Why This Secretary (Oa) Job Matters
Join the <strong class="text-gray-900">Veterans Health Administration</strong> and make an impact.
Secretary (Oa) Job Overview
To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 09/10/2026. 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-08 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. Required specialized experience is as follows: GS-08 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: Assembles, summarizes, and tabulates data and statistics from multiple sources, ensuring their accuracy before submission. Processing and editing incoming and outgoing correspondence, reports, and memoranda; reviewing documents for grammatical errors. Compiles and summarizes statistics and material from files or other sources as required for reports or presentations. Coordinates and prepares Deputy Chief of Staff's evaluations and performance appraisals Maintaining files of correspondence and events Preferred Experience: The ideal candidate should have extensive experience providing high-level administrative and secretarial support in a complex and fast-paced healthcare, academic, or similar organization. Experience must include managing executive schedules and calendars, coordinating meetings, handling sensitive correspondence, compiling and preparing reports, and maintaining office files and records. The candidate must demonstrate proficiency in independently prioritizing and completing multiple tasks with strict deadlines and minimal supervision. Familiarity with general office procedures, correspondence rules (including grammar, spelling, punctuation), and use of office automation/computer systems is required. Experience interacting effectively with senior officials, a wide range of internal and external contacts, and the public is essential. The candidate should have a track record of exercising sound judgment and maintaining confidentiality, as well as skill in handling a variety of complex or non-routine administrative issues. Prior experience coordinating administrative procedures involving multiple offices and personnel, and supporting executive staff or committees is highly desirable. Knowledge of VA and/or large healthcare system administrative policies and programs is preferred. 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/.