Training Specialist

Description:

This developmental position is organizationally aligned to the Education Service, at the Edward Hines Jr. VA Hospital (578), Hines, IL - a complexity level 1a VHA facility. Primary responsibility is for administration and evaluation of all employee training programs within the Hospital and Community Based Outpatient Clinics [CBOC], and for facility-wide coordination of administrative training activities.

Requirements:

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 02/12/2026.

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-7 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-7. For the 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.

You may 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-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: teaching or instructing in an adult education program, secondary school, college, military installation, or industrial establishment in the appropriate field, and having a practical knowledge of the educational process and the principles of adult learning to teach effectively and creatively; supervising or administering a training program; developing or reviewing training/course materials, aids, devices, etc., and evaluation of training results; Thorough knowledge of Adult Learning theory, methods, and principles. Knowledge of instructional systems design to develop and publish web based learning materials or on-line tutorials. Comprehensive knowledge of computers.. OR,
• Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have SUBSTITUTION OF EDUCATION FOR EXPERIENCE: Have you successfully completed a 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, in a major study in education or a subject area related to the position? Such education must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work and be related to the position. (TRANSCRIPTS REQUIRED). OR,
• Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have an combination of specialized experience and education beyond .

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: teaching or instructing in an adult education program, secondary school, college, military installation, or industrial establishment in the appropriate field, and having a practical knowledge of the educational process and the principles of adult learning to teach effectively and creatively; supervising or administering a training program; developing or reviewing training/course materials, aids, devices, etc. Position requires extensive knowledge of the human resource programs governing Personal Improvement Plans and Personal Development Plans to be able to guide and make recommendations to supervisors. Developing manuals and directives covering the administrative aspects of the program. Comprehensive computer knowledge to develop and maintain data systems as well as hospital specific computer systems. OR,
• Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have SUBSTITUTION OF EDUCATION FOR EXPERIENCE: Have you 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, in a major study in education or a subject area related to the position. Such education must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work. (TRANSCRIPTS REQUIRED). OR,
• Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have an combination of specialized experience and education beyond .

Preferred Experience :Education and training experience, Computer and technology skills, Program coordination experience.


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

• Attention to Detail
• Customer Service
• Decision Making
• Flexibility
• Integrity/Honesty
• Interpersonal Skills
• Reading Comprehension
• Self-Management
• Stress Tolerance
• Teamwork

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: Because the incumbent deals frequently with decisions on policy and program matters, meeting program and report deadlines, and situations involving differences of opinion and negotiation, this position has the potential to create a significant degree of stress. Walking, sitting for extended periods of time at a computer terminal, and standing at length while making presentations and teaching are involved in this position.

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/ .