Skip to main content
U.S. flag
Back to results

Program Support Assistant

Department of Veterans Affairs
Veterans Health Administration
Readjustment Counseling Service (RCS)
This job announcement has closed

Summary

This position is located within Readjustment Counseling Service, and its primary purpose is to provide administrative and clerical support to a multi-disciplinary team providing counseling services to veterans with readjustment problems. By virtue of the mission of the Vet Center, the incumbent is the only administrative person located on site thus becoming responsible for many of the administrative, fiscal, and supply support functions for the Vet Center team.

Overview

Help
Reviewing applications
Open & closing dates
09/17/2025 to 09/22/2025
Salary
$56,490 to - $73,441 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 7
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
Fairbanks, AK
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
CBZY-12788087-25-TA
Control number
846126900

This job is open to

Help

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.

Videos

Duties

Help

Major duties include, but are not limited to:

Administrative Duties 50%

  • The work of the position requires the incumbent to be proficient in the use of various Microsoft Office Suite Programs to include but is not limited to: Word, Power Point, Excel and Outlook. These programs are used for creating correspondence, presentations, spreadsheets, develop tracking systems and to communicate with others.
  • RCS has established databases (RCSNet) which the incumbent is responsible for updating assigned Vet Center data on a regular basis. The incumbent is responsible for using other programs or systems such as share drives, share points, Integrated Funds Control, Accounting, and Procurement (IFCAP), Invoice Payment and Processing System (IPPS), and FORCE to carry out the work of the position. All databases are to be kept current and complete, to allow for required reports to be accurate and timely.
  • Incumbent makes suggestions for possible modifications to improve effectiveness and efficiency of database use for the field.
  • Responsible for reviewing and responding to all correspondence or inquiries the Vet Center receives via telephone, e-mail, and regular mail in a timely manner. The incumbent collaborates with Vet Center staff to aid in a complete response to the inquiry. Utilizing critical thinking skills, the incumbent is responsible for ensuring all correspondence has proper grammar, spelling, is error-free and formatting of the document is in accordance with approved RCS style guidelines.
  • Responsible for creating, updating, and maintaining all electronic documents for Vet Center staff, and Vet Center administrative folders in shared and personal folders. Incumbent creates, updates, and maintains an electronic staff folder for each employee which may include position description or functional statement, in processing forms, training certificates, licensure, and the performance appraisal, etc.
  • Assigned as Primary Timekeeper for the Vet Center responsible for the bi-weekly time and leave records.
  • Assigned as the Purchase Card Holder for the Vet Center, responsible for preparing and maintaining all logs, forms, and documentation for the Vet Center use of official vehicles, and purchase card transactions.
Program Duties 25%
  • The incumbent provides administrative support for the assigned Vet Center.
  • Incumbent is responsible for ensuring all office equipment is in working order and, if not, works with appropriate staff to have equipment replaced or fixed in a timely manner to include placing work-orders, maintenance request and ensuring repairs are completed.
  • Incumbent works independently establishing workload priorities off standing orders.
  • Incumbent develops and maintains tracking systems on all assigned programs or projects.
  • Provides support to Vet Center staff by making copies, scanning information, and faxing information as requested.
  • Responsible for creating and maintaining the Vet Center brochures, pamphlets, hand-outs, staff business cards and other Vet Center documents which are used locally by staff under the guidance of the Vet Center Director or other staff.
  • The creation of materials is done in compliance with RCS communication and branding guidelines.
Office Duties 25%
  • The incumbent is responsible for providing a welcoming environment and keeping the front lobby neat and orderly.
  • Each day all tables are cleared of any trash, books/magazines are neatly arranged, furniture straightened, and refreshment/coffee area is cleaned and stocked. Any areas that appear in need of repair are fixed if possible or removed from lobby area if a safety hazard is present. Incumbent is responsible for contacting the appropriate office to get items back to working order as quickly as possible.
  • Personally greets all visitors to the Vet Center, determines the nature of their visit, identifies Veterans arriving for appointment, confirms appointment, and contacts counselor to inform that client has arrived.
  • The incumbent uses independent judgment and Vet Center training to determine situations which require additional professional guidance by Vet Center staff.
  • If the client appears to be in distress, the incumbent contacts the appropriate Vet Center personnel to handle the Veteran crisis.

Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 08:00am - 4:30pm
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Position Description/PD#: Program Support Assistant/PD59893A
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not Authorized

Requirements

Help

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 examination is not required.
  • You may be required to serve a probationary/trial period.
  • 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) - See "Required Documents" below for details.

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 09/22/2025.

You may qualify based on your experience and/or education as described below:

GS-07 Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-06 level in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Applicants must meet two out of the three examples of Specialized experience listed below:

  • Providing administrative and technical support for the management of various programs.
  • Maintaining databases and utilizing various software programs.
  • Scheduling appointments and typing a variety of 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/.

Preferred Experience:
  1. Ability to type 40 WPM.
  2. Ability to design, organize, and maintain a filing system, correspondence, timekeeping and client records system.
  3. Ability to maintain fund control points, credit/card purchasing records and budget/contract fee records.
  4. Knowledge of PC's and the ability to efficiently and effectively perform various software program. (Such as Excel, MS Word, Power Point, etc.)
  5. Ability to respond to customers and co-workers promptly and in a friendly , respectful, professional and cooperative manner; consistently demonstrate positive and professional image of the organization. Ability to develop and establish an effective working relationship with all stakeholders.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

You will be evaluated on how well you meet the qualifications listed in this vacancy announcement. 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 (knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics):

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


USA Hire Assessment include a cut score based on the minimum level of required statement in these critical 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 titles, duties, month and year start/dates AND hours worked per week. A full year of work is considered to be 30-45 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 sideration. Cheating on the online assessment may also result in your removal from consideration.

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.

Your session is about to expire!

Your USAJOBS session will expire due to inactivity in 8 minutes. Any unsaved data will be lost if you allow the session to expire. Click the button below to continue your session.