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Staff Assistant - Research and Development

Department of Veterans Affairs
Veterans Health Administration
Veterans Health Administration
This job announcement has closed

Summary

The position provides program and procedural support of projects in a comprehensive research setting, providing day-to-day support for the VA Research Program. This position will support with research office support, WOC coordination, schedule management, competency folders, personnel support, travel, timekeeping, process improvement and general research services support.

Overview

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Reviewing applications
Open & closing dates
11/27/2024 to 12/11/2024
Salary
$52,734 to - $83,854 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 7 - 9
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
Portland, OR
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Travel Required
Not required
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
9
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Not Required
Drug test
No
Position sensitivity and risk
Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk
Trust determination process
Financial disclosure
No
Bargaining unit status
Yes
Announcement number
CARZ-12623336-25-PH
Control number
821071600

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Duties

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***THIS IS NOT A VIRTUAL POSITION, YOU MUST LIVE WITHIN OR BE WILLING TO RELOCATE WITHIN A COMMUTABLE DISTANCE OF THE DUTY LOCATION***

Assists with the acquisition and inventorying of resource materials and equipment including telephones, computers, printers, fax machines, filing cabinets, desks, archive boxes, etc.

Performs administrative work, which includes management of research leadership schedules or day-to-day plans. Identifies schedule/time required, and estimates resources required.

Assists and updates office documents, standard operating procedures, and related materials.

As confidential assistant, establishes and maintains files of correspondence and other documents related to investigations, performance appraisals, competency folders and other sensitive matters. Independently searches and provides all appropriate reference material.

Provides oversight of center needs related to facilities, engineering, and environment of care. Research best practices and makes recommendations to management regarding use of space.
Manages equipment, furniture, supplies and ensures proper resources are available to staff.
Schedules large center meetings (i.e., All Staff Meetings or Strategic Planning); obtains meeting space, prepares agendas, and types minutes in appropriate format and in final form for signature.

Ensures all IT components of video conferences are planned and functioning; obtains IT expert assistance if required for troubleshooting. Writes work-instructions or job aids to describe administrative work processes and modifies as needed.

Provides back-up support for the Research Service web site management function.

Assists with reviewing new content for compliance with all mandates, requirements, and best practices for VA program internet sites.

Assists with sourcing feedback from researchers and Research Service staff to ensure the site remains useful, accurate, and up to-date.

Provides support and manages program level travel administration and meeting coordination which includes conducting cost estimates for meeting locations, preparing forms and packets for approvals, working with project management and travelers on hotel, meeting room, travel arrangements.


Work Schedule: M-F 8:00am - 4:30pm
Recruitment & Relocation Incentives: Not authorized
Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Approved
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.

Requirements

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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 requires no special physical demands. It may involve some walking, standing, bending, or carrying of light items
  • 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) - See "Required Documents" below for details.
  • 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

This position includes a Selective Placement Factor (skill, knowledge, ability or other worker characteristic basic to - and essential for - satisfactory performance of the job). Selective Placement Factors are a prerequisite to appointment and represent minimum requirements for a position. Applicants who do not meet it are ineligible for further consideration. Examples of such experience must be present in resume. The Selective Placement Factor for this position is: Advanced knowledge in spreadsheet design, ACCESS database management, Power BI, Power BI migration, and tracking mechanisms.

GS-7:

Possess at least one (1) full year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level (GS-5) in the Federal Service, that is directly related to the work of the position and has equipped the applicant with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position. Qualifying specialized experience includes experience applying a comprehensive body of rules, procedures, and operations such as administrative practices and procedures common to the organization including planning, organization, development, direction and evaluation, experience with and detailed knowledge of travel regulations and procedures, timekeeping regulations, and office procedures; experience with microcomputers, data management software, and other office equipment; experience interpreting regulations, policies, and procedures relating to time and attendance; experience with spreadsheet design, management, and tracking mechanisms and collecting, analyzing and evaluating the data to develop and prepare reports of varying complexity and sensitivity, including monthly, quarterly and annual statistical reports, correspondence, surveys and program evaluations. NOTE: 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.

OR

Possess one (1) full year of successfully completed graduate level education that demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of this position. NOTE: Education at the graduate level must have been obtained in an accredited college or university and transcripts must be submitted with application. Education cannot be credited without documentation.

OR

Possess equivalent combination of successfully completed education and specialized experience directly related to the work of the position as outlined above that meets the requirements of the position. Only education beyond a bachelor's degree may be used to qualify applicants for the GS-07 level. NOTE: If using education combined with specialized experience to qualify, a copy of your transcript is required.

OR

Superior Academic Achievement (SAA): Meet the qualification requirements for this position using SAA by completing all the requirements for a bachelor's degree in a curriculum that is qualifying for the position to be filled and meet one of the following:
- Rank in the upper one-third of your class in the college, university or major subdivision.
- A grade-point average of "B" (a GPA of 2.96 or higher out of a possible 4.0) for all completed undergraduate courses, or those completed in the last two years of undergraduate study.
- A grade point average of "B+" (a GPA of 3.45 or higher out of a possible 4.0) for all courses in your major field of study, or those courses in your major completed in the last two years of undergraduate study.
- Membership in a national honor society (other than freshman honor societies) recognized by the Association of College Honor Societies. For a list of recognized honor societies please visit http://www.achsnatl.org/quick_link.asp.
NOTE: Copies of transcripts must be submitted with your application materials. Education cannot be credited without documentation.

GS-9:

Possess at least one (1) full year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level (GS-7) in the Federal Service, that is directly related to the work of the position and has equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position. Qualifying specialized experience includes experience applying a comprehensive body of rules, procedures, and operations such as administrative practices and procedures common to the organization including planning, organization, development, direction and evaluation, experience with and detailed knowledge of travel regulations and procedures, timekeeping regulations, and office procedures; experience with microcomputers, data management software, and other office equipment; experience interpreting regulations, policies, and procedures relating to time and attendance; experience with spreadsheet design, management, and tracking mechanisms and collecting, analyzing and evaluating the data to develop and prepare reports of varying complexity and sensitivity, including monthly, quarterly and annual statistical reports, correspondence, surveys and program evaluations. NOTE: 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.

OR

Successfully completed two (2) years of progressively higher-level graduate education or masters or equivalent graduate degree or LL.B. or J.D., in a related field of the position to be filled. Education at the graduate level must have been obtained in an accredited college or university and must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of this position. NOTE: Transcripts must be submitted with application. Education cannot be credited without documentation.

OR

Possess equivalent combination of successfully completed education and specialized experience directly related to the work of the position as outlined above that meets the requirements of the position. Only education in excess of the first year (18 semester hours) may be used to qualify applicants for the GS-09 level. NOTE: If using education combined with specialized experience to qualify, a copy of your transcript is required.

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.

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/.

Education


IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.


NOTE: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.

Additional information


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. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. 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.

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.

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.

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 (knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics):

  • Attention to Detail
  • Customer Service
  • Decision Making
  • Flexibility
  • Integrity/Honesty
  • Interpersonal Skills
  • Learning
  • Organizational Stewardship
  • Personnel and Human Resources
  • Reading Comprehension
  • Reasoning
  • Self-Management
  • Stress Tolerance
  • Teamwork

The assessment includes 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.

Candidates who apply under "All U.S. Citizens" announcements will be rated and ranked using Category Rating procedures. Qualified candidates will be assigned to a quality category. The categories are defined as follows:
  • Best qualified - Applicants possessing the type and quality of experience that substantially exceeds the minimum qualifications
  • Very Highly Qualified - Applicants possessing the type and quality of experience that exceeds, to a very considerable extent, the minimum qualifications
  • Highly Qualified - Applicants possessing the type and quality of experience that exceeds, to a considerable extent, the minimum qualifications
  • Well qualified - Applicants possessing the type and quality of experience that marginally exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position and who demonstrate average proficiency in most of the critical competencies
  • Qualified - Applicants possessing the type and quality of experience that meets the minimum qualifications
Application of Veterans' Preference: Category rating and selection procedures place those with veteran's preference above non-preference eligibles within each category. Preference eligible applicants that meet the eligibility and qualification requirements and who have a compensable service-connected disability of at least 10 percent are listed in the highest quality category (except when the position being filled is scientific or professional at the GS-09 grade level or higher).

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