About this role
Job SummaryThis position serves as a Transportation Assistant in the Travel Center and Veteran Transportation Service of the Central Business Office (CBO) at Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System (CAVHS). The position serves as a primary point of contact for Veterans, staff, and transportation vendors, other stakeholders to ensure travel services and payments are processed accurately and timely in accordance with applicable VA regulations, policies, and procedures.
QualificationsTo qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 10/15/2026. GS-05-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: applying transportation regulations and practices to perform a wide variety of administrative support; coordinating travel arrangements; maintaining records, utilizing databases, reconciling records and generating reports; investigating/resolving issues and taking corrective actions; and communicating effectively with a wide variety of individuals. OR, Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have 4 years of education above high school in any field for which high school graduation or the equivalent is the normal prerequisite. OR, Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have equivalent combination of successfully completed post-high school education (in excess of the first 60 semester hours (beyond the second year) and specialized experience as described above, which meet the total experience requirements for this grade level. 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: Customer Service Flexibility Integrity/Honesty Interpersonal Skills Reading Comprehension Reasoning 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 duties and responsibilities of the position require some mobility between various clinic areas in separate building location sites, but generally the job is sedentary with some standing, stooping, reaching, and lifting to 20 pounds. The employee is required to work with computer equipment at least 75% of the time which impacts on hand and wrist motions. 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 DutiesMajor duties include but are not limited to: Answers inquiries in person and via telephone from patients and/or families regarding eligibility for transportation services including air ambulance, commercial air, taxi, ambulance, and personal transportation. Serves as point of contact for clinical staff regarding eligibility for transportation services. Interviews individuals to obtain information to determine eligibility and legal entitlement for transportation services. Interprets and applies policies, regulations, and laws to insure Veterans meet eligibility requirements for benefits. Advises individuals and their beneficiaries or representatives of financial obligations and their rights to appeal. Addresses a variety of benefits and/or obligations regarding transportation services. Maintains familiarity with public laws pertaining to Veterans benefits, state commitment laws, worker's compensation, humanitarian services, reimbursable insurance, third party billing, privacy act and release of information. Exhibits tact and diplomacy during interactions with patients, staff, and co-workers. Communicates in person, via telephone, via electronic mail and through shared documents with coworkers and supervisors. Communicates with a variety of individuals including physicians, nurses, technical support staff, Veterans, and Veterans' families. Enters information into computer system (patient registration, disposition, record tracking, appointment management, etc.). Uses complex patient databases to track eligibility, enrollment status, and demographic information. Performs regular reconciliations and adjusting account balances related to special mode transportation services. Reconciles vouchers against authorizations for accuracy prior to preparing certifications for payment. Manages and correctly determines which fund control points to utilize when processing authorizations and payments. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 7:30AM - 4:00PM (Subject to change based on the needs of the Agency) Telework: Unavailable Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Description/PD#: Transportation Assistant/PD99910S Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: May not be authorized Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Approved Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not AuthorizedRequirementsYou 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, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.