This position functions as a Staff Assistant to the Mental Health Patient Care Center (MHPCC) of the James J. Peters VA Medical Center in the Bronx, New York. The Staff Assistant position requires thorough knowledge of the mission, organizations, programs, and requirements of the Medical Center in general and of the MHPCC.

Duties

Major duties include but are not limited to: This position provides for administrative support to a large, complex, diversified, university affiliated, general medical, surgical and teaching health care facility. The incumbent advises the Patient Care Center Director on the practical and technical aspects of office administration, to include procurement, budget, including fiscal control point activity processing, human resources, office automation, training, and travel and performs staff support work in each of these areas. Works closely with the PCCD to support in the management of the unit's budget, personnel, supplies, equipment, and space. Works independently, using a general understanding of the expected outcomes and the scope of the assignments, and draws upon experience in revolving the more· difficult situations that occasionally arise. Performs, under general supervision of the Patient Care Center Director, work of considerable difficulty and responsibility, and uses independent judgment along special technical lines in office, business and fiscal administration to accomplish logistical and administrative assignments in the following areas. Serves as Program liaison to the various administrative and clinical services in helping the Patient Care Center Director develop information, resolve a wide variety of problems, maintain effective interrelationships, and meet program objectives. Act as a liaison with individuals both internal and external to the organization. Ensures the smooth and efficient day-to-day operation of research and data collection activities; and coordinates the day-to-day activities of any technical support staff, specifically those engaged in carrying out research/clinical protocol. Monitors the programs of research activities; and develops and maintains· records of research activities as required by investigators. Purchase card ordering for the PTSD research program utilizing the 816 FCP. Analyzes and helps develop research laboratory standard operating procedures and research program logistical and administrative procedures. Makes recommendations to senior management on the type of and scope of interventions necessary to improve (1) research laboratory operating procedures and (2) research program logistical arid administrative procedures. Uses independent judgment along special technical lines m offices business and fiscal administration to accomplish logistical and administrative requirements. Improves organizational effectiveness and efficiency through knowledge of analytical and evaluative methods and techniques. The incumbent manages and maintains the calendar for the Mental Health Patient Care Center Director. Organizes travel arrangements for research. leadership personnel pertaining to conferences, trainings, committee meetings, etc. and administrates execution of special projects including engagement with outside entities and various educational activities for research leadership staff. Applies fact-finding and investigative techniques to gather data for analysis. Compiles data from a variety of sources to develop presentations and reports. Respond to requests from senior officials and staff in the office for information from multiple sources. Reviews documents; reports, and policies for completeness and accuracy. Writes and analyzes documents related to research and development, and hospital administration. Takes and prepares minutes for research meetings. Effectively communicates with a variety of people, orally and in writing. Performs other related duties as assigned. NOTE: This position involves a multi-grade career ladder. The major duties listed above represent the full performance level of GS-09. At the GS-07 grade level, you will perform assignments of a more limited scope and with less independence. You will progressively acquire the background necessary to perform at the full performance level of GS-09. Promotion Potential: The selectee may be promoted to the full performance level of GS-09 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 of GS-09. Work Schedule: Monday to Friday, 8:00am - 4:30pm 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 on an Ad Hoc basis. Telework eligibility will be discussed during the interview process. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Description/PD#: Staff Assistant/PD55816O and PD05464O Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Approved Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

Requirements

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 01/06/2025. 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-07 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-05. For a GS-09 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-07. 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. Note: Failure to provide an SF-50 that demonstrates one-year time-in-grade will result in disqualification from being considered. In addition, you may qualify based on your experience and/or education as described below: GS-07 Specialized Experience: 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: Demonstrated experience independently carrying out administrative support assignments in support of a patient care center such as budget, human resources, procurement and office automation duties, to include analyzing, writing and preparing documents for reviews, reports and polices. NOTE: Such experience MUST be well represented in resume. Failure to do so will results in a Non-Qualification Determination OR, Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have one (1) full year (18 semester hours) of successfully completed graduate level education or superior academic achievement, that demonstrates 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. Superior Academic Achievement (SAA): SAA at the baccalaureate level in the coursework detailed above is fully qualifying. Applicants who wish to apply under this provision must submit proof from their educational institution that they meet one of the criteria listed below. To qualify for SAA, applicants must have completed 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 2.95 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. For more information regarding SAA please visit http://www.opm.gov/qualifications/SEC-II/s2-e5.asp#e4f. OR, Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have an 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 GS-09 Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-07 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: Demonstrated experience independently carrying out administrative support assignments in support of a patient care center such as budget, human resources, procurement and office automation duties, to include analyzing, writing and preparing documents for reviews, reports and polices. NOTE: Such experience MUST be well represented in resume. Failure to do so will results in a Non-Qualification Determination. OR, Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have 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, Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have an 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. You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position: Analysis and Problem SolvingAttention to DetailCustomer Service (Clerical/Technical)Planning and Evaluating 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

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

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/.

Contacts

• Address Bronx VA Medical Center 130 West Kingsbridge Rd. Bronx, NY 10468 US
• Name: Victoria Moersdorf
• Phone: 908-536-9812
• Email: victoria.moersdorf@va.gov