Health and Wellness Coach

Health and Wellness Coaches provide services to Veterans seeking self-directed, lasting changes aligned with their values. They provide support that promotes health and enhances well-being, which may support improved health related outcomes, and quality of life.

This vacancy will remain open until filled. The first cut-off date is Monday, August 3, 2026. Additional applications will be referred as needed.

Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met.

• United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.
• Education and/or Experience.
  • Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a bachelor's or higher degree in behavioral or social science or related disciplines appropriate to the position (TRANSCRIPT REQUIRED). OR
  • Combination of education and experience that provided the applicant with knowledge of one or more of the behavioral or social sciences equivalent to a major in the field (TRANSCRIPTS REQUIRED). OR
  • Four years of appropriate experience that demonstrated that the applicant has acquired knowledge of one or more of the behavioral or social sciences equivalent to a major in the field.
• Certification.
  • List of certifications. Candidates must be currently certified by the National Board for Health and Wellness Coaching (NBHWC)
  • Exception for Non-Certified Health and Wellness Coaches.
    • Non-certified applicants who otherwise meet the eligibility requirements for certification, may be given a temporary appointment as Health and Wellness Coach under the authority of 38 U.S.C. § 7405(c)(2).
      
      - Please visit (Use the "Apply for this Job" box below). to ensure that you meet the following 3 requirements:
    • 1-Completion of an NBHWC Approved Training Program (copy of certificate of completion and/or the NBHWC Exam Eligibility letter is required with your application package).
    • 2-Complete 50 health and wellness coaching sessions (can be completed during 1 year temporary appointment if not already completed).
    • 3
      - Completion of an associate's degree (or higher) or 4,000 hours of work experience (both can be in any field).
  • Non-certified individuals may only provide care under the supervision of a certified Health and Wellness Coach at or above the full performance level or other designated occupation with the appropriate training and expertise.
  • Non-certified individuals may only be appointed at the entry level and may not be promoted until certification is obtained.
  • Temporary appointments of non-certified Health and Wellness Coaches may not be extended beyond one year or converted to a new temporary appointment.
  • Failure to Obtain Certification. In all cases, Health and Wellness Coaches must actively pursue meeting certification requirements starting from the date of their placement into the occupation. At the time of appointment, the Human Resources (HR) Office staff in collaboration with the supervisor will provide the uncertified Health and Wellness Coaches with the written requirement to obtain certification, the date by which the certification must be acquired and the consequences for not becoming certified by the deadline.
    
    Failure to obtain certification during this time period may result in termination of employment.

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).

• Experience. None beyond the basic requirements.
• Knowledge,
  
  Skills and Abilities
  
  (KSAs). In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:
  • (a) Knowledge of health and wellness coaching processes and techniques.
  • (b) Ability to promote positive lifestyle choices. (c) Ability to effectively communicate in writing through a variety of modalities.
  • (d) Ability to effectively communicate verbally/non-verbally.
• Assignment. (GS-7 assignment description listed under "Education" section)

• Experience. One year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade.
• Knowledge,
  
  Skills and Abilities
  
  (KSAs). In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:
  • (a) Knowledge of current research literature related to health and wellness, including behaviors that promote a healthy lifestyle and well-being.
  • (b) Skill in using health and wellness coaching techniques to promote positive behavior change using one-on-one, couple or group modalities.
  • (c) Skill in exercising effective interpersonal communication techniques to develop and maintain strong interpersonal relationships.
  • (d) Ability to assist the client in developing a comprehensive personalized health plan based on a…