About this role
Job SummaryThe Program Support Assistant-Enrollment Specialist (PSA) position is located in the Eligibility and Enrollment Section of the Business Management Service, and performs a wide variety of duties, but is primarily responsible for interviewing applicants to determine eligibility for, and entitlement to, VA healthcare benefits.
QualificationsTo qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 08/24/2026. 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-6 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-5. 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. You may qualify based on your experience as described below: Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-5 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: Receiving and directing telephone calls and greeting visitors. Preparing correspondence, reports, and other documents based on information gathered from program files or other records. Establishing and maintaining program files and records. Knowledge of various office automation software, processing procedures, and function keys to produce a wide range of documents, such as graphics or tables within text, editing and reformatting electronic drafts, and updating and revising existing databases or spreadsheets. Knowledge of standard office equipment, such as computers, copiers, fax machines, and office automation systems to perform a substantial range of office automation support. Ability to interpret and explain regulations, procedures or laws. 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 mostly sedentary but includes some walking, standing, and carrying of light items such as papers and books. No special physical demands are required to perform the work. The work is performed in an office setting which require normal safety precautions typical for offices and meeting rooms. 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/.
Major Duties-The Program Support Assistant (PSA) has a primary responsibility to interview applicants for VA healthcare, and is expected to provide exceptional customer service, with respect and concern for the applicant. - The PSA should actively listen to customers, pay attention to the details of the customer's needs and concerns, and still be flexible and enthusiastic while helping the applicant under the VA healthcare system. -The PSA should also exhibit an extensive knowledge of VA healthcare options, VA Directives, VA Handbooks, and national and local policies to be able to accurately respond to inquires from applicants, veterans, their family members, medical center staff, internal and external stakeholders, and other agencies regarding eligibility and enrollment. -The PSA informs applicants of the eligibility requirements for healthcare and other benefits, the requirement for income information applicable to the Financial Means Test and Co-Pay Test, the requirement for insurance information. -Be able to answer both general and specific question about the applicant's eligibility for outpatient care, inpatient care, long term care, dental care, and other healthcare system programs and entitlements. -Expertise in multiple systems including VISTA, CPRS, EPAS, and Electronic Equipment Request Portals is crucial. -Performs additional duties as assigned to support the facility/agency. Work Schedule: 8:00am-4:30pm Compressed/Flexible: Telework: Ad-hoc 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#: Program Support Assistant/PD09836SRequirementsYou 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. Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959 Physical Requirements: The work required does not inherently include any physical requirements essential for successful job performance that could not otherwise be performed with accommodation or workplace adjustment. A pre-placement physical examination is not required. Subject to background/security investigation 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. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP) As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary 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 period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.