Program Support Assistant

Summary

This position is located within Readjustment Counseling Service, and its primary purpose is to provide administrative and clerical support to a multi-disciplinary team providing counseling services to veterans with readjustment problems. By virtue of the mission of the Vet Center, the incumbent is the only administrative person located on site thus becoming responsible for many of the administrative, fiscal, and supply support functions for the Vet Center team.

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Duties

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Administrative Duties 50%

• The work of the positions requires the incumbent to be proficient in the use of various Microsoft Office Suite Programs to include but is not limited to: Word, Power Point, Excel and Outlook. These programs are used for creating correspondence, presentations, spreadsheets, develop tracking systems and to communicate with others.
• RCS has established databases (RCSNet) which the incumbent is responsible for updating assigned Vet Center data on a regular basis. The incumbent is responsible for using other programs or systems such as share drives, share points, Integrated Funds Control, Accounting, and Procurement (IFCAP), Invoice Payment and Processing System (IPPS), and FORCE to carry out the work of the position. All databases are to be kept current and complete, to allow for required reports to be accurate and timely.
• Incumbent makes suggestions for possible modifications to improve effectiveness and efficiency of database use for the field. The position requires a qualified typist/data entry.
• Responsible for reviewing and responding to all correspondence or inquiries the Vet Center receives via telephone, e-mail, and regular mail in a timely manner. The incumbent collaborates with Vet Center staff to aid in a complete response to the inquiry. Utilizing critical thinking skills, the incumbent is responsible for ensuring all correspondence has proper grammar, spelling, is error-free and formatting of the document is in accordance with approved RCS style guidelines.
• Responsible for creating, updating, and maintaining all electronic documents for Vet Center staff, and Vet Center administrative folders in shared and personal folders. Incumbent create, updates, and maintains an electronic staff folder for each employee which may include position description or functional statement, in processing forms, training certificates, licensure, and the performance appraisal, etc.
• Serves as primary timekeeper utilizing VA Time and Attendance System.

Program Duties 25%

• The incumbent provides administrative support for the assigned Vet Center.
• Incumbent is responsible for ensuring all office equipment is in working order and, if not, works with appropriate staff to have equipment replaced or fixed in a timely manner to include placing work-orders, maintenance request and ensuring repairs are completed.
• Incumbent works independently establishing workload priorities off standing orders.
• Incumbent develops and maintains tracking systems on all assigned programs or projects.
• Provides support to Vet Center staff by making copies, scanning information, and faxing information as requested.
• Responsible for creating and maintaining the Vet Center brochures, pamphlets, hand-outs, staff business cards and other Vet Center documents which are used locally by staff under the guidance of the Vet Center Director or other staff.
• The creation of materials is done in compliance with RCS communication and branding guidelines.

Office Duties 25%

• The incumbent is responsible for providing a welcoming environment and keeping the front lobby neat and orderly.
• Each day all tables are cleared of any trash, books/magazines are neatly arranged, furniture straightened, and refreshment/coffee area is cleaned and stocked. Any areas that appear in need of repair are fixed if possible or removed from lobby area if a safety hazard is present. Incumbent is responsible for contacting the appropriate office to get items back to working order as quickly as possible.
• Personally greets all visitors to the Vet Center, determines the nature of their visit, identifies Veterans arriving for appointment, confirms appointment, and contacts counselor to inform that client has arrived.
• The incumbent uses independent judgment and Vet Center training to determine situations which require additional professional guidance by Vet Center staff.
• If the client appears to be in distress, the incumbent contacts the appropriate Vet Center personnel to handle the Veteran crisis.

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 8:00 am - 4:30 pm, after hours and weekends maybe required

Telework: Adhoc

Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Position Description/PD#: Program Support Assistant/ PD59892A

Requirements

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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, 09/17/2026.You may qualify based on your experience and/or education as described below:

CTAP is designed to improve your chances of finding a new job in your agency through selection priority. To receive selection priority, you must:

• Be "surplus" or "displaced";
• Have a current performance rating of at least "fully successful" (Level III) or equivalent;
• Occupy a position in the same local commuting area of the vacancy;
• Apply for a specific vacancy at or below your current grade level with no greater promotion potential than your current position;
• Meet the application deadline in the announcement; and
• Be found "well qualified" for the job.

You are "surplus" if you:

• Are in the competitive service;
• Are in tenure group I (career) or tenure group II (career-conditional); and
• Have an official notice from your agency saying that your position is no longer needed. This notice could be:

• a "Certificate of Expected Separation" (CES);
• an agency certification that you are in a surplus organization or occupation;
• a notice that your position is being abolished; or
• a letter saying you are eligible for discontinued service retirement.

You are "displaced" if you:

• Are in the competitive service;
• Are in tenure group I (career) or tenure group II (career-conditional); and
• Have an official notice from your agency saying you will be separated by reduction in force. This notice could be:

• a specific reduction in force separation notice; or
• a notice of proposed removal because you declined a directed reassignment or transfer of function out of the local commuting area.

You are generally NOT eligible for selection priority if you are:

• In the excepted service;
• Downgraded or reassigned due to reduction in force, but not separated;
• In a different local commuting area from the vacancy;
• In a temporary or term position in the competitive service;
• In an agency that is not in the Executive branch;
• In an agency that does not follow OPM hiring procedures (this includes Postal Service, legislative and judicial branch agencies); or
• In the Senior Executive Service (SES).

For additional information on CTAP, see

Grade Requirement: For CTAP eligibility , an applicant's selection priority applies when the vacancy:

• Is at a grade or pay level with a representative rate no higher than the representative rate of the grade or pay level of the CTAP eligible's permanent position of record;
• Has no greater promotion potential than the CTAP eligible's permanent position of record;
• Is in the same local commuting area as the CTAP eligible's permanent position of record;
• Is filled during the CTAP eligible's eligibility period; and, if applicable,
• Is filled under the same excepted appointing authority as the CTAP eligible's permanent position of record if the CTAP eligible is an excepted service employee and the agency CTAP provides selection priority in the excepted service

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.

Preferred Experience: Working with Federal Financial Systems (budgets)

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:

• Providing administrative and technical support for the management of various programs.
• Maintaining databases and utilizing various software programs.
• Scheduling appointments and typing a variety of 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.

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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.