Mobility and Functional Support Specialist (GS-13)

Summary

About the Position: This position is located in Orthotics and Prosthetics at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. The work requires physical activity to include standing, bending, kneeling and lifting up to 50 lbs. Fine manual dexterity is also required for casting, molding, and adjusting devices. This is a Direct Hire Authority (DHA) solicitation utilizing the DHA for Certain Personnel of the DoD to recruit and appoint qualified candidates to positions in the competitive service.

Duties

Provide specialized orthotic and prosthetic care for patients with polytrauma, multiple limb loss, and complex mobility needs. Evaluate patients and develop individualized orthotic and prosthetic treatment plans based on functional goals, medical needs, and return-to-duty requirements. Perform hands-on casting, measurements, fabrication, fitting, alignment, and plaster modification of custom orthotic and prosthetic devices. Deliver high-quality, patient-specific devices on an expedited timeline to support urgent rehabilitation and operational needs. Conduct comprehensive device fittings and functional assessments to optimize comfort, safety, alignment, mobility, and performance. Collaborate closely with physicians, physical and occupational therapists, rehabilitation specialists, nurses, and other members of the interdisciplinary care team. Coordinate follow-up care and ongoing adjustments to ensure continued device effectiveness throughout the rehabilitation process. Apply advanced clinical judgment and technical expertise when managing complex cases involving multiple injuries, limb loss, and evolving rehabilitation goals. Maintain accurate clinical documentation, treatment records, device specifications, and follow-up recommendations. Educate patients, caregivers, and rehabilitation staff on device use, care, maintenance, safety, and functional progression. Support patients in achieving maximum independence, mobility, participation in daily activities, and successful return to duty.

Qualifications

Who May Apply: US Citizens In order to qualify, you must meet the education and experience requirements described below. 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). You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Your resume must clearly describe your relevant experience; if qualifying based on education, your transcripts will be required as part of your application. Additional information about transcripts is in this document. Basic Requirement for Mobility and Functional Support Specialist: Education: Bachelor's or graduate (or higher level) degree with major study in an academic field related to Prosthetics and Orthotics. This degree must be from an educational program accredited by an accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education at the time the degree was obtained. (Note: You must attach a copy of your transcripts.) In addition to meeting the basic requirement above, to qualify for this position you must also meet the qualification requirements listed below: Certification: Certification as a Prosthetist and or Orthotists (e.g., through the American Board for Certification in Orthotics, Prosthetics, and Pedorthics, or equivalent national certification) is required. Specialized Experience: One full year of specialized experience at the next lower grade level which includes assessing patients with complex trauma, limb loss, and musculoskeletal conditions; developing treatment plans to support recovery; designing and fitting prosthetic and orthotic devices; and providing clinical leadership through development of clinical standards, training, and mentorship. This definition of specialized experience is typical of work performed at the next lower grade/level position in the federal service (GS-12). Some federal jobs allow you to substitute your education for the required experience in order to qualify. For this job, you must meet the qualification requirement using experience alone--no substitution of education for experience is permitted.

Education

FOREIGN EDUCATION: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.

How you will be evaluated

Once the announcement has closed, a review of your application package (resume, supporting documents, and responses to the questionnaire) will be used to determine whether you meet the qualification requirements listed on this announcement. Please follow all instructions carefully when applying, errors or omissions may affect your eligibility. If, after reviewing your resume and/or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications and/or experience, you may lose consideration for this position. Veterans and Military Spouses will be considered along with all other candidates.

How to apply

To apply for this position, you must complete the online questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on 11/04/2026to receive consideration. To begin, click Apply to access the online application. You will need to be logged into your USAJOBS account to apply. If you do not have a USAJOBS account, you will need to create one before beginning the application (https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13094631). Follow the prompts to select your resume and/or other supporting documents to be included with your application package. As a reminder, your resume must be two pages or less and must support the specialized experience described in this announcement. Resumes exceeding two pages will be removed from consideration. For additional information, refer to the 'Required Documents' section. You will have the opportunity to upload additional documents to include in your application before it is submitted. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process. After acknowledging you have reviewed your application package, complete the Include Personal Information section as you deem appropriate and click to continue with the application process. You will be taken to the online application which you must complete in order to apply for the position. Complete the online application, verify the required documentation is included with your application package, and submit the application. Your resume selected in USAJOBS will be included, but you must re-select other documents from your USAJOBS account or your application may be incomplete. It is your responsibility to verify that your application package (resume, supporting documents, and responses to the questionnaire) is complete, accurate, and submitted by the closing date. Uploaded documents may take up to one hour to clear the virus scan. Additional information on how to complete the online application process and submit your online application may be found on the USA Staffing Applicant Resource Center. To verify the status of your application, log into your USAJOBS account (https://www.usajobs.gov/applicant/profile/dashboard/), all of your applications will appear on the Welcome screen. The Application Status will appear along with the date your application was last updated. For information on what each Application Status means, visit: https://help.usajobs.gov/how-to/application/status.

Other information

Male applicants born after December 31, 1959 must complete a Pre-Employment Certification Statement for Selective Service Registration. You will be required to provide proof of U.S. Citizenship. This position requires a 1 year probationary period during which the agency evaluates your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In making this determination, the agency may consider your performance and conduct; agency needs and interests; whether your continued employment supports organizational or Government goals; and whether it promotes the efficiency of the Federal service. Continued employment requires written certification that it advances the public interest. Direct Deposit of Pay is required. Selection is subject to restrictions resulting from Department of Defense referral system for displaced employees. Recruitment or relocation incentives MAY be authorized for highly qualified candidates. Salary includes applicable locality pay or Local Market Supplement. If you have retired from federal service and you are interested in employment as a reemployed annuitant, see the information in the Reemployed Annuitant information sheet. Payment of Permanent Change of Station (PCS) costs is not authorized, based on a determination that a PCS move is not in the Government interest.