Located within the Behavioral Health Service at the VA Medical Center in Spokane, WA, this Social Science Program Specialist serves as a content matter resource for community-based suicide prevention and facilitates integration of suicide prevention education throughout the community. This position helps to lead the implementation of VA's public health approach to Suicide Prevention through connecting, developing, and coordinating suicide prevention efforts within the community. All applicants must meet one of the following BASIC REQUIREMENTS: Completion of a bachelor's or higher degree that included a major field of study in behavioral or social science, or related disciplines appropriate to this position. ~OR~ Appropriate combination of education and experience that provided knowledge of one or more of the behavioral or social sciences equivalent to a major in the field. The quality of the combination of education and experience must be sufficient to demonstrate that the knowledge, skills, and abilities required to perform work in the occupation, and is comparable to that normally acquired through the successful completion of a full 4-year course of study with a major in the appropriate field. ~OR~ At least four (4) years of appropriate experience that demonstrates acquired knowledge of one or more of the behavioral or social sciences equivalent to a major in the field. NOTE: When applying for positions with a Basic Education Requirement you MUST provide transcript(s) at the time of application that state a degree was conferred in the appropriate field. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable; however, display copies of degrees or course listings are not adequate and do not provide the information needed to verify that you have the basic education requirement. ~AND~ In order to meet the minimum qualifications for this position at the GS- 11 level you must also meet one of the following: EXPERIENCE: At least one (1) full year of specialized experience (equivalent to at least the GS-9 level in the Federal service) that has equipped you with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of this Social Science Program Specialist - Suicide Prevention position, and that is typically in or related to the work of this position. Specialized experience includes: Experience where you were responsible for applying professional knowledge of the clinical tools/evidence-based research as they relate to suicide prevention; providing suicide prevention education; implementing community-based interventions for suicide prevention; and overseeing plans, goals and objectives for suicide prevention; and building community partnerships. Note: Experience must be fully documented on your resume and must include job title, duties, month and year start/end dates AND hour worked per week. ~OR~ EDUCATION: Successful completion of three (3) years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree in a field related to the work of this position. This education must have provided the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of this position. (Copies of transcripts must be submitted at time of application) ~OR~ COMBINATION: Equivalent combination of related graduate level education (beyond the 2nd year/master's level) and specialized experience, as described above. This education and experience must have provided the knowledge, skills, and abilities to do the work of this position. (Copies of transcripts must be submitted at time of application) You will be rated on the following Competencies as part of the assessment questionnaire for this position: Accountability Communications and Media Interpersonal Skills Intervention Partnering Technical Competence IMPORTANT: A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. All experience listed on your resume must include the month and year start/end dates. 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. 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; religious; 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. Physical Requirements: The work is sedentary and does not require any special physical effort. Work will require walking and standing in conjunction with travel and attendance at meetings and conferences away from the work site. Employee may carry light items such as papers, books, and portable computer requirement or driving a motor vehicle relative to attendance at meetings. The work often requires long hours to meet project deadlines and to devise corrective action and solutions to unexpected technical and/or management crises resulting in sometimes highly stressful work situations. 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/. ["***THIS IS NOT A VIRTUAL POSITION, YOU MUST LIVE WITHIN OR BE WILLING TO RELOCATE WITHIN A COMMUTABLE DISTANCE OF THE DUTY LOCATION*** Major duties and responsibilities include: Serves as an expert on suicide prevention and public health Develops and organizes community partners and coalitions to implement suicide prevention programs aimed at reducing Veteran suicide Develops, facilitates, and strengthens Community-Based Interventions for Suicide Prevention Conduct community-based interventions regarding suicide prevention Provides outreach and education on suicide prevention related topics and services Provides leadership for coalition management through attending coalition meetings, managing and attending coalition sponsored events/public meetings, conducting and/or supporting coalition evaluation activities Established and maintains strong relationships between the VA suicide prevention team and community-based veteran organizations and leadership Develops and delivers education and outreach services Provides a variety of suicide prevention trainings Develops materials and training programs Develops and implements a comprehensive suicide prevention communications plan to support community coalition development for local suicide prevention efforts Develops and coordinates graphics requirements, including databases, tables, and spreadsheets to complement communications materials Develops and provides suicide prevention related media/marketing, including interviews (print or broadcast), social media postings, and communication campaigns Ensures funds are properly allocated, expended Work Schedule: Monday through Friday, 8:00am to 4:30pm Recruitment & Relocation Incentives: Not authorized 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."]

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