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Program Support Assistant

Department of Veterans Affairs
Veterans Health Administration
Veterans Health Administration

Summary

The incumbent serves as the Program Support Assistant to the Project Activation Strategic Planning section at that Jonathan M. Wainwright Memorial Medical Center in Walla Walla, Washington. The primary responsibility of this position is to perform administrative, technical, and clerical tasks in support of the Activations Coordinator and reports to Facility Chief Engineer.

Overview

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Accepting applications
Open & closing dates
03/11/2026 to 03/20/2026
Salary
$45,409 to - $59,031 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 6
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
Walla Walla, WA
1 vacancy
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
No
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
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
CBSV-12905428-26-TS
Control number
860808700

This job is open to

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Clarification from the agency

OPEN TO CURRENT, PERMANENT EMPLOYEES OF THE VETERAN HEALTH ADMINISTRATION AND ICTAP/CTAP ELIGIBLES ONLY. CURRENT SF50 AS WELL AS SF50) SHOWING TIME-IN-GRADE MUST BE ATTACHED WITH APPLICATION.

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Duties

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Technical Data Collection and Reporting (50%)

Provides specialized support to the Strategic Planning Section by independently addressing a wide variety of issues or situations common to the programs of functions supported. The work involves identifying and studying the relevant elements of each issue, determining interrelationships of data collected, identifying potential courses of action, and whenever possible, independently determining and executing the most effective solution.

The incumbent collects compiles, and tracks data and statistical information independently from existing data bases in order to provide comprehensive support of the Strategic Planning Section and as assigned or needed.

While many action items are routine, the incumbent also deals with a variety of highly complex, technical reports independently such as compensated work therapy, expenditure trends, purchase and hire costs, project status reports and budget trends as they pertain to planning and activations.

Performs detailed analysis of data and generates a variety of reports. Coordinates incoming data from a variety of sources, reviews, documents, reports and/or applications or omissions and inconsistencies, and ensures data entry is complete and accurate. Enters pertinent information into an automated tracking system, and maintains automated systems of program-specific data to track suspense's on items such as project milestones, progress, reports, funding accomplishments, compliance strategies, etc.

Budget Administration (20%)

Under the direction of the Strategic Planning Section Chief, the incumbent independently develops and manages applicable facility contracts. Gathers information and develops necessary contract documentation. Works closely with contracting staff and acquisition utilizations specialists to put contracts in place and provides contract administration assistance, in reviewing billings and maintaining contract file.

The incumbent is responsible for analyzing and reporting utility utilization, including preparing and submitting reports to VHA and VACO.

Occasionally, the incumbent may be required to assist Facilities Management Service (FMS). These duties include assisting in the payment of utilities. The Incumbent independently complies and verifies (certifies) Electricity, Water, Natural Gas, and Sewer payment in IPPS.

Additionally, the incumbent may assist FMS in reviewing work orders and sets priorities based on manpower, equipment, and material availability.

Program Resources Services and Support (15%)

Prepares obligations utilizing either 1358 or 2237 forms, monitors and tracks several Fund Control Points, with budget more than 12 million dollars. Prepares funding documents to cover obligations for activations, procurements and acquisitions, and service contracts related to leases and main campuses.

Incumbent is a Government Credit Card holder and is responsible for coordinating with program personnel as it pertains to planning and activations to establish purchase requirements, contracting vendors to determine availability and pricing information, placing orders both by telephone and in person, and checking material upon delivery.

Office and Records Administration (15%)

The incumbent is the timekeeper for all within the Strategic Planning Section and is the back-up for several other service lines.

Receives, tasks to others, and develops responses to a variety of action items in support of assigned engineering and planning programs and functions. Will verify unusual and unique requests with the program manager prior to or while developing responses.

Reviews and distributes incoming mail, manages suspense's, prepares outgoing mail and prepares office correspondence. Answers phones, responds to information inquiries and takes messages, receives visitors and directs them to appropriate staff, maintains filing systems, schedules appointments, coordinates meetings, prepare meeting minutes and schedules conferences, provides general calendar maintenance, clerical services such as maintaining calendars, recording appointments, arranging for meetings and small conference administrative details.

Performs other related duties as assigned.

Work Schedule: Monday-Friday; 8:00am-4:30pm
Telework: Not Authorized
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Position Description/PD#: Program Support Assistant/PD803190
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: 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
  • 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 (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, 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 within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement, 03/20/2026.

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-06position 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: Collect, compile, and track data and statistical information independently from existing data bases in order to provide comprehensive support; coordinate incoming data from a variety of sources, reviews documents, reports, and/or applications or omissions and inconsistencies, and ensures data entry is complete and accurate; develops and manages applicable facility contracts; reviews and distributes incoming mail, manages suspense's, prepares outgoing mail and prepares office correspondence; answers phones, responds to information inquires and takes messages, receives visitors and directs them to appropriate staff, and maintains filing systems. Coordinate meetings, prepare meeting minutes and schedules conferences. Nonclinical support by telephonic technical trouble shooting of equipment. Nonclinical documentation in electronic health care record system.
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.

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/.

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.

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


Resume Reminder - Your resume must include the following information for each job listed:
  • Job title
  • Duties (be as detailed as possible)
  • Month & year start/end dates (e.g. June 2007 to April 2008)
  • Full-time or part-time status (include hours worked per week)
  • Series and Grade, if applicable, for all Federal positions you have held
Please be aware that your answers will be verified against information provided on your resume. Be sure that your resume clearly supports your responses to all of the questions by addressing your work experience in detail.

Recommended: Even though we do not require a specific resume format, your resume must be clear so that we are able to fully evaluate your qualifications. To ensure you receive appropriate consideration, please list the duties you performed under each individual job title. If we are unable to match your experiences with the positions held, you may lose consideration for this vacancy. We cannot make assumptions regarding your qualifications.

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.

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.

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