Program Support Assistant

National Cemetery Administration; Hampton (VA); On-site; USD 51,000 - 67,000; Full time

Job summary

The National Cemetery Administration, part of the Department of Veterans Affairs, is seeking a Program Support Assistant to join the Hampton National Cemetery team in Hampton, Virginia. The role focuses on assisting in administrative management of the national cemetery, including VATAS administration, budget-related duties, and coordination of funeral-related processes.

The incumbent serves as a primary contact for veterans, families, funeral directors, and visitors, handles interment

Responsibilities

• Cemetery administration and interment support duties including VATAS administration and budget-related responsibilities.
• Serve as a primary contact for veterans, families, funeral directors, and visitors; verify eligibility and manage scheduling and documentation.
• Assist with correspondence, reports, public relations, outreach, and coordination of funeral rites and military honors as required.

Job description

• Hiring Agency: National Cemetery Administration
• Department: Department of Veterans Affairs

This position is located at the Hampton National Cemetery in Hampton, Virginia.

Key Responsibilities

This is a bargaining unit position. This position is represented by NAGE. Please note that as provided for in the NAGE/VA Master Agreement the FIRST area of consideration for this position will be permanent employees of the local facility in which this position is being filled, the SECOND area of consideration will be employees at other VA facilities, and the THIRD area of consideration will be all other eligibles.

This position is located at the Hampton National Cemetery Complex at Hampton VA.

The incumbent frequently will act as the initial and primary contact with veterans, visitors, funeral directors, and family members and confirm the eligibility for interment by evaluating discharge information, accessing agency computer records, or pursuing other verification resources This is a multi-tasking position whose primary duties include assisting in the administrative management of the national cemetery.

Primary duties will include responsibilities pertaining to Cemetery Representative duties, administration of VATAS, and budget responsibilities of a government purchase card. Correspondence, reports, public relations, and outreach. Incumbent will check in funeral and obtain necessary papers, such as burial transit permit, military escort orders or other special forms as required, checks forms for completeness and accuracy.

He/she may need to make on the spot changes to cemetery representative's funeral assignment as necessary to expedite interments. Meet with the deceased's next of kin to explain the various regulations pertaining to the burial benefit program and to confirm information for the marker. Coordinate movement of military ceremonial detachment and clergy to various committal service locations as required.

Escorts funeral corteges to committal shelter and controls parking of funeral cortege and traffic control by assisting and giving instruction to the funeral Supervisor. If needed, may assist in moving the casket in and out of the committal sites for services. Attends funeral services held in the National Cemetery to eliminate mishaps or confusion, aid next of kin and family of deceased and to answer questions about National Cemetery programs and operations.

Prepare funeral attendees for the military honors tribute to prevent startling the attendees who may be in a highly emotional state. Assures the flag is properly folded and presented to the next of kin. Handle various funeral cortege activities at the same time. ADMINISTRATIVE Incumbent will serve in an administrative capacity during non-interment hours.

Using a personal computer, enters information for burial of deceased veterans and dependents into the Burial Operations Support System (BOSS), reviews interment requests for completeness of information and correct scheduling, and assures that verification of veteran's military service is obtained from appropriate records center to determine eligibility for national cemetery burial benefits.

Uses personal computer with State and Municipal Agency telecommunications software to access veterans' records to determine burial benefit entitlement. Assists in assuring that cases are authorized prior to interment, monitors unverified cases nearing scheduled interment time and advises supervisor of verification status.

Upon verification of service, notified funeral Supervisor or next of kin, as appropriate, and confirms interment schedule and finalizes any remaining arrangements or special desires made by the next of kin. Maintain telephone contact with VA National Cemetery Administration, National Scheduling Office and other governmental agencies as required when resolving problem cases in an expeditious manner.

Incumbent will screen cases when identification is not conclusive and uses ingenuity in obtaining facts which may substantiate identification of decedent as a person who performed honorable military service. Performs public outreach as needed. Work schedule: Required to work Monday through Friday, 8:00 am to 4:30 pm. May include occasional weekends. Due to the mission of the National Cemetery, the cemetery cannot be closed for more than 2 consecutive days at any given time.

Additionally, when a Federal holiday falls on a Monday or Friday, staff may be required to work on that holiday or a Saturday. All staff is required to work Memorial Day and Veteran's Day each year. Staff will be required to work overtime, weekends and holidays when necessary to meet the needs of the cemetery. Occasionally staff may be called back to the facility to perform emergency overtime work.

Compressed/Flexible Schedule: Not Available Telework: Not Available Position Description Title/PD#: Program Support Assistant/PD1641556 Relocation Expenses: Not Authorized Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: No Required

Requirements & Education

There is no educational substitution at this grade level. PLEASE NOTE: Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications (particularly positions with a positive education requirement). Therefore, applicants must report only attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Applicants can verify accreditation at the following website: http://www.ed.gov/admins/finaid/accred/index.html. All education claimed by applicants will be verified by the appointing agency accordingly. 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.

Which agency is hiring for this position?

This position is with National Cemetery Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs.

What is the salary for this position?

The posted pay range is $51210 – $66574/yr.

What is the application deadline?

Applications close on 2026-10-01.

Who is eligible to apply?

This position is open under the 'Fed Transition' hiring path.