Program Support Assistant (OA)

Summary

This position is located at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Veterans Health Administration (VHA), VA Medical Center, in the Nutrition and Food Services Department (N&FS) as the Program Support Assistant to the Administrative Officer, Nutrition & Food Service. The primary purpose of this position to provide a wide variety of administrative, clerical, and technical support to Nutrition and Food Service.

Learn more about this agency

Duties

Help

MAJOR DUTIES:

Program Support (50%)

Receives requests for information, advises when the information can be furnished, and provides it personally from files and records or follows up with staff to see that it is provided. Performs work involving the collection, compilation, and /or tracking of data and statistical information in support of the NFS program operation. Organizes data into Access databases or spreadsheet formats. Receives and processes documents and reports in accordance with established procedures. Reviews documents and reports for completeness and enters pertinent information into an automated tracking system or creates spreadsheets/databases to track them. Prepares a wide variety of recurring and nonrecurring correspondence, reports, and other documents. Establishes, updates, and maintains office files and records. Keeps/types meeting minutes, agendas and reports. Collects, assembles, and compiles data for recurring, special, and one-time administrative and management reports. Establishes files, maintains, purges, and disposes of administrative and/or medical records/files in accordance with regulations and procedures. Establishes suspense dates as directed by the supervisor and brings to supervisor's attention those that require prompt attention or those that cannot be met by requested dates.

Performs database file searches. Prepares, executes, and/or tracks program specific information. Performs office automation duties using such software applications such as word processing, spreadsheet, electronic mail, desktop publishing, calendar, database, and/or graphics. Assists other users regarding selection of applications, training on a variety of standard application packages, and selection of appropriate formats and procedures for each task. Uses word processing software to execute several office automation functions such as storing and retrieving electronic documents and files; activating printers; inserting and deleting text; formatting letters, reports, and memoranda; and transmitting and receiving emails. Uses spreadsheet software to develop and change spreadsheets in order to graphically display data. Uses email to compose and retrieve correspondence and electronic calendar to access the service Chief's schedule. Uses VA software program to access information in the Medical Center computer system. Uses patient electronic health care record to access and retrieve confidential patient information to facilitate contact and scheduling of patient appointments and consult management. Schedules nutrition clinic appointments, prepares appointment confirmation letters, and enters appointment data.

Serves as the primary ADPAC and TMS Administrator for NFS. Assures NFS employees are up-to-date and have met all mandatory training. Orients and trains all NFS employees on computer use. Acts as a liaison between OI&T, and other services such as Employee Education Services. Serves as service resource person to troubleshoot computer hardware problems, resolve software problems, and work with OI&T to upgrade computer functions. Prepares and submits documentation for training and travel episodes.

Clerical Support (40%)

Receives, schedules, refers, and contacts members of the staff, agency, and persons outside the agency ranging from other government agencies to the general public. Provides clerical contact support such as answering the telephone, referring visitors, or providing information about the office, its functions, and standard operating procedures, and similar information. Screens calls and personally answers calls when the requested information concerns routine and procedural requirements. Screens calls for the supervisor and staff members and determines if the call requires their attention. Supplies requested information to employees on status of reports, suspense dates, procedural requirements, time and pay, etc. Provides follow-up on requests for information.

Timekeeping (10%)

Serves as official timekeeper for the site and maintains service record cards for all employees. Assures that the information is kept up to date. Notifies supervisors when leave limits are exceeded. Posts employee/contracted personnel time and attendance on a daily basis utilizing VA computerized timekeeping software. Processes corrected timecards when necessary. Develops programs for monitoring employee time and attendance. Maintains appropriate and timely timekeeping mandatory training. Tracks daily attendance, overtime and unscheduled hours per employee. Posts timecard exceptions in a timely manner. Monitors and tracks FMLA usage and notifies supervisor when usage exceeds what is approved.

Work Schedule: Monday- Friday 8:00 am - 4:30 pm

Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Position Description/PD#: Program Support Assistant (OA)/ PD99930S

Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized

Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

Requirements

Help

Conditions of employment

• 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
• Physical Requirements: The work required does not inherently include any physical requirements essential for successful job performance that could not otherwise be performed with accommodation or workplace adjustment. A pre-placement physical examination is not 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 ( 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.

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 08/07/2026.

Time-In-Grade Requirement : Applicants who are current Federal employees and have held a GS grade any time in the past 52 weeks must also meet time-in-grade requirements by the closing date of this announcement. For a GS-06 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-05 . The grade may have been in any occupation, but must have been held in the Federal service. An SF-50 that shows your time-in-grade eligibility must be submitted with your application materials. If the most recent SF-50 has an effective date within the past year, it may not clearly demonstrate you possess one-year time-in-grade, as required by the announcement. In this instance, you must provide an additional SF-50 that clearly demonstrates one-year time-in-grade. Note: Time-In-Grade requirements also apply to former Federal employees applying for reinstatement as well as current employees applying for Veterans Employment Opportunities Act of 1998 (VEOA) appointment.

You may qualify based on your experience as described below:

• Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-05 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to:
  • Performing a full range of administrative support for an office;
  • Reviewing all incoming and outgoing correspondence.
  • Scheduling meetings; and utilizing office automation software such as word processing.
  • Proficient in VA's Enterprise Electronic Health Record system spreadsheet - Veterans Health Information Systems and Technology Architecture (VISTA), proficient in Patient Consult Tracking Manager System;
  • Proficient in scheduling in VA Integrated Scheduling System (ISS); electronic mail, desktop publishing, calendar, database, and/or graphics;
  • Answering telephones, referring visitors, and providing information.
• Proficiency requirement: 40 words per minute typing speed

Physical requirements:

The work area is usually an adequately lighted, heated and ventilated office of medical facility setting. The work environment involves everyday risks or discomforts that require normal safety precautions. The sedentary and may require some walking, standing, bending, carrying and/or lifting of light items like papers or books. The work requires light to moderate levels/times performing keyboarding to prepare correspondence.

For more information on these qualification standards, please visit the United States Office of Personnel Management's website at

Education

There is no educational substitution at this grade level.

Additional information

Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.

Reasonable Accommodation (RA) Requests: If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be granted the opportunity to request a RA in your online application. Requests for RA for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for RA must be received prior to starting the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. Decisions on requests for RA are made on a case-by-case basis. If you meet the minimum qualifications of the position, after notification of the adjudication of your request, you will receive an email invitation to complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, based on your adjudication decision. You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments if you received the link after the close of the announcement. To determine if you need a RA, please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments.

Receiving Service Credit for Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave : Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. VA may offer newly-appointed Federal employee's credit for their job-related non-federal experience or active duty uniformed military service. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed.

This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.

The Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) and Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) provide eligible displaced VA competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. To be qualified you must submit appropriate documentation (a copy of the agency notice, your most recent performance rating, and your most recent SF-50 noting current position, grade level, and duty location) and be found well-qualified for this vacancy. To be well-qualified: applicants must possess experience that exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors, and who are proficient in most of the required competencies of the job. Information about ICTAP and CTAP eligibility is on OPM's Career Transition Resources website at

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

Help

A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

Review our benefits

Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.