Duties
Major Duties and Responsibilities
Serve as the first-line supervisor for the Deputy Director, Investigation, and is responsible for six (6) investigatory teams including 6 supervisors and 40 investigators, plus support personnel, who conduct administrative investigations and related activities. The incumbent supervises case management and provides technical advice on matters investigated by OAWP. The incumbent develops general investigative strategies and tactics to resolve complex investigative issues.
Incumbent is responsible for providing leadership and program management, planning, assigning work, and prioritizing workload of assigned investigators to accomplish OAWP's mission and statutory functions, including but not limited to the following:
Incumbent performs the full range of supervisory functions for including supervising, developing performance plans, and rating performance. Ensures work is assigned to subordinates based on priorities, difficulty of assignments, workload, and the capabilities of the employees. Incumbent performs the full range of supervisory functions for staff, including making decisions on proposed disciplinary actions and handling grievances.
Provides overall guidance and technical oversight of cases, including reviewing investigative reports and ensuring written work product produced by investigators is accurate, complete, and succinct, and that disciplinary recommendations are supported by the evidence file and applicable precedents.
Ensures investigations are conducted in accordance with established standard operating procedures including applicable CIGIE standards.
Provides leadership, mentorship, training, and administrative oversight. Identifies developmental and training needs of employees, provides and/or arranges for needed developmental training.
Provides comprehensive investigative training to incoming investigators and supervisory investigators.
Continually analyses the processes used by investigators ensuring identification, receipt, and tracking of the case is maintained to appropriate standards.
The incumbent identifies resources required for the investigation, including detail assistance from other offices in VA.
Provides, as needed, presentations, briefings, case updates, and/or reports to the Executive Director of Investigations (SES) and Senior OAWP leadership.
Maintains lines of communication between field personnel and the Executive Director. The incumbent prepares written communication on behalf of the Executive Director in relation to operational procedures; maintains a training program, conduct of investigative procedures and techniques.
Incumbent also assists in the oversight of the overall integrity of the data input into OAWP's electronic official system of records and helps ensure that the entries are accurate and timely reported.
Oversees investigations and projects to ensure the exercise of tact, diplomacy, and utilization of extensive investigative experience.
Contributes to the attainment of mission, vision goals and objectives and to continuous improvement of the organizations processes through accomplishments of goals and objectives. The incumbent participates in assignments and efforts, including review of decisions, recommendations, internal policy, internal standard operating procedures, correspondence, and other work products which result in the production and delivery of work products and services to the organizations.
Advises/briefs the Executive Director and OAWP leadership on highly complex and sensitive investigations. Communicates changes to subordinate staff. Ensures division employees readily adapt to changes.
Coordinates cases with internal staff and administrations and external offices such as the Office of Medical Inspector, regional offices for the administrations and the Office of Inspector General.
Ensures that sufficient information exists to warrant opening the investigative file.
Demonstrates integrity, discretion, and commitment to quality, transparency, and due process.
Performs other duties as assigned.
Work Schedule: Required to work Monday through Friday with various tours available pending supervisory approval. May be subjected to change based on operational needs
Compressed/Flexible: May be authorized by supervisor
Remote: Yes
Position Description/PD#: 99022-0
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Financial Disclosure Report: Not required
Requirements
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
- You may be required to serve a probationary period
- 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.
Qualifications
To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 08/11/2025.
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-15 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-14. 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.
See the Required Document section below for more information regarding the SF-50s needed to verify time-in-grade.
You may 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-14) in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: managing teams of investigators in complex, large scale, and multijurisdictional investigations; developing general investigative strategies and tactics to resolve complex investigative issues; responsible for providing leadership and program management, planning, and assigning work; and negotiating and collaborating with internal and external stakeholders to ensure investigative processes align with best practices, legal requirements, and organizational goals; and utilizing data analytics and data-driven approaches to inform decision-making and enhance investigative strategies.
- The Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) and Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) provide eligible displaced Federal/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.
- A Well qualified candidate for the GS-15 Director of Investigations position within the Office of Accountability and Whistleblower Protection (OAWP) will bring extensive executive-level experience leading, managing, and overseeing complex administrative investigations in a large, regulated, and mission driven organization.
This role requires a leader who can balance OAWP's dual responsibilities: holding senior VA officials accountable and protecting whistleblowers.
The well qualified candidate's resume will demonstrate:
- Expertise in conducting and supervising quality, high-profile investigations, including of misconduct and/or retaliation with impartiality, timeliness, and supported by sufficient evidence. This must include at least ten (10) years of administrative, civil, and/or criminal investigative experience including at least five (5) years of supervisory investigative experience.
- Extensive experience (minimum five (5) years) presenting complex investigative findings clearly and credibly, both in writing and in oral briefings.
- Experience developing and enforcing investigative policies, SOPs, internal controls, and performance metrics.
- Proven leadership of investigative teams, fostering a culture of accountability and ethical conduct.
- Ability to coordinate with stakeholders such as an Office of Inspector General (OIG), Congressional staff, or other Federal oversight entities.
- Integrity, discretion, and demonstrated commitment to quality, transparency, and due process.
- Information about ICTAP and 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/.
You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position:
- Interpersonal Skills
- Performance Management
- Problem Solving
- Technical Competence
- Written Communication
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.
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.
Physical Requirements: Work is primarily sedentary, although some slight physical effort may be required. Travel may be required.
For more information on these qualification standards, please visit the United States Office of Personnel Management's website at
http://://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/.
Education
There is no educational substitution at this grade level.
Benefits
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Receiving Service Credit or Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. VA may offer newly-appointed Federal employee's credit for their job-related non-federal experience or active duty uniformed military service. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed.
Review our benefits
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
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.
Narrative responses are not required at this time. If you are referred for consideration, you may be asked to submit additional job related information, which may include, but not limited to; responses to the knowledge, skills and abilities; completion of a work sample, and/or contact for an interview. Your resume and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your rating or consideration for employment.
The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position.
Order of referral: Eligible applicants will be reviewed and referred in the following order:
- All current, permanent VA Employees in the VACO Office of Accountability and Whistleblower Protection
- All other current, permanent VA employees
- All other applicants (if status)
Required Documents
To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:
The following documents are accepted, and may be required if applicable to your eligibility and/or qualifications for this position. Please use this
checklist to 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)
- Other (1)
- PCS Orders
- Professional Certification
- Proof of Marriage Status
- Resume
- Separation Notice (RIF)
- SF-15
- SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action
IF APPLYING AS A CTAP/ICTAP ELIGIBLE:
You must submit the following documentation demonstrating eligibility for CTAP/ICTAP:
- Resume
- Agency Reduction in Force notice;
- Most recent SF-50 noting current position, grade level, and duty location
- Most recent performance appraisal (must be fully successful or above)
Note: Failure to submit
all documentation prior to the announcement closing will result in an
ineligible rating. We will not contact applicants for additional documentation.
SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action (if applicable for Time in Grade and/or Eligibility):
- Most recent SF-50 (Current Federal Employees must provide an SF-50 dated 1-12-2025 or later; Current Federal Wage System (WG/WL/WS) employees must provide one dated within one year of the closing date)
- ATTENTION: You may need to submit more than one SF-50 if we cannot verify that you meet time-in-grade by your most recent SF-50. For example, if your most recent SF-50 is a General Adjustment, we need your most recent SF-50 dated 1/14/24 and another SF-50 to verify time-in-grade. Examples of SF-50s for time-in-grade verification include your last within-grade increase or promotion to highest grade held. A promotion SF-50 shows when you started the grade level and a within-grade increase verifies that you were at that grade level for at least one year. Failure to provide your most recent SF-50 dated 1/12/2025 or later and other SF-50s to verify time-in-grade will result in you being disqualified. We cannot verify time-in-grade based on the grade and step you are currently on alone.
- Former federal employee applying under reinstatement eligibility must supply their latest SF-50 as well as any additional SF-50s needed to verify time-in-grade as stated in the above bullet.
- Award SF-50's do not provide sufficient information and will not be accepted for the purpose of verifying time-in-grade.
- Examples of appropriate SF-50s to include in addition to your most recent 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
http://www.fedshirevets.gov/job/vetpref/index.aspx.
How to Apply
All applicants are encouraged to apply online. To apply for this position, you must complete the questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on 08/11/2025 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12774512.
- To begin, click Apply Online to create a USA JOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USA JOBS resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the occupational questionnaire.
- Click Submit My Answers to submit your application package.
NOTE: It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation is submitted prior to the closing date.
To verify your application is complete, log into your USA JOBS account,
https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login, select the Application Status link and then select the more information link for this position. The Application page will display the status of your application, the documentation received and processed, and any correspondence the agency has sent related to this application. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process. To return to an incomplete application, log into your USA JOBS account and click Update Application in the vacancy announcement. You must re-select your resume and/or other documents from your USA JOBS account or your application will be incomplete.
If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement.
Next steps
Once your online application is submitted you will receive a confirmation notification by email. After we receive application packages (including all required documents) and the vacancy announcement closes, we will review applications to ensure qualification and eligibility requirements are met. After the review is complete, a referral certificate(s) is issued and applicants will be notified of their status by email. Referred applicants will be notified as such and may be contacted directly by the hiring office for an interview. All referred applicants receive a final notification once a selection decision has been made.
You may check the status of your application at any time by logging into your USA Jobs account and clicking on Applications. Information regarding your application status can be found in the USAJobs Help Center.