Skip to main content
U.S. flag
 

Secretary (OA) - Dental Service

Department of Veterans Affairs
Veterans Health Administration
VA North Texas Health Care System (VANTHCS)

Summary

The Primary Purpose of the Position is: To serve as the principal office assistant to the Chief, Dental Service and members of Dental Service administrative team performing various administrative and clerical support duties; serve as the Automated Data Processing Application Coordinator (ADPAC) monitoring overall computer application operation and status, and providing local user support, training and general guidance.

AMERICA'S VETERANS NEED YOU!

Overview

Help
Accepting applications
This job will close when we have received 50 applications which may be sooner than the closing date. Learn more
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
Work site options
Telework eligible
No
Remote job
No
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Salary
$49,365 - $64,175 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 6
Promotion potential
None
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
Yes
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
CAZM-13027903-26-KLI
Control number
880200400

This job is open to

Help

Clarification from the agency

This announcement is open to current permanent VA Employees and Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) eligibles. First consideration will be given to North Texas VA employees then all other VA employees.

Videos

Duties

Help

Major duties include but are not limited to:

Prepares a wide variety of recurring and nonrecurring correspondence, reports, and other documents from information obtained from the staff, files, and other sources. Prepares and finalizes various recurring reports, determining and modifying format, content, and frequency requirements. Independently composes and prepares nontechnical correspondence such as requests for information concerning Dental Service mission and programs; office procedures; and letters of acknowledgment, commendation, or notification. Prepares and coordinates Dental Service memoranda and policy. Attends Dental Service staff meetings and other committee/workgroup meetings as required. Prepares and distributes agenda, takes notes and prepares minutes. Prepares performance evaluations and correspondence to the union. Anticipates need for information, gathers and summarizes information from files, and systematically prepares material so that it is immediately available for supervisor's needs. Proofreads/edits correspondence and documents for correct grammar, spelling, capitalization, punctuation, and format. Coordinates/forwards correspondence to appropriate office updating the tracking system and suspense files as required. Receives, reviews, and processes mail and correspondence for the Chief and the administrative team (includes, the Assistant Chief, Dental Service, Administrative Officer, Dental Residency Coordinator). Screens incoming mail to identify what needs to be brought to the attention of the Chief or other supervisors; referred to another Dental Service employee or site of care; rerouted to other Service(s)/offices for response or handles personally.

Maintains Supervisor's calendar and schedules appointments and meetings based on knowledge of workload and issues of importance and schedules meetings and/or conferences including those involving staff from outside Dental Service. Independently notes and follows up on commitments made at meeting and conferences by staff members. Schedules appointments and meeting without prior approval based on personal knowledge of the supervisor's commitments, priorities, workload and current issues of importance and coordinates with the supervisor as necessary.

Performs other clerical and administrative work in support of Dental Service. Develops, establishes, updates, and maintains office procedures and records/files of various types to ensure effective and efficient operation of the office. Serves as liaison between the supervisor and subordinate sections. Provides advice and guidance to staff on administrative, clerical, and procedural requirements and instructions. Updates tracker or suspense files. Independently makes travel arrangements for the Chief and using CGE (Concur), making reservations, and preparing travel order and vouchers based on the known preferences of the traveler and in accordance with appropriate travel regulations.

Serves as Dental Service Automated Data Processing Application Coordinator (ADPAC). Provides a variety of user support assistance such as training new staff on how to use the Dental software and equipment and troubleshoots when staff experience problems using and accessing the various VA and Dental Service automated systems (CPRS) and software. Troubleshoots and resolves problems staff encounter with software applications and/or equipment. Provides equipment support for the Service including conducting and maintaining the inventory, requesting repair and maintenance, and requesting new equipment system support for Dental systems. Conducts equipment inventory using handheld bar code label scanner or equipment, ensuring programs are updated as necessary, creating menus and reports, and troubleshooting problems; and creating and maintaining the VANTHCS, Dental Service web page. Training support includes developing and monitoring the Dental Service training plan; tracking employee training; and participating in the development and delivery of in-service training.

Responsible for coordination of all processes relating to the processing of incoming residents, fellows, students, and other trainees who will be rotating through the service. Works with Education Service and HRMS to ensure all requirements including privacy and security training, verification of background checks, etc. are met prior to entry into the respective training programs. Maintains records of attendance during rotations for various types of trainees during the academic year.

Work Schedule: Monday through Friday, 7:30am to 4:30pm
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Position Description/PD#: Secretary (OA) - Dental Service/PD035500
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: No Authorized
Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Available
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

Requirements

Help

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: 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, 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, 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, 08/20/2026.

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-06 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-05. 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.

Typing Proficiency: You must be able to type at least 40 words per minute. In addition to the Typing Proficiency, you must possess the Specialized Experience as described below:

Specialized Experience for GS-06: Do you possess one year of specialized experience, equivalent to at least the GS-5 level in the Federal service, that equipped me with the knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSA's) needed to successfully perform the duties of this position and that is typically in or related to the position being filled.

Specialized experience typically includes but are not limited to:

  • Coordinating day-to-day administrative, clerical, and user support duties as well as requisitions of office supplies and related materials and services.
  • Scheduling and managing a calendar of appointments.
  • Maintaining and posting time and attendance using automated and system.
  • Communicating effectively both orally and in writing.
  • Establishing suspense dates, monitors status tracking/suspense system.
  • Using various software to compose electronic correspondence, reports, and memoranda such as Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook.
  • Independently note and follow-up on commitments made at meetings and conferences.

You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position:
  • Analysis and Problem Solving
  • Attention to Detail
  • Clerical
  • Communication
  • Administration and Management
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.

Preferred Experience:
  • One year or more experience maintaining an appointment calendar and scheduling meetings; maintaining a suspense system for correspondences.
  • One year or more experience reviewing incoming mail and preparing responses for signature, editing correspondence for grammar and format, transcribing letters, memos and meeting minutes from dictated material and drafts.
  • One year or more experience with records management; maintaining filing systems and records.
  • One year or more experience in arranging travel, managing time and attendance records, coordinating and arranging meetings.
  • One year or more experience with ordering and maintaining offices supplies and administrative equipment.
  • One year or more experience greeting and screening visitors, handling multi-line telephone system.
  • High skill in computer software (wordprocessing, spreadsheets, managing databases).

Physical Requirements: The work is sedentary. May require some walking, standing, bending, climbing stairs, and carrying and/or lifting of light items such as 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/.

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?

VA North Texas Health Care System (VANTHCS) is the second busiest VA system in the nation and we are growing! Comprised of the Dallas VA Medical Center, Sam Rayburn Memorial Veterans Center in Bonham, Fort Worth Outpatient Clinic and Tyler VA Primary Care Clinic, VANTHCS is an integrated health care system with approximately 4,000 employees and over 1,600 volunteers and clinical trainees. VANTHCS also coordinates a Community Based Outpatient Clinic program throughout its 40-county primary service area to improve access to care for veterans throughout 38 North Texas and 2 in southern Oklahoma. Through these four distinctive facilities and relationships with other agencies, VANTHCS offers a continuum of health care services to a veteran population of approximately 500,000.Housed on an 84-acre campus, Dallas VA Medical Center is the corporate headquarters for VANTHCS and serves as the tertiary referral center. Through its partnership with The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas (UT Southwestern), it also has emerged as a major teaching and medical research center.

Agency contact information

Kimberly Ingram
Phone
469-970-0788
Email
Kimberly.Ingram2@va.gov
Address
Dallas VA Medical Center
4500 South Lancaster Road
Dallas, TX 75216
US

Visit our careers page

Learn more about what it's like to work at Veterans Health Administration, what the agency does, and about the types of careers this agency offers.

https://www.va.gov/jobs/

Your session is about to expire!

Your USAJOBS session will expire due to inactivity in 8 minutes. Any unsaved data will be lost if you allow the session to expire. Click the button below to continue your session.