Summary The incumbent serves as an Administrative Specialist in the Chief of Staff's Office within the Wilmington Veterans Affairs Medical Center (WVAMC). This position reports to the Executive Assistant to the Chief of Staff (COS), this position performs duties which are administrative in nature for one or more assigned services. Responsibilities This position serves as an administrative advisor to the Chief(s) of the assigned service(s). As such, the Administrative Specialist provides a key role in assisting the Service Chief(s) in the development and implementation of policies and procedures, both long and short-range planning, budget, guidelines, and proposals for efficient and effective utilization of resources and the operation of the division. The policies and procedures concern all aspects of the organization including budget and fiscal management, supply, service and equipment procurement, human resources and workforce utilization, contract negotiations, initiation and oversight, construction and renovation, and space utilization. The Administrative Specialist performs and/or directs special studies and projects as directed by the Executive Assistant or the Chief, some highly confidential and complex in nature. Duties include, but may not be limited to the following: Skilled in Performance Improvement, including mastery of requirements of the VA Central Office (VACO) and The Joint Commission (JC), as they relate to the assigned services. Responds expeditiously to unannounced demands for surveys and statistical reports and ensures all reporting is completed timely and accurately. Assists in developing strategic plans for the collection and analysis of data related to service operations and actively participates as a full member of the healthcare delivery team, involved in policy making, process execution, and works to provide administrative oversight to the assigned service(s). Analyzes proposals and provides the Service Chief(s) and/or Executive Assistant with an objective opinion before a final decision is made. Recommends courses of action and conducts executive review of correspondence which requires the concurrence, or signature of the Service Chief(s) or higher-level officials. Resolves significant problems relating to such correspondence through negotiations with the originating or concurring offices. When designated, the Administrative Specialist represents the Chief(s) at meetings, presents information, and takes positions which are consistent with the Service Chief(s) policies and thinking. Acts as the focal point for all communication flow for the assigned service(s). Facilitates communication with individuals at all levels inside or outside the agency. Ensuring that diverse functions are interfaced and duplicative efforts streamlined or eliminated. Executing operations plans which are based on effective controls and realistic projections. Utilizing and communicating various measures of efficiency. Evaluates and plans sufficient space utilization based on constantly changing and ever-increasing program demands, inclusive of the assigned service(s)'s staff and patients, adhering to VA guidelines. Responsible for planning for revised space assignments and request allocation of space through the medical center's space designee. Contributes to the overall management of the medical center by participating as team member on special task forces, conducting special studies, and providing leadership. Work Schedule: 8am- 4:30pm, Monday -Friday Telework: Ad-hoc Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Description/PD#: Administrative Specialist/PD02102A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Approved Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Requirements Conditions of Employment 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: The work required does not inherently include any physical requirements essential for successful job performance that could not otherwise be performed with accommodation or workplace adjustment. A pre-placement physical examination is not required. 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 dentification 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. Qualifications To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 03/09/2026. 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 09 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS 07. 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. To qualify for this position at the GS-09 level, you must meet one of the following: Specialized Experience: You must have at least one (1) full year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level (GS-7) in the Federal Service, that is directly related to the work of the position and has equipped you with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities to successfully perform the duties as a Medical Administrative Specialist - HOD. Qualifying specialized experience includes knowledge of a wide range of medical center administrative concepts, principles, and practices, provides technical guidance necessary to meet procedural, legal, and administrative requirements relating to the care and treatment of patients reviewing data and information for trends, problem areas, and makes recommendations to management to resolve issues; interpreting rules, regulations, policies, and procedures to make sound decisions; identify and analyze complex problems or situations with a range of variables ~OR~ Education: Successfully completed two (2) years of progressively higher-level graduate education or masters or equivalent graduate degree or LL.B or J.D. in a related field of the position to be filled. Education at the graduate level must be obtained in an accredited college or university and must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of this position. Note: Transcripts must be submitted with application. Education cannot be credited without documentation ~OR~ Combination: Equivalent combination of successfully completed education and specialized experience directly related to the work of the position as outlined above that meets the requirements of the position. Only education in excess of the first year (18 semester hours) may be used to qualify applicants for the GS-09 level. NOTE: If using education combined with specialized experience to qualify, a copy of your transcript is required. You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position: ,Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. 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/. Preferred Experience: Procurement and contract experience, to include High-Cost, High-Tech procurements. Contract Officer Representative - Level 1 Certification. Education A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education. Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. 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. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/. Additional Information Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act. Reasonable Accommodation (RA) Requests: If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be granted the opportunity to request a RA in your online application. Requests for RA for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for RA must be received prior to starting the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. Decisions on requests for RA are made on a case-by-case basis. If you meet the minimum qualifications of the position, after notification of the adjudication of your request, you will receive an email invitation to complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, based on your adjudication decision. You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments if you received the link after the close of the announcement. To determine if you need a RA, please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments. Receiving Service Credit for Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. VA may offer newly-appointed Federal employee's credit for their job-related non-federal experience or active duty uniformed military service. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. The Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) and Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) provide eligible displaced VA competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. To be qualified you must submit appropriate documentation (a copy of the agency notice, your most recent performance rating, and your most recent SF-50 noting current position, grade level, and duty location) and be found well-qualified for this vacancy. To be well-qualified: applicants must possess experience that exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors, and who are proficient in most of the required competencies of the job. Information about ICTAP and CTAP eligibility is on OPM's Career Transition Resources website at http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/employee-guide-to-career-transition/.
