Administrative Support Assistant (OA)

Summary

The Administrative Assistant Independently performs staff support to office personnel relying heavily on own initiative and abilities to work without direct supervision. Controls all incoming calls, directing callers to appropriate staff. Types and edits correspondence, manuals, research grant papers, manuscripts, and general memorandums. The incumbent is responsible for creating, maintaining, changing, planning, and scheduling calendars and work schedules for the Chief.

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Duties

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This position serves as direct liaison for the Chief, Pharmacy Service with DEA, non-VA pharmacies, UC Davis Medical Center, and DGMC hospitals. Makes recommendations to Pharmacy Managers regarding administrative procedures requiring correspondence, credentialing, revamping of administrative policies and procedures manuals, information, timekeeping and requests for Personnel Actions (SF-52).

Major duties include but are not limited to the following:

• Knowledge of correspondence requirements to check for proper grammar, spelling and punctuation and to review documents for conformance with formats and procedural requirements.
• Knowledge of office procedures, filing systems, various references, handbooks, policy and instruction manuals, medical terminology, computers, office equipment such as copiers, typewriters, and dictation equipment.
• Knowledge of programs of pharmacy as they relate to the clerical and administrative functions of the office which enable the program assistant to assemble information for use in reports, follow up on commitments made in meetings, and request referrals to appropriate staff members.
• Knowledge of the duties, policies, and goals of the supervisor to review mail and determine which items should be brought to the attention of the supervisor, which items could be handled by the incumbent, and which items should be sent to other appropriate personnel
• Knowledge of English language, spelling, punctuation, required formats and syntax sufficient to identify and correct grammatical errors and type materials in final form. A qualified typist with the ability to type 40 wpm is required, 55+ is preferred.
• Knowledge of the credentialing and privileging procedures for clinicians.

Work Schedule: Monday-Friday. 8:30am-5:00pm. Full Time.

Telework: This position may be ad-hoc authorized for telework.

Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Position Description/PD#: Administrative Support Assistant (OA)/ PD00642-O

Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized

Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Approved

Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
• You may be required to serve a probationary period
• Subject to background/security investigation
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP)
• Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details.

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 09/30/2026.

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-07 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-06. 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.

Proficiency Requirements: In addition to meeting experience or education requirements, applicants for these positions must show possession of the following skills, as appropriate. Applicants may meet these requirements by passing the appropriate performance test, presenting a certificate of proficiency from a school or other organization authorized to issue such certificates by the Office of Personnel Management local office, or by self-certifying their proficiency. Performance test results and certificates of proficiency are acceptable for 3 years. Agencies may verify proficiency skills of self-certified applicants by administering the appropriate performance test.

• Typing speed of 40 words per minute typing speed. (Words per minute are based on a 5 minute sample with three or fewer errors)

You may qualify based on your experience as described below:

GS-07:

• Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-06 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: knowledge of the regulations, policies, and procedures of the service functional and administrative areas such as material and supply procurement, contracting, finance and accounting, budget, counsel, information management, etc., to coordinate and resolve questions and/or problems. (This experience must be well documented in your resume).

You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position:

• Analytical Thinking
• Computer Skills
• Creativity and Innovation
• Customer Service (Clerical/Technical)
• Organizational Stewardship
• Teamwork

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; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

Note : A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. Part-time experience will be credited on the basis of time actually spent in appropriate activities. Applicants wishing to receive credit for such experience must indicate clearly the nature of their duties and responsibilities in each position and the number of hours a week spent in such employment.

Physical Requirements: The work is primarily sedentary. The incumbent may sit comfortably to do the work. Some walking, standing, bending, carrying light items, occasional errands runs, and travel to the CBOCs may be required. There are no unusual physical demands.

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.

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: 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:

Additional information

Receiving Service Credit or 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. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. 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.

Special Employment Consideration: VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply, including those eligible for hiring under 5 CFR 213.3102(u), Schedule A, Appointment of persons with disabilities [i.e., intellectual disabilities, severe physical disabilities, or psychiatric disabilities], and/or Disabled veterans with a compensable service-connected disability of 30% or more. Contact the Agency Contact for information on how to apply under this appointment authority via the Selective Placement Coordinator.

The Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) and Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) provide eligible displaced Federal/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

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

Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process.

If you are unable to apply online or need to fax a document you do not have in electronic form, view the following link for information regarding an Alternate Application.

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.

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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.

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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.