Clarification from the agency

All groups of qualified individuals.

• The incumbent works closely with external and internal stakeholders, including senior leaders in VA's Office of Inspector General and the U.S. Office of Special Counsel. The incumbent works closely with VA's Office of General Counsel to interpret the law and apply legal opinions to subordinate divisions. The incumbent also work closely with the Assistant Secretary, or designee, as he or she interacts with internal VA stakeholders, Congress, Veterans' Service Organizations, and public interest groups.
• The incumbent oversees and leads staff as they establish national-level policy and procedures to implement the Accountability Act. The incumbent works with the Assistant Secretary, or designee, to establish goals and metrics to ensure subordinate divisions are accountable. The incumbent advises on improvements needed to ensure consistent, competent and high-quality services and products are provided by OAWP.
• The incumbent drafts or reviews laws, regulations, executive orders, and related documents affecting OAWP investigatory and audit functions. The incumbent represents the Assistant Secretary, or designee, in extremely sensitive and sometimes contentious meetings with employees, media, and Congress by developing and presenting briefings and/or reports, etc.; ascertains operational considerations and outside influences having an impact on OAWP, as well as policy or directives issued from other VA entities; 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 incumbent will have recurring personal contact with the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, the Assistant Secretary for Accountability and Whistleblower Protection, and other high-level executive officials in VA, other federal agencies, Veteran Service Organizations and members of Congress.
• The incumbent reports directly to the Assistant Secretary for Accountability and Whistleblower Protection. The incumbent serves under the general direction and policy guidance established by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs and the Assistant Secretary for Accountability and Whistleblower Protection.

Conditions of employment

• US citizenship is required.
• One year probationary period required for initial SES appointment.
• Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective Service.
• Incumbents of this position will be subject to a background investigation commensurate with the risk and sensitivity level of the position.
• Successful completion of drug screening required.
• Public Financial Disclosure Report (SF-278) is required.
• May be subject to reassignment geographically or organizationally.

Qualifications

To meet the minimum qualifications, applicant must possess the following technical and executive core qualifications. These qualifications would typically be gained through progressively responsible management or executive level assignments such as director of a regional office, medical facility or program manager. An individual's total experience, education and volunteer work experience must demonstrate the ability to perform the duties of the position.

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; religious; 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.

MANDATORY EXECUTIVE CORE QUALIFICATIONS (ECQs): All applicants must submit a written narrative response to the following ECQs. Your narrative must address each ECQ separately. Additional information on ECQs is available at: http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/senior-executive-service/executive-core-qualifications/. Applicants are encouraged to follow the Challenge, Context, Action and Results model outlined in the guide. It is recommended that you draft your ECQs in a Word document and then upload into the system.

1. Leading Change: The ability to bring about strategic change, both within and outside the organization, to meet organizational goals. Inherent to this ECQ is the ability to establish an organizational vision and to implement it in a continuously changing environment.

2. Leading People: The ability to lead people toward meeting the organization's vision, mission, and goals. Inherent to this ECQ is the ability to provide an inclusive workplace that fosters the development of others, facilitates cooperation and teamwork, and supports constructive resolution of conflicts.

3. Results Driven: The ability to meet organizational goals and customer expectations. Inherent to this ECQ is the ability to make decisions that produce high-quality results by applying technical knowledge, analyzing problems, and calculating risks.

4. Business Acumen: The ability to manage human, financial and information resources strategically.

5. Building Coalitions: The ability to build coalitions internally and with other Federal agencies, state and local governments, nonprofit and private sector organizations, foreign governments, or international organizations to achieve common goals.

TECHNICAL QUALIFICATION (TQ)s: In addition, all applicants must submit a written narrative response to the following TQ(s). Please give examples and explain how often you used your skills, the complexity of the knowledge possessed, the level of people you interacted with, the sensitivity of the issues you handled managing a large public or private sector organization that administers complex, rules-based benefits or services, etc. It is recommended that you draft your TQ(s) in a word document and then upload into the system.

TQ1: Sensitized to and familiar with congressional and legislative activities bearing on employee relations, senior leader performance and misconduct, and whistleblower rights and protections and demonstrates an ability to accurately articulate, develop, and advise on anticipated, new, and current Policy as it relates to the organizations mission and requirements and represent the agency to internal and external stakeholders.

How you will be evaluated

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

Step 1: ECQ qualifications

Step 2: Technical Qualification(s)

Step 3: VA Executive Resources Board

Step 4: Nominating Organization may conduct interviews

Step 5: Approval by the Selecting Official (may include additional screening)

Step 6: OPM Qualifications Review Board certification