Veteran Outreach Program Specialist

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Prescott (AZ); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs seeks a Veterans Outreach Program Specialist to lead outreach for GWOT-era veterans and guardsmen.

The role involves planning events, presenting information on benefits, and coordinating referrals across Vet Center services and partner agencies. Extensive travel within the assigned area is required, as well as practical experience in developing outreach materials and maintaining program records in accordance with policy guidelines.

Qualifications

• Time-in-grade eligibility requirements for GS-9/11 as described in the announcement.
• Ability to plan and execute outreach events and generate program referrals.
• Experience maintaining client records and preparing outreach reports.

Responsibilities

• Provide information and connect Veterans and families to Vet Center services and partner agencies.
• Develop, manage, and distribute outreach materials (brochures, flyers, web content).
• Create presentations to inform diverse audiences about benefits and eligibility.
• Promote Vet Center services through community liaison activities and collaborations.
• Coordinate with service providers to initiate referrals and follow up on client needs.
• Plan and execute outreach events and document contacts and activities.
• Travel using a Government Owned Vehicle to perform outreach daily.
• Prepare and close out outreach activities with proper setup and debrief.

Skills

Public speaking

Interpersonal skills

Community outreach

Documentation

Education

Master's degree or higher

Ph.D. or equivalent

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.

Qualifications

To qualify for this position - applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement - 10/19/2026. 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-09 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-07. For a GS-11 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-9. 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. Grade Requirement: For CTAP eligibility - an applicant's selection priority applies when the vacancy: Is at a grade or pay level with a representative rate no higher than the representative rate of the grade or pay level of the CTAP eligible's permanent position of record; Has no greater promotion potential than the CTAP eligible's permanent position of record; Is in the same local commuting area as the CTAP eligible's permanent position of record; Is filled during the CTAP eligible's eligibility period; and - if applicable - Is filled under the same excepted appointing authority as the CTAP eligible's permanent position of record if the CTAP eligible is an excepted service employee and the agency CTAP provides selection priority in the excepted service This position requires a current vaild State Drivers License. You may qualify based on your experience and/or education as described below: GS-09: Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-07 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include - but are not limited to: Participating and assisting in the planning of outreach events and generating program refers. Providing individual and group presentations to inform others of various services. Distributing and assisting in the creation of marketing materials including - brochures - presentation - flyers - fact sheets - and web content. Accurately maintaining client records accordance with program guidelines and polices. Collecting outreach data and providing reports to leadership. OR - Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have master's or equivalent graduate degree or 2 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.B. or J.D. - 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. 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. 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

• This position involves a multi-grade career ladder
• The major duties listed represent the full performance level of GS-11
• At the lower grade levels - you will perform assignments of a more limited scope and with less independence
• You will progressively acquire the background necessary to perform at the full performance level
• Duties: 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 representative 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
• Promotion Potential: The selectee may be promoted to the full performance level without further competition when all regulatory - qualification - and performance requirements are met
• Selection at a lower grade level does not guarantee promotion to the full performance level
• Work Schedule: Monday - Friday - 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
• Some nights and weekends may be required to meet mission
• Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Position Description/PD#: Veteran Outreach Program Specialist/PD76028A and PD76029A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Approved Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized