Program Support Assistant

Full Job Description

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 CV AHCS 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.

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 02/18/2026.

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-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/.

Major 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/PD#: Program Support Assistant/PD10851A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized. Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized.