This position serves as a Staff Assistant in the Director's Office of the Pittsburgh Regional Office (RO), Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA). The position requires the performance of a variety of program-related assignments. The incumbent reviews plan, analyzes and develops program requirements, establishes, and revises operating procedures, reviews operations, and provides technical assistance.

Duties

Serves as assistant to Director and provides administrative and technical support to office staff. Troubleshoots administrative operations, processes, and procedures to improve processes and resolve discrepancies in administrative operations. Analyzes and evaluates written material coming into Director's Office and places controls and distributes to appropriate elements. Establishes internal deadlines for completion of reports and projects and follows up with Division leadership on pending assignments. Researches and analyzes information to determine the status of significant issues, to assist the senior leadership and staff in the decision- making process. Regularly monitors pertinent timekeeping records to detect anomalies or deviations. Devises and oversees development of reporting systems. Serves as the Alternate Coordinator for the Regional Office programs. Formatting, editing, and distributing standard documents and correspondence; coordinating travel; tracking actions items. Schedules appointments, meetings, and conferences; managing the Director's calendar; and screening telephone calls and visitors to the Director's office.

Requirements

• You must be a U.S. citizen to apply for this job
• Selectees are subject to a background/suitability investigation
• Selective Service registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
• A probationary period may be required for employees and supervisors
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 09/29/2023. Time-in-Grade Requirements: Under competitive merit promotion procedures, any individual who is currently holding, or who has held within the previous 52 weeks, a General Schedule position under a non-temporary appointment in the competitive, must meet "time-in-grade" requirements (have served 52 weeks at the next lower grade of the grade for which you are applying). Time-In-Grade requirements also apply to current employees applying for a Veterans Employment Opportunities Act of 1998 (VEOA) appointment. NOTE: All current or former Federal employees must provide a copy of their SF-50 (you may need to submit more than one), "Notice of Personnel Action" that indicates proof of status and time-in-grade eligibility. The SF-50 must include your position, title, series, grade, step, tenure (1 or 2), and type of service (Competitive) Applicants must demonstrate that they meet the Minimum Qualification requirements as noted below. To qualify for GS-09: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience at least the next lower grade level (GS-7) in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Demonstrated experience providing administrative assistance and staff support. Examples of specialized experience include, but not limited to, (1) ensuring that priorities and deadlines are met on administrative programs and/or projects; (2) Establishing and monitoring deadlines; (3) Coordinating administrative and quasi-technical correspondence; and Handling and shifting priorities of a sensitive nature; OR A Master's or equivalent graduate degree, 2 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree, or LL.B. or J.D., if related fields of study. (You must provide transcripts); OR A combination of the required experience and education for this grade level. To qualify for GS-11: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience at least the next lower grade level (GS-09) in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. In addition to the experience required at the GS-9 level, the applicant must document experience applying knowledge of administrative concepts, principles and practices in the administrative support of a program office or service line; independently setting priorities, communicating in writing through preparation of written reports, policies, decision memos and/or briefing materials; communicating orally in presenting information to management. Identifying, analyzing and resolving problems without supervisory intervention using tact and diplomacy. OR Successfully completed aPh.D. or equivalent doctoral degree or 3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.M., if related. (Must submit transcripts.); or a combination of the required experience and education for this grade level. OR A combination of the required experience and education for this grade level. To calculate, first identify the percentage of required education you have earned (when substituting, you cannot use the first 60 semester hours that you earned). Then identify the percentage of required experience you possess. Add the two percentages. The total percentage must equal at least 100 percent to qualify at the GS-11. For example, an applicant who has 9 semester hours of graduate level education (i.e. 50% of graduate education required) and 6 months of creditable specialized experience (i.e. 50% of the required experience) would equal 100% of the required experience for the position A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education. Note: 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; religious; 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. For work in the federal service, include the grade level for the position(s). 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. For more information on these qualification standards, please visit the United States Office of Personnel Management's website at http://://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. 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.

Contacts

• Address Pittsburgh Regional Benefit Office 1000 Liberty Avenue Pittsburgh, PA 15222 US
• Name: Simone Riquelme
• Phone: 313 596-7200
• Email: [email protected]