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Program Support Assistant (OA)

Department of Veterans Affairs
Veterans Health Administration
Veterans Health Administration

Summary

This position is located at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Veterans Health Administration (VHA), VA Medical Center, in the Nutrition and Food Services Department (N&FS) as a Program Support Assistant to the Associate Chief,(Clinical Nutrition), Nutrition & Food Service. The primary purpose of this position to provide a wide variety of administrative, clerical, and technical support to Nutrition and Food Service.

Overview

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Accepting applications
Open & closing dates
03/05/2026 to 03/16/2026
Salary
$45,409 to - $59,031 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 6
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
Johnson City, TN
1 vacancy
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
No
Travel Required
Not required
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
None
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Not Required
Drug test
No
Position sensitivity and risk
Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk
Trust determination process
Financial disclosure
No
Bargaining unit status
No
Announcement number
CBTG-12902971-26-PS
Control number
860082400

This job is open to

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Clarification from the agency

Open to Current, Permanent VA Mtn Home employees and it's outlying clinics ONLY.

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Duties

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Duties include but not limited to:

Receives requests for information, advises when the information can be furnished, and provides it personally from files and records or follows up with staff to see that it is provided. Performs work involving the collection, compilation, and /or tracking of data and statistical information in support of the NFS program operation.

Serves as official timekeeper for the site and maintains service record cards for all employees. Assures that the information is kept up to date. Notifies supervisors when leave limits are exceeded. Posts employee/contracted personnel time and attendance on a daily basis utilizing VA computerized timekeeping software. Processes corrected timecards when necessary.

Develops programs for monitoring employee time and attendance. Maintains appropriate and timely timekeeping mandatory training. Tracks daily attendance, overtime and unscheduled hours per employee.

Posts timecard exceptions in a timely manner. Monitors and tracks FMLA usage and notifies supervisor when usage exceeds what is approved.

Reviews documents and reports for completeness and enters pertinent information into an automated tracking system or creates spreadsheets/databases to track them.

Prepares a wide variety of recurring and nonrecurring correspondence, reports, and other documents. Establishes, updates, and maintains office files and records. Keeps/types meeting minutes, agendas and reports.

Establishes suspense dates as directed by the supervisor and brings to supervisor's attention those that require prompt attention or those that cannot be met by requested dates.

Performs database file searches. Prepares, executes, and/or tracks program specific information. Performs office automation duties using such software applications such as word processing, spreadsheet, electronic mail, desktop publishing, calendar, database, and/or graphics.

Knowledge of standard office equipment, such as computers, copiers, fax machines, and office automation systems to perform a substantial range of office automation support. A fully qualified typist is required.

Uses word processing software to execute several office automation functions such as storing and retrieving electronic documents and files; activating printers; inserting and deleting text; formatting letters, reports, and memoranda; and transmitting and receiving emails.

Serves as the primary ADPAC and TMS Administrator for NFS. Assures NFS employees are up-to-date and have met all mandatory training. Orients and trains all NFS employees on computer use. Acts as a liaison between OI&T, and other services such as Employee Education Services.

Serves as service resource person to troubleshoot computer hardware problems, resolve software problems, and work with OI&T to upgrade computer functions. Prepares and submits documentation for training and travel episodes. Serves as back-up purchase cardholder and Budget Technician.

Comprehensive knowledge of the Nutrition and Food Service rules, procedures, and operations applicable to clerical assignments to receive telephone calls, greet visitors and personally answer substantive nontechnical requests for information; provide information gathered from files or other records to prepare correspondence, reports, and other documents; establish and maintain program files/records; and review and process the program mail.

Knowledge of grammar, spelling, capitalization, punctuation, and commonly used specialized terminology to prepare material correctly.

Assignments are given with information on general administrative changes, deadlines, and priorities. For work that has not previously been automated, the supervisor defines overall objectives.

Employee uses judgment in locating and selecting the most appropriate guidelines, references, and procedures for application and in making minor deviations to adapt the guidelines to specific cases. Employee determines which of several established alternatives to use. Situations to which the existing guidelines cannot be applied or significant proposed deviations from the guidelines are referred to the supervisor.

Work Schedule: M-F specific timeframe is negotiable
Compressed/Flexible: Not Authorized
Telework: Not eligible for Telework
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Position Description/PD#: Program Support Assistant (OA)/PD99930A
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Authorized
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 (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 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, 03/16/2026.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS GS-06: Do you possess at least one (1) full year of specialized experience that equipped you with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties the Program Support Assistant that is typically in or related to the position to be filled. To be creditable, specialized experience must have been equivalent to at least the next lower grade level (GS-5) in the Federal service.

Specialized experience includes experience where you were responsible for providing administrative support; collecting, compiling and tracking data and information; processing documents and reports; establishing, updating and maintaining office files and records; performing automation duties using such software applications such as word processing, spreadsheet, electronic mail, desktop publishing, calendar, database and/or graphics; and providing information and customer service.

Typing Requirement. Must possess the ability to type at least 40 words per minute.

Preferred experience: Outpatient scheduling using ISS, Timekeeping using VATAS, Sending VVC links, Utilizing Secure Messaging.


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

  • Communication
  • Computer Skills
  • Interpersonal Skills
  • Manages and Organizes Information


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 area is usually an adequately lighted, heated and ventilated office of medical facility setting. The work environment involves everyday risks or discomforts that require normal safety precautions. The sedentary and may require some walking, standing, bending, carrying and/or lifting of light items like papers or books. The work requires light to moderate levels/times performing keyboarding to prepare correspondence.

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

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.

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.

The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position.

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

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.

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.

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