DOC. VA 1.19: 05-72 Veterans Administration Clerical Care Opportunities in Veterans Administration's Central Office Headquarters • • • •! •! -wiyeFsify of • i • vivXvlMNi u&rairtf !\\ • • * > • • ■ b • • • • • • • r i «w Office of Personnel and Labor RelationsTRACEY ROBERTS "Before coming to the VA, my career wasn't going anywhere. / heard the VA had good training opportunities and a good personnel intern program, so / applied. I'm working in Personnel now, learning a lot, and I've been promoted. I'm also involved in designing a new computer system. It's very exciting. ” In a short time, Tracey has progressed from a Clerk-Typist, GS-3, to a Staffing Assistant, GS-6. She has perfected her word processing skills and gained valuable knowledge of personnel and computers. XT UNIVERSITY of ILLINOIS LIBRARY uRBANk6HAMPAI@!' STACKS WITHDRAWN University o. Illinois Library atUffca’"’5' Cover photo courtesy of the National Park Service DID YOU KNOW THAT... ...the Veterans Administration is the Federal government's largest independent agency? Established in 1 930, the VA Central Office headquarters staff oversees benefits and services for 79.3 million veterans and their dependents. This is almost one-third of the nation's population! SOME MORE VA FACTS. W There are nearly 3 million veterans receiving disability or pension payments from the VA. Many are Vietnam veterans. Since 1 944, the VA has helped in the education of millions of WWII, Korean and Vietnam veterans. The VA administers the nation's largest medical care system - 1 72 hospitals, 288 outpatient clinics, 115 nursing home care units and 1 6 domiciliaries. There is at least 1 VA hospital in every state, as well as Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia. One-half of all physicians in practice in the U.S. today have received some of their training in VA health facilities. The VA operates a nationwide system of Vet Centers to help Vietnam Era veterans with readjustment and other problems. VA research has helped... — conquer tuberculosis — develop the heart pacemaker — perfect kidney transplants — develop the laser cane for the blind — develop the robotic prosthetic arm If your family owns a home, there is a good chance the VA helped with the loan. The VA's loan guaranty program has helped some 21.9 million veterans and their dependents. You would be joining a total workforce of over 243,000 dedicated VA employees - almost 4,300 of whom work in the Central Office headquarters in Washington, D.C. JEFFREY BROCK ''Growing tired of the fast food chain where / was working, / looked for a responsible job that was secure, had benefits, advancement opportunities, and good pay. / wanted a future, and / found it at the VA. ” Jeffrey began as a Clerk and has moved on to Clerk-Typist. He has received many recommendations, including being selected as "Employee of the Year” where he works. Jeffrey has been promoted several times and is now learning to use a computer. TAMELA POWELL "Before / started working at the VA, / had no career and very little experience in dealing with people and surviving in the working world. But my job here has helped me. / hope to continue on with the VA, gaining more skills and moving up to better opportunities. " From Ashland, KY., Tamela came to the VA as a Clerk-Typist, GS-1. She worked in a busy office and quickly picked up the duties of her job. She was promoted and is now Secretary to the chief of a division.VA CENTRAL OFFICE -A STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION A For a career with a future that is stimulating, satisfying and rewarding, VA Central Office offers you the opportunity to.... • Work with professional men and women • Develop your skills • Increase your knowledge • Gain valuable experience which could lead to higher paid clerical and administrative jobs. VA CENTRAL OFFICE OFFERS VARIETY As a Clerk-Typist, Secretary, or Program Clerk, you will have a challenging career and the opportunity to work with... -MANAGERS -DOCTORS -LAWYERS -ENGINEERS -ARCHITECTS -COMPUTER SPECIALISTS ...in a wide variety of work environments including: -DEPARTMENT OF MEDICINE & SURGERY -OFFICE OF INFORMATION SYSTEMS & TELECOMMUNICATIONS -OFFICE OF GENERAL COUNSEL -BOARD OF VETERANS APPEALS -OFFICE OF BUDGET & FINANCE -OFFICE OF PERSONNEL & LABOR RELATIONS ...AND MORE. HOW DO I APPLY? ANA FELICIANO "I first joined the VA as a secretary, working for a variety of people. / had a lot to learn and it wasn't easy. But, it was worth it. It's very dear to me that the VA has helped my career by providing an environment where / could develop both as a professional and an individual." Ana works as a Program Assistant, GS-7, assisting in budgetary matters. Her skills as a teacher have been recognized and she has trained many clerical employees in good telephone techniques. YOUR BENEFITS INCLUDE... -SPECIAL PAY RATES FOR TYPISTS -PAID VACATION & SICK LEAVE -HEALTH & LIFE INSURANCE -PERIODIC SALARY INCREASES -PAY FOR FEDERAL HOLIDAYS -TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES -CARPOOLS & VANPOOLS -FITNESS CENTER -EMPLOYEE ASSOCIATION-SPONSORED EVENTS -SPORTS LEAGUES -CAFETERIA, CANTEEN, & EMPLOYEE STORE -CASH AWARDS PROGRAMS ...and most important - opportunities to advance depending on your interests, abilities, and performance. BASIC REQUIREMENTS... Good typing skills - at least 40 words per minute with no more than 3 errors. In general, before you can be considered for Federal employment you must establish eligibility with the Office of Personnel Management (OPM). To do this, contact your nearest OPM Job Information Office. In Washington, D.C., OPM's Job Information Office is at 1 900 E Street, N.W. Their hours are 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and their phone number is (202) 653-8468.0/?, call us and we can give you the required written test for clerical positions ourselves. For further information, or to schedule an appointment for the test, call (202) 233-2459. HOW TO APPLY... Write, phone or visit the Veterans Administration Central Office Personnel Service for specific application procedures. You will need... • an S.F. 1 7 1, "Application for Federal Employment'' • a Typing Proficiency, if you have one • a Notice of Results from the Office of Personnel Management, if you have one We are located one block from the White House at 810 Vermont Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20420, Room 115, directly on the "McPherson Square” Metro Stop. The VA Building is completely accessible to the Handicapped. Call (202) 233-2459 for more information.modern subway of its kind. Dorts and AMTRAK connect lington to all parts of the country. JAL FACILITI :an al opportunities are extensive ilities are among the best in .. Local colleges and univer-lude Georgetown University, Washington University, atholic University, University of of the District of Virginia Com- VTIONAL FACILITIES ts fans will find a wide range of ainment at the professional and collegiate levels, including football, sketball and ice hockey. Washington, anly a few hours drive away from the mountains of Maryland, Virginia and West Virginia, as well as the Atlantic Ocean beaches. Swimming, boating and fishing on the Chesapeake Bay are also a short distance away. Washington offers many cultural and historic attractions. Free public concerts are given throughout the year by the Army, Navy and Marine bands. Concerts at the Capital Center, DAR Constitution Hall, Wolf Trap, & Merriweather Post Pavillion are also popular attractions. The Kennedy Center attracts many first-rate theater productions. The Nation's Capital has a special beauty and character. The White House, Smithsonian Museums, Congress, Washington Monument, and the Lincoln Memorial are just a few of the many points of interest in the area.9 ■ WCwXv mm \ m m • m mm m m m m wTrn ■ ¥ ABILITIES COUNT DISABILITIES THE VA ENCOURAG NT OF THE HANDICAPPED VA - SERVING AMERICA'S VETERANS THE VA IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER*★* ★ ♦ * Veterans Administration Washington DC 20420 Clerical Career Opportunities in the Veterans Administration's Central Office Headquarters VA Pamphlet 05-72 April 1 987 Distribution: 055