Staff Assistant
What you'd do
The Staff Assistant serves as the primary office administrator to the Director (SES) and two Assistant Directors (GS-15) of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (USDVA) Muskogee Regional Office (RO).
Major duties
The Staff Assistant provides the full range of high-level administrative and executive support to the Director/Assistant Directors in their responsibilities for Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) operations, personnel management, and budget administration. The incumbent establishes and maintains effective working relationships with operating elements within the RO, and other external organizations such as VA Central Office, the District Office, and Veterans Service Organizations. Specific duties include: Serves as the primary office manager to the Office of the Director and provides administrative assistance/support to the staff. Accountable for the suspense and control action of all approved recurring reports and other scheduled reports such as briefing reports and various special reports to VACO. Maintains follow-ups with staff members to ensure timely conclusion where it is observed that procedural notices or instruction to the staff are required. Establishes and/or maintains the office statistical reporting and records systems. Analyzes the information contained in the data and writes reports/recommendations including significant trends or changes that have occurred. Receives all correspondence for the Director and Assistant Directors. Replies to mail not requiring the Directors and Assistant Directors attention, routes matters requiring action by management heads, and follows up to ensure that actions are completed. Screens all correspondence prepared for the Director and Assistant Directors signature for clarity, completeness of reply, and grammatical and procedural correctness. Returns inadequate submissions for re-work. In the absence of the Director and Assistant Directors, maintains a file of correspondence and events of which they should know, and upon their return, brings such matters to their attention. Exercises exclusive control over the Director's and Assistant Director's appointments, with complete authority for commitments of time. Screens all calls and visitors, answering most questions and completing most business involving established policies or routine matters without referring clients or employees to the Director and Assistant Directors. Is regularly involved in high-level contacts with visitors and callers from such organizations as congressional offices, state, and local officials, high-ranking officials in the field, public action groups, and attorneys. Arranges for meeting spaces, speakers, and support arrangements for large conferences. This includes the performance of such activities as writing letters to the speakers and participants, arranging hotel accommodations, transportation to and from the meeting site, social arrangements, and clerical support. Controls and coordinates a calendar of conferences, seminars, and other events. The incumbent must have knowledge of Federal Travel Regulations and procedures, which includes making travel and lodging arrangements. Maintains timekeeping functions and keeps completion of time and attendance records. Performs other duties as assigned. Promotion Potential: The selectee may be promoted to the full performance level without further competition when all regulatory, qualification, and performance requirements are met. Selection at a lower grade level does not guarantee promotion to the full performance level. The grade progression for this position is GS-07 to the GS-09. Work Schedule: Full Time, Monday through Friday, Duty Hours To Be Determined between 6:00 AM and 6:00 PM. Compressed/Flexible: Not Available Telework: Yes - This position is eligible for situational (ad hoc) telework only. The selectee is required to report to the official duty station each scheduled workday. Telework may be approved only on a case-by-case basis with supervisory approval. Routine or recurring telework is not authorized for this position. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Description/PD#: Staff Assistant; PD401810 and PD401800 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not Required
What you need to qualify
To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement:07/20/2026. 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. For a GS-07 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-05 level. For a GS-09 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-07 level. 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. MINIMUM QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENT: You may qualify based on your experience and/or education as described below: GS-07 Grade Level: Specialized Experience: To qualify, applicants must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade (GS-05) in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Specialized experience is defined as ensuring that priorities and deadlines are met on administrative programs and/or projects; establishing and monitoring deadlines; coordinating administrative and technical correspondence and handling shifting priorities of a sensitive nature. Education Substitution: 1 full year of graduate level education OR superior academic achievement. GS-09 Grade Level: Specialized Experience: To qualify, applicants 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. Specialized experience is defined as demonstrating 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. Education Substitution: Master's or equivalent graduate degree OR 2 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree OR LL.B. or J.D., if related. Combining Education & Experience: If you do not fully meet the length of experience and education described for a specific grade level (e.g. have six months of experience and some coursework but not a degree), the two can be combined to total 100% of the requirement. Click here for more information. Volunteer Experience: 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. Full vs. Part-Time Employment: Full-time employment is considered to be at least 35 hours per week. Part-time experience will be credited on a pro-rated basis; when including part-time employment in your resume you must specify the average hours worked per week. Physical Requirements: The work is sedentary. It occasionally requires filing of materials, carrying light objects such as files, books, and papers. No special physical qualifications are required. 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/.
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