Duties

Summary

The incumbent is the Executive Management Officer (EMO) for the Veterans Benefits Administration's Medical Disability Examination Office (MDEO) and provides support to the Executive Director in the development and enhancement of operations and administrative functions within MDEO.

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Responsibilities

Major Duties:

Performs statistical analysis, comparatives studies and comprehensive reports to develop and recommend solutions to complex problems having national scope and applicability. Assesses programmatic requirements in support of strategic planning efforts including risk assessments and execution capability. Coordinates resolution of issues and ensures compliance with statutes, regulations and other guidelines. Provides oversight and direction to a technical and administrative staff and makes decisions on problems presented by other managers. Works with internal and external managers to resolve mutual problems or areas of concern.

Responsible for coordination of major staff actions and events, ensuring consistency with overall direction and guidance. Coordinates with VBA leadership and external partners for major, sensitive and cross functional issues.

Uses expert skill in creating, organizing, reviewing, and editing a variety of documents to ensure they are technically sound and grammatically correct, and are appropriate for the intended audience.

Regularly advising senior management officials on complex, sensitive, controversial and highly sensitive issues which may impact or shape the future direction of MDEO program.

Communicates with internal and external customers in a courteous, tactful and helpful manner. Interacts in a businesslike and courteous manner with others to facilitate the accomplishment of work. Demonstrates the ability to adjust to change, handle difference of opinion in a harmonious fashion, and follow instructions conscientiously.

Analyzes and evaluates situations requiring the Director's personal action, develops management options, and advises the Director of the potential consequences of each. Maintains a critical awareness of sensitive program developments and problems. Advises on the development of directives for MDEO's administrative operations. Ensures the efficient operation of the Office of the ED through proactive management and effective problem resolution. Plays a key role in addressing issues that cross organization lines and directly affect operations of Headquarters and field components.

Participates in risk management including developing, testing, monitoring, documentation and corrective action, when necessary, of effective internal controls for risk mitigation for administrative functions.

Provides technical and administrative supervision to a staff of administrative professionals and oversees the daily operation of the unit, ensures program priorities are being followed; develops performance standards; and evaluates work performance of subordinates.

Responsible for promoting improved utilization of management practices by suggesting changes in procedures, work methods, and similar matters, and performs other special or unique studies or project activities, as required.

Responsible for detailed staff coordination and operations to ensure the ED is continually prepared for all decisions, administrative matters, and sensitive items, throughout the program.

Serves as a key advisor in the decision-making process for MDEO services and guidance and participates in national meetings and working groups as necessary to ensure MDEO representation. Ensure policies and/or issues have been fully coordinated, vetted and staffed, and advises the ED on implications, key issues, to include affected relationships with interested groups, both internal and external, and recommends courses of action.

Reviews internal processes and procedures and provides recommendations for process improvements, as appropriate. Provides regular and comprehensive administrative and operational oversight and guidance in MDEO, ensuring compliance with VBA directives and its overarching mission.

The incumbent personally assists the Executive Director in special operational assignments often of a highly sensitive nature and must be knowledgeable of and understand the missions, functions, and operation of VA. The incumbent is an important member of the decision-making team in the Executive office. He/she provides input to and makes decisions that have strong impact on MDEO and VBA matters.

Work Schedule: 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Compressed/Flexible: May be available
Telework: May be available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Position Description/PD#:Supervisory Program Specialist (EMO)/PD39071
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Authorized
Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Travel Required

Occasional travel - You may be expected to travel for this position.

Supervisory status
Yes

Promotion Potential
None

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job
• 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

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 12/03/2020.

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. To support your claim of time in grade, you must submit your most recent appointment, promotion, or within grade increase SF-50 (not an award or general adjustment SF-50). Some applicants may have to submit more than one SF-50 to demonstrate their eligibility. See the required documents section for more information.

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. Specialized Experience is defined as experience that has equipped the applicant with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position(s), and that is typically IN OR RELATED TO the work of the position to be filled. The applicant must document knowledge of program management pertaining to planning, development and execution of worldwide program and be able to prepare various documents including program justifications.

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: Requires walking, standing, and visiting office and activities at various locations.

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.

Additional information

VA supports the use of telework as a way to help attract and retain talented individuals in public service, increase worker productivity, and better prepare the agency to operate during emergencies. This position may be authorized for telework. Telework eligibility will be discussed during the interview process.

Supervisory Probationary Period: This is a supervisory/managerial position. If appointed to this position, you must serve a one-year probationary period, unless you have already completed one as a supervisor or manager.

Relocation Expenses: Relocation expenses are authorized for this position. The Department of Veterans Affairs offers Permanent Change of Station (PCS) relocation services. Permanent Change of Station is the relocation of a household due to government convenience in connection with the transfer between duty stations or facilities. In consideration of the payment of expenses for travel and transportation, the selectee agrees to remain in federal service for twelve (12) months following the date of transfer. Failure to complete all conditions of the obligated service may result in repayment of travel/transportation expenses. For more information go to http://vaww.fscdirect.fsc.va.gov/pcs.asp.

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 (have a final rating of 85 or more) for this vacancy. Information about 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/ .

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.

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

This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.

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.

For more information on the "Who may apply" eligibility requirements, please refer to the OHRM Status Candidates and Other Candidate Definitions document.

If you are unable to apply online or need to fax a document you do not have in electronic form, view the following link for information regarding an Alternate Application .

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.

You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position:

• Ability to serve as a major advisor to the Executive Director on the development, coordination, administration, and evaluation of policies and procedures, correspondence management, and administrative operations.
• Ability to advise the Executive Director on implications and key issues, to include affected relationships with interested groups, both internal and external, and recommend courses of action.
• Regularly advising senior management officials on complex, sensitive, controversial and highly sensitive issues which may impact or shape the future direction of MDE program.
• Gathers background material and develops speeches/testimony and other documents on a wide range of MDEO subjects for the ED's presentation to service organizations, congressional staff, and other stakeholders. Also, prepares and/or coordinates responses to inquiries from Congressional members, VSO's, and other stakeholders.
• Responsible for detailed staff coordination and operations to ensure the ED is continually prepared for all decisions, administrative matters, and sensitive items, throughout the program.

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.

Background checks and security clearance

Security clearance
Not Required

Drug test required
No

Position sensitivity and risk
Critical-Sensitive (CS)/High Risk

Trust determination process
Suitability/Fitness

Required Documents

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

• A copy of your most recent annual performance appraisal (2019) and associated performance standards; (Note: Applicants unable to provide the most recent performance appraisal MUST provide a written justification for its absence.)
• 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 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
• A copy of your most recent annual performance appraisal (2019) and associated performance standards; (Note: Applicants unable to provide the most recent performance appraisal MUST provide a written justification for its absence.)
• Resume
• Separation Notice (RIF)
• SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action

If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:

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 .

Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.