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Executive Secretary

Department of Veterans Affairs
Veterans Health Administration
Atlanta VA Medical Center

Summary

The primary responsibility is to perform as the principal office assistant to the Executive Deputy Director of the Joseph Maxwell Cleland Atlanta VA Medical Center (AVMC). The incumbent is the primary back-up to the Executive Secretary to the Director and assists the Executive Deputy Director in carrying out the mission of the Medical Center.

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
$65,271 - $84,857 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
25% or less - You may be expected to travel for this position.
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
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
CBTB-13106615-27-CW
Control number
891671600

This job is open to

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Clarification from the agency

**OPEN TO CURRENT PERMANENT EMPLOYEES OF THE FACILITY ONLY** A current SF-50 is required to confirm eligibility.

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Duties

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MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Administrative Assistance 30%
The incumbent maintains liaison and communicates with persons and groups from both within and outside the office, speaking for the Deputy Director on administrative issues. They provide support functions to applicable committees as assigned by the Executive Deputy Director. The Executive Secretary instructs and assists AVMC secretaries in the administrative and clerical offices on correct correspondence procedures. The incumbent screens incoming directives, being situationally aware of changes in policies and procedures. They notify appropriate staff officials of the need for information and/or recommendations, either prepare the responses or follow up on procedural materials to ensure a timely response. The Executive Secretary attends meetings and conferences with the Executive Deputy Director, when requested, taking notes on the proceedings. The incumbent makes all necessary arrangements for the Deputy Director's travel, arranges schedule of visits, makes transportation and hotel reservations, and notifies organizations and officials to be visited. They prepare travel advances as necessary and ensure the Deputy Director has the advance prior to travel. The Executive Secretary prepares the final package the day before the Executive Deputy Director begins travel with ticket, itinerary, etc., if necessary, with directions. They make travel and hotel arrangements and varied accommodations for dignitaries, VACO personnel and other VIP's as necessary to ensure that their travel and visit are pleasant.

Office Management 25%The incumbent receives, schedules, refers, and contacts members of the staff, agency, and persons outside the agency ranging from other government agencies to the general public. The individual responds to administrative problems brought to the supervisor's attention by members of the staff or management officials outside the organization or outside of the agency. They notify the appropriate subordinate management officials of the need for information or recommendation, and either prepare the response or follow up to ensure timely response by others. The Executive Secretary develops routine plans/schedules using standard references and existing information.

Word Processing 25%The incumbent exercises exclusive control over the Executive Deputy Director's appointments/calendar, with complete authority to commit time. They set up priorities, shifting rescheduling or refusing appointments or invitations by utilizing intimate knowledge of the Deputy Director's wishes and availability. When necessary, they decline invitations to meetings, etc., arranges for representation by a subordinate official when that is desirable. The Executive Secretary follows up to make sure that the situations are taken care of in a timely manner. The incumbent informs the Deputy Director after the matter is taken care of so that he/she is aware of the situation. The incumbent serves as a back-up to the Congressional Liaison Officer assisting with the timely closeout of congressional inquiries by reviewing the information and assigning the applicable service line within the Patient Advocate Tracking System for response.

Office Automation 20%The incumbent screens all visitors and telephone calls to the Deputy Director. They determine the nature of the call or business of the visitor. The individual uses their own judgement when answering most questions and completes most business involving established policy, provides information, refers to other members of the Health System Director's staff, or arranges for the Deputy Director to personally handle the matter if necessary. They route matters requiring action by other staff members and follows up to ensure timely completion. Of those requests requiring the Executive Deputy Director's personal attention, the individual suggests a course of action when possible.

The incumbent screens all calls to the Executive Deputy Director from the VISN, Central Office, Congressional staff, Veteran Service Organizations, other Federal/State/local agencies/organizations answering questions, or referring them to the Deputy Director or as appropriate other staff members. The Executive Secretary trains all Medical Center secretaries in correspondence preparation. They direct the establishment and maintenance of the file and publications system of the Director's office, assuring compliance with governing regulations. The incumbent serves as the timekeeper for front office staff.

Work Schedule: Monday through Friday, 8:00am - 4:30pm EST
Telework: Not Authorized
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Position Description/PD#: Executive Secretary/PD112110
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Approved
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

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.
  • 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)
  • SF-50 Requirement:
    • A current SF-50 (Notification of Personnel Action) is required to confirm your eligibility.
    • Check your SF-50 to ensure you meet eligibility before applying.
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, 11/09/2026.

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-9 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-8. 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.

Selective Placement Factor: Selective placement factors are qualifications that are required because a person cannot perform successfully in the position without such qualifications. A selective factor is considered part of the minimum requirements for a position, and applicants who do not meet it are ineligible for further consideration. The Selective Placement Factors for the Executive Secretary are as follows:

  • Applicants must possess specialized experience independently providing executive-level administrative support to senior leaders, including managing complex calendars, coordinating high-level meetings, preparing executive correspondence, and tracking executive actions and suspense items.
  • Applicants must demonstrate experience preparing, reviewing, and coordinating executive correspondence, briefing materials, reports, and official communications for organizational leadership.
  • Applicants must possess experience leading, coordinating, training, or providing technical guidance to administrative support staff while ensuring consistent administrative operations across multiple offices or executives.
  • Applicants must demonstrate experience independently coordinating complex schedules, executive meetings, conferences, and leadership events involving multiple stakeholders.
  • Applicants must possess experience managing executive action tracking systems, monitoring suspense dates, and ensuring timely completion of leadership assignments and requests for information.

You may qualify based on your experience as described below:
  • Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-8 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to:
    • Independently performing or delegating routine and non-routine work based on the commitments, goals, policies, priorities, and responsibilities of an Executive Leadership Team.
    • Researching and utilizing VA, VISN, and Medical Center-level policies, operations, and procedures to perform administrative and clerical functions.
    • Utilizing proper grammar, punctuation, and spelling in the creation and dissemination of official VA correspondence.
    • Reviewing and updating service level and facility level operating procedures and regulations related to administrative processes.
    • Advising and instructing other secretarial staff on administrative operations and regulations.
    • Operating office equipment to include (but not limited to) a computer and associated software programs, a multi-line telephone system, tele-video conferencing equipment, copy and facsimile machines, tape/digital recording devices, etc.
Quality Ranking Factors: Quality ranking factors are KSAs/competencies that could be expected to significantly enhance performance in a position, but unlike selective factors, are not essential for satisfactory performance. The Quality Ranking Factors for the Executive Secretary are as follows:
  • Experience providing administrative support to Senior Executive Service (SES), Medical Center Directors, Associate Directors, Assistant Directors, Chiefs of Staff, Executive Leadership Teams (ELT), or equivalent senior-level executives.
  • Experience drafting, reviewing, coordinating, and tracking executive correspondence, briefing packages, issue papers, presentations, reports, and responses for senior leadership.
  • Advanced proficiency using Microsoft Outlook, Teams, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, SharePoint, and other collaboration tools to support executive operations.
  • Experience managing executive office functions, including calendar management, travel coordination, timekeeping, procurement support, records management, and administrative workflow oversight.

Preferred Experience:
  • Demonstrated experience managing complex executive calendars, coordinating high-level meetings, and arranging travel for senior leaders.
  • Proven ability to prepare, review, and coordinate executive correspondence, briefing packages, reports, presentations, agendas, and meeting minutes.
  • Experience tracking action items, suspense dates, and leadership assignments while ensuring timely completion of deliverables.
  • Strong knowledge of executive correspondence processes, records management, and document control procedures.
  • Experience serving as a liaison between executive leadership, internal staff, external stakeholders, and partner organizations.
  • Ability to independently prioritize competing demands, resolve administrative issues, and make sound decisions with minimal supervision.
  • Experience leading or mentoring administrative professionals and coordinating administrative support activities across multiple offices or service lines.
  • Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, Microsoft Teams, SharePoint, Outlook, and other administrative management systems.
  • Experience with timekeeping, training coordination, procurement support, and office operations management.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to handle sensitive and confidential information with discretion and professionalism.
  • Demonstrated expertise in organizing executive meetings, conferences, and special events, including logistics coordination and follow-up actions.
  • Strong attention to detail, organizational skills, and a commitment to providing exceptional customer service and executive support.
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.

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.

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?

Agency contact information

Christen Watson
Email
Christen.Watson@va.gov
Address
Atlanta VA Medical Center
1670 Clairmont Road
Decatur, GA 30033
US

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