Training Instructor
Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration
Summary The purpose of the Training Instructor is to assess, plan, coordinate/manage, market, develop, implement, instruct, and evaluate new and recurring educational activities and programs originating from local, VISN, or national levels to support the education strategic plan for all employees throughout the Fort Meade VA HCS. The incumbent will provide instructional support for the Health Care Systems education and training programs and serves in the Education Service line. Responsibilities This position involves a multi-grade career ladder. The major duties listed below represent the full performance level of GS-11. At the GS-09 grade level, 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 of GS-11. Promotion is at the discretion of the supervisor and is contingent upon satisfactory performance, availability of higher-level work, and availability of funds. Major duties include but are not limited to: Conduct work-related training to improve individual skills and organizational performance with instruction based on adult learning. Create cost-effective, just-in-time, learner centered, performance-based education content delivered in classroom or electronic environments. Design and implement techniques for evaluating the effectiveness of instructional/educational programs. Tailor training to the needs of the targeted audience. Utilize the Talent Management System (TMS) to enter, track, and report all employee education and provides reports as required. Facilitate the complete process to accredit local facility education and training programs, providing professional continuing education units for employees. Manages all aspects of developing the educational activity: assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation. Other duties as assigned. 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, 7:30am-4pm; Compressed Tour may be available and will be discussed during interview Telework: VA supports the use of telework as a way to help attract and retain talented individuals in public service, increase worker productivity, and better prepare the agency to operate during emergencies. 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#: Training Instructor/PD20894-0 and PD20893-0 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required Bargaining Unit: Yes, AFGE/1272 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. Requirements 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 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, 10/11/2024. 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-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. Minimum Qualifications GS-09: You must qualify based on your experience and/or education as described below: Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-7 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: Teaching or instructing in an adult education program, secondary school, college, military installation, or industrial establishment in the appropriate field; Supervising or administering a training program; Development or review of training/course materials, aids, devices, etc., and evaluation of training results; Work in the occupation or subject-matter field of the position to be filled that required training or instructing others on a regular basis. Recommending and modifying training for accuracy and adherence to policies and guidelines; Independently plan and conduct training sessions within the prescribed course framework; Instructors at this level participate in task analysis, training studies and testing of materials and receive guidance, review and feedback from higher level instructors; Assignments given to the employee at the GS9 level will serve to increase the experience and skills needed to fill the target position in order to meet GS-11 typical of the next higher grade of this occupational series. OR, Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have successfully completed a masters or equivalent graduate degree, 2 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree, or a LL.B. or J.D., in education or a field related to this position. NOTE: Transcripts must be submitted with application. OR, Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have a combination of specialized experience and education (in excess of the first year or 18 semester hours) and specialized experience to meet total experience requirements. NOTE: If using education combined with specialized experience to qualify, a copy of your transcript is required. Minimum Qualifications GS-11: You must qualify based on your experience and/or education as described below: Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-7 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: Teaching or instructing in an adult education program, secondary school, college, military installation, or industrial establishment in the appropriate field; Supervising or administering a training program; Development or review of training/course materials, aids, devices, etc., and evaluation of training results; Work in the occupation or subject-matter field of the position to be filled that required training or instructing others on a regular basis. Understanding adult learning and training principles; Experience building, evaluating and interpreting new curriculum and evaluation of material, often to make necessary recommendations; Understanding of training programs and experience training in education; Familiarity with using policies and procedures to improve work efficiency; Familiarity with software packages such as Microsoft Office, Outlook, Adobe, WebEX etc., to perform functions (experience must be well documented in resume). OR, Education Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have successfully completed a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree, or 3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree, or LL.M., if related to the position being filled. NOTE: Transcripts must be submitted with application. OR, Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have a combination of specialized experience and education beyond a masters degree. NOTE: If using education combined with specialized experience to qualify, a copy of your transcript is required. One year of full-time graduate education is considered to be the number of credit hours that the school attended has determined to represent 1 year of full-time study. If that information cannot be obtained from the school, 18 semester hours should be considered as satisfying the 1 year of full-time study requirement. You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position: Education and Training Manages Resources Planning and Evaluating Teaching Others 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. Physical Demands: No special physical demands such as above ability, dexterity, or strength are required to perform the work. Works is sedentary and the employee may sit comfortably. There may be some walking, standing, bending, carrying of light items, etc. Working Environment: Work is usually performed in offices, meeting rooms, or similar settings. The work areas are adequately lighted, heated, and ventilated. Work may involve occasional overnight travel including normal everyday risks and discomforts. For more information on these qualification standards, please visit the United States Office of Personnel Managements website at https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/. Education A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education. 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: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/. Additional Information The Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) provide eligible displaced Federal/VA competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. To be qualified you must submit appropriate documentation (a copy of the agency notice, your most recent performance rating, and your most recent SF-50 noting current position, grade level, and duty location) and be found well-qualified for this vacancy. To be well-qualified: applicants must possess experience that exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors, and who are proficient in most of the required competencies of the job. Information about CTAP eligibility is on OPMs Career Transition Resources website at http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/employee-guide-to-career-transition/. 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 applicants criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.