Location: Madison,WI, USA
Summary This position is aligned under the Chaplain Service at the William S. Middleton Memorial VA Hospital. The Program Support Assistant is responsible for organizing and maintaining efficient office operations and assist the Chief Chaplain with the management and functionality of the Chaplain programs. Responsibilities VISN 12 is committed to fostering and sustaining an environment which celebrates diversity, provides equitable opportunities for employment and promotion, and supports inclusiveness in our culture. Together, we strive to create and maintain working and learning environments that promote professional growth and teamwork, and are inclusive, equitable and welcoming. We embrace our differences as individuals and unite as a team toward a common goal: to serve our nation's Veterans. The Program Support Assistant will work with various departments such as Nursing, Mental Health, and Whole Health to coordinate programming for annual events to include participation of community faith leaders, veteran resource organizations, and VA staff. Will coordinate with Chaplain Service Chief to ensure active communication between the VA Chaplain Service and the community. Responsibilities include but not limited to the following: Perform work involving the collection, compilation, and/or tracking of the data and statistical information in the support of the organization's program operation. Assists in the planning, review and reporting of data/statistical results of program/project studies. Performs a basic analysis of the data and generates a variety of reports. Independently completes special research projects in support of the policy development and/or technical/program activities of the medical facility. Assembles and summarizes data, background information and other materials from publication and other sources. Maintains automated system of program specific data to track items such as project milestones, progress reports, compliance, etc. Enter data into spreadsheets and databases and creates new databases as needed. Uses word processing software and printing equipment or medical multimedia to independently create, format, edit/modify and print letters, memoranda, flyers, reports, and other documents. Will prepare correspondence (letters, memorandums, bulletins, hospital memorandums, reports of contact, minutes, etc.) in both draft and final form. Reviews outgoing correspondence for proper format, conformance with procedural instructions, grammar, spelling, and necessary attachments. Provides technical administrative guidance to Chaplain Service staff and Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) Program in preparing correspondence, per VA standards and facility policy. Makes product selections and completes the procurement utilizing purchase orders and impact purchase cards. Lead orientation for all volunteers and Chaplains and supports all staff in information system access requests, work order request, and troubleshooting internal office PC problems. Will keep accurate accounting and records of all purchases and donations for the Chaplain Service Line. Makes continuing education and travel arrangements using appropriate forms, following all VA regulations, or governing data Promotion Potential: The selectee may be promoted to the full performance level without further competition when all regulatory, qualification, and performance requirements are met. Selection at a lower grade level does not guarantee promotion to the full performance level. Work Schedule: Full-time, Monday - Friday: 7:00am - 3:30pm Telework: VA supports the use of telework as a way to help attract and retain talented individuals in public service, increase worker productivity, and better prepare the agency to operate during emergencies. This position may be authorized for telework. Telework eligibility will be discussed during the interview process. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Description/PD#: Program Support Assistant/PD250010 and PD250000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Approved Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Requirements 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, 12/13/2024. 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-06 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-05. 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 GS-06: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-05 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: Overall knowledge of VA regulations regarding personnel, regulations regarding the organization and other pertinent local and VA wide guidelines; General knowledge of various religions and associated practices, particularly cultural influences, and skill sufficient to relate to staff and customers of various belief systems and religions with sensitivity and professionalism; use computer software programs such as word processing, database, spreadsheet, and graphic programs; Knowledge of time and leave policies and procedures for pay systems and references and manuals; Knowledge of grammar, spelling, punctuation and required formats. Specialized Experience GS-07: 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: Overall knowledge of VA regulations regarding personnel, regulations regarding the organization and other pertinent local and VA wide guidelines; Knowledge of the substantive work of the service-line, including functions, programs, policies, and goals; Detailed knowledge of administrative procedures, functions, and operations of pastoral services provided to properly refer callers and visitors, respond to requests for information, process documents and maintain records; General knowledge of various religions and associated practices, particularly cultural influences, and skill sufficient to relate to staff and customers of various belief systems and religions with sensitivity and professionalism; use computer software programs such as word processing, database, spreadsheet, and graphic programs; Knowledge of time and leave policies and procedures for pay systems and references and manuals; Knowledge of grammar, spelling, punctuation and required formats. You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position: Accountability Interpersonal Skills Listening Partnering Self Management 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: Work requires some physical effort such as standing, walking, bending, the carrying of records, papers, books, and some small boxes, etc. There is no special physical exertion. For more information on these qualification standards, please visit the United States Office of Personnel Management's website at Education There is no educational substitution at this grade level. Additional Information This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. 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.