Starting Salary $ 52,000

Retail Sales Optician

Looking for a better work life balance? Join an amazing organization that puts Veteran’s first for an amazing career!  

Join an amazing organization that puts Veteran’s first for an amazing career!  With over 70 years of serving our nation’s Veterans, the Veterans Canteen Service (VCS) is currently seeking progressive individuals who want to grow with us. We are looking for Retail Sales Opticians to join our fast paced environment and have a passion for our Veterans and their families. The VCS is a federal agency under the Department of Veteran Affairs and operates cafés, retail stores, coffee shops and vending machines across the country.

Job Duties:

The candidate works under the general supervision of the canteen chief, supervisor, or his/her designee. Acts as a liaison between VCS, the optical shop, optical contractor, eye clinic and prosthetics. Candidate is responsible for the fitting, measuring, adjusting and minor repairs of eyewear for Veterans and other customers as designated by Medical Center policy. Presents an image of professionalism, self-confidence, helpfulness, and interest in the customer. Has a thorough amount of knowledge of the manufacturing process to communicate adequately with the optical contractor, doctors, non-medical staff, and patients.

Working closely with the eye clinic, prescription eyewear manufacturer and other eye clinics. Provides excellent and compassionate feedback about aesthetic choices in frames. Performs other related duties such as merchandise control, merchandise display, and recordkeeping.

Operates optical equipment such as a Digital Pupilometer, Seg Height Ruler, manual lensometer and other tools necessary to achieve proper measurements/fittings for patients.

Greets customers entering the optical shop. Answers customer inquiries and provides advice to customers on price, availability and estimate time frame of arrival of glasses. Takes inquiries from team and assists by offering guidance on a case-by-case basis as needed.

VCS offers competitive benefits, including:

• Child Care Subsidy Program
• Public Transportation Benefits (Bus Pass)
• Annual Cost of Living Pay Increases
• Major Medical, Dental, Vision Insurance & Life Insurance
• Vacation & Sick Leave to include 11 (paid) Federal Holidays
• Company Contribution to Retirement Savings Plan
• Visit us at https://www.vacanteen.va.gov/ for more information about the Veterans Canteen Service

Required Minimum Qualifications:

• High school diploma or General Equivalency Diploma (GED).
• Must hold and maintain optical license or certification if required by the state, must have at least 1 year as an optician..
• Must have the ability to work independently.
• Possess thorough knowledge of safety protocols for disease prevention, specifically COVID and proper PPE usage.
• Identify anomalies in a prescription and implement the appropriate course of action.
• Identify problems, including but not limited to verifying RX, verifying transitions, optical centers, seg heights, improper frame selections, etc.
• Must have ability to use the following:
  •Adjustment and bench tools
  •Lensometer
  •Lens clock
  •Frame Heater
  •PD ruler
  •Pupilometer, penlight and interpupillary measuring device
  •Frame and lens cleaning products
  •Thickness caliper
  •Vertex Densometer
  •Tolerance chart
  •Visual Acuity charts
• Participation in the seasonal influenza and Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Vaccination programs are requirements for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). Participation in the seasonal influenza program is a condition of employment. It is a requirement that all HCP receive the COVID-19 vaccination and annual seasonal influenza vaccination or obtain an exemption for medical or religious reasons.