Clarification from the agency

Current, permanent employees of the William S. Middleton VA Hospital (including CBOCs/VCS) in Madison, WI, VHA employees and Federal Employees.

The primary purpose of the position is supporting many administrative aspects of the functions of the Chief of Staff reporting services and EHRM.

Duties include but are not limited to:

• Route incoming phone calls to as needed. Coordinate staff meetings, including coordination of schedules to find meeting times, sending out meeting invitations, reserving conference rooms, preparing agenda, taking minutes, following up on action items and sending reminders.
• Performs a wide variety of administrative tasks associated with maintaining and supporting the work performed within the Service. Such work includes a variety of administrative functions necessary to the smooth management work and ranges from correspondence and information control to tracking supplies and services.
• Acts as the primary liaison between the program offices and administrative offices outside the organization.
• Generates a variety of documents such as letters and reports. Utilizes basic software and printing functions. Integrates several types of software to generate specific working documents and forms such as spreadsheet, database, word processing, graphics, and other similar products. Selects appropriate system, application, and format. Performs administrative and/or clerical procedures to support a variety of office functions. Monitors and controls correspondence and records throughout the service. Receivers and monitors externally and internally generated correspondence and inquiries. Maintains a correspondence control system which monitors the receipt and distribution of correspondence. Follows up to ensure observance of deadlines and coordination of internal comments and clearance.
• Route incoming phone calls to staff physicians and nurses as needed. Coordinate staff meetings, including coordination of schedules to find meeting times, sending out meeting invitations, reserving conference rooms, preparing agenda, taking minutes, following up on action items and sending reminders.
• Performs a wide variety of administrative tasks associated with maintaining and supporting the work performed within the Hem/Onc Service. Such work includes a variety of administrative functions necessary to the smooth management work and ranges from correspondence and information control to tracking supplies and services.
• Acts as the primary liaison between the program offices and administrative offices outside the organization.
• Generates a variety of documents such as letters and reports. Utilizes basic software and printing functions. Integrates several types of software to generate specific working documents and forms such as spreadsheet, database, word processing, graphics, and other similar products. Selects appropriate system, application, and format. Performs administrative and/or clerical procedures to support a variety of office functions. Monitors and controls correspondence and records throughout the service. Receives and monitors externally and internally generated correspondence and inquiries. Maintains a correspondence control system which monitors the receipt and distribution of correspondence. Follows up to ensure observance of deadlines and coordination of internal comments and clearance.
• Acts as primary timekeeper for time and attendance for assigned personnel. Serves as a resource for information, policy and procedures related to time and attendance and liaison to the payroll department. Inputs reason codes and tracks and verified accuracy of overtime and contracted hours and costs.
• Maintains service schedules.
• Assists with the management of the service calendars, Schedules appointments, coordinates meetings, and/or schedules conferences. Based on the subject matter of the meeting, may handle administrative details of meetings and conferences. Resolves scheduling conflicts, rescheduling appointments and printing documents needed for the day.

• Serves as a Talent Management System (TMS) Coordinator.

• Serves as the Automated Data Processing Application Coordinator (ADPAC) for the service. This includes, but is not limited to, resolving minor computer issues, submitting ePASs or NARS, telecommunication issues, contact center software issues and coordinating telework requests.

Work Schedule: Monday-Friday; 8am-4:30pm
Telework: This position may be authorized for telework (Adhoc). Telework eligibility will be discussed during the interview process.
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Position Description/PD#: Program Support Assistant (EHRM)/PD22120O
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

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.
• All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA.
• 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 physical examination is not required.
• 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)

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider:

• your performance and conduct;
• the needs and interests of the agency;
• whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
• whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.

Upon completion of your probationary period period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 12/12/2025.

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

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-6 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-5. 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 and typing proficiency as described below:

Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-5 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to:

• Maintains tracking of proficiencies, notifying providers prior to due date and routing through appropriate channels for timely submission.
• Perform timekeeping duties for various sections falling under M/MSS.
• Maintains part-time and on-call schedules.
• Assist with coordination completion of Market Pay panels. Provides administrative support for employee travel requests.
• May assist with maintaining competency folders, tracks and submits appraisals, OPPE, FPPE, proficiencies and awards.
• Providing great customer service

Typing Proficiency Requirement: In addition to meeting the required specialized experience, applicants for this position must show possession of the following typing proficiency. Applicants may meet these requirements by passing the appropriate performance test, presenting a certificate of proficiency from a school or other organization authorized to issue such certificates by the Office of Personnel Management local office, or by self-certifying their proficiency. Performance test results and certificates of proficiency are acceptable for 3 years. Proficiency skills of self-certified applicants may be verified by administering the appropriate performance test. For this position, applicants must be able to type 40 words per minute. Words per minute are based on a 5 minute sample with three or fewer errors. You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position:

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

• Customer Service
• Identity Management
• Manages and Organizes Information
• Organizational Awareness

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 administrative in nature, primarily sedentary. Occasionally light physical effort may be required. As most of the time is spend using a computer, actions must be taken to prevent wrist, eye, and back injuries.

Work Environment: Work is performed in a virtual office setting and requires the use of numerous communication modalities (i.e., e-mail, instant messenger, video, online meetings, etc.). Occasional travel and tour of duty changes to meet logistical needs may be required. This position may be eligible for telework.

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/.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

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 for this position:

• Administration and Management
• Clerical
• Customer Service

USA Hire Assessments include a cut score based on the minimum level of required proficiency 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 title, duties, month and year start/end dates AND hours worked per week. 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.

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 consideration. Cheating on the online assessment may also result in your removal from consideration.

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.

During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions.

To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:

• Resume
• SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action

The following documents are accepted, and may be required if applicable to your eligibility and/or qualifications for this position. Please make sure you have included other documents required for your application, such as a copy of your transcript (if using education to qualify), SF-50's (current/former Federal employees), documentation to support Veterans Preference claims, or ICTAP/CTAP documentation (for displaced Federal employees). You will not be contacted for additional information.

• Cover Letter
• DD-214/ Statement of Service
• Disability Letter (Schedule A)
• Disability Letter (VA)
• License
• Other (1)
• PCS Orders
• Performance Appraisal
• Professional Certification
• Proof of Marriage Status
• Resume
• Separation Notice (RIF)
• SF-15
• SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action
• Transcript

Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.

It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.

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.

Special Employment Consideration: VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply, including those eligible for hiring under 5 CFR 213.3102(u), Schedule A, Appointment of persons with disabilities [i.e., intellectual disabilities, severe physical disabilities, or psychiatric disabilities], and/or Disabled veterans with a compensable service-connected disability of 30% or more. Contact the Agency Contact for information on how to apply under this appointment authority via the Selective Placement Coordinator.

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/.

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