Transportation Assistant

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 10/30/2026. 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. 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.

01Grade Determinations

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, but are not limited to: Preparing written instructions and a variety of correspondence; performing data entry into an automated system; scheduling appointments and admissions; collecting, compiling, and tracking of data; and ensuring compliance with regulations and procedures. OR, Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience.

To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have successfully completed 4 years above high school in any field for which high school graduation or the equivalent is the normal prerequisite. Transcripts must be submitted at time of application. Education must have been obtained in an accredited college or university and must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of this position. NOTE: Transcripts must be submitted with your application materials.

Education cannot be credited without documentation. OR, Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have an combination of specialized experience and education 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. NOTE: Transcripts must be submitted with your application materials. Education cannot be credited without documentation. Experience must be clearly indicated in your resume.

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.

02Physical Requirements

The work is primarily sedentary; however, some walking and standing may be required. 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 include, but are not limited to: Independently manages the Beneficiary Travel Program. Works with fellow hospital staff, other administrative staff and clinical personnel as professionals and team members. Communicates and interacts with patients in a manner which is appropriate to cognitive, emotional, and chronological maturation needs of the adult and/or geriatric patient.

Has regular and recurring contact with personnel external to the agency for the obtainment of services, sharing of information and authorization, clarification or denial of payment. Responsible for forwarding all invoices certified for payment to Fiscal Service for processing. Prepares appropriate letters explaining disposition of unauthorized travel claims.

Responsible for explaining the regulatory guidelines to beneficiaries submitting any unauthorized ambulance claims to the VAMC/HCS for consideration of payment. Responsible for determining method of payment for authorized and unauthorized ambulance claims submitted for consideration. Receives invoices for payment of transportation services. Prepares appropriate letters explaining disposition of unauthorized travel claims.

Reconciles vouchers against authorizations for accuracy prior to preparing certifications for payment. Examines ambulance and transportation vouchers submitted by vendors to determine authorization and if mileage and fees charged are correct in accordance with contracts and mileage guides. Technical advisor to social workers and others in the disbursement of funds on deposit for patients being placed in Contract Nursing Homes and/ or other patients with fiduciaries or conservators.

Manages activities for beneficiary travel fund control points. Determines legal entitlement to travel reimbursement, applies deductible requirements and computes amount to be paid to beneficiaries. Acts as the record keeper and coordinator of patient funds on deposits. Receives calls for transportation and coordinates transportation by the most cost effective means. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. work schedule, may be adjusted to meet the needs of the service.

Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Description/PD#: Transportation Assistant/PD99910S Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Approved Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized