Summary
This position is a Health System Specialist (Executive Assistant to the HSA Executive Director) with each VHA VISN 1 Health Service Area. The incumbent serves as a principal advisor to the HSA Executive Director, coordinating networkwide initiatives, analyzing operations, and managing executive-level programs and special projects. The incumbent also advises leadership on organizational performance and improvements to healthcare delivery across facilities.
Duties
The Health System Specialist (Executive Assistant to the HSA Executive Director) serves as a principal advisor and action officer to the Health Service Area (HSA) Executive Director. The incumbent provides expert-level program management, operational analysis, and executive coordination across multiple VA medical centers and associated facilities throughout the Network. Major duties include, but are not limited to: Serves as a principal advisor to the HSA Executive Director on complex administrative, operational, and program management matters affecting healthcare delivery across the Network. Coordinates and manages networkwide initiatives, assignments, and operational priorities involving HSA leadership, VISN programs, VA medical centers, and other organizational stakeholders. Represents the HSA Executive Director at executive-level meetings, committees, and conferences, communicating leadership priorities and exercising delegated authority within established limits. Plans, develops, coordinates, and evaluates major administrative and operational programs involving healthcare management, strategic planning, resource management, and organizational performance. Conducts comprehensive management studies and organizational analyses to evaluate the effectiveness, efficiency, and productivity of programs and operations across multiple facilities. Collects and analyzes qualitative and quantitative data, identifies operational deficiencies, and develops recommendations to improve program effectiveness and healthcare delivery. Leads special projects and studies involving complex, sensitive, or high-visibility issues, including operational concerns, patient safety matters, and Congressional inquiries. Advises executive leadership on organizational changes, policy development, resource allocation, and corrective actions to address operational challenges. Coordinates with facility directors, senior executives, program officials, and external stakeholders to resolve conflicting priorities and implement networkwide initiatives. Develops and reviews executive correspondence, management reports, briefings, and other official communications to ensure accuracy, consistency, and alignment with leadership priorities. Establishes and maintains systems for tracking executive assignments, monitoring organizational performance, and ensuring timely completion of required actions. Develops and recommends administrative policies, procedures, and guidelines to improve operational efficiency, strengthen accountability, and support organizational goals. Supports executive management functions, including performance planning, appraisal timelines, governance processes, and coordination of administrative operations. Organizes and supports executive-level committees, boards, conferences, and workgroups, ensuring appropriate coordination, documentation, and follow-up on decisions and recommendations. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 8:00am - 4:00pm 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#: Health System Specialist - EA to HSA Director/PD00017VS Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Approved Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
Requirements
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.
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/.
How you will be evaluated
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 Customer Service Decision Making Flexibility Influencing/Negotiating Integrity/Honesty Interpersonal Skills Learning 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.