Recreation Assistant (Advanced Yoga Instructor)

Basic Requirements: United States Citizenship. Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. English Language Proficiency. Yoga Instructor candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f). Registration/Certification. The individual must meet either item (1) or (2) to meet this requirement: (1) Hold, at minimum, an Experienced Registered Yoga Teacher 200 (E-RYT® 200) registration with Yoga Alliance, OR (2) Hold an International Association of Yoga Therapists (IAYT®) certification (C-IAYT®). May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria). Grade Determinations: In addition to meeting the basic requirements, applicants must have at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower (GS-06) grade level. Specialized experience includes: providing yoga instruction in a health care setting; adapting practices to individual participants in group classes appropriate for physical and/or behavioral health conditions; independently preparing class sequence such as grounding, warm up, cool down, physical postures, breathing techniques and meditation or relaxation appropriate for the type of class and the ability of participants while ensuring safe movement; and, developing information and marketing materials on the benefits of yoga. Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs): In addition to the experience above, applicants must demonstrate the following KSAs: Skill in developing appropriate resources to enhance participant personal practice. Skill in presenting the benefits of yoga for self-care at meetings, promotional events, and community partnerships. Ability to maintain supplies and equipment. Ability to develop a schedule of programs and activities. Ability to develop marketing material. Ability to recommend changes to ensure ongoing program effectiveness. Ability to create local yoga standards, protocols and operating procedures that align with national guidance and policy. Ability to serve as a yoga subject matter expert. Preferred Experience: Completed a 200 hour Yoga teacher training Taught 1000 hours of yoga classes Completed Tai Chi teaching certificate Experience teaching yoga to Veteran population, teaching trauma informed yoga/tai chi classes Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, refer to VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G-78, Recreation Assistant (Yoga Instructor) Qualification Standard, GS-0189-07. Please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-07. Physical Requirements: Work requires physical health, normal use of arms and legs, and good visual and auditory acuity. Prolonged standing, bending, kneeling, reaching, gripping, and walking are regular. The work is primarily very active in nature with some sedentary work involved when performing administrative tasks.
This position is located within Veterans Health Administration (VHA), VA Mid-Atlantic Healthcare Network (VISN 6), Richmond VA Medical Center, Fredericksburg, VA. The incumbent of the position applies knowledge of adapting yoga practices to individual participants in individual and group classes as appropriate for physical, mental or behavioral well-being.