Summary
This position is located in the Office of Operations, Office of Acquisition, Logistics, and Construction (OALC), Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). The Office of Operations is responsible for establishing acquisition policy; overseeing acquisition workforce management, strategy, and initiatives; managing executive correspondence and communications; and providing centralized administrative, operational, and human capital support functions across VA's acquisition enterprise.
Duties
The Deputy Chief of Staff (DCOS) serves as the principal advisor and alter ego to the Chief of Staff (COS) in directing, coordinating, and overseeing the full range of executive operations, strategic initiatives, and administrative management functions in support of the Executive Directors, Head of Contracting Activity (HCAs) and OALC senior leadership. The incumbent exercises a high degree of independent judgment in managing sensitive and high-visibility matters, resolving complex operational issues, and ensuring the effective functioning of the front office and the broader acquisition organization. Serve as the Deputy Chief of Staff and principal deputy to the Chief of Staff, a Senior Executive Service (SES) position. The incumbent shares in the direction and coordination of the Office of Operations and acts for the Chief of Staff within the scope of delegated authority. In the absence of the Chief of Staff, the incumbent assumes responsibility for front-office operations and exercises delegated decision-making authority on operational, administrative, and program matters. Serve as the principal deputy to the Chief of Staff, assuming full responsibility for front office operations in the Chief of Staff's absence, including decision-making authority on time-sensitive and sensitive matters. Plan, organize, and direct the daily operations of the Office of Operations, ensuring alignment with the priorities of the Executive Director and OALC leadership. Manage the flow of information, taskers, and decision papers to and from the Office of the Executive Director, ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and appropriate level of review. As the first-line supervisor of five (5) FTEs, the incumbent performs the full range of supervisory duties, including: Plan, assign, and review of the work of subordinate staff, setting priorities and deadlines consistent with front office and organizational needs. Evaluate staff performance, prepare and deliver annual and interim performance appraisals, and identify and address performance or conduct issues, up to and including recommending disciplinary or adverse actions when warranted. Approve leave, certify time and attendance, and manage staffing needs, including participating in the selection, hiring, and onboarding of new employees. Identify developmental and training needs of subordinate staff and provide or arrange for training to build staff capability, including cross-training to ensure continuity of front office operations. Lead or participate in the development of strategic plans, performance metrics, and organizational assessments for the acquisition enterprise. Analyze proposed legislation, regulations, and VA/OALC policy issuances to determine impact on acquisition workforce management, strategy, and operations, and provide recommendations to senior leadership. Coordinate the development and staffing of acquisition policy issuances, ensuring consistency with statutory and regulatory requirements (e.g., FAR, VAAR) and VA strategic goals. Manage special projects and initiatives assigned by the OALC Chief of Staff, often involving novel or precedent-setting issues with enterprise-wide impact. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00am - 4:30pm EST. Return to Office (RTO): RTO mandates are in affect and selectees will be required to report to in person work unless they have an approved exemption. Location: The selectee will be required to report on-site at 10300 Spotsylvania Ave, Suite 400, Fredericksburg, VA 22408. Telework: Available - Ad Hoc telework (situational telework) as determined by the agency policy. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Description/PD#: PD005490 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required 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 You may be required to serve a probationary period 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. As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you may be required to serve a one year probationary period or two 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 one year probationary period or two year trial period your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.
Education
There is no educational substitution at this grade level.
How you will be evaluated
IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE WILL NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. You will be evaluated based on how well you meet the qualifications listed in this vacancy announcement. 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 Administration and Management Customer Service Decisiveness Flexibility Interpersonal Skills Managing Human Resources Planning and Evaluating Problem Solving Resilience Strategic Thinking A resume which includes a list of all significant jobs held and duties performed, with dates specified in month and year, and indicates hours worked per week. If military or a civilian Federal employee, you must include your rank and/or grade. IMPORTANT NOTE: Only two (2) pages of your resume, starting at your work experience will be reviewed to determine your technical qualifications for this position based on the specialized experience. Additional information beyond your resume (e.g., cover letters, links to additional information) will not be reviewed. In describing your experience, please be clear and specific. We may not make assumptions regarding your experience. Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application materials may result in your removal from consideration. Narrative responses are not required at this time. If you are referred for consideration, you may be contacted for an interview. Your resume and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your rating or consideration for employment. The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position. Area of Consideration: Eligible applicants will be reviewed and referred in the following order: Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) During the application process, you will 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.