Nutrition Program Assistant Jobs in Michigan (NOW HIRING)

Summary
The primary purpose of this position is to provide a wide variety of administrative, clerical, and technical support to Nutrition and Food Service. The incumbent in this position performs work that support budget analysis and administration and the incumbent also uses office automation programs and software such as word processing, spreadsheet and database management in support of the clerical and administrative work as well as copy machine, fax machine, scanner and email.
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Duties
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Major Duties and Responsibilities:

• Receives requests for information, advises when the information can be furnished, and provides it personally from files and records or follows up with staff to see if it is provided.
• Performs work involving the collection, compilation, and/or tracking of data and statistical information in support of the Nutrition and Food Service program operation.
• Organizes data into Access databases or spreadsheet formats.
• Receives and processes documents and reports for completeness and enters pertinent information into an automated tracking system or creates spreadsheets/databases to track them.
• Prepares a wide variety of recurring and nonrecurring correspondence, reports, and other documents.
• Establishes, updates, and maintains office files and records.
• Keeps/types recurring, special, and one-time administrative and management reports.
• Establishes files, maintains, purges, and disposes of administrative and/or medical records/files in accordance with regulations and procedures.
• Establishes suspense dates as directed by the supervisor and brings to supervisor's attention those that require prompt attention or those that cannot be met by requested dates.
• Performs database file searches. Prepares, executes, and/or tracks program specific information.
• Performs office automation duties using such software applications such as word processing, spreadsheet, electronic mail, desktop publishing, calendar, database, and/or graphics.
• Assists other users regarding selection of applications, trainings on a variety of standard application packages and selection of appropriate formats and procedures for each task. Uses word processing software to execute several office-automation functions such as storing, and retrieving electronic documents and files; activating printers; inserting and deleting text; formatting letters, reports, and memoranda; and transmitting and receiving emails.
• Uses spreadsheet software to develop and change spreadsheets in order to graphically display data. Uses email to compose and retrieve correspondence and electronic calendar to access the information in the Medical Center computer system.
• Uses patient electronic health care record to access and retrieve confident patient information to facilitate contact and scheduling of patient appointments and consult management.
• Schedules nutrition clinic appointments, prepares appointment confirmation letters, and enters appointment data.
• Receives, schedules, refers, and contacts members of the staff, agency, and persons outside the agency ranging from other government agencies to the general public.
• Schedules appointment, coordinates meetings, and/or arranges conference. Must follow through on administrative details. Maintains the appointment calendar, schedules appointments, reminds supervisor/staff members of the subject matter prior to meetings, and makes administrative arrangements as required.
• Assists the Chief, Nutrition and Food Service and other managers in handling all Union and Human Resources correspondence and personnel management documentation. Generates appropriate documents to address suspense file issues.
• Serves as official timekeeper for the site and maintains service records cards for all employees. Assures that the information is kept up to date. Notifies supervisors when leave limits are exceeded. Post employee/contracted personnel time and attendance on a daily basis utilizing VA computerized timekeeping software.
• Monitors and tracks FMLA usage and notifies supervisor when usage exceeds what is approved.

Work Schedule: Mon - Fri, 7:30am - 4:00pm
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Position Description/PD#: Program Support Asst (OA)/PD99930A
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Approved
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
Requirements
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Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job
• To be considered for this position, you must complete all required steps in the process. In addition to the application and questionnaire, this position requires an online assessment. The online assessment measures critical general competencies required to perform the job.
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
• Physical Requirements: The work area is usually an adequately lighted, heated and ventilated office of medical facility setting. The work environment involves everyday risks or discomforts that require normal safety precautions. The sedentary and may require some walking, standing, bending, carrying and/or lifting of light items like papers or books. The work requires light to moderate levels/times performing keyboarding to prepare correspondence. The work required does not inherently include any physical requirements essential for successful job performance that could not otherwise be performed with accommodation or workplace adjustment. A pre-placement physical examination is not required.
• Subject to background/security investigation
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP)

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider:

• your performance and conduct;
• the needs and interests of the agency;
• whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
• whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.

Upon completion of your probationary period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.
Qualifications
To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 09/02/2026.
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-6 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-5. 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 as described below:

• Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-05 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to:
• office automation software processing procedures and function keys and the similarities and difference among software types to produce a wide range of documents such as graphics or tables within text, to edit and reformat electronic drafts and to update and revise existing databases or spreadsheets. Knowledge of office equipment such as computers, copiers, fax machines, and office automation systems to perform a substantial range of office automation support. A fully qualified typist is required.
• Knowledge of grammar, spelling, capitalization, punctuation, and commonly used specialized terminology to prepare material correctly.
• Proficiency Requirement: Office Automation Clerk/Assistant- In addition to meeting experience or education requirements, applicants for these positions must show possession of the following skills, as appropriate. Applicants may meet these requirements by passing the appropriate performance test, presenting a certificate of proficiency from a school or other organization authorized to issue such certificates by the Office of Personnel Management local office, or by self-certifying their proficiency. Performance test results and certificates of proficiency are acceptable for 3 years. Agencies may verify proficiency skills of self-certified applicants by administering the appropriate performance test.
  
  • 40 words per minute typing speed. Typing speed must be annotated on resume for self-certification.

Preferred Experience: Experience with administrative tasks, managing documents and reports, software utilization, timekeeping, and meeting minutes.
Applicants must be eligible under the VA Interchange Agreement, having served continuously for at least one year in the other merit system under this interchange agreement. For more information regarding the VA Interchange Agreement please visit: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/hiring-authorities/competitive-hiring/.
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/.
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: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.
Additional information
Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.
Reasonable Accommodation (RA) Requests: If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be granted the opportunity to request a RA in your online application. Requests for RA for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for RA must be received prior to starting the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. Decisions on requests for RA are made on a case-by-case basis. If you meet the minimum qualifications of the position, after notification of the adjudication of your request, you will receive an email invitation to complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, based on your adjudication decision. You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments if you received the link after the close of the announcement. To determine if you need a RA, please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments.
Receiving Service Credit for Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. VA may offer newly-appointed Federal employee's credit for their job-related non-federal experience or active duty uniformed military service. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed.
This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.
The Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) and Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) provide eligible displaced VA competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. To be qualified you must submit appropriate documentation (a copy of the agency notice, your most recent performance rating, and your most recent SF-50 noting current position, grade level, and duty location) and be found well-qualified for this vacancy. To be well-qualified: applicants must possess experience that exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors, and who are profi