Executive Director Investigations
What you'd do
The Office of Accountability and Whistleblower Protection (OAWP), statutorily established by the VA Accountability and Whistleblower Protection Act of 2017, is led by a Presidentially-appointed, Senate-confirmed, Assistant Secretary for Accountability and Whistleblower Protection. OAWP's mission is to serve Veterans, employees, and other stakeholders by protecting whistleblowers and fostering individual and organizational accountability across the VA.
Major duties
As the Executive Director, Investigations (EDI), the incumbent reports directly to the Deputy Assistant Secretary and is responsible for, among other things, the following: The EDI leads and has overall responsibility and accountability for the performance of OAWP's Investigations Directorate, including the Intake and Referral Division, the Investigations Division, and the Investigative Attorney Division. The EDI advises on and implements improvements needed to ensure that consistent, efficient, and high-quality services and work product are provided by the Investigations Directorate. The EDI oversees and leads staff as they establish national-level policy and procedures and implement relevant portions of the VA Accountability and Whistleblower Protection Act, including intake of whistleblower disclosures; investigating allegations against VA's senior leaders regarding misconduct, retaliation; writing reports of investigation and making disciplinary and non-disciplinary recommendations. The EDI works with the Assistant Secretary and Deputy Assistant Secretary to establish and enforce goals and metrics to ensure subordinate Divisions are held accountable for proper and timely execution of statutory functions. The EDI uses data analytics, Artificial Intelligence, and other management and leadership tools to ensure that OAWP intake and investigative (including attorney/legal) processes and procedures are followed; that investigations are conducted fairly, thoroughly, efficiently, and within expected timelines; and that Division Directors and subordinate supervisors are taking appropriate steps to ensure production of high quality work product, within established timelines and in compliance with all applicable policies and procedures. The EDI resolves investigative disagreements between Divisions, including on appropriate investigative scope or steps and applicability of relevant legal standards or criteria. The EDI serves as OAWP's point of contact on investigations for leaders and managers across all of VA, and will be expected to provide briefings to members of Congress and their staff may testify before Congressional committees or subcommittees. The EDI reviews laws, regulations, Executive Orders, and related documents affecting OAWP investigatory functions. The EDI builds and maintains effective business relationships, processes, and procedures to effectuate OAWP's mission and works strategically within VA to move initiatives forward and to address challenges. The EDI works with VA's Office of General Counsel to interpret the law related to OAWP's investigations and apply legal opinions to subordinate Divisions, as appropriate.
What you need to qualify
To meet the minimum qualification requirements for this position, you must show that you possess the Executive Core Qualifications (ECQ) and Technical Qualifications (TQ) related to this position within your resume - NOT TO EXCEED 2 PAGES. Resumes over the 2-page limit, will not be reviewed beyond page 2 or may be disqualified. Your resume should include examples of experience, education, and accomplishments applicable to the qualification(s). If your resume does not reflect demonstrated evidence of these qualifications, you may not receive consideration for the position. There is NO requirement to prepare a narrative statement specifically addressing the Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs) or the Technical Qualifications (TQs). TECHNICAL QUALIFICATIONS (TQs): Your resume should demonstrate accomplishments that would satisfy the technical qualifications. TQ1: Demonstrated knowledge of and experience interpreting and applying Federal laws, rules, regulations, and court decisions involving senior leader misconduct, retaliation, and poor performance; whistleblower retaliation; and/or whistleblower rights and protections, within the Federal system. TQ2: Demonstrated experience in supervising, managing, planning, and conducting complex administrative or similar investigations that involve violations of Federal law, rule, regulation, and/or policy and result in timely and high quality, factually and legally sound findings and reports of investigation that are relied upon to take further action. Experience should include supervising, managing, planning, and conducting such investigations under CIGIE or other professional guidelines and within applicable timelines EXECUTIVE CORE QUALIFICATIONS (ECQs): In addition to the Technical Qualification Requirements listed above, all new entrants into the Senior Executive Service (SES) under a career appointment will be assessed for executive competency against the following five mandatory ECQs. If your 2-page resume does not reflect demonstrated evidence of the ECQs and TQs, you may not receive further consideration for the position. There are five ECQs: ECQ 1: Commitment to the Rule of Law and the Principles of the American Founding - This core qualification requires a demonstrated knowledge of the American system of government, commitment to uphold the Constitution and the rule of law, and commitment to serve the American people. ECQ 2: Driving Efficiency - This core qualification involves the demonstrated ability to strategically and efficiently manage resources, budget effectively, cut wasteful spending, and pursue efficiency through process and technological upgrades. ECQ 3: Merit and Competence - This core qualification involves the demonstrated knowledge, ability and technical competence to effectively and reliably produce work that is of exceptional quality. ECQ 4: Leading People - This core qualification involves the demonstrated ability to lead and inspire a group toward meeting the organization's vision, mission, and goals, and to drive a high-performance, high-accountability culture. This includes, when necessary, the ability to lead people through change and to hold individuals accountable. ECQ 5: Achieving Results - This core qualification involves the demonstrated ability to achieve both individual and organizational results, and to align results to stated goals from superiors. Note: If you are a member of the SES or have been certified through successful participation in an OPM approved SES Candidate Development Program (SESCDP), or have SES reinstatement eligibility, you should attach proof (e.g., SF-50, Certification by OPM's SES Qualifications Review Board (QRB)) of your eligibility for noncompetitive appointment to the SES.
Before you apply
Federal applications are different: your resume should be 3–5 pages and mirror the language of this announcement. Read our federal resume guide first — it's the #1 reason qualified people get screened out.
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