Executive Director Investigations

Clarification from the agency

All groups of qualified individuals.

• The EDI leads and has overall responsibility and accountability for the performance of OAWP's Investigations Directorate, including the Intake and Referral Division, the Investigations Division, and the Investigative Attorney Division.
• The EDI advises on and implements improvements needed to ensure that consistent, efficient, and high-quality services and work product are provided by the Investigations Directorate.
• The EDI oversees and leads staff as they establish national-level policy and procedures and implement relevant portions of the VA Accountability and Whistleblower Protection Act, including intake of whistleblower disclosures; investigating allegations against VA's senior leaders regarding misconduct, retaliation; writing reports of investigation and making disciplinary and non-disciplinary recommendations.
• The EDI works with the Assistant Secretary and Deputy Assistant Secretary to establish and enforce goals and metrics to ensure subordinate Divisions are held accountable for proper and timely execution of statutory functions.
• The EDI uses data analytics, Artificial Intelligence, and other management and leadership tools to ensure that OAWP intake and investigative (including attorney/legal) processes and procedures are followed; that investigations are conducted fairly, thoroughly, efficiently, and within expected timelines; and that Division Directors and subordinate supervisors are taking appropriate steps to ensure production of high quality work product, within established timelines and in compliance with all applicable policies and procedures.
• The EDI resolves investigative disagreements between Divisions, including on appropriate investigative scope or steps and applicability of relevant legal standards or criteria.
• The EDI serves as OAWP's point of contact on investigations for leaders and managers across all of VA, and will be expected to provide briefings to members of Congress and their staff may testify before Congressional committees or subcommittees.
• The EDI reviews laws, regulations, Executive Orders, and related documents affecting OAWP investigatory functions.
• The EDI builds and maintains effective business relationships, processes, and procedures to effectuate OAWP's mission and works strategically within VA to move initiatives forward and to address challenges.
• The EDI works with VA's Office of General Counsel to interpret the law related to OAWP's investigations and apply legal opinions to subordinate Divisions, as appropriate.

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 position and the salary range is $151,661 - $220,200. 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 not be reviewed beyond page 2 or may be disqualified. 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.

There is NO requirement to prepare a 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 knowledge of and experience interpreting and applying Federal laws, rules, regulations, and court decisions involving senior leader misconduct, retaliation, and poor performance; whistleblower retaliation; and/or whistleblower rights and protections, within the Federal system.

TQ2: Demonstrated experience in supervising, managing, planning, and conducting complex administrative or similar investigations that involve violations of Federal law, rule, regulation, and/or policy and result in timely and high quality, factually and legally sound findings and reports of investigation that are relied upon to take further action. Experience should include supervising, managing, planning, and conducting such investigations under CIGIE or other professional guidelines and within applicable timelines

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

How you will be evaluated

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

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

Once the application process is complete, a review of your resume and supporting documentation will be conducted. If you meet minimum qualifications, your Application Package will be further reviewed to determine if you possess the Executive Core Qualifications (ECQ) and Technical Qualifications (MTQ) listed above. ECQs and TQs must be thoroughly addressed within your two (2) page resume. Separate narratives will not be accepted or reviewed. Highly Qualified applicants may undergo one or more interviews and may be referred to the selecting official for further consideration.

Upon selection, if not already a member of the SES serving under a career appointment, the individual selected must have his/her executive qualifications certified by the U.S. Office of Personnel Management's SES Qualifications Review Board (QRB) before appointment to this position. The selected individual's application will be forwarded to the OPM for review and certification by the QRB, unless the selectee provides evidence of their noncompetitive status (i.e., a current SES, OPM QRB certified SESCDP graduate, or SES reinstatement eligible). Upon QRB certification, the selected individual will be required to serve a one-year probationary period. For more information regarding the SES, go to https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/senior-executive-service/.

A complete application includes items described below. Please note that if you do not provide all required information, as specified in this announcement, you may not be considered for this position (or may not receive the special consideration for which you may be eligible).

Please carefully review the following list to determine what documentation you need to submit. Some documents may not apply to all applicants.

1. RESUME: All applicants are required to submit a resume limited to two (2) pages (i.e., 1 page that is double-sided or 2 pages that are one-sided each) showing all relevant experience. Information beyond the two page resume will not be evaluated. Applicants seeking initial career appointment to the Senior Executive Service (SES) must include evidence of the ECQs and TQs. PLEASE DO NOT USE USAJOBS RESUME BUILDER.

2. VACANCY QUESTION/ASSESSMENT QUESTIONNAIRE RESPONSES: Responses are automatically submitted through USA Jobs when you apply to this vacancy.

3. ADDITIONAL REQUIRED DOCUMENTS: Applicants are required to submit the following supporting documentation for non-competitive consideration, if applicable:

• CURRENT OR FORMER SES MEBERS: Must provide your SES appointment SF-50 (Notification of Personnel Action), and an SF-50 showing current career SES status or career SES reinstatement eligibility.
• SES CANDIDATE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM (SESCDP) GRADUATES: Verification of successful completion of an OPM-approved SESCDP and OPM SES QRB certification.

Non-Competitive Consideration: You are considered a non-competitive applicant if you are a current career Senior Executive, graduate of a Senior Executive Service (SES) Candidate Development Program (CDP) or an individual with SES reinstatement eligibility and your ECQs have been certified by the OPM QRB. You may be considered non-competitively for appointment to this position if you meet the mandatory technical qualifications requirements.

Non-competitive applicants do not need to submit ECQ narratives but you must clearly state your status in your resume. Proof of non-competitive eligibility is required. The agency has the option of considering you non-competitively or including you in the competitive process.

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