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Program Support Assistant - Behavioral Health

Department of Veterans Affairs
Veterans Health Administration
El Paso VA Health Care System

Summary

The Workplace Violence Prevention Program Support Assistant is assigned to Behavioral Health Service at the El Paso Veterans Healthcare System (VAHCS). This position is integral to the effective implementation of VA policies, procedures, and activities associated with employee education and prevention of violence in the workplace.

Overview

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Accepting applications
Open & closing dates
01/29/2026 to 02/03/2026
Salary
$45,409 to - $59,031 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 6
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
El Paso, TX
1 vacancy
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Travel Required
25% or less - You may be expected to travel for this position.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
None
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Other
Drug test
No
Position sensitivity and risk
Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk
Trust determination process
Financial disclosure
No
Bargaining unit status
No
Announcement number
CAZM-12872987-26-MV
Control number
855990100

This job is open to

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Clarification from the agency

ALL US CITIZENS DIRECT HIRE AUTHORITY: This position is being filled using Direct-Hire Authority (5 CFR 337.205) for this occupation.

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Duties

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The incumbent's primary responsibility is to manage all administrative aspects of the PMDB program which include coordinating the training of Facility PMDB Trainers from across El Paso VAHCS; developing an annual training plan based on the recommendations of the Workplace Behavioral Risk Assessment (WBRA), assigning of trainers and classes accordingly for all levels of PMDB and required skills assessments; maintaining records of all training programs, attendees, and qualifications of trainers; and ensure facility adherence to national requirements related to PMDB training. In addition, the incumbent serves a member of the Disruptive Behavior Committee (DBC). The incumbent participates in review of the annual WBRA and other reports for quality improvement and other administrative goals. The incumbent reports directly to the Workplace Violence Prevention Program Manager.

MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Prevention & Management of Disruptive Behavior (PMDB) Program Management

  • Perform the administrative and personnel management functions related to staff assigned to PMDB within each individual workplace in the facility.
  • Plan, develop, implement, direct, and coordinate overall training at the facility level with fidelity to the national model.
  • Coordination and oversight of PMDB trainers.
  • Participate in national PMDB conference calls and trainings pertinent to the coordination of the program.
  • Direct the implementation and ongoing evaluation of any impact evaluation tool related to PMDB training.
  • Prepare, review, and submit national reports regarding assignment and completion of PMDB training.
  • Use Microsoft Office Suite (Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Access, Publisher, and Outlook) effectively to complete and manage correspondence, tracking, reporting, and education initiatives.
Disruptive Behavior Committee (DBC)
  • Serves on the DBC as a PMDB program representative to maintain continuity between PMDB and the DBC.
  • Participates in the analysis of disruptive and violent incidents, including analysis identifying why the incident(s) occurred and how to prevent future incidents.
  • Works collaboratively with WVPP Manager and/or WVPP Senior Social Worker to develop DBC agenda, and documents DBC minutes.
Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00am to 4:30pm
Telework: This position may be authorized for telework. Telework eligibility will be discussed during the interview process.
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Position Description/PD#: Program Support Assistant - Behavioral Health/PD005060
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
  • 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
  • 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 (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued dentification 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 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 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, 02/03/2026.

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: expertise in PMDB (or similar program) as evidenced by current or ongoing certification as a PMDB Facility Trainer or Master Trainer (or experience with public speaking and/or training proficiency); knowledge of VA, JCAHO, OSHA, and other guidelines associated with violence prevention, education, and training; knowledge of the proper procedures for preparing forms as requested by various services and committees in order to meet their requirements; ability to be a role model for quality customer service and conflict resolution including consistently communicating and treating customers (veterans, their representatives, visitors, and all VA staff) in a courteous, tactful, and respectful manner; strong organizational and planning skills; knowledge of the Talent Management System (TMS); knowledge of MS Word and Excel, or comparable word processing and data analysis software, to effectively complete and manage correspondence, tracking, reporting, and training-related initiatives; strong verbal presentation and communication skills; physical ability needed to instruct and train staff in all levels of PMDB.
You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position:
  • Accountability
  • Attention to Detail
  • Interpersonal Skills
  • Reasoning
  • Self Management
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: Physical aspects associated with work required of this assignment are typical for the occupation and would generally not require a pre-placement examination. The incumbent must possess the physical ability to complete all levels of PMDB training to garner a full understanding of the techniques and methods involved, and actively train staff in all four levels of PMDB. This requires frequent physical effort, standing, walking, bending, sitting, and hands-on therapeutic containment activity with employees during technique demonstrations.

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.

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

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.

How you will be evaluated

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

Your qualifications will be evaluated based on your application materials (e.g., resume, supporting documents), your responses on the application questionnaire, and your responses to all assessments required for this position. You will be assessed on the following Competencies for this position:

  • Accountability
  • Attention to Detail
  • Customer Service
  • Decision Making
  • Flexibility
  • Integrity/Honesty
  • Interpersonal Skills
  • Learning
  • Reading Comprehension
  • Reasoning
  • Self-Management
  • Stress Tolerance
  • Teamwork


USA Hire Assessments include a cut score based on the minimum level of required proficiency in these critical general competencies. You must meet or exceed the cut score to be considered. You will not be considered for the position if you score below the cut score or fail to complete the assessment.

Your experience must be fully documented on your resume and must include job title, duties, month and year start/end dates AND hours worked per week. 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. IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE WILL NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application materials or application questionnaire may result in your removal from consideration. Cheating on the online assessment may also result in your removal from consideration.

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.

During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions.

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.

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