Training Specialist

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

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

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, Ameri. Corps) 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.

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 .