Transportation Assistant

This position will operate within the Veteran Transportation program within the Phoenix VA Health Care System. This position is responsible for the coordination of all patient transportation, including Advanced Life Support Ambulance, Basic Life Support Ambulance, Air Ambulance, Commercial Air, Wheel Chair Van, Stretcher Van and Taxi, for the Phoenix VA Medical Center and 8 outlying clinics. This Transportation Assistant position may be filled at either (1) 650 East Indian School Road, Phoenix, AZ 85012 or (2) 400 N 32nd St, Phoenix, AZ 85008. Duties include, but are not limited to: Coordinates wheelchair, taxi and/or ambulatory transports with authorized transportation requests. Plans and arranges for commercial or contracted transport. Determines, verifies, and/or explains eligibility for arranging transportation of dependents, escorts, and care givers for interfacility transfers and transplant transfers. Understands and conveys status of specific medical conditions that may ensure the proper mode of transportation is selected. Coordinates and advises administrative and professional staff regarding bed confirmation, transfer of records, transportation availability and approval criteria relating to transfer to other facilities. Coordinates patient movement between Beneficiary Travel, Patient Transportation Service and Veteran Transportation Service dependent on Veteran eligibility. Authorizes all expenses and related accommodations necessary for completing an interfacility transfer, when the transfer is being supplied care in a Federal or other Non-Federal hospital. Ensures all transportation logs are complete and meet records management guidelines and must be able to provide accurate statistical data to all supervisory and management personnel upon request. Communicates clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing. Performs routine related clerical work. Ensures staff and volunteer drivers honor and comply with rules governing authorized credit card purchases. Responds to customer complaints or problems involving delays, loss or damages. Maintains knowledge of regulations and local policies governing transportation, traffic management and scheduling. Evaluates the medical and administrative information provided with specialized transportation requests. Helps to determine and implement the most economical mode consistent with the veteran's needs. Provides assistance to the Beneficiary Travel staff and department of Prescott and Tucson VAMC. Performs additional duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 7:30 am to 4:00 pm Position Location: Duty location will be discussed during interview process. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Description/PD#: Transportation Assistant/PD11250A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Bargaining Unit: Yes 30 Day Hiring Model The Department of Veterans Affairs is implementing a streamlined 30-Day Hiring Model designed to accelerate hiring while maintaining the highest standards of merit-based selection. This improved process reduces traditional hiring timelines by integrating early coordination, faster assessments, and efficient pre-employment actions. Applicants can expect a more transparent, predictable, and efficient hiring journey from announcement to entry on duty. What Applicants Can Expect Expedited Candidate Review Once the announcement closes, Human Resources will quickly review applications, issue certificates of eligible candidates the day after the announcement closes and refer applicants for hiring manager consideration. Quick Interviews & References HR may arrange interviews and will request references within 3-5 days after being referred to the hiring manager. Streamlined Pre-Employment Requirements: Following a tentative offer, applicants should be prepared to complete required steps, such as fingerprinting and background check, credentialing, and medical examination within 3 days of the offer. Clear and Timely Communication: Applicants will receive clear communication at key milestones, including referral, tentative offer, and onboarding instructions. After meeting pre-employment requirements, candidates will receive a final job offer and start date. Onboarding tasks may continue after starting, with HR ensuring timely completion for a smooth transition into VA service. If selected, applicants should be prepared to come onboard within 30 days of the announcement closing. To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 10/09/2026. 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-07 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-06. 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-06 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. 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/. 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: Incumbent will be exposed to stressful working situations that will require a mature attitude and collecting reasoning to overcome. The incumbent is subject to a great deal of stress because of the high volume of work, the need for accuracy, frequency of interruptions and ever-changing demands due to program changes. Duties will be predominantly performed in the Veteran Transportation Service program office with intermittent trips to various locations throughout the Medical Center's catchment area both in and near patient care areas were there is a prevalent risk of exposure disease. 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 or 2-year trial 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. There is no educational substitution at this grade level.