Training Specialist

Summary

This position is assigned to the Veteran's Affairs Acquisition Academy within the Office of Acquisitions, Program Management and Performance (OAPMP). As an authoritative training specialist, you will translate approved acquisition policy, governance requirements, lifecycle frameworks, competency standards, workforce needs, and emerging program-performance requirements into role-based curricula, experiential learning, performance-support solutions, and targeted workforce interventions

Duties

Major Duties include but not limited to: Initiates or participates in the development of revised policies concerning training and employee development, and monitors the effectiveness of VA OALC acquisition training policies, programs and procedures. Incorporates full range of instructional strategies into new courses (e.g., Instructor Led, Self-Paced E-learning, Virtual Classrooms, Simulation, Blended, etc.) with full range of instructional training aids (computer video discs, CD ROM, Interactive software, video telecommunications, Electronic Performance Support System, graphics, animations, and print media). Use new and innovative adult learning practices to improve course effectiveness. Determine the scope and content of the course. Establish the time and emphasis to be given to each unit of study, continuity between units and the level to which students should be trained on each item. Lead Integrated Product Team sessions with acquisition and program-management subject matter experts, other course instructors, program officials, and other training personnel to identify changes in subject matter and determine appropriate updates to assigned courses. Translates technical subject matter into training materials, lesson plans, exercises, case studies, practical applications, and other instructional products appropriate for adult learners. Review course evaluations, student feedback, assessment results, instructor observations (their own or others based on the course), and other available information to identify weaknesses or deficiencies in assigned training. Determines appropriate corrective actions and recommends changes to course content, instructional methods, training materials, or delivery approaches. Evaluates learner performance during instruction and provides appropriate feedback, clarification, and reinforcement of course concepts. Plans, organizes and/or conducts acquisition seminars for VA employees. Provides support for locally sponsored VAAA initiatives and workshops. Keeps abreast of training materials developed by field activities and of new practices, methods and materials in the area of training and development. Evaluates acquisition training programs of other federal agencies and private establishments to identify material and techniques which may be useful to the acquisition objectives of OAL Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 8:00am-4:30pm Compressed/Flexible: Available Return to Office (RTO): RTO mandates are in affect and selectees will be required to report to in person work unless they have an approved exemption. Telework: Position is eligible for Ad Hoc telework (situational telework) with supervisor approval. Regular and recurring telework is not available. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Description/PD#: PD00459A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Requirements

You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job To be considered for this position, you must complete all required steps in the process. In addition to the application and questionnaire, this position requires an online assessment. The online assessment measures critical general competencies required to perform the 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 Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment. As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you may be required to serve a one year probationary period or two year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In 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 one year probationary period or two year 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, 10/20/2026. 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 GS13 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS12. 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 some former Federal employees applying for reinstatement, as well as current employees applying for Veterans Employment Opportunities Act of 1998 (VEOA) appointment. See the Required Document section below for more information regarding the SF-50s needed to verify time-in-grade. This GS-1712 occupation has Individual Occupational Requirements (IOR). Applicants must have the education or specialized experience listed below. Undergraduate and Graduate Education: Major study -- education or a subject area related to the position to be filled; OR Specialized Experience: Experience that demonstrated a practical knowledge of the subject area of the position and of the methods and techniques of instruction. Examples of qualifying specialized experience include: Develops and administers new training on agency-wide policies, programs and procedures for improving technical performance Initiates or participates in the development of revised policies concerning training and employee development, and monitors the effectiveness of VA OALC acquisition training policies, programs and procedures. Evaluates curricula against changes in acquisition policy, governance, competency requirements, workforce performance data, lessons learned, and program execution requirements to ensure learning remains aligned with current VA acquisition workforce needs In addition to the IOR's you must also have the following Specialized Experience: Specialized Experience: Specialized Experience for the GS-13 level of this position: Applicants must have one year of full-time specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade (GS-12) in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include but are not limited to: Providing leadership, advice and consultation in the area of acquisition training; Developing training materials and incorporating a full range of instructional strategies (e.g., Instructor Led, Self-Paced e-learning, Virtual Classroom, Simulation, Blended, etc.); Developing procedures, criteria and standards for use in evaluating training and educational programs; Planning, organizing and/or conducting acquisition seminars. 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: Resume must include job title and employer name, number of hours worked per week, start and end dates (including month and year), list of duties and responsibilities for each position held. In addition, if the experience was a federal position, you must list the grade for each position held. Failure to include this information may result in an ineligible rating. A full year of work is considered to be 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: The work is sedentary. However, the incumbent is required to travel periodically to gather information from field facilities, to instruct training classes at field sites, and to participate in other meetings and training, as required, and to provide expert assistance or advice to other Government Agencies as requested. For more information on these qualification standards, please visit the United States Office of Personnel Management's website at http://://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/. Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) provide eligible displaced 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 found well qualified, applicants must meet the following qualifications: Planning, developing, coordinating, and delivering training to adult learners utilizing a comprehensive practical knowledge of the principles, practices, methods, and techniques of training instruction. Selecting and applying appropriate instructional approaches for diverse audiences and varying levels of subject-matter experience. Developing comprehensive tactical and strategic plans to fully implement and manage an acquisition training programs, then evaluating the effectiveness of both the training and the program. Information about ICTAP and CTAP eligibility is on OPM's Career Transition Resources website at http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/employee-guide-to-career-transition/. Local Commuting Area: The local commuting area for this position is defined as a radius of 50 miles from Frederick, MD. This includes all locations that fall within a 50-mile driving distance from 5202 Presidents Court, Frederick, MD 21703.

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: Recognition of Foreign Qualifications | International Affairs Office. How You Will Be Evaluated

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE WILL NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. You will be evaluated based on how well you meet the qualifications listed in this vacancy announcement. Your qualifications will be evaluated based on your application materials (e.g., resume, supporting documents), your responses on the application questionnaire, and your responses to all assessments required for this position. You will be assessed on the following Competencies for this position: Attention to Detail Critical Thinking Customer Service Decision Making Education and Training Flexibility Influencing/Negotiating Integrity/Honesty Interpersonal Skills Learning Project Management Reasoning Self-Management Stress Tolerance Teamwork Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application materials or application questionnaire may result in your removal from consideration. Cheating on an assessment may also result in your removal from consideration. Narrative responses are not required at this time. If you are referred for consideration, you may be contacted 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. Area of Consideration: Eligible applicants will be reviewed and referred in the following order: All current, permanent VA Employees in the Office of Acquisitions, Program Management and Performance During the application process, you will 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. Benefits

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 telework. Telework eligibility will be discussed during the interview process. Other Information

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. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration (HRA) at The Fair Chance Act. 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. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. 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. For more information on the "Who may apply" eligibility requirements, please refer to the OHRM Status Candidates and Other Candidate Definitions document. Reasonable Accommodation (RA) Requests: If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be granted the opportunity to request a RA in your online application. Requests for RA for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for RA must be received prior to starting the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. Decisions on requests for RA are made on a case-by-case basis. If you meet the minimum qualifications of the position, after notification of the adjudication of your request, you will receive an email invitation to complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, based on your adjudication decision. You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments if you received the link after the close of the announcement. To determine if you need a RA, please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments here: https://appsupport.usastaffing.gov/hc/en-us/sections/28980686389652-Reasonable-Accommodation-Information