Transportation Assistant

Full Job Description

This position is located at the VA Medical Center in Phoenix, AZ and provides program administrative and technical assistance in day-to-day Beneficiary Travel operations, performs program planning and completes special projects as assigned.

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 02/24/2026.

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 5 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS 4. For a GS 6 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS 5.

For a GS 7 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS 6.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 and/or education as described below: Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade, in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization.

Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: collecting, compiling, tracking and analyzing data and statistical information in support of transportation; contacting customers to determine transportation needs and requirements; managing schedules for daily activities; entering information into an automated tracking system; and communicating and treating customers in a courteous, tactful and respectful manner.

Education for GS-5 Only: One year of experience may be substituted for 4 years education above high school (Transcripts must be provided with application) You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position: Decision Making Interpersonal Skills Manages and Organizes Information Reasoning (Clerical/Technical) 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: Work involves various physical demands requiring the employee to be versatile in the many functions performed.

These include sedentary work performed at a desk with intermittent standing, walking, bending, and lifting of lightweight records or supplies. Work is performed in an office setting.

Work is performed within view and hearing of patients and the general public. The Transportation Assistant has direct contact with patients and possible exposure to contagious diseases.

Immediate attention is required for travel and patient funds activities, while lodging arrangements must be completed timely.

Meeting these obligations may present varied demands on the Transportation Assistant. Patients may present skeptical, agitated, uncooperative, and some may become hostile or dangerous.

The work environment is multifaceted, complex, and demanding.

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: Works closely with the Chief Business Officer, Fiscal Staff, and other stakeholders to ensure Beneficiary Travel, Special Mode Transportation, fraud prevention, patient funds and ambulance billing programs are complying with Code of Federal Regulations, Veterans Transportation Program, and local policies.

Works closely with clinical staff and other health care professionals within the Veterans Administration as well as Community Care providers, for coordination of Veterans transportation needs.

Responsible for overall planning, coordination, implementation, management, and evaluation of clinical applications of patient transportation with emphasize on improving care, safety of Veterans in a cost-effective approach.

In accordance with established beneficiary travel policy, per physician documentation and according to traveler's medical condition, decides either common carrier or special mode transportation.

Accepts inbound Beneficiary Travel calls from Veterans and staff concerning transportation arrangements and responds to questions or problems related to reimbursement benefits.

Independently manages the Medical Center's Beneficiary Travel program using eligibility criteria and regulatory authorities to appropriately administer program benefits to eligible Veterans and caretakers.

Determines eligibility for government-sponsored travel using applicable federal regulations and policies for program benefits. Responsible for fund control point management for mileage reimbursements.

Perform other related duties as assigned.

Promotion Potential: The selectee may be promoted to the full performance level without further competition when all regulatory, qualification, and performance requirements are met.

Selection at a lower grade level does not guarantee promotion to the full performance level. Work Schedule: TBD Telework: 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#: Transportation Assistant/PD11247A, PD11249A, and PD11250A