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Program Specialist

Department of Veterans Affairs
Veterans Health Administration
This job announcement has closed

Summary

The incumbent of this position serves as the administrative assistant in the Office of the Associate Director of Patient Nursing Services. In this capacity, the incumbent provides administrative and clerical support to Nursing Services, to include the Assistant Chief Nurse, Associate Chief Nurse's, Unit Nurse Managers and the Administrative staff.

Overview

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Hiring complete
Posted 08/20/21
Location
Work site options
Telework eligible
No
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Salary
$53,433 - $69,462 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 9
Promotion potential
9
Pay scale and grade determines the salary of the job.
Work schedule
Full-time
Travel Required
Not required
Appointment type
Permanent
Supervisory status
No
Federal service type
This job is in the Competitive Service
Drug test
No
Security clearance
Other
Position sensitivity and risk
Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk
Jobs require a background check and some require a security clearance. The type depends on the job.
Background check type
Announcement number
CBTB-11210859-21-NTM
Control number
611706700

This job is open to

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Clarification from the agency

Open to Carl Vinson Employees Only

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Duties

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As an Administrative Assistant the incumbent reports to the Administrative Officer while performing a variety of administrative support and office duties for the Nurse Managers and Associate Chief Nurses while supporting Nursing Service. By performing a broad spectrum of administrative duties he/she relieves the Nurse Managers and Associate Chief Nurses of many of the routine activities. The incumbent possess and demonstrates an overall functional knowledge of the Carl Vinson VAMC, the
Department of Veterans Affairs organization, mission, and goals; VA procedures and standards, policies, interests, and practices.
Some of the duties are listed below but not all:

  • Manages operations of nurse scheduling and timekeeping to ensure that practice is within established guidelines.
  • Assists unit T &A supervisors, timekeepers and administrative supervisors with management of Time and Attendance records, IT reporting requirements, and reports associated with the nurse scheduling (Lawson) software. timekeeping functions.
  • Oversees personnel reporting for changes in personnel actions, workers compensation program, and leave utilization.
  • Serves as a liaison with DSS staff to ensure workload capture and labor mapping is correctly captured.
  • Manages procurement of supplies, equipment, space and resources for the Nurse Manager's in all clinical areas including Home Based Primary Care and Medical Foster Home Program.
  • Assists Nurse Recruiter in activities associated with recruitment and retention of staff to include arranging interviews, conducting reference checks and tracking/processing of Human Resource recruitment certifications.
  • The incumbent provides administrative management assistance of the organization thru supporting the Nurse Managers and Associate Chief Nurses.
  • This may include interpreting administrative policies and procedures, developing, implementing or defining local administrative requirements and/or providing advice to nursing leadership related issues.
  • Performs administrative management requirements for a medium sized organization with few functions.
  • Reviews and analyzes processes for maintaining accurate and current office regulations, policies, and procedures.
  • Develops and implements tracking tools and spreadsheets which improves productivity and provides status at a glance on a myriad of programs.
  • Applies new policies, provides advice on requirements, maintains administrative systems and prepares administrative paperwork for Nurse Managers and Associate Chief Nurses.
  • Composes and edits letters and reports, reviews correspondence for accuracy and completeness, prepares public presentation outlines and develops standards or form letter and/or templates while replying to inquires.
  • Arranges travel for all level of nurses to include reservations and processing of related forms.
  • Analyzes information and advises the Associate Chief Nurses on the important issues arising during the supervisor's absence, and brings significant items in reports, files, and correspondence to the supervisor's attention.
  • Support Nurse Managers by oversees and verifies all equipment purchases and inventories for nursing units.
  • Analyzes, researches and provides background on subject matter for meetings without directions.

Work Schedule: M-F 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
Compressed/Flexible: Optional
Telework: N/A
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Position Description/PD#: Program Specialist/PD034680
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: N/A
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): N/A
PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): N/A
Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job
  • All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA.
  • 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 and Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Vaccination programs are requirements for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP)

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 09/13/2021.

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-9 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-7. 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 and/or education as described below:
Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-07 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: analyzing, evaluating, advising, and coordinating administrative operations; applying analytical and evaluative techniques; knowledge of organizational policies and procedures; applying basic data gathering methods; assisting with special projects and assignments; excellent communication and customer service skills; completing assigned projects and reviews in a timely manner; adapting to situations quickly, precisely, and accurately; knowledge of word processing (MS Word), spreadsheets (MS Excel), graphics (MS PowerPoint), and database (MS Access); knowledge of VISTA and CPRS to access information in the Medical Center computer system, etc..

OR,
Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have; Masters or equivalent graduate degree; OR 2 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree; OR LL.B. or J.D., (transcripts required) if related. OR
Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have an equivalent combination of specialized experience and education that is directly related to the work of the position. (Transcript Required)

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

  • Administration and Management
  • Attention to Detail
  • Clerical
  • Customer Service
  • Data Management
  • Flexibility
  • Information Technology Research and Development


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 sedentary but requires some physical effort, such as standing, walking, bending, sitting, or lifting boxes no more than 20 lbs. There are no special physical demands.

For more information on these qualification standards, please visit the United States Office of Personnel Management's website at https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/.

Education

There is no educational substitution at this grade level.

A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.

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: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. 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: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html.

Additional information

VA supports the use of telework as a way to help attract and retain talented individuals in public service, increase worker productivity, and better prepare the agency to operate during emergencies. This position may be authorized for telework. Telework eligibility will be discussed during the interview process.

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. 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.

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 http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/employee-guide-to-career-transition/.

Placement Policy: The posting of this announcement does not obligate management to fill a vacancy or vacancies by promotion. The position may be filled by reassignment, change to lower grade, transfer, appointment, or reinstatement. Management may use any one or any combination of these methods to fill the position.

It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.

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

Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.

For more information on the "Who may apply" eligibility requirements, please refer to the OHRM Status Candidates and Other Candidate Definitions document.

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.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE WILL NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE.

Narrative responses are not required at this time. If you are referred for consideration, you may be asked to submit additional job related information, which may include, but not limited to; responses to the knowledge, skills and abilities; completion of a work sample, and/or contact for an interview.Your resume and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your rating or consideration for employment.

Veterans Health Administration

OUR MISSION: To fulfill President Lincoln's promise "To care for him who shall have borne the battle, and for his widow, and his orphan" - by serving and honoring the men and women who are America's Veterans. How would you like to become a part of a team providing compassionate care to Veterans?

Agency contact information

NANNETTE MCCLENDON
Phone
478-277-2891 X2891
Email
NANNETTE.MCCLENDON@VA.GOV
Address
Carl Vinson VA Medical Center
1826 Veterans Boulevard
Dublin, GA 31021
US

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http://www.va.gov/jobs

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