Veteran Outreach Program Specialist

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Anoka (MN); On-site; USD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs is seeking a Veterans Outreach Program Specialist to lead outreach for Military Reserve and National Guard members returning from GWOT/OEF/OIF/OND. The role requires travel across an assigned region and close coordination with Vet Center services.

The position emphasizes creating and presenting outreach materials, coordinating with VA programs, and documenting activities in accordance with policy. Some evenings/weekends may be required.

Qualifications

• Experience with community outreach, planning and conducting events.
• Ability to create, present and distribute outreach materials.
• Record-keeping and reporting according to program guidelines.

Responsibilities

• Provide information and connect Veterans with VA benefits and services.
• Develop and distribute outreach materials such as brochures and web content.
• Create presentations for diverse audiences to explain benefits and eligibility.
• Serve as a liaison with Veterans Service Organizations and community groups.
• Collaborate to plan and execute outreach events and follow up on referrals.
• Document contacts and activities in line with program policies.

Skills

Outreach

Public speaking

Briefings

Data reporting

Education

Ph.D. or equivalent degree

3 years of graduate education leading to degree

LL.M. (related)

Job description

Summary

The Veterans Outreach Program Specialist serves as the principal outreach staff member for Military Reserve and National Guard members returning from the Global War on Terrorism (GWOT) - Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) - Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) - and Operation New Dawn (OND). The nature of the job requires travel throughout an assigned geographical area away from the Vet Center.

Summary

The Veterans Outreach Program Specialist serves as the principal outreach staff member for Military Reserve and National Guard members returning from the Global War on Terrorism (GWOT) - Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) - Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) - and Operation New Dawn (OND). The nature of the job requires travel throughout an assigned geographical area away from the Vet Center.

Qualifications

To qualify for this position - applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement - 10/06/2026. CTAP is designed to improve your chances of finding a new job in your agency through selection priority. To receive selection priority - you must: Be "surplus" or "displaced"; Have a current performance rating of at least "fully successful" (Level III) or equivalent; Occupy a position in the same local commuting area of the vacancy; Apply for a specific vacancy at or below your current grade level with no greater promotion potential than your current position; Meet the application deadline in the announcement; and Be found "well qualified" for the job. You are "surplus" if you: Are in the competitive service; Are in tenure group I (career) or tenure group II (career-conditional); and Have an official notice from your agency saying that your position is no longer needed. This notice could be: a "Certificate of Expected Separation" (CES); an agency certification that you are in a surplus organization or occupation; a notice that your position is being abolished; or a letter saying you are eligible for discontinued service retirement. You are "displaced" if you: Are in the competitive service; Are in tenure group I (career) or tenure group II (career-conditional); and Have an official notice from your agency saying you will be separated by reduction in force. This notice could be: a specific reduction in force separation notice; or a notice of proposed removal because you declined a directed reassignment or transfer of function out of the local commuting area. You are generally NOT eligible for selection priority if you are: In the excepted service; Downgraded or reassigned due to reduction in force - but not separated; In a different local commuting area from the vacancy; In a temporary or term position in the competitive service; In an agency that is not in the Executive branch; In an agency that does not follow OPM hiring procedures (this includes Postal Service - legislative and judicial branch agencies); or In the Senior Executive Service (SES). For additional information on CTAP - see https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/employee-guide-to-career-transition/ctap_guideline.pdf. 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 09. 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. This position requires a current valid State Drivers License. You may qualify based on your experience and/or education as described below:GS-11: Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-9 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include - but are not limited to: Working with in the community - developing - planning - scheduling - and conducting outreach events - and referral processes. Creating and presenting formal briefings to a variety of individuals with various education - environmental - ethics and cultural backgrounds. Developing - managing - and distributing outreach materials to include brochures - presentation - flyers - fact sheets - web content - and other targeted information which highlights services and locations. Preparing and maintaining records including documentation of contacts - clients visits and administrative activities in accordance with program guidelines and polices. Preparing and providing accurate reports and cursory analysis on outreach data as assigned in accordance with program requirements. OR - Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have Ph.D. or equivalent degree OR (3) full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree OR LL.M. - if related. OR - Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have an combination of specialized experience and graduate level education. 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: An elevated level of physical energy is necessary as the incumbent is expected to meet with many people in a course of a workday. The incumbent is responsible for driving a GOV or MVC to mobile work site - setting up the work site to meet clients-GOV may entail setting up furniture (chairs and small table) - lifting boxes with literature (Vet Center pamphlets - community resources or VA programs) - and establishing computer access (via laptop or other government owned equipment) to present outreach services for a given day or outreach event. Driving the MVC requires incumbent to use moderate physical effort in operating hand and foot controls. Occasionally incumbent handles objects weighing up to 50 pounds (23 kilograms) while loading and unloading the MVC work site. 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/.

Duties

• Major duties include - but are not limited to: Providing information - explanation of services - support - and connection to a variety of individuals of various educational - environmental - ethnic - and cultural backgrounds - regarding benefits and eligibility to VHA - RCS - Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) and the National Cemetery Administration (NCA)
• Developing - managing - and distributing outreach materials to include brochures - presentations - flyers - fact sheets - web content - and other targeted information which highlights Vet Center services and locations as well as the combat Veteran experience
• Creating presentations and materials with information in the appropriate format to allow the Veteran and/or Service Members - their families and representatives to understand the information they are receiving
• Serving as a community liaison representing the Vet Center with organizations to include but not limited to Veterans Service Organizations - community groups - and others whose interest is in helping and protecting Veterans - their families - and their representatives
• Collaborating closely with Vet Center direct service providers - helps initiate client referrals - and follows up to ensure client needs are being met timely
• Collaborating - participating in the planning - coordinating - and executing of a variety of outreach events
• Preparing documentation of contacts - client visits - and administrative activities in accordance with program guidelines and policies
• Driving either a Government Owned Vehicle (GOV) or a Mobile Vet Center Mobile Vet Center to perform outreach services on a daily basis
• Each Mobile Vet Center may be up to 40 feet long
• Setting up and closing the Mobile Vet Center for operation - i.e. - leveling the Mobile Vet Center - checking communications systems - electrical systems - etc
• Work Schedule: Monday-Friday
• 8:00am-4:30pm
• Some nights and weekends required based on the needs of the Vet center
• Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Position Description/PD#: Veteran Outreach Program Specialist/PD76029A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not approved Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized