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Computer Assistant (OA)

Department of Veterans Affairs
Veterans Health Administration
Veterans Health Administration

Summary

The position is located in the Department of Veterans Affairs at the Northern California Health Care System, Mather, CA in the Nursing Service Line. The incumbent is primarily responsible for providing technical computer support to all of Nursing Service, which includes trouble shooting of software and hardware and instruction on the use of software and hardware.

Overview

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Accepting applications
Posted yesterday · Apply by 06/25/26
Due by 11:59 p.m. ET on June 25, 2026
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
Work site options
Telework eligible
No
Remote job
No
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Salary
$55,934 - $72,716 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 7
Promotion potential
7
Pay scale and grade determines the salary of the job.
Work schedule
Full-time
Travel Required
Not required
Appointment type
Permanent
Occupations and job series
Supervisory status
No
Federal service type
This job is in the Competitive Service
Represented by a union
No
Drug test
No
Security clearance
Not Required
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
Financial disclosure required
No
Some jobs require financial disclosure to identify conflicts of interests.
Announcement number
CBSW-12986100-26-AG
Control number
873258800

This job is open to

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Clarification from the agency

This position is open to current permanent employees of the Northern California Medical Center only.

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Duties

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Provides technical assistance to functional users to minimize operational disruptions for the customer. Serving as the first-line of automation support, receives help requests from functional users and maintains log. Independently troubleshoots computer problems determining the nature of customer's problem(s); conducting research; providing answers; and/or determining solutions to technical questions relating to suspected hardware, software, or network failures. Initiates diagnostics and uses advanced diagnostic utilities to recover lost files and/or folders and to resolve disk and memory problems. Provides analytical and evaluative duties related to personal computers for both software and hardware problems. Uses standard computer commands to generate error messages to help identify defective components/part(s). Replaces faulty computer parts with on-hand supplies. Identifies ADP equipment that should be replaced upon request and reports to proper authority. Maintains count of equipment on-hand for issue. Provides "hands-on" and verbal assistance in the loading of software, disk maintenance procedures, configuration of hardware and/or software, and trouble shooting for isolation of problem areas.

  • In-depth knowledge of standard and nonstandard computer operating methods, procedures and diagnostic techniques to isolate, identify, and resolve or seek assistance in resolving problems that affect system operating efficiency. This knowledge is used also to diagnose the nature and sources of problems involving equipment, programs, or systems and to define the results of such analysis to others who specialize in resolving such conditions.
  • Knowledge of the objectives, overall design and operation principles of computer systems in order to recognize interactions with the programs' functions to include Windows NT Network Operating System, Microsoft Office Programs, Veterans Integrated Systems Technology Architecture (Vista) and a wide variety of associated support system networks and software.
  • Knowledge of established techniques and requirements of the employing organization to perform basic fact-finding and analysis.
  • Ability to run and monitor test programs to identify problems or potential for obvious problems. Knowledge of appropriate environmental conditions necessary for continuous operation, and emergency procedures in case of security risk situations
  • Knowledge of prevailing practices in Information Technology to propose alternative approaches in applications system development and or resolve problems related to networks

Work Schedule: Monday through Friday; 08:00AM to 04:30PM
Telework: Not eligible for telework.
Position Description/PD#: Computer Assistant/PD10473-O
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
  • 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 vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP)
  • Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details.

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 6/11/2026

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-07 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-06. 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-06 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Specialized experience related to this position includes experience in program administration and management; assistance with day-to-day operational duties; communicate effectively both verbally and in writing with variety of individuals; problem solve and apply decision making skills; sustaining processes and procedures to ensure program effectiveness; interpreting, analyzing, and responding to requests for information from internal and external entities; collecting, compiling, managing and reporting program data; preparing correspondence and reports utilizing automated software (such as Microsoft Word, Excel, etc.

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

  • Computer Skills
  • Customer Service (Clerical/Technical)
  • Database Administration
  • Technology Application
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 generally sedentary. The incumbent may do some walking, standing, bending, or carrying of light items such as files, papers, brochures, binders, etc. No special physical demands are required to perform the work.

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.

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

Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process.

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.

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. Area of Consideration: Eligible applications will be reviewed and referred in the following order:

  1. Current permanent employees of the Northern California Healthcare System.
  2. 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.

Veterans Health Administration

OUR MISSION: To fulfill President Lincoln's promise "To care for those who have served in our nation's military and for their families, caregivers, and survivors" - 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 whole health care to Veterans

VA Northern California Health Care System (VANCHCS) is an integrated health care delivery system, offering a comprehensive array of medical, surgical, rehabilitative, mental health and extended care to Veterans in Northern California.

The city of Sacramento has evolved over recent years and features two large universities, a thriving riverfront area with harbor, a number of notable museums, top restaurants, jazz nightspots, impressive theaters, more than 100 parks, scenic trails by the American River Parkway, and some striking architecture, including the magnificent California State Capitol building. Home to the River Cats, Triple AAA affiliate for the San Francisco Giants and Major League Soccer awarded an expansion team in Sacramento.

Located near San Francisco, one of America's favorite cities, Sacramento, is not far from the world class ski attractions at Lake Tahoe and the beautiful Napa Valley.

More History can be found here: https://www.northerncalifornia.va.gov/about/index.asp

Agency contact information

Ashley Graves
Phone
916-843-2768
Email
Ashley.Graves2@va.gov
Address
VA Northern California Health Care System
10535 Hospital Way
Mather, CA 95655
US

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http://www.va.gov/jobs

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