National Cemetery Administration - Dept of Veterans Affairs VA - National Cemetery Administration (NCA)

NCA will fully implement a VA SkillBridge program to train and hire transitioning Servicemembers for the position of Program Support Assistant.The Program Support Assistant performs internment related activities, grounds maintenance operations, setting headstones and markers, and other associated tasks. Program Support Assistants average a Total Loss Rate (defined as any loss due to retirement, death, termination, voluntary separation, or transfer that removes the employee from the selected NCA facility) of 27.5% a year. SkillBridge can make a meaningful impact by allowing highly trained transitioning military members accustomed to learning critical and portable skillsets gain hands-on experience that can be leveraged as the members transition to the next phase of reintegration into civilian life. Objectives: Expand the DoD SkillBridge at all VA National Cemeteries by: • Establishing a program that develops a pipeline of VA-trained Program Support Assistants• Providing a structured training/internship opportunity that supports transitioning Servicemembers’ career goals and civilian transition• Supporting transitioning Servicemembers in pursuing careers with VA

The National Cemetery Administration’s Office of Human Capital Management Operations and Programs is instituting a SkillBridge program for Program Support Assistants at all NCA locations. The program will enable VA to select, train and provide civilian job experience to transitioning Servicemembers interested in careers at VA. • This will fill a current gap in Program Support Assistant staffing. • SkillBridge links to NCA’s Special Emphasis Recruiting Team (SERT) initiative to increase targeted recruiting of Veterans.Priority Hiring Areas: The preferred skills for the Program Support Assistant position are: • Proficient use of computer and office equipment• Customer service• Oral and written communications• Attention to detail• Critical thinking• Willingness to learn and advance your career• Strong work ethic and reliability