Voluntary Services Officer

Due to the cross-cutting nature of this office the incumbent shows a comprehensive understanding of the federal government VA and each of its Administrations with a primary focus on VHA; to include the relevant laws regulations policies and procedures accrediting organizations as well as the organizations within the agency to facilitate a systems-oriented approach to the Centers success.

Major duties include but are not limited to:

• Providing technical and administrative supervision to subordinates which may include an Assistant Chief Specialist Program Support Assistant Secretary or other administrative staff.
• Planning and leading all philanthropic activities and programs within widely dispersed locations across the healthcare system VA Administrations and State Veterans Homes.
• Conducting and analyzing comprehensive needs assessments for optimal alignment of the program in support of the organizations mission and goals.
• Exercising final authority for the full range of personnel actions and organization design proposals recommended for the integration of this category of without compensation (WOC) employees.
• Ensuring compliance with all applicable standards of The Joint Commission (TJC) for VHA volunteers to include maintaining the official volunteer personnel files mandated training records assignment guides competency and performance assessments and other applicable role-specific documentation.
• Designing developing and implementing the recognition and incentive awards program for the organizations volunteer workforce.
• Providing oversight of the organizations General Post Funds and in-kind development activities.
• Managing the day-to-day operations of the philanthropic development activities.
• Monitoring all donated monetary funds at the healthcare system level within the stations General Post Fund (GPF) Accounts.
• Exercising discretionary authority to approve the allocation and distribution of such funds.
• Preparing business case justification for anticipated expenses including alignment with VA and VHA goals and priorities strategy identification benchmarking and evaluation in support of proposed budget.
• Responsible for project and event management of varied sizes and scope.
• Maintaining significant and expansive supervisory responsibility for every registered volunteer in accordance with the TJC and established occupational standards for the profession.
• Planning design and development of each volunteer role and the work to be accomplished.
• Serving as a strategic advisor to executive leadership for the utilization of community resources in support of operational goals assesses risks anticipates outcomes and alternative strategies.
• Establishing local policies and procedures for the strategic utilization of volunteers and community partnerships across the healthcare system.
• Serving as an advisor to VA Headquarters Voluntary Service National Advisory Committee.
• Conducting thorough and exhaustive research on potential community partners to determine suitability for development of non-monetary partnership agreements.
• Serves as the local subject matter expert on volunteer and donation management.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 7:30am - 4:00pm
Telework: This position may be authorized for ad-hoc telework. Telework eligibility will be discussed during the interview process.
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Position Description/PD#: Voluntary Services Officer/PD99897S
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Approved
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

The VA Midwest Health Care Network advocates for a Whole Health System of care in each of the Medical Centers. This is an approach to healthcare that empowers and equips people to take charge of their health and well-being and live their lives to the fullest. As an employee operating in a Whole Health System of care you will operate in a model with three core elements seeking to create a personalized health plan for each Veteran. This is done in the context of healing relationships and healing environments and a connection back to the Veterans community. This aligns with the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Mission Statement to Honor Americas Veterans by providing exceptional health care that improves their health and well-being.

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
• Supervisory probationary period may be required.
• Valid drivers license required.
• Pre-employment physical exam required.
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements ( Effective May 7 2025 drivers 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 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 02/09/2026.

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-12 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-11. 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 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.

Qualifications: You must qualify based on your experience as described below:

• Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade (GS-11) in the Federal Service that is directly related to the work of the position and has equipped you with the particular knowledge skills and abilities to successfully perform the duties as a Voluntary Services Officer (Chief). Qualifying specialized experience includes: planning scheduling executing special events involving community leaders staff and visitors; developing and proposing policies and innovative programs governing voluntary services; managing general post fund accounts and other financial accounts; representing a volunteer program on speaking engagements before service fraternal and civic organizations; and making presentations for diverse audiences and varying sizes from small meetings to large conferences.

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

• Financial Management
• Managing Human Resources
• Partnering
• Planning and Evaluating

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: You will be asked to participate in a pre-employment examination or evaluation as part of the pre-employment process for this position. Questions about physical demands or environmental factors may be addressed at the time of evaluation or examination. Work is moderately sedentary although considerably variable. If 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).

Work Environment: Work is typically performed in an adequately lighted and climate-controlled office. Requires occasional travel local and national; movement between worksites includes outpatient clinics VBA regional offices or national cemeteries. Extended evening or weekend work hours may be required. Work may also take place in a variety of settings including outdoor in various temperatures crowded conferences or conventions for outreach and other events.

For more information on these qualification standards please visit the United States Office of Personnel Managements website at

Education

There is no educational substitution at this grade level.