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 G.V. Sonny Montgomery VAMC 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: Advises Veterans and their Next Of Kin of burial benefits; and helps Veterans and Next Of Kin prearrange burial, interment, cremation, as desired by Veteran. Informs Veteran, caregiver and NOK of available supportive services within the medical facility, such as Chaplaincy and Social Work, to provide support at end of life and immediately following death. Reviews daily death notifications.
Coordinates release of remains with appropriate services/outside agencies in the event of autopsy, or organ/tissue/body donation. Coordinate the dispositions of personal funds and effects with the Office of General Council for Veterans that have been adjudicated as incompetent. This may require the position to appear in-person at county court houses.
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. Collaborates with Fiscal office to financially support SAMS operations. Participates in facility initiatives relating to No Veteran Dies Alone (NVDA).
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, 8:00am - 4:30pm (Subject to change based on the needs of the Agency) Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Position Description/PD#: Program Specialist/PD843920 and PD843930 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Approved Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
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: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.
Ashley.Coleman2@va.gov · 713-578-4018
This position is with Veterans Health Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs.
The posted pay range is $50460 – $80243/yr.
Applications close on 2026-09-04.
This position is open under the 'Fed Transition' hiring path.
Source: USAJOBS.gov — U.S. Federal Government
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