Clarification from the agency

ALL US CITIZENS DIRECT HIRE AUTHORITY: This position is being filled using Direct-Hire Authority (5 CFR 337.201) for this occupation. CTAP/ICTAP eligible

DUTIES:

The incumbent assists the Deputy/Chief of Staff in preparation of a variety of daily, weekly, monthly, and annual reports. These reports include accomplishments, goals, objectives, specific trends, resource management, review against external standards, educational training, research activities, community relations, committee participation, and quality management, etc. S/H regularly prepares Issue Briefs which are designed to inform the VISN and VACO of significant issues/events. The incumbent ensures timely follow-up on issues raised during operational meetings.

The incumbent serves as the management official for Deputy/Chief of Staff on many councils and committees within the formal governance structure.

• In this role the incumbent is required to make well informed, effective, and timely decisions even when data are limited, or solutions produce unpleasant consequences.
• Incumbent must perceive the impact and implications of decisions. Incumbent makes clear and convincing oral presentations, listens effectively, and clarifies information as needed to advocate for Deputy/Chief of Staff in governance meetings.
• Incumbent provides written communication that is clear, concise, organized, and convincing in high level governance meetings.
• He/she provides staff assistance to the Deputy/Chief of Staff in all matters, and in addition, provides staff assistance to senior management in the area of professional services.
• He/she must fully understand the mission, organization and programs of the Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Delivery System.
• This position requires incumbent to interact with all levels of Medical Center personnel, personnel from Network Directors Office, VA Central Office, and other federal and non-federal agencies.
• He/she provides advice and assistance to staff members and speaks for senior management in many instances.
• He/she helps formulate and participates in the development of health care management policies, programs, and operations.
• Analyzes and evaluates, on a quantitative or qualitative basis, the effectiveness of programs or operations within the medical center in meeting established goals and objectives.
• Incumbent conducts special studies and surveys employing the principles of scientific management to assist and advise the Deputy/ Chief of Staff as to the most effective method for accomplishing the Medical Center's mission and goals.
• The incumbent analyzes management techniques, processes, and styles for improving organizational effectiveness.
• Analyzes multifunctional programs within the medical center, functions, and organizations to determine whether the management system in current use efficiently accomplish objectives sought and whether they provide controls necessary for sound management.
• Evaluates and makes recommendations for effective organizational changes.

Work Schedule: Full Time 7:00am-3:30pm. Work schedule subject to change based on agency needs. Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Position Description/PD#: Health System Specialist/PD103730
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized

Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
• Subject to background/security investigation
• Designated and/or random drug testing may be required
• A complete application package; Resume, Transcripts, etc.
• 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 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

Qualifications
To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 02/04/2026.
Individual Occupational Requirement (IOR):
The 0671 series requires specific education or experience to be met in order to be appointed into a position of this series. You must meet one of the pre-determined Education or Experience Individual Occupational Requirements listed below as set by Office of Personnel Management (OPM).
Undergraduate and Graduate Education in a Major study of hospital administration, public health administration, or related fields such as business or public administration with course work in health care administration.

OR

Specialized Experience of progressively responsible analytical or administrative, or clinical management or supervisory experience in the health care field. This work may have been performed in an operating health care facility or a higher organizational echelon with advisory or directional authority over such facilities. Work must have involved a close working relationship with facility managers and analysis and/or coordination of administrative, clinical, or other service activities, and provided knowledge of the following:

• Missions, organizations, programs, and requirements of health care delivery systems;
• Regulations and standards of various regulatory and credentialing groups; and
• Government-wide, agency, and facility systems and requirements in various administrative areas such as budget, personnel, and procurement.

In addition to the IOR, you must also qualify based on your experience as described below:Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-11 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to:

• Applying a wide range of advanced practice, theories, and emerging information in health care delivery analytical and evaluative methods and techniques to issues or studies concerning the efficiency and effectiveness of the healthcare systems operations and knowledge of pertinent laws, regulations, policies, and precedents, major issues, program goals and objectives, develop new or modified work methods.
• Resolving problems in workflow, work distribution, staffing, performance appraisal, organizational structure, and/or administration.
• Conducting work in Minitab, Microsoft Visio, Microsoft SharePoint, and Microsoft Access.
• Developing work processes within a Lean Six Sigma and DMAIC (Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve and Control) programs.
• Developing project management plans.
• Utilizing quantitative analysis tools and evaluative techniques such as Control Charts, Hypothesis Testing, Measurement System Analysis, Process Capability Analysis.
• Working knowledge of High Reliability principles and concepts

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

Preferred Experience: Black or Green Belt, Change Management; Lean Six Sigma, process improvement; Project management

Note: 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.

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.

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE WILL NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Applicants will be referred in the order in which they were received.

Documents Accepted:

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

Documents Required:

• Resume

Please review the above list(s) to ensure you have included all necessary documents required for your application.Not every applicant will require the same documents, therefore it is the applicants responsibility to ensure that their application package includes all necessary documents to determine qualifications and eligibility for appointment, such as a copy of your SF-50, transcript, ICTAP/CTAP documentation (for displaced Federal employees).You will not be contacted for additional information. Applicants will be deemed ineligible if supporting documentation is not submitted.

Veterans' Preference: Since the Direct-Hire Recruitment Authority is being used, traditional Veterans' Preference rules do not apply. Qualified veterans will, however, be given full consideration for this position.

Applications are accepted online. Applying online will allow you to review and track the status of your application.

Next steps