Deputy Assistant Secretary for (HRA) Office of Administration (OA)

Summary

The Deputy Assistant Secretary for OA is the principal advisor to Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Human Resources and Administration and other key officials at the Department of Veterans Affairs on matters pertaining to a wide range of VA's administrative support services, building management, polices and programs, practices, applicable laws and regulations. The DAS for OA has overall responsibility for leadership of the Office of Administration.

Duties

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1. Administers the full range of functions and programs in the Office of Administration (OA) through subordinate supervisors. Oversees a wide range of administrative support services to VA employees across 16 major lines of business.

2. Responsibilities include overseeing VA Central Office (VACO) infrastructure comprised of Federally-owned and commercially leased properties in the National Capital Region to include rent payment, space management, facility maintenance, building safety and building renovations and construction.

3. Administers other VACO programs such as transportation services, employee assistance program records management, audio/ visual media services, personal property management, warehouse operations, procurement activities, health units, fitness centers and official mail functions. Also oversees Department-wide policies and programs for Occupational Safety and Health, Workers' Compensation, and Transit Benefits.

4. Provides leadership in planning, development and execution of OA functions and programs including a formal Continuous Process Improvement program. Oversees the development of and ensures compliance with management policies, programs, practices and applicable laws and regulations. In accordance with 41 CFR 102-71.20, the DAS for Administration is designated by the Secretary as the Alternate Designated Official for the VACO 810 Vermont Avenue, NW building.

5. The DAS for OA works under the general direction of the Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary (PDAS) for HRA. Work is generated from broad policy guides, precedent decisions and anticipated changes in support trends related to the workforce and priorities of the Department. Work is reviewed in terms of results achieved. Performance indicators are effective relationships at the executive level with key customers, including but not limited to the Office of the Secretary and senior officials in the Veterans Health Administration, Veterans Benefits Administration, National Cemetery Administration and Staff Offices. Other performance indicators include policies and programs that support the strategic direction of the Department and the creation of internal organizational climate, which operates based on shared leadership, use of teams, employee engagement and is proactive and creative in meeting the needs of customers.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

• Must be a US citizen or National.
• Subject to a One year probationary period required (unless already completed).
• Complete a Declaration for Federal Employment to determine your suitability for Federal employment, at the time requested by the agency.
• If you are a male applicant born after December 31, 1959, certify that you have registered with the Selective Service System or are exempt from having to do so.
• Incumbents of this position will be subject to a background investigation commensurate with the risk and sensitivity level of the position.
• May be subject to pre-employment and random drug tests.
• Public Financial Disclosure Report (SF-278) is required within 30 days of appointment.
• May be subject to reassignment geographically or organizationally.
• VA structures its SES positions into pay bands. This is a pay band 2 $220,200 -$228,000. Exceptions to the cap of the range may be considered in certain circumstances.

Qualifications

To meet the minimum qualification requirements for this position, you must show that you possess the Executive Core Qualifications (ECQ), and Technical Qualifications (TQ) related to this position within your resume - NOT TO EXCEED 2 PAGES. Resumes over the 2-page limit will be disqualified. Please see "Required Documents" section below for all resume formatting requirements.

Your resume should include examples of experience, education, and accomplishments applicable to the qualification(s). If your resume does not reflect demonstrated evidence of these qualifications, you may not receive consideration for the position.

Do NOT submit a separate narrative statement specifically addressing the Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs) or the Technical Qualifications (TQs).

TECHNICAL QUALIFICATIONS (TQs): Your resume should demonstrate accomplishments that would satisfy the technical qualifications.

TQ1: Demonstrated experience in successfully leading and directing a complex, diverse organization. Inherent in this qualification is the ability to lead multifaceted organizational strategic planning, establish performance measures, and identify and manage risks within budgetary guidelines.

TQ2: Demonstrated knowledge and experience providing oversight for, and applying, laws, regulations, practices, and procedures to lead facilities and building operations, space management and leasing, logistics services, and occupational safety and health programs for an organization in close collaboration with stakeholders and officials.

EXECUTIVE CORE QUALIFICATIONS (ECQs): In addition to the Technical Qualification Requirements listed above, all new entrants into the Senior Executive Service (SES) under a career appointment will be assessed for executive competency against the following five mandatory ECQs. If your 2-page resume does not reflect demonstrated evidence of the ECQs and TQs, you may not receive further consideration for the position.

There are five ECQs:

ECQ 1: Commitment to the Rule of Law and the Principles of the American Founding - This core qualification requires a demonstrated knowledge of the American system of government, commitment to uphold the Constitution and the rule of law, and commitment to serve the American people.

• Sub-Competencies:
  
  • Knowledge of the American System of Government: Demonstrates understanding and appreciation of the American system of government, including the Constitution, the Bill of Rights, separation of powers, federalism, and the historical development of the American Nation.
  • Commitment to the Rule of Law: Upholds the principles of the American Founding, including equality under the law and democratic self-government. Ensures the law is applied fairly and consistently.
  • Civic-Mindedness: Stays up-to-date on important developments in American government and aligns organizational objectives and practices with presidential and public interests. Demonstrates a commitment to serve the American people.

ECQ 2: Driving Efficiency - This core qualification involves the demonstrated ability to strategically and efficiently manage resources, budget effectively, cut wasteful spending, and pursue efficiency through process and technological upgrades.

• Sub-Competencies:
  
  • Fiscal Responsibility: Strategically manages, allocates and monitors financial resources. Aligns priorities and initiatives to justify budget proposals. Monitors expenditures, cuts unnecessary costs, and uses cost-benefit analysis to set priorities.
  • Managing Resources: Manages resources efficiently and effectively based on current and projected organizational goals, skills, budget considerations, and staffing needs.
  • Leveraging Technology: Explores emerging technology and potential applications. Incorporates technology to enhance efficiency and achieve results. Ensures access to and security of technology systems

ECQ 3: Merit and Competence - This core qualification involves the demonstrated knowledge, ability and technical competence to effectively and reliably produce work that is of exceptional quality.

• Sub-Competencies:
  
  • Technical Skill: Possesses the requisite technical knowledge and subject matter expertise to consistently produce timely, high-quality work. Is considered a strong contributor in his or her domain.
  • Problem Solving: Engages in critical and data-driven thinking when diagnosing root causes and evaluating options. Identifies and promptly addresses the most pressing, high-priority problems.
  • Agility and Resilience: Anticipates and adapts to change, new ideas, new information, and new conditions. Is committed to continuous improvement. Deals effectively with pressure and remains optimistic and persistent, even under adversity.

ECQ 4: Leading People - This core qualification involves the demonstrated ability to lead and inspire a group toward meeting the organization's vision, mission, and goals, and to drive a high-performance, high-accountability culture. This includes, when necessary, the ability to lead people through change and to hold individuals accountable.

• Sub-Competencies:
  
  • Accountability: Ensures that employees are appropriately recruited, selected, appraised, trained, and retained. Takes swift action to address performance- or conduct-based deficiencies in employees supervised. Holds self and others accountable for measurable high-quality, timely, and cost-effective results.
  • Developing Others: Recognizes and rewards outstanding achievement in others. Develops the ability of others to perform and contribute to the organization by providing opportunities to learn through formal and informal methods. Cultivates a dynamic environment in which employees are not afraid to make mistakes.
  • Executive Judgement: Makes well-reasoned, timely, and effective decisions and considers short- and long-term implications. Communicates effectively with stakeholders across all organizational levels, sharing and guarding information where appropriate.

ECQ 5: Achieving Results - This core qualification involves the demonstrated ability to achieve both individual and organizational results, and to align results to stated goals from superiors.

• Sub-Competencies:
  
  • Operational Mindset: Effectively translates strategies into actionable steps and processes. Partners effectively with stakeholders to drive adoption and addresses blockers to ensure successful implementation.
  • Innovation: Applies creativity to improving products and processes, challenges convention, takes measured risks, and considers ways to simplify and remove unnecessary requirements.
  • Strategic Thinking: Formulates objectives and priorities and implements plans consistent with the long-term interests of the organization by evaluating conditions, resources, capabilities, constraints, and organizational goals and values.

Note: If you are a member of the SES or have been certified through successful participation in an OPM approved SES Candidate Development Program (SESCDP), or have SES reinstatement eligibility, you should attach proof (e.g., SF-50, Certification by OPM's SES Qualifications Review Board (QRB)) of your eligibility for noncompetitive appointment to the SES. See "Required Documents" section for additional information.

Education

If you are qualifying for this position by substituting education or training for experience, an official transcript or equivalent will be required if you are selected. 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. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Foreign Education: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. If you are qualifying based on foreign education, you must submit proof of creditability of education as evaluated by a credentialing agency. For further information, visit: Recognition of Foreign Qualifications | International Affairs Office (ed.gov)

Additional information

VA structures its SES positions into pay bands. This is a pay band 2 position and the salary range is $220,200 -$228,000. The categories are based on the position scope, breadth, functions, and placement within the structure of organizational levels across the Department/Agency. Exceptions to the cap of the range may be considered in certain circumstances.