Summary The position is located in the Pathology & Laboratory Medicine Service (P&LMS) within the El Paso Veterans Affairs Health Care System (EPVAHCS). This position involves the performance of non supervisory office automation work in connection with clerical and program support duties, requiring knowledge of general office automation software typically performed on a PC using the skills of a qualified typist. Responsibilities Prepares a wide variety of recurring and some nonrecurring correspondence, reports, and other documents and reviews and finalizes correspondence or documents prepared by others in handwritten or electronic drafts. Composes routine nontechnical correspondence, such as instructions on office procedures, requests for information, and letters of acknowledgment or notification. Consolidates and finalizes information for various reports in accordance with established reporting procedures. Screens incoming mail to identify what needs to be brought to the attention of the chief, referred to appropriate staff, rerouted to other organizations or offices, or handled personally. Receives telephone calls, greets visitors, and ascertains the nature of the calls or visits. Based upon knowledge of the organization and its programs and operations, refers telephone calls and visitors to appropriate staff or office. Personally, answers nontechnical requests for information such as status of reports, suspense dates for matters requiring compliance, and similar information readily available from files or from knowledge of organization. Schedules appointments and meetings without prior approval in accordance with chief's policies and priorities, and coordinates with the chief as necessary. Based on information provided by chief concerning the purpose of meeting and people to attend, makes necessary arrangements such as location, time, contacting participants, and ensuring all required materials and services are provided. Performs other clerical and administrative work in support of the office. Timekeeper for the EPVAHCS Path and Lab Service. Establishes, updates, and maintains office records of various types that may be needed or will assist in the efficient operation of the office. Makes travel arrangements, such as scheduling transportation, making, reservations, and preparing travel orders and vouchers, based on general travel intentions, known preferences of traveler, and in accordance with appropriate travel regulations. Prepares, consolidates, submits, and maintains time and attendance records in accordance with established procedures. The position anticipates and procures needed supplies from appropriate sources and maintains routine stock levels ready for staff use. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday; 8:00am - 4:45pm 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. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Description/PD#: Secretary/PD007980 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Approved Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Requirements Conditions of Employment You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959 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) 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 To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 10/29/2024. You may qualify based on your experience and/or education as described below: Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-04 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: Knowledge required in coordinating the work of the office with the work of the other offices and for recognizing the need for such coordination in various circumstances. Knowledge of established office procedures and administrative requirements to ensure proper format, mathematical correctness, and correct grammatical content, of correspondence, and to ascertain that all necessary coordination of facts, and other information has been completed and that correspondence, reports, etc. are in accordance with policy and management preferences. Knowledge and skill in the use of computer equipment with a wide variety of software, tools, and techniques to support office operations and produce a variety of documents such as letters, reports, spreadsheets, databases, and graphs. 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 (TRANSCRIPT REQUIRED). OR, Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have an combination of specialized experience and education beyond the first 60 semester hours (i.e., beyond the second year) to be 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). You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position: Accountability Attention to Detail Customer Service Decision Making Self-Management Teamwork 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 sedentary. Typically, the employee may sit comfortably to do the work. However, there may be some walking, standing, bending, and carrying of light items like papers or books, No special physical demands are required to perform the work. 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. Note: If your school has changed names, or is no longer in existence, you must provide this information in your application. 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 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. 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. 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.