Program Support Assistant

Summary

• -----------

The primary purpose of the position is to assist the Fisher House Manager in providing temporary lodging \- "home away from home" \- to family members of patients being treated at the Columbia VA HCS or affiliated facilities by participating in the direct, on\-site management and administration of the Fisher House program. The organizational location of the position is under Community Relations and Engagement at the Columbia VA Health Care System.

Learn more about this agency

This job is open to

• -----------------------

### The public

U.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.

### Career transition (CTAP, ICTAP, RPL)

Federal employees whose job, agency or department was eliminated and are eligible for priority over other applicants.

### Clarification from the agency

ALL US CITIZENS. DIRECT HIRE AUTHORITY: This position is being filled using Direct\-Hire Authority (5 CFR 337\.201\) for this occupation.

Duties

• ----------

Major duties include, but are not limited to:

• Performs administrative and program support functions to ensure effective day\-to\-day operation of the Fisher House in support of Veterans, Active Duty Service Members, and their families.
• Assists with scheduling and coordination of available guestrooms, including guest check\-ins, check\-outs, and orientation of guests upon arrival.
• Establishes, maintains, and updates automated databases and records related to Fisher House operations, including occupancy, census data, guest demographics, referral sources, average length of stay, volunteer hours, donations, and equipment.
• Maintains accurate written and electronic records, reports, logs, and correspondence in accordance with established policies, procedures, and directives.
• Ensures compliance with health, safety, sanitation, privacy, and security requirements by monitoring facility conditions and reporting concerns to management.
• Provides customer service to Veterans, family members, staff, volunteers, and stakeholders, ensuring a safe, comfortable, and supportive environment.
• Responds to urgent or sensitive situations involving guests by assessing circumstances and taking appropriate action or referring matters to the Fisher House Manager or Assistant Manager.
• Works closely with Fisher House leadership to coordinate daily operations and support implementation of policies and procedures.
• Uses office automation software (e.g., word processing, spreadsheets, databases) to enter, retrieve, track, and report program information.
• Supports maintenance of a welcoming, non\-clinical environment that promotes rest, recovery, and social interaction for guests.

Performs other related duties as assigned.

Work Schedule: Monday\-Friday, 8:00am\-4:30pm. Work Schedule subject to change based on agency needs.

Telework: Not Applicable

Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Position Description Title/PD\#: Program Support Assistant/PD10851A

Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized.

Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized.

Requirements

• ----------------

### Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. citizen to apply for this job
• Subject to a background/suitability investigation
• Designated and/or random drug testing may be required
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
• A complete application package; including Resume, Transcripts, etc. is required
• 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 identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you may be required to serve a 1\-year probationary period or 2\-year trial 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 or trial 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.

* Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS\-4 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: Providing clerical or administrative support in an office, healthcare, hospitality, or residential support environment; maintaining records, logs, or automated databases by entering, tracking, and retrieving information; assisting with the scheduling, coordination, or tracking of rooms, services, resources, or program activities; preparing or reviewing routine correspondence and reports to ensure accuracy, proper format, and completeness; providing customer service and responding to inquiries from diverse populations; and following established policies, procedures, and safety or sanitation guidelines.

OR,

* Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have 4 years above high school. This education must have been obtained in an accredited business, secretarial or technical school, junior college, college or university. One year of full\-time academic study is defined as 30 semester hours, 45 quarter hours, or the equivalent in a college or university, or at least 20 hours of classroom instruction per week for approximately 36 weeks in a business, secretarial, or technical school. (TRANSCRIPT REQUIRED).

OR,

* Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have a combination of specialized experience and education beyond the first 60 semester hours (i.e., beyond the second year). Only education beyond the second year is creditable toward meeting the specialized experience requirement. One full academic year of study (30 semester hours) beyond the second year is equivalent to 6 months of specialized experience. (TRANSCRIPT 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.

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 minimally sedentary. Frequent walking, climbing stairs, standing, carrying household items and files and driving an automobile are required. The incumbent must pass initial and recurring physical exams to operate government vehicles to transport Veterans and families who lodge at our Fisher House.

Work Conditions: The work involves normal discomforts associated with an office and home environment. There may be occasional exposure to dust and dirty conditions of guests' rooms and other elements common to a home environment. The work area is adequately lighted, heated and ventilated.

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

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. 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 (TJO). Please visit the Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP), va.gov/EMPLOYEE/docs/The\-Fair\-Chance\-to\-Compete\-Act.pdf for more information.

### Additional information

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 (TJO). Please visit the Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP), va.gov/EMPLOYEE/docs/The\-Fair\-Chance\-to\-Compete\-Act.pdf for more information.

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 well\-qualified, applicants must possess experience that exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors if applicable, and must be proficient in most of the requirements of the job. Information about ICTAP and CTAP eligibility is on OPM's Career Transition Resources website which can be found at https://www.opm.gov/.

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. VA may offer newly\-appointed Federal employee's credit for their job\-related non\-federal experience or active duty uniformed military service. 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.

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.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

Benefits

========

A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

Review our benefits

Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full\-time, part\-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.

How you will be evaluated

• -----------------------------

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

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE WILL NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Applicants will be referred in the order in which they were received.

Required Documents

• ----------------------

Documents Accepted:

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

Documents Required:

• Resume

Please review the above list(s) to ensure you have included all necessary documents required for your application.Not every applicant will require the same documents, therefore it is the applicants responsibility to ensure that their application package includes all necessary documents to determine qualifications and eligibility for appointment, such as a copy of your SF\-50, transcript, ICTAP/CTAP documentation (for displaced Federal employees).You will not be contacted for additional information. Applicants will be deemed ineligible if supporting documentation is not submitted.

Veterans' Preference: Since the Direct\-Hire Recruitment Authority is being used, traditional Veterans' Preference rules do not apply. Qualified veterans will, however, be given full consideration for this position.

Applications are accepted online. Applying online will allow you to review and track the status of your application.

### If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:

Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.

How to Apply

• ----------------

All applicants are encouraged to apply online.

To apply for this position, you must complete the occupational questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on 04/28/2026 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12941493\.

1\. To begin, click Apply Online to create a USAJOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USAJOBS resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the occupational questionnaire.

2\. Click Submit My Answers to submit your application package.

NOTE: It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation is submitted prior to the closing date. You may check the status of your application at any time by logging into your USA Jobs account and clicking on Applications. Information regarding your application status can be found in the USAJobs Help Center.

Beginning September 27, 2025, Federal agencies will only accept resumes up to two pages in length to comply with the Merit Hiring Plan. Resumes longer than two pages will result in ineligibility for further consideration for the position. USAJOBS will not allow you to upload or build resumes longer than two pages, and you will need to update the resumes in your profile before applying for a job. Resumes should include information relevant to the knowledge, skills, abilities, and competencies of the position to which you are applying. VA is unable to make assumptions about qualifications if not clearly listed.

Resumes must be legible so they can be reviewed for eligibility, minimum qualifications and other position requirements listed in the job announcement.

Your resume must be 5MB or less. We recommend saving and uploading your resume as a PDF to maintain formatting and number of pages. We also accept GIF, JPG, JPEG, PNG, RTF, TXT, PDF, ODT or Word (DOC or DOCX). We do not accept PDF portfolio files. We recommend using a sans\-serif font size like Lato, if available. Other widely available options are Calibri, Helvetica, Arial, Verdana, Open San Source Sans Pro, Roboto or Noro Sans. Make your page margins 0\.5 inches. Consider using 14\-point size font for titles and 10\-point for the main text in your resume. The resume builder can help you create a resume using these recommendations and uses the information in your USAJOBS profile to help you get started.

To return to an incomplete application, log into your USAJOBS account and click Update Application in the vacancy announcement. You must re\-select your resume and/or other documents from your USAJOBS account or your application will be incomplete.

### Agency contact information

Mendy Desir

Phone

404\-321\-6111 X573099

Email

mendy.desir@va.gov

Address

Columbia VA Health Care System

6439 Garners Ferry Road

Columbia, SC 29209

US### Next steps

After the vacancy announcement closes, applicants are evaluated to ensure qualification and eligibility requirements are met. After the review is complete, a referral certificate(s) is issued and applicants will be notified of their status by email.

Overview

• ------------

Accepting applications

Open \& closing dates

04/22/2026 to 04/28/2026

Salary

$40,736 \- $52,957 per year

Pay scale \& grade

GS 5

Location

1 vacancy in the following location:

Columbia, SC

1 vacancy

Remote job

No

Telework eligible

No

Travel Required

Not required

Relocation expenses reimbursed

No

Appointment type

Permanent

Work schedule

Full\-time

Service

Competitive

Promotion potential

None

Job family (Series)

• 0303 Miscellaneous Clerk And Assistant

Supervisory status

No

Security clearance

Not Required

Drug test

No

Position sensitivity and risk

Non\-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk

Trust determination process

• Credentialing
• Suitability/Fitness

Financial disclosure

No

Bargaining unit status

Yes

Announcement number

CBTB\-12941493\-26\-MD

Control number

866232100