Program Support Assistant (Leadership Support) - Veterans Benefits Administration

Summary This position is located in the Support Services Division (SSD) of the St Paul, MN. Regional Office, where the incumbent provides program, technical and administrative assistance to the SSD Chief and other subordinate management within the division. Responsibilities Processes incoming and outgoing materials such as correspondence, reports, memoranda, and other forms of written communications. Reviews and analyzes various materials, determines action necessary, researches and assembles background information, and refers said materials to the appropriate section when necessary. Edits documents, composes letters and reports, reviews correspondence for accuracy and completeness, prepares public presentation outlines, and develops standard for form letters and replies to inquiries. Liaises with the customer and identifies requirements for equipment purchase, lease, trade-in, excess, move to another location, warranty periods, etc. and then passes those requirements on to the appropriate Administrative Section staff for action. Maintains the confidential records for SSD, including records concerning individual performance, disciplinary actions, awards, and similar information for all employees of the Division. As a purchase card holder, always secures purchase card, identifies correct accounting string or budget object codes (BOCs) for appropriate transactions as required within VA 's credit card system. Serves as the principal timekeeper for SSD and may support other division timekeeper needs by serving as an alternate timekeeper. Reviews and makes corrections to the RO's controlled publications (circulars, bulletins, memoranda) to ensure proper format is used. May have duties in the PIV issuance process and may serve as one of the facility's PIV Card issuers. Prepares information in connection with surveys and one-time reports required by Central Office, or Division management regarding administrative support functions from other divisions and outside sources of data. Requirements Conditions of Employment Qualifications To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 09/27/2024. You may qualify based on your experience as described below: Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least to the next lower grade GS-05 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Qualifying specialized experience includes: composing, reviewing, and editing correspondence, auditing statistical data, assessing organizational workflow, providing budgetary recommendations, and serving as the principal timekeeper. Education: There is no education substitute at this grade level. 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. For more information on these qualification standards, please visit the United States Office of Personnel Management's website at http://://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/. Education There is no educational substitution at this grade level. Additional Information This is not a Virtual/Remote/Telework Position. Work Schedule: Regular office hours, Monday -Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM. Alternate work schedules may be available. Physical Demands: Work requires some physical exertion such as extended periods of standing, frequent bending, reaching or similar activities necessary to set up, operate, adjust and monitor operation of the equipment. I he employee lifts a variety of moderately heavy materials and supplies such as mailbags or large quantities of paper stock. Work Environment: Work is performed in an office setting that is adequately lighted, heated and ventilated. Promotion Potential: The full performance level of this position is grade GS-06. Receiving Service Credit for 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. 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. "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 (TJO). Please visit the Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP), https://www.va.gov/EMPLOYEE/docs/The-Fair-Chance-to-Compete-Act.pdf. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.