Survivors and Memorial Support Program Specialist

The position serves as a Program Specialist assigned to the Survivors Assistance and Memorial Support (SAMS) Program under the Chief, Social Work Service at the Veterans Health Care System of the Ozarks as a primary person responsible for the facility SAMS Program. SAMS's focus is to provide personalized, supportive services to families, caregivers and survivors at the end of a Veteran's life and ensure Veterans without identified family receive dignified burials to honor their service.

Duties include, but are not limited to: Reviews eligibility and entitlement of burial and death allowances and advises on the process for applying for those benefits. Ensures Veterans with no relatives (unclaimed remains) are provided with a dignified funeral and burial at VA (contract or purchase order) expense. Coordinates release of remains with appropriate services/outside agencies in the event of autopsy, or organ/tissue/body donation. Collaborates with palliative care to promote quality end-of-life care by assisting in developing action plans and process improvements related to quantitative and qualitative reporting from the Bereaved Family Survey. The position collaborates with Fiscal office to financially support SAMS operations. Assesses past budget requirements, projects future budget needs, submits budget requests and manages program budget. The position participates in facility initiatives relating to No Veteran Dies Alone (NVDA). Collaborates with the VA Center for Development and Civic Engagement to recruit, train, schedule and oversee volunteers at the facility. Promotion Potential: The selectee may be promoted to the full performance level without further competition when all regulatory, qualification, and performance requirements are met. Selection at a lower grade level does not guarantee promotion to the full performance level. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 8:00 am - 4:30 pm (Subject to change based on the needs of the Agency) Telework: This position may be authorized for telework. Telework eligibility will be discussed during the interview process. Position Description/PD#: Survivors and Memorial Support Program Specialist/PD033660 and PD033670 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Approved

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 Pre-employment physical required 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. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP) As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period or 2-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 probationary period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest. Physical Demands: The work is primarily sedentary, although some slight physical effort may be required. Routinely views the body and/or remains of deceased Veterans at funeral homes using an authorized vehicle. Work Environment: The physical environment of the work is primarily performed in an administrative office setting that is frequented by staff and clients. The position will perform some tasks in other offices, rooms and on station buildings, such as the morgue and community funeral homes and other organizations which provide mortuary and burial services.