Summary The incumbent provides direct staff support to the Associate Chief Nurse, responsible for planning, organization, development, direction and evaluation of Operative Care Division's Nursing Services programs. He or She also provides full staff assistance in administrative matters relating to: patient concerns, budget management, contract management, PACT team support, and assuring legal requirements for care. Responsibilities Major duties include, but are not limited to: Program Administration: Acts as a liaison or handles the communication with persons and/or groups within and outside of the division. Handles assigned controlled and congressional correspondence for the Division. Primary Liaison with the Patient Advocacy office. Researches and/or analyzes unstable or complex program issues. Plans and/or accomplishes special projects and programs. Administers programs concerning position management and human-resources utilization. Oversees related contract administration including knowledge of personnel and contracting operations such as classification, standards, and competencies. Is temporary backup to Administrative Officer for personnel and human resource items. Incumbent is authorized to be approving official for orders for supplies, services and equipment. Reviews orders to verify their need for orders for supplies, services, and equipment. Performs Office Program Planning Work: Performs administrative work, which includes management of an office's schedule or day-to-day plans. Develops new plans or schedules using standard references. Identifies objectives based on understanding of program and overall priorities. Determines specific steps, input required, and/or meetings. Identifies schedule and milestones; and estimates resources required. Budgetary, Contracting, and Financial Management Analysis: Formulates, presents, executes, and analyzes organizational budgets. Monitors budget allocation and execution to insure that operating program objectives are met. Performs in-depth, rigorous analysis of budget requests by employing techniques such as cost-benefit analysis, program trade-offs, and exploring alternative methods of funding. Monitors the use and rate of expenditure of budgeted funds in assigned areas through continuing dialogue with program officials and their staff, review of written documents, and examination of accounting records. Verifies assigned invoices for services provided to the Division section and manages assigned division level contracts: is the primary Contracting Officer Representative (COR) for Nursing Services within the Operative Care Division. Quality Improvement Programs: Performs work related to developing and monitoring quality programs, plans, procedures, and methodologies; and/or analyzing quality initiatives and processes. Analyzes a wide range of processes with long-term goals and results. Makes use of basic and advanced quality tools to accomplish analysis. Trains and facilitates others in the use of quality tools and techniques. Provides guidance and facilitation skills to quality action teams and to managers. Guidance is designed to foster quality principles in all strata of the workforce. Performs other related duties as assigned. Promotion Potential: This is a developmental position leading to a GS-11 level, performing assignments intended to broaden skills and provide practical experience leading to progressively more complex assignments performed under progressively less supervision. The selectee may be promoted to the full performance level without further competition when all regulatory, qualification, and performance requirements are met. Selection at a lower grade level does not guarantee promotion to the full performance level. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 7:30am - 4:00pm PST Telework: Not Authorized Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Description/PD#: Administrative Specialist/PD209450 and PD209460 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized 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 time-in-grade requirements and specialized experience within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement, 04/07/2026. 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 within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement. For a GS-09 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-07. For a GS-11 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-09. 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. You may qualify based on your experience and/or education as described below: To qualify for this position at the GS-09 level, you must meet one of the following: Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-07 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: Acts as a liaison and handles the communication with stakeholders within and outside of the organization. Researches and/or analyzes unstable or complex program issues. Analyzes organizational budgets. Analyze a wide range of processes with long term goals and results. Managing office schedules and day to day plans based on program objectives and plans. NOTE: Experience must be fully documented on your resume and must include job title, duties, month and year start/end dates AND hours worked per week. OR, Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have Successful completion of a master's or equivalent graduate degree, or successfully completed two full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree, or LL.B or J.D. if related. Such education must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of this position. NOTE: Copies of transcripts must be submitted with your application materials. Education cannot be credited without documentation. OR, Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have combinations of successfully completed graduate level education (beyond the first year) and specialized experience, as described above, to meet the total requirements. The education portion must include graduate courses that demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of this position. NOTE: Copies of transcripts must be submitted with your application materials. Education cannot be credited without documentation. To qualify for this position at the GS-11 level, you must meet one of the following: Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-09 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: Acts as a liaison and handles the communication with stakeholders within and outside of the organization presenting recommendations and negotiating solutions to disputed recommendations. Researches and analyzes unstable or complex program issues and independently presents solutions. Formulates, presents, executes, and analyzes organizational budgets. Monitors budget allocation and execution to ensure that operating program objectives are met. Developing and monitoring quality programs, plans, procedures, and methodologies and conducting detailed analyses of complex functions and work processes. Applying analytical and evaluative methods and techniques to issues or studies concerning the efficiency and effectiveness of program operations. Oversees related contract administration including knowledge of personnel and contracting operations such as classification, standards, and competencies. NOTE: Experience must be fully documented on your resume and must include job title, duties, month and year start/end dates AND hours worked per week. OR, Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have successfully completed a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree, or 3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree, or an LL.M. if related that demonstrates 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: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have a 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 a master's or equivalent graduate education may be used to qualify applicants for the GS-11 level. NOTE: If using education combined with specialized experience to qualify, a copy of your transcript is required. 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/. 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. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. The 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 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/.
