Program Support Assistant

Description:

The Program Support Assistant, as an extension of the Chief of Primary Care, assists and supports Primary Care in daily administrative functions, outcomes management, performance measures, and logistics/supply management. The Program Support Assistant reports directly to the Administrative Officer of Primary Care.

Requirements:

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 02/08/2026.

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-7 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-6. 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-6 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to:
  • Advanced knowledge of the capabilities, operating characteristics, and integration of various office automation software programs, including database, spreadsheet, word processing, and desktop publishing applications.
  • Developing methods to automate administrative reports by considering the interrelationship of data used for multiple reports, such as funds and obligations, training, travel, and staffing data.
  • The position also requires knowledge of medical and technical terminology, enabling the incumbent to transcribe, research, and retrieve data accurately.
  • Importing data from databases, converting tables into graphs, and enhancing presentation quality through advanced publishing techniques.
  • Be proficient in analyzing and resolving problems related to office automation methods, such as troubleshooting nonstandard assignments and integrating software solutions.
  • Thorough understanding of management principles and the functional structure of the VA health care system, as well as the ability to apply these principles to develop process improvements.
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook), as well as specialized VA software systems, is required to support data analysis, reporting, and the preparation of comprehensive technical and visual materials.

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

• Administration and Management
• Attention to Detail
• Clerical
• Computer Skills

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 primarily sedentary but requires periodic walking, standing, and carrying medium-weight items, such as patient records. The incumbent may need to stand for extended periods when conducting training sessions or participating in meetings. The position also involves occasional travel between two divisions of the medical center and may require trips to Community-Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOCs). Lifting and carrying of office supplies, files, and equipment may be required, with occasional lifting of up to 25 pounds, The incumbent must be able to perform tasks that involve bending, stooping, and reaching to organize files and manage office materials. Additionally, the position requires effective communication both verbally and in writing, as well as the use of standard office equipment such as computers, telephones, and fax machines.

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/ .