Training Specialist

Description:

The TMS Domain & Learning Manager for the VA Western New York Healthcare System (VAWNYHS) reports to the VAWNYHS Chief of Education/Designated Learning Officer (DLO) and manages education programs, curriculum design, and training instruction for a wide variety of courses presented to employees for their job advancement and overall career development. The work involves planning, administering, or evaluating programs designed to develop employees and manage learning in the organization.

Requirements:

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 03/04/2026.

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-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.


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-09 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: Specialized knowledge of Learning Management Systems, preferably in a healthcare environment. Strong technical skills in LMS Software, as well as experience with system integrations and troubleshooting (e.g, SCORM, HTML). Ability to work with multidisciplinary groups for requirements gathering, design, development, implementation, and post implementation phases for training initiatives. Knowledge of adult learning principles, educational delivery methods and instructional systems design techniques is required. Ability to design instructional materials (such as white papers, bulletins, and oral presentations). Materials are created for the purpose of teaching new functionality or complex use of the application. Must use effective oral and written communication skills to provide instructions, resolve issues, and present fact-finding results to management. Comprehensive understanding of report generation, web basics, personal computers, networks, database concepts, the management of e-Learning modules and team-building and interpersonal skills. Knowledge of research, analysis, and evaluation techniques as well as project management principles needed to manage a variety of assignments, produce reports, and make significant recommendations for action or improvement. This includes the ability to obtain, assess, interpret, and analyze organizational information from all available resources and data stores. OR,

• Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have a Major study in education or a subject area related to the position to be filled.
  • 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. . 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 2 years of a graduate level degree.

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

• Customer Service (Clerical/Technical)
• Database Administration
• Education and Training
• Planning and Evaluating
• Research
• Strategic Thinking

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 Demands: Work is mostly sedentary. There may be some walking, standing, bending, carrying of light items, etc.

Work 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 associated with auto, bus, air, and rail transportation. 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, driving an automobile, etc.

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/ .