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Secretary (OA)

Department of Veterans Affairs
Veterans Health Administration
Veterans Health Administration Erie VAMC

Summary

Serves as secretary and primary point of contact for the Associate Director at the Erie VA Medical Center. Manages the AD Office, handling complex administrative tasks, prioritizing issues, ensuring communication flow, and maintaining compliance with policies. Also trains clerical and administrative staff under the Associate Director's oversight.

Overview

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Accepting applications
Posted yesterday · Apply by 06/01/26
Due by 11:59 p.m. ET on June 1, 2026
Location
Work site options
Telework eligible
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Remote job
No
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Salary
$50,460 - $65,599 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 7
Pay scale and grade determines the salary of the job.
Work schedule
Full-time
Travel Required
Not required
Appointment type
Permanent
Occupations and job series
Supervisory status
No
Federal service type
This job is in the Competitive Service
Represented by a union
No
Drug test
No
Security clearance
Other
Position sensitivity and risk
Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk
Jobs require a background check and some require a security clearance. The type depends on the job.
Background check type
Financial disclosure required
No
Some jobs require financial disclosure to identify conflicts of interests.
Announcement number
CBSZ-12969932-26-TG
Control number
870585000

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Duties

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  • Oversee daily administrative operations of the Associate Director (AD) Office; design and implement office processes.
  • Serve as primary information manager; prioritize actions, develop plans, and monitor information flow.
  • Ensure office coverage, continuity, and decorum; coordinate schedules and leave for Executive Leadership Team.
  • Manage communication, coordination, and problem resolution across leadership offices.
  • Review and route action items, reports, and correspondence for accuracy and compliance with VA, VISN, and VACO protocols.
  • Maintain and manage the AD's calendar; act on behalf of the AD to avoid conflicts and secure representation when needed.
  • Plan and execute recurring and one-time meetings; coordinate logistics for in-person and virtual events.
  • Assign Acting AD during absences and establish communication channels.
  • Maintain and organize subject-matter files, electronic tracking systems, and report submissions for all AD-aligned services.
  • Provide administrative support to Executive Leadership Team, ensuring timely and accurate communication.
  • Manage sensitive information; maintain confidential files and handle sensitive inquiries professionally.
  • Screen and triage calls and visitors; resolve or assist in resolving complaints from Veterans, families, or congressional offices.
  • Coordinate internal and external visitor events; review and distribute incoming mail with appropriate routing and background prep.
  • Respond to routine information requests and determine authorized release of information.
  • Track suspense items and coordinate responses to VISN requests; summarize information as needed.
  • Ensure proper correspondence procedures; train clerical staff on formats and documentation standards.
  • Prepare documents, memos, and responses with minimal review; ensure grammar, formatting, and accuracy.
  • Prepare agendas and minutes for facility-wide administrative councils and committees.
  • Support governance structures to promote organizational transparency and communication.
  • Coordinate AD travel and ensure required materials are prepared.
  • Use Microsoft Office to produce reports, forms, and nonstandard documents; update forms to improve processes.
  • Maintain awareness of VISN/VACO protocols; recommend priority decisions for administrative tasks.
  • Oversee publication and renewal of policies and SOPs under the AD Office.
  • Assist with hiring actions and onboarding; coordinate follow-up with HR and OIT.
  • Maintain strict confidentiality and safeguard sensitive electronic files.
  • Serve as Records Control Liaison; ensure proper maintenance and disposal of records.
  • Manage administrative service records; monitor directives and disseminate policy changes.
  • Maintain expertise with databases (EGAR, Menu Requests, PIV, HRSMART, Work Orders); enter requests and support other leadership offices.
  • Serve as Control Point Clerk for supply and service requests.
  • Act as Talent Management System Coordinator; track staff training compliance.
  • Manage Time and Attendance for AD's direct reports; ensure accuracy and resolve exceptions; serve as backup timekeeper.
  • Maintain office supply inventories and perform other assigned duties.

Work Schedule: 7:30a.m.- 4:00p.m / 8:00a.m -4:30p.m Monday to Friday
Telework: This position may be authorized for ad hoc telework. Telework eligibility will be discussed during the interview process.
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Position Description/PD#: Secretary (OA)/PD562-066210

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job
  • To be considered for this position, you must complete all required steps in the process. In addition to the application and questionnaire, this position requires an online assessment. The online assessment measures critical general competencies required to perform the job.
  • Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
  • Physical Requirements: The work required does not inherently include any physical requirements essential for successful job performance that could not otherwise be performed with accommodation or workplace adjustment. A pre-placement physical examination is not required.
  • 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.
  • 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, may 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

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 06/01/2026.

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-07position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-06. 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 and/or education as described below:

  • Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-06 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: Administrative concepts, principles and practices such as preparing memorandums, reports, spreadsheets and other documents and forms of correspondence; Skill in operating a personal computer. ,using databases, word processing, spreadsheets, and other applications (i.e. Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Access, Outlook, Publishing, etc.) Screens calls and visitors as necessary and independently handles any matters, including concerns and requests.
  • NOTE: Experience must be fully documented on your resume and must include job title, GS level (if a federal position), duties, month & year starting and ending dates AND hours worked per week.
  • Proficiency Requirements: Applicants must be able to type 40 words per minute. Applicants may meet this requirement by passing the appropriate performance test, presenting a certificate or proficiency from a school or other organization, or by self-certifying their proficiency..
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/.

Education

There is no educational substitution at this grade level.

Additional information

Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.

Reasonable Accommodation (RA) Requests: If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be granted the opportunity to request a RA in your online application. Requests for RA for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for RA must be received prior to starting the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. Decisions on requests for RA are made on a case-by-case basis. If you meet the minimum qualifications of the position, after notification of the adjudication of your request, you will receive an email invitation to complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, based on your adjudication decision. You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments if you received the link after the close of the announcement. To determine if you need a RA, please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments.

Receiving Service Credit for 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.

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

The Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) and Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) provide eligible displaced 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. To be well-qualified: applicants must possess experience that exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors, and who are proficient in most of the required competencies of the job. 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/.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

How you will be evaluated

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

Your qualifications will be evaluated based on your application materials (e.g., resume, supporting documents), your responses on the application questionnaire, and your responses to all assessments required for this position. You will be assessed on the following Competencies for this position:

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


Your experience must be fully documented on your resume and must include job title, duties, month and year start/end dates AND hours worked per week. 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. IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE WILL NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application materials or application questionnaire may result in your removal from consideration. Cheating on the online assessment may also result in your removal from consideration.

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.

During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions.

Special Employment Consideration: VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply, including those eligible for hiring under 5 CFR 213.3102(u), Schedule A, Appointment of persons with disabilities [i.e., intellectual disabilities, severe physical disabilities, or psychiatric disabilities], and/or Disabled veterans with a compensable service-connected disability of 30% or more. Contact the Agency Contact for information on how to apply under this appointment authority via the Selective Placement Coordinator.

Veterans Health Administration

OUR MISSION: To fulfill President Lincoln's promise "To care for those who have served in our nation's military and for their families, caregivers, and survivors" - by serving and honoring the men and women who are America's Veterans. How would you like to become a part of a team providing compassionate whole health care to Veterans?

As a professional at the US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), your opportunities are endless. With many openings in the multiple functions of VA, you have a wide range of opportunities and leadership positions at your fingertips. Not only is it the largest, most technologically advanced integrated health care system in the Nation, but we also provide many other services to veterans through the Benefits Administration and National Cemeteries.

The VA has adopted Core Values and Characteristics that apply universally across the Department. The five Core Values define "who we are," our culture, and how we care for Veterans, their families and other beneficiaries. The Values are Integrity, Commitment, Advocacy, Respect and Excellence ("I CARE").

America's Veterans need you!

Agency contact information

Tanisha Graves
Phone
(614) 747-4049
Email
Tanisha.Graves@va.gov
Address
Erie VA Medical Center
135 East 38th Street
Erie, PA 16504
US

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http://www.va.gov/jobs

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