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Administrative Officer- Blind Rehab & Optometry Service

Department of Veterans Affairs
Veterans Health Administration
Battle Creek VA Medical Center

Summary

The Administrative Officer (AO) of Blind Rehabilitation and Optometry Service (BR/O Service) is responsible to the Chief, BR/O Service. The incumbent develops and directs all administrative functions of the BR/O Service at the Battle Creek VA Medical Center and the Wyoming VA Clinic.

Overview

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Accepting applications
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
Work site options
Telework eligible
No
Remote job
No
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Salary
$61,722 - $80,243 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 9
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
Not Required
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
CBSR-13078852-26-CP
Control number
887137200

This job is open to

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Clarification from the agency

Open to current, permanent Battle Creek VAMC/VA Clinic employees only. This includes: Career/Career Conditional or Excepted Service (i.e. Canteen, Hybrid, Title 38, etc. and meets interchange agreement requirements). This does not include temporary, term or temporary intermittent.

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Duties

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Major duties include, but are not limited to:

  • Apply analytical methods and detailed study procedures for ongoing assessment of BR/O Service performance metrics and care delivery.
  • Must exercise independent, creative judgment in accomplishing major duties; develop background and management options, available to deal with complex issues and problems; and ensure proposals submitted by staff of various diverse natures are complete and all implementation actions are accurately identified.
  • Taking initiative in program planning and development, managing all resources, and establishing and maintaining communication with all Services within the Medical Center.
  • Makes recommendations to the Chief on such matters as desirability of changes in the organizational structure and the specific changes to be made.
  • Monitors services provided, delivers presentations to facility leadership on service performance, prepares reports on consult requests and responses.
  • Responsible for tracking and developing performance measure monitors to assure quality in BR/O Service. Develops, plans, and implements process improvement measures as needed to maintain or improve patient satisfaction.
  • Responsible for program compliance with regulatory agency requirements. Monitors compliance and communicates regularly with quality assurance personnel.
  • Advises care line managers and employees on the interpretation and application of a variety of human resources procedures including staffing, performance standards, performance evaluations, competencies, and related areas. Serves as the Human Resources liaison ,monitoring service staffing movements and preparing and submitting requests for staffing actions to appropriate boards/committees and HR.
  • Ensures that performance ratings, utilizing the current employee performance system or process, are submitted in a timely manner in accordance with regulatory guidelines. Assures BR/O staff adhere to administrative deadlines and requirements. Clearly communicates all staff performance levels to Chief, BR/O Service regularly, and maintains confidentiality.
  • Monitors and analyzes workload and production of the care line clinicians. Works closely with Health Administration Service to ensure grid accuracy and timeliness of any creations and/or alterations.
  • Responsible for strategic planning, program development, and development of policies and SOPs with input from Chief, BR/O Service.
  • Responsible for meeting performance improvement measures by monitoring progress toward meeting performance measures and developing and initiating solutions for process improvement.
  • Prepares and presents briefings to upper-level management. Assesses and makes recommendations regarding available resources.
  • Maintains close working relationship with Program Mangers to maintain functional and efficient staffing levels and Veteran scheduling availability.
  • Assures Joint Commission, Office of Inspector General and other oversight/regulatory agency readiness.
  • Investigates and drafts responses to patient complaints.
  • Oversees and coordinates clinic setups, space issues, and equipment issues.
  • Rounds independently and with BR/O Chief. Follows up with any issues that arise. This involves working in collaboration with all levels of supervision and services at the Medical Center.
  • Responsible for strategic planning, program development, and development of policies and SOPs with input from Medical Center Program Managers.
  • Responsible for meeting performance improvement measures by monitoring progress toward meeting performance measures and developing and initiating solutions for process improvement.
  • Prepares and/or presents briefings to upper-level management.
  • Ensures compliance with VHA directives and local policies.

Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 0800-1600
Telework: Ad-hoc telework may be available at supervisory discretion.
Position Description/PD#: Administrative Officer- Blind Rehab & Optometry Service/PD918530

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, 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, 10/09/2026.

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-09 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-07. 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-07 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: knowledge of office management or program management that involves planning, staffing, directing, and/or budgeting; coordinating administrative support activities (i.e., approve meeting minutes and agendas, etc.); monitoring/tracking programs or processes; and assisting with resource management responsibilities (i.e., allocating space, time, equipment for daily use of staff, etc.). OR,
  • Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have successful completion of a master's degree or equivalent graduate degree, two (2) full years of graduate level education leading to such a degree, or LL.B. or J.D. in a related field that demonstrates the ability to perform the duties of this position. NOTE: This education must have been obtained at an accredited college or university. OR,
  • Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. Equivalent combinations of successfully completed graduate-level education (beyond the first year) and specialized experience, as described above, which meet the total experience requirements for this grade level. NOTE: The education portion must include graduate courses that demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of this position. This education must have been obtained in an accredited college or university.
Preferred experience: scheduling and/or administrative support experience.

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

A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.

Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.

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.

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/.

VA Healthcare System Serving Ohio, Indiana and Michigan (VISN 10) advocates for a Whole Health System of care in each of the Medical Centers. This is an approach to healthcare that empowers and equips people to take charge of their health and well-being and live their lives to the fullest. As an employee operating in a Whole Health System of care, you will operate in a model with three core elements, seeking to create a personalized health plan for each Veteran. This is done in the context of healing relationships and healing environments and a connection back to the Veteran's community. This aligns with the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Mission Statement to Honor America's Veterans by providing exceptional health care that improves their health and well-being.

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:

  • Attention to Detail
  • Decision Making
  • Flexibility
  • Integrity/Honesty
  • Interpersonal Skills
  • Learning
  • Reading Comprehension
  • Reasoning
  • Self-Management
  • 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.

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?

The Battle Creek VAMC is classified as a neuropsychiatric facility and is the hub of mental health care for VA Medical Centers in the lower peninsula of Michigan. Battle Creek VAMC provides state-of-the-art, evidence-based, recovery-oriented mental health care. The Medical Center also offers a wide variety of health care services, which includes both inpatient and outpatient care. We serve over 42,000 Veterans in 22 counties of the southwestern lower peninsula of Michigan. In addition to our main facility in Battle Creek, Michigan, we offer services at our four community-based outpatient clinics located in Muskegon, Lansing, Wyoming, and Benton Harbor.

Agency contact information

Carol Phillips
Phone
765-251-1129
Email
carol.phillips4@va.gov
Address
Battle Creek VA Medical Center
5500 Armstrong Road
Battle Creek, MI 49037
US

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