Program Support Assistant

Created at: August 13, 2025 00:12

Company: Veterans Health Administration

Location: San Luis Obispo, CA, 93401

Job Description:

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.
CTAP is designed to improve your chances of finding a new job in your agency through selection priority. To receive selection priority, you must: Be "surplus" or "displaced"; Have a current performance rating of at least "fully successful" (Level III) or equivalent; Occupy a position in the same local commuting area of the vacancy; Apply for a specific vacancy at or below your current grade level with no greater promotion potential than your current position; Meet the application deadline in the announcement; and Be found "well qualified" for the job. You are "surplus" if you: Are in the competitive service; Are in tenure group I (career) or tenure group II (career-conditional); and Have an official notice from your agency saying that your position is no longer needed. This notice could be: a "Certificate of Expected Separation" (CES); an agency certification that you are in a surplus organization or occupation; a notice that your position is being abolished; or a letter saying you are eligible for discontinued service retirement. You are "displaced" if you: Are in the competitive service; Are in tenure group I (career) or tenure group II (career-conditional); and Have an official notice from your agency saying you will be separated by reduction in force. This notice could be: a specific reduction in force separation notice; or a notice of proposed removal because you declined a directed reassignment or transfer of function out of the local commuting area. You are generally NOT eligible for selection priority if you are: In the excepted service; Downgraded or reassigned due to reduction in force, but not separated; In a different local commuting area from the vacancy; In a temporary or term position in the competitive service; In an agency that is not in the Executive branch; In an agency that does not follow OPM hiring procedures (this includes Postal Service, legislative and judicial branch agencies); or In the Senior Executive Service (SES). For additional information on CTAP, see https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/employee-guide-to-career-transition/ctap_guideline.pdf. To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 08/18/2025. You must 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. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: Utilizing a computer and various Microsoft Office Suite programs such as Word, PowerPoint, Excel and Outlook to create correspondence, presentations, spreadsheets, developing tracking systems, and communicating with others. Using knowledge of correspondence procedures and publication guidelines pertaining to the style and format of documents to effectively and accurately prepare a variety of correspondence. Using knowledge of office procedures and related administrative requirements to establish approaches for efficient office management, making travel arrangements, procuring supplies and equipment, serving as timekeeper, etc. Preparing and maintaining logs, forms, and documentation for use of official vehicles, purchase card transactions, building/office leases, janitorial services, meeting minutes, training compliance, safety and security documents, etc. Working with local Contracting Office for items such as Fee Contract Providers, cleaning contracts, security contracts, and building lease contracts. Coordinating functions directly related to recruitment actions and staffing. Collaborating on formulating the annual budget, mid-year budget review, and the projection of remaining fiscal year funds. Scheduling routine maintenance for assigned government vehicles and ensuring said maintenance is conducted by a certified and approved automobile mechanic shop. Maintaining calendar for supervisor and/or other staff using personal knowledge of workload and current issues of importance. Using personal communication skills to personally greet visitors determining the nature of their visit through initial screening and responding accordingly. Planning and organizing meetings, conferences, and workshops to include developing formal agendas, managing all logistical items, scheduling speakers, promoting the event, etc. Coordinating volunteer and work study onboarding to include maintaining sign-in sheets, verifying time, assigning appropriate tasks, etc. 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 does not inherently include physical requirements essential for successful job performance that could not otherwise be performed with a workplace accommodation. 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/.
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, 8:00 am - 4:30 pm (occasional weekends/evenings/holidays may be required based on the need of the Vet Center) Compressed Schedule: May be available at supervisors discretion Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Description/PD#: Program Support Assistant/PD59893A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not approved Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized


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