Administrative Officer

Clarification from the agency

Open to Current, Permanent Employees of the James H. Quillen VA Medical Center and its associated Outpatient Clinics.

This position maintains responsibility for the administrative management of the Service, with final authority being exercised by the Service Chief. This position's primary functions include but are not limited to: assisting with strategic planning and creating and maintaining statistical data for decision-making purposes; administering and monitoring cost-effective service operations; developing local clerical and administrative policies as appropriate; and applying analytical methods and tools to evaluate program activities and their effectiveness. This position is responsible for performing duties of an administrative nature, carrying out analytical trending and evaluative work associated with the service and ensuring that all contracts are developed, maintained, and implemented in accordance with the applicable regulations, directives, and policies. Duties include but are not limited to:

• Personnel Administration and Management Work Administrative Management
  • Provides for the overall administrative management of the Dental Service. Exercises independent and creative judgment in accomplishing major duties. This may include interpreting administrative policies, developing local policies, defining administrative requirements, and/or providing advice to the Chief on related issues. The Administrative Officer provides substantial input into policies and action plans to ensure Dental Service is in compliance with VA Central Office (VACO), VISN, Joint Commission, and other entities as appropriate regarding all phases of performance improvement and quality management programs. Interacts frequently with VA management and personnel, VACO, VISN and community officials to keep abreast of substantive service issues within the organization.
• Human Resources/Personnel Management
  • Coordinates the personnel management program form Dental Service performing or overseeing all aspects of human resources requirements. Advises the Chief and Supervisors regarding procedures, laws, regulations and policies dealing with recruitment, merit promotion, employee and labor relations, employee career development, human resources training, and other human resources related activities. Monitors, coordinates and tracks all on-going and projected personnel actions and continuously apprises management of status. Maintains files and documents on all personnel actions, and coordinates actions with appropriate staff or supervisor. Completes and reviews reports; analyzes trends, timeliness of processing actions, and status of numerous actions and identifies deficiencies or discrepancies; recommends plans to improve efficiency of processing actions and solutions to eliminate recurrence of unfavorable conditions. Advises Chief and supervisors of human resources award procedures, policies, and processes for deserved recognition for their employees. Responsible for creating and preparing award packages for employee contribution awards and other criteria awards. Ensures that performance ratings are submitted in a timely manner in accordance with regulatory guidelines. Prepares all Resource Allocation requests and Leaf submissions.
• Budget/Fiscal
  • Manages budget formulation and execution for a changing budget of administrative expenses involving different funding sources, and participates with managers in reviewing needs, plans, and goals to develop budget data and justification for review and approval. Advises the Chief on budgetary and finance issues. Manages the Strategic Equipment Planning Guide (SEPG), prepares all equipment packets, and presents pre-procurement and FEC. Prepares budget estimates based on historical information and identifies need for changes. Serves as a Control Point Clerk and places orders when necessary.
• Space Planning
  • Responsible for developing space requests and coordinates movement of assets with Engineering Service and Environmental Management Service (EMS). Coordinates the administrative aspects of office moves, office construction, and other facility improvements including furniture, equipment, telephones, and short-term storage. Represents the Dental Chief at facility Space Committee Meetings.

Promotion Potential: 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, 6:45 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Position Description/PD#: Administrative Officer/PD604600 and PD604590
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Approved
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

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 identification 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, 07/02/2026.

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. 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:

• GS-09
  • 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 would typically includes, but are not limited to: Helping an administrative service run efficiently, organizing files, arranging travel for executives, coordinating, and applying a high level of customer service. Overseeing administrative functions, greeting internal customers, answering phones, replying to emails, conducting research and compiling reports, scheduling meetings/events, superior time management, and organizational skills; assisting managers with a wide variety of administrative functions including sensitive and confidential matters; using computer systems programs such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc., VISTA and electronic filing. OR,
  • Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have a master's degree or equivalent graduate degree or 2 years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.B. or J.D., if related. OR,
  • Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have an combination of specialized experience and education beyond a master's degree or equivalent graduate degree.

• GS_11
  • 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: Helping an administrative service run efficiently, serve as lead to HR administrative team members, managing the Dental Service and Audiology and Speech Pathology Service line budget, organizing files, keep updates HR databases, create and present report for senior managers, arranging travel for executives, coordinating, and applying a high level of customer service. Overseeing administrative functions, greeting internal customers, answering phones, replying to emails, conducting research and compiling reports, scheduling meetings/events, superior time management, and organizational skills; assisting managers with a wide variety of administrative functions including sensitive and confidential matters; using computer systems programs such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc., VISTA and electronic filing, HR Action Suspense tracking, experience working with specific HR programs such as the All Employee Survey (AES), Workforce Planning, performance evaluation review and/or submission monitoring process; taking minutes; formulating proposed administrative directives and policies; using Microsoft Office programs at an advanced level to include Power Point; conducting feasibility analysis on administrative process and making recommendations; providing advice and/or instruction to high level managers and/or leadership; monitoring process; taking minutes; formulating proposed administrative directives and policies; using Microsoft Office programs at an advanced level to include Power Point; conducting feasibility analysis on administrative process and making recommendations; providing advice and/or instruction to high level managers and/or leadership. OR,
  • Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree or 3 full years of progressively higher level education leading to such a degree or LL.M., if related. OR,
  • Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have an combination of specialized experience and education beyond the first two years of graduate education is creditable towards meeting the specialized experience requirement. A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part or your qualifications on education..
• Medical and/or Dental Knowledge Preferred.

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/.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

Your qualifications will be evaluated based on your application materials (e.g., resume, supporting documents), your responses on the application questionnaire, and your responses to all assessments required for this position. You will be assessed on the following Competencies for this position:

• Attention to Detail
• Decision Making
• Flexibility
• Integrity/Honesty
• Interpersonal Skills
• Learning
• Reading Comprehension
• Reasoning
• Self-Management
• Teamwork

Your 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. A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. Part-time experience will be credited on the basis of time actually spent in appropriate activities. Applicants wishing to receive credit for such experience must indicate clearly the nature of their duties and responsibilities in each position and the number of hours a week spent in such employment. IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE WILL NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application materials or application questionnaire may result in your removal from consideration. Cheating on the online assessment may also result in your removal from consideration.

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.

During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions.

To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:

• Resume
• SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action

The following documents are accepted, and may be required if applicable to your eligibility and/or qualifications for this position. Please make sure you have included other documents required for your application, such as a copy of your transcript (if using education to qualify), SF-50's (current/former Federal employees), documentation to support Veterans Preference claims, or ICTAP/CTAP documentation (for displaced Federal employees). You will not be contacted for additional information.

• Cover Letter
• DD-214/ Statement of Service
• Disability Letter (Schedule A)
• Disability Letter (VA)
• License
• Other (1)
• Resume
• Separation Notice (RIF)
• SF-15
• SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action
• Transcript

SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action (if applicable for Time in Grade and/or Eligibility):

• Most recent SF-50 if you are a current or former Federal employee
• An SF-50 showing 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
• Award 50's do not provide sufficient information and will not be accepted for the purpose of verifying time-in-grade.
• Examples of appropriate SF-50's include:
  • Within grade increases at the highest grade held; or
  • Promotions with an effective date more than one year old; or
  • SF-50's at the highest grade held with an effective date more than one year old.

Veterans' Preference: When applying for Federal Jobs, eligible Veterans should claim preference for 5pt (TP), 10pt (CP/CPS/XP), or for Sole Survivor Preference (SSP) in the questionnaire. You must provide a legible copy of your DD214(s) which shows dates and character of service (honorable, general, etc.). If you are currently serving on active duty and expect to be released or discharged within 120 days you must submit documentation related to your active duty service which reflects the dates of service, character of service (honorable, general, etc.), and dates of impending separation. Additionally, disabled veterans and others eligible for 10-point preference (such as widows or mothers of eligible Veterans) must also submit an SF-15 "Application for 10 Point Veteran Preference" with required proof as stated on the form. Documentation is required to award preference. For more information on Veterans' Preference, please visit Feds Hire Vets - Veterans - Job Seekers - Veterans' Preference.

Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.

It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.

NOTE: Participation in the seasonal influenza program is a condition of employment and a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). It is a requirement that all HCP to receive annual seasonal influenza vaccination or obtain an exemption for medical or religious reasons. Wearing a face mask is required when an exemption to the influenza vaccination has been granted. HCP in violation of this directive may face disciplinary action up to and including removal from federal service. HCP are individuals who, during the influenza season, work in VHA locations or who come into contact with VA patients or other HCP as part of their duties. VHA locations include, but are not limited to, VA hospitals and associated clinics, community living centers (CLCs), community-based outpatient clinics (CBOCs), domiciliary units, Vet centers and VA-leased medical facilities. HCP include all VA licensed and unlicensed, clinical and administrative, remote and onsite, paid and without compensation, full- and part-time employees, intermittent employees, fee basis employees, VA contractors, researchers, volunteers and health professions trainees (HPTs) who are expected to perform any or all of their work at these facilities. HPTs may be paid or unpaid and include residents, interns, fellows and students. HCP also includes VHA personnel providing home-based care to Veterans and drivers and other personnel whose duties put them in contact with patients outside VA medical facilities.

Placement Policy: The posting of this announcement does not obligate management to fill a vacancy or vacancies by promotion. The position may be filled by reassignment, change to lower grade, transfer, appointment, or reinstatement. Management may use any one or any combination of these methods to fill the position.

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