Clarification from the agency

This announcement is open to current permanent competitive federal employees, veterans (e.g. VEOA, VRA, 30% disabled), Schedule A, Reinstatement, Military spouses.

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Major duties include, but are not limited to:

• Performs work involving the collection, compilation, and/or tracking of data and statistical information in support of the Fayetteville HCC's program operation.
• Assists in the planning, review and reporting of data/statistical results or program/project studies.
• Establishes protocols for incoming data, organizes computerized data sets, and retrieves computerized data to produce a variety of documents. For example, uses database or spreadsheet software to enter, revise, sort, calculate, retrieve, and perform a basic analysis of the data to generate standard and nonstandard reports.
• Performs work related to the acquisition and/or development of program information and resource materials needed to support the HCC Administrators.
• The incumbent receives patients, along with their families and friends , who visit the HCC Administrator's Office and is responsible for screening their concerns, answering questions, and assisting them to the greatest extent possible.
• During cross coverage, receives and screens visitors and telephone calls to the Executive Suite of the Fayetteville HCC on a continuous basis.
• Organizes meetings and conferences, including ensuring the provision of sufficient supplies of written materials, arranging for room setup and refreshments and corresponding with the various program coordinators.
• Receives and responds to requests for information from VA Medical Centers, VA Central Office, Congressional Offices, as well as requests from other government agencies.
• As assigned , maintains the time and attendance cards for the employees of the HCC Administrator's Office and the rest of the Executive Suite.
• Procures supplies, forms and equipment for the HCC Administrator's Office and monitors use.
• Uses word processing software and printing equipment to create, copy, edit, e.g., make insertions or deletions or move material from one place to another; store, retrieve and print a variety of standardized documents using a glossary of pre-recorded formats, form letters, standards, paragraphs and mailings lists.
• Transcribes various correspondence and reports from handwritten drafts or voice recording into proper format, with responsibility for correct spelling, grammar, capitalization, and punctuation from the HCC Administrator including some documents that require skill in performing editing functions to incorporate substantive changes made by originators.
• Composes general information correspondence and authors minutes from meetings.
• Arranges travel and accommodations for the HCC Administrators and takes appropriate action upon completion utilizing the travel software programs. Schedules and makes physical arrangements for appointments, meetings and conferences, keeping the HCC Administrators informed.

***This announcement will close when 50 applications are received, which may occur before the closing date. Applications will not be accepted once the limit is reached.***

Work Schedule: Full Time, Monday- Friday, 7:30am-4:00pm or 8:00am-4:30pm (based on service needs)
Telework: Not Authorized
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Position Description/PD#: Secretary (OA)/PD082090
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job
• All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA.
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
• 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 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 or 2-year trial 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 or trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 04/09/2026.

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-7 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-6. 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.

You may qualify based on your experience as described below:

GS -7 Grade Requirements:

• Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-6 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: prepare memoranda; maintain calendars; maintain suspense files; prepare agendas for meetings; take minutes; make travel arrangements; and timekeeping. Skill in interpersonal communication to inform customers/stakeholders and present recommendations; Working knowledge of electronic office applications (e.g. Windows Office) and equipment, and emerging electronic technologies for automating office functions; Understanding of grammar, spelling, punctuation, VA correspondence format and skill in proofreading; Skill in adapting policies and procedures to emergency situations.

Preferred Experience: Organizational and time management skills; strong customer service experience; proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite; experience with records management and timekeeping systems.

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

• Accountability
• Administration and Management
• Attention to Detail
• Computer Skills
• Customer Service
• Decision Making
• Flexibility
• Integrity/Honesty
• Interpersonal Skills
• Interpersonal Skills
• Knowledge Management
• Learning
• Reading Comprehension
• Reasoning
• Self-Management
• Stress Tolerance
• Teamwork

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: The work is sedentary. Typically, the employee may sit comfortably to do the work. However, there will be walking, standing, bending and carrying (delivery/pickup) of light items like papers or books. No special physical demands are required to perform the work.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.