Program Support Assistant

Summary

The Program Support Assistant (PSA) serves the Social Work Service at Northern Arizona VA Health Care System (NAVAHCS) in Prescott, Arizona. The PSA performs general program support work such as the collection, compilation, research, and/or tracking of data and program information. Performs training support duties for computer related issues which includes a variety of administrative functions necessary to the smooth management of an office.

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Duties

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Major duties include but are not limited to the following:

• Performs work involving the collection, compilation, and/or tracking of data and statistical information in support of an organization's operation. In charge of scheduling and environment of care issues. Provides orientation guidelines to other Program Support Assistant (PSA) and helps ensure the successful operation of the SWSL processes.
• Assists the assigned Social Work Chief or Supervisor in tracking data that ensures the optimum performance of the assigned SWSL Program(s), for example, Caregiver Support Program (CSP), Contract Nursing Home Program (CNH) , Patient Align Care Team PACT Social Workers. For example, from databases tracking access to care, staff workload and productivity, and internal reports.
• Maintains current knowledge of facility resources, services, and SWSL processes/policies to oversee day-to-day operations, extract and track data.
• Supports program compliance to Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF), Joint Commission standards, and federal regulations in relation to environment of care and adhering to program standards.
• Maintains knowledge of various reporting programs, e.g., SAIL, VSSC, that support the SWSL program.
• Assists clinicians and/or Veterans with issues related to use of CVT and or VVC. Able to schedule for group rooms usage; and may be asked to schedule meetings and other events.
• Performs general administrative duties in support of the various functions of the assigned SWSL programs, such as Caregiver Support Program (CSP), Contract Nursing Home Program (CNH).
• Provides for the budgeting and financial management for SW. This includes budget formulation, justification, execution, and disbursement of funds to Veterans.
• Maintains timekeeping for all employees attached to the assigned MH Programs. May be asked to provide back-up to other PSA's. Files the required paperwork associated with timekeeping to the Payroll Department.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 7:00 am - 3:30 pm

Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Position Description/PD#: Program Support Assistant / PD145160

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
• 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 or trial 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, 08/24/2026.

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: Administrative and clerical work of an office, Utilizing word processing, spreadsheets, database, and software to manage information; Manages supplies and equipment by interfacing with supply, Maintaining time and attendance records, Performing data collection and preparing reports; and Receiving calls and visitors and directing them appropriately.

There is no educational substitution for the GS-06 level.

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: No special physical qualifications are required to perform the duties of the position. Incumbent must be able to travel independently to and from all areas on the VA grounds.

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

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. 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.

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

If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement.

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.

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.