Program Support Assistant; OA

Employee will serve as a Program Support Assistant within the Research Administration Budget Office of the Research and Development Service (R&D) located at the VA Portland Health Care System (VAPORHCS) in Portland, OR.

Requires one full year of specialized experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position, typically in or related to the position to be filled. To be creditable, specialized experience must have been equivalent to at least the next lower grade level (GS-6) in the Federal service. Specialized experience involves working in a health services research environment, coordinating the day‑to‑day administrative activities of the office, including purchasing a wide range of standard items with consideration to price, delivery dates, transportation, shipping, and handling charges, and maintaining a system of accountability of research funds, reconciling and balancing books to research fund control points.

Processes micro‑purchases (credit card) transactions and acts as a Contracting Officer Representative (COR) for department contracts.

This position requires the skills of a qualified typist. Applicants must be able to type at least 40 words per minute.

The work is primarily sedentary, but may involve some walking, standing, bending, pushing of carts, and carrying moderate weight items such as large binders, file boxes, meeting materials, papers, or books. No special physical demands are required. The environment involves everyday risks or discomforts requiring normal safety precautions typical of offices, meeting and training rooms, or libraries. The office is near basic research laboratories and animal facilities, requiring adherence to facility safety and security procedures.

Volunteer work through National Service programs and other organizations may be credited toward qualifying experience, providing valuable training and competencies that translate directly to paid employment.