Computer Assistant (OA)

Summary

The position is located in the Department of Veterans Affairs at the Northern California Health Care System, Mather, CA in the Nursing Service Line. The incumbent is primarily responsible for providing technical computer support to all of Nursing Service, which includes trouble shooting of software and hardware and instruction on the use of software and hardware.

Duties

• Provides technical assistance to functional users to minimize operational disruptions for the customer.
• Serving as the first-line of automation support, receives help requests from functional users and maintains log.
• Independently troubleshoots computer problems determining the nature of customer's problem(s); conducting research; providing answers; and/or determining solutions to technical questions relating to suspected hardware, software, or network failures.
• Initiates diagnostics and uses advanced diagnostic utilities to recover lost files and/or folders and to resolve disk and memory problems.
• Provides analytical and evaluative duties related to personal computers for both software and hardware problems.
• Uses standard computer commands to generate error messages to help identify defective components/part(s).
• Replaces faulty computer parts with on-hand supplies.
• Identifies ADP equipment that should be replaced upon request and reports to proper authority.
• Maintains count of equipment on-hand for issue.
• Provides "hands-on" and verbal assistance in the loading of software, disk maintenance procedures, configuration of hardware and/or software, and trouble shooting for isolation of problem areas.
• In-depth knowledge of standard and nonstandard computer operating methods, procedures and diagnostic techniques to isolate, identify, and resolve or seek assistance in resolving problems that affect system operating efficiency.
• This knowledge is used also to diagnose the nature and sources of problems involving equipment, programs, or systems and to define the results of such analysis to others who specialize in resolving such conditions.
• Knowledge of the objectives, overall design and operation principles of computer systems in order to recognize interactions with the programs' functions to include Windows NT Network Operating System, Microsoft Office Programs, Veterans Integrated Systems Technology Architecture (Vista) and a wide variety of associated support system networks and software.
• Knowledge of established techniques and requirements of the employing organization to perform basic fact-finding and analysis.
• Ability to run and monitor test programs to identify problems or potential for obvious problems.
• Knowledge of appropriate environmental conditions necessary for continuous operation, and emergency procedures in case of security risk situations Knowledge of prevailing practices in Information Technology to propose alternative approaches in applications system development and or resolve problems related to networks Work Schedule: Monday through Friday; 08:00AM to 04:30PM Telework: Not eligible for telework.
• Position Description/PD#: Computer Assistant/PD10473-O Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Approved Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

Requirements

You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959 You may be required to serve a probationary period Subject to background/security investigation Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP) Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) – See “Additional Information” below for details.

Education

There is no educational substitution at this grade level. Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/.

If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html.

How You Will Be Evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above. IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE WILL NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Narrative responses are not required at this time.

If you are referred for consideration, you may be asked to submit additional job related information, which may include, but not limited to; responses to the knowledge, skills and abilities; completion of a work sample, and/or contact for an interview. Your resume and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your rating or consideration for employment.

Area of Consideration: Eligible applications will be reviewed and referred in the following order: Current permanent employees of the Northern California Healthcare System. The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate’s abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position. For more information on the “Who may apply” eligibility requirements, please refer to the OHRM Status Candidates and Other Candidate Definitions document. Placement Policy: The posting of this announcement does not obligate management to fill a vacancy or vacancies by promotion.

The position may be filled by reassignment, change to lower grade, transfer, appointment, or reinstatement. Management may use any one or any combination of these methods to fill the position. It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment. Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.

Required Documents

• To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes: Resume SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action The following documents are accepted, and may be required if applicable to your eligibility and/or qualifications for this position.
• Please use this checklist to make sure you have included other documents required for your application, such as a copy of your transcript (if using education to qualify), SF-50's (current/former Federal employees), documentation to support Veterans Preference claims, or ICTAP/CTAP documentation (for displaced Federal employees).
• You will not be contacted for additional information.
• Cover Letter DD-214/ Statement of Service Disability Letter (Schedule A) Disability Letter (VA) Performance Appraisal Resume Separation Notice (RIF) SF-15 SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action (if applicable for Time in Grade and/or Eligibility): Most recent SF-50 if you are a current or former Federal employee An SF-50 showing 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 Award 50's do not provide sufficient information and will not be accepted for the purpose of verifying time-in-grade.
• Examples of appropriate SF-50's include: Within grade increases at the highest grade held; or Promotions with an effective date more than one year old; or SF-50's at the highest grade held with an effective date more than one year old.
• Veterans' Preference: When applying for Federal Jobs, eligible Veterans should claim preference for 5pt (TP), 10pt (CP/CPS/XP), or for Sole Survivor Preference (SSP) in the questionnaire.
• You must provide a legible copy of your DD214(s) which shows dates and character of service (honorable, general, etc.).
• If you are currently serving on active duty and expect to be released or discharged within 120 days you must submit documentation related to your active duty service which reflects the dates of service, character of service (honorable, general, etc.), and dates of impending separation.
• Additionally, disabled veterans and others eligible for 10-point preference (such as widows or mothers of eligible Veterans) must also submit an SF-15 "Application for 10 Point Veteran Preference" with required proof as stated on the form.
• Documentation is required to award preference.
• For more information on Veterans' Preference, please visit Feds Hire Vets – Veterans – Job Seekers – Veterans' Preference.