This position is located within Voluntary Service as a Program Assistant at the Palo Alto Division, Defender Lodge. and supports the day to day operation of the independent 52 room, 104 bed program.

Duties

The VA has adopted Core Values and Characteristics that apply universally across the Department. The five Core Values define "who we are," our culture, and how we care for Veterans, their families and other beneficiaries. The Values are Integrity, Commitment, Advocacy, Respect and Excellence ("I CARE"). As a VA professional, your opportunities are endless. With many openings in the multiple functions of VA, you will have a wide range of opportunities and leadership positions at your fingertips. DIRECT HIRE AUTHORITY: This position is being filled using Direct-Hire Authority (5 CFR 337.201) for this occupation. Major Duties: Provide telephone assistance and triage of patients and providers, scheduling appointments for rooms, ordering meals, overseeing the cleanliness of the area. Receive and orient patients and their caregivers to the facility, directing and routing Veterans to the appropriate clinical areas and interviewing patients for appropriateness prior to their stay in the Defenders Lodge. Maintain a schedule of bed availability to maximize the bed utilization to include cancellation and re-books. Is responsible for maintaining data for the program to include occupancy, referral source, and responsible service information. Resolve day to day problems relating to the program and keeps the supervisor informed of situations that cannot be easily resolved. Other duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Tue-Fri: 07:00am-3:30pm Sat: 10:00am-6:30pm Position Description Title/PD#: Program Assistant/PD00022A Physical Requirements: The duties and responsibilities of the position require some mobility between various reception areas in the Defenders Lodge and between various buildings, but generally the job is sedentary with some standing, stooping, reaching, and lifting up to 20 pounds The incumbent must be composed at all times in trying to assist veterans and their families during their emotional/physical stress. The incumbent may transport a Veteran on a golf shuttle cart to the main building located 200 yards from the Defenders Lodge.

Requirements

• You must be a U.S. citizen to apply for this job
• Subject to a background/suitability investigation
• May serve a probationary period
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
• A complete application package; Resume, Transcripts, etc.
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement. GS-05 grade level: One year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-04 grade level in the federal service); experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities (KSA's) and other characteristics to perform successfully the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled, in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Specialized experience includes: experience receiving and referring phone calls; communicating and treating customers in a courteous, tactful and respectful manner while providing consistent information according to established policies and procedures; and using computer programs to prepare documents; Maintains schedule of bed availability and occupancy Interviews patients to determine appropriateness's for lodging Resolves day-to-day problems related to the program Oversees cleanliness of lodging areas. OR Must have successfully completed four (4) years of education above the high school level in any field which high school graduation or the equivalent is the normal prerequisite. (Transcripts must be submitted at time of application) OR Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at the GS-5 level. To calculate, first identify the percentage of required education you have earned (when substituting, you cannot use the first 60 semester hours that you earned). Then identify the percentage of required experience you possess. Add the two percentages. The total percentage must equal at least 100 percent to qualify at the GS-05. For example, an applicant who has 9 semester hours of graduate level education (i.e. 50% of graduate education required) and 6 months of creditable specialized experience (i.e. 50% of the required experience) would equal 100% of the required experience for the position A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education. 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.

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.

Contacts

• Address Palo Alto VA Medical Center 3801 Miranda Avenue Palo Alto, CA 94304 US
• Name: Desiree Carter
• Phone: 504-314-5492
• Email: [email protected]