other administrative tasks essential to the effective and efficient operation of the CDCE/Voluntary Service Office.
- Performs other related duties as assigned
Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 8:00am - 4:30pm. Weekends may be required on occasion.
Telework: Not Eligible
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Position Description/PD#: Voluntary Services Assistant/PD99769S
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Requirements
Conditions of employment
- You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job
- All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA.
- Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
- You may be required to serve a probationary period
- Subject to background/security investigation
- Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process
- Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP)
- Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details.
Qualifications
To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 04/28/2026.
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-4 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-3. 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:
GS-6 Voluntary Services Assistant:
Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade (GS-5) 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 the basic principles, practices, concepts, and methods used in Voluntary Service management.
- Knowledge of the mission, vision, and goals of CDCE/Voluntary Service and its function within the medical center including knowledge of Veteran Service Organization's role to the CDCE/VAVS program.
- Ability to apply this knowledge in communicating with the community and potential volunteers to engage their interest in volunteering to support Veterans' programs and services.
- Knowledge of purchase cards, procurement and acquisition policies and procedures sufficient to support Voluntary Service programming and to meet Veterans' needs; required to work with vendors to order gifts, supplies, or other items to support programs and operations.
- Knowledge and skills to serve a subject matter expert on policies as it relates to the use of the government purchase card and contracting policies and procedures as the primary card holder for CDCE/Voluntary Service, to plan and purchase items, supplies, and services for CDCE/VAVS programs.
- Knowledge of effective oral and written communication skills.
- Knowledge of strategies to develop and maintain positive and successful relationships with a variety of people from different ethnic, education, and socio-economic backgrounds and interests.
- Knowledge to put into practice interpersonal communication skills which foster effective working relationships with volunteers, staff, community groups, students, and the general public.
- Knowledge of administrative regulations and operating procedures and skill in applying fact-finding and investigative techniques to gather clear-cut factual evidence of administrative waste and abuse, or compliance with regulations.
- Extensive knowledge of the organization's rules, procedures, operations, and facility business practices.
- Well-developed interpersonal skills, ability to promote and model courtesy, build rapport, develop and maintain positive collaborative relationships, cognitive and behavioral flexibility that facilitates engagement and is consistent with organizational values and core principles.
- Ability to creatively problem solve daily minor operational issues.
- Ability to deal effectively and tactfully with stressful situations.
- Familiarity with human resource concepts, policies, and laws pertaining, but not limited to: Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and knowledge of the economic realities test, Federal Child Labor Laws, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, Americans with Disabilities Act, Volunteers for Children Act, Federal Volunteer Protection Act, Occupational Safety and Health Act, etc.
- Knowledge of applicable laws and regulations governing general post funds, donations, gifts, and solicitation.
- Knowledge of records management, Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Power Point, Voluntary Services System (VSS) and any related or subsequent databases or programs, and VATAS and any subsequent employee timekeeping databases or programs.
You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position:
- Clerical
- Computer Skills
- Customer Service (Clerical/Technical)
- Manages Resources
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: Work is moderately sedentary, although considerably variable. It requires a fair amount of standing, sometimes for long periods, walking, climbing stairs, and bending. Work may require some heavy to moderate lifting, transporting of materials, equipment and supplies for special events and other programs. Due to the diverse nature and scope of the work, it may require occasionally working in extreme temperatures (hot or cold). Driving or riding in a vehicle is also required on a routine basis to provide coverage, trainings, or other support at off-site clinics; attend outside community meetings; and support special events. Travel may also occur in support of outreach events and conferences. The incumbent must attend lengthy meetings both during and after regular scheduled work hours. Travel to other medical center facilities is often necessary.
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/.
Education
There is no educational substitution at this grade level.
Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html.
Additional information
This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.
Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process.
If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement.Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer (TJO). Please visit the Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP), va.gov/EMPLOYEE/docs/The-Fair-Chance-to-Compete-Act.pdf for more information.
Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.
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.
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.
Required Documents
To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:
The following documents are accepted, and may be required if applicable to your eligibility and/or qualifications for this position. Please use this
checklist to 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
- DD-214/ Statement of Service
- Disability Letter (Schedule A)
- Disability Letter (VA)
- License
- Other (1)
- PCS Orders
- Performance Appraisal
- Professional Certification
- Resume
- Separation Notice (RIF)
- SF-15
- SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action
- Transcript
Missing and/or incomplete required documents will result in not being referred.
These are the REQUIRED documents for this specific position/vacancy:
- Resume. (REQUIRED by ALL) Must include your contact information phone and email. Must include your Medical technologist certification and/or certification number. Your resume must have the following information for each position you have listed on your resume:
- Position title
- Employer
- City/State
- Begin/end dates of employment including the month and year format (mm/yy - mm/yy)
- Full-time or part-time status
- Number of hours worked each week.
- Specific job duties
- ***IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE and/or KSAs. If your resume does not support your questionnaire answers, we will not allow credit for your response(s).
- 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 with the Lexington VA Healthcare System
- 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 in addition to the most recent SF-50; or
- SF-50's at the highest grade held with an effective date more than one year old
Veterans' Preference: Since the announcement is being posted internal to agency employees, traditional Veterans' Preference rules do not apply. For more information on Veterans' Preference, please visit
Feds Hire Vets - Veterans - Job Seekers - Veterans' Preference.
How to Apply
All applicants are encouraged to apply online. To apply for this position, you must complete the questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on 04/28/2026 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12937913.
- To begin, click Apply Online to create a USA JOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USA JOBS resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the occupational questionnaire.
- Click Submit My Answers to submit your application package.
NOTE: It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation is submitted prior to the closing date.
To verify your application is complete, log into your USA JOBS account,
https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login, select the Application Status link and then select the more information link for this position. The Application page will display the status of your application, the documentation received and processed, and any correspondence the agency has sent related to this application. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process. To return to an incomplete application, log into your USA JOBS account and click Update Application in the vacancy announcement. You must re-select your resume and/or other documents from your USA JOBS account or your application will be incomplete.
During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions.
Next steps
Once your online application is submitted you will receive a confirmation notification by email. After we receive application packages (including all required documents) and the vacancy announcement closes, we will review applications to ensure qualification and eligibility requirements are met. After the review is complete, a referral certificate(s) is issued and applicants will be notified of their status by email. Referred applicants will be notified as such and may be contacted directly by the hiring office for an interview. All referred applicants receive a final notification once a selection decision has been made.
You may check the status of your application at any time by logging into your USA Jobs account and clicking on Applications. Information regarding your application status can be found in the USAJobs Help Center.