About this role
Job SummaryThis Secretary (Office Automation) position serves in the Chief of Staff (COS) Office serving as the initial point of contact for all business relating to the Chief of Staff within the Jonathan M. Wainwright Memorial, Department of Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration, Walla Walla, WA. NOTE: This announcement has been extended to close on August 4, 2026. Applicants who previously applied do not need to re-apply.
QualificationsTo qualify for this position, you must meet the following criteria: TYPING PROFICIENCY: This position requires the skills of a qualified typist. In addition to meeting the experience requirements below, you must be able to type at least 40 words per minute. ~AND~ SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: GS-7: Applicants must have one (1) full year of specialized experience that equips you with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position. To be creditable for the GS-07 the experience must have been equivalent to the GS-06 in Federal service. Specialized experience includes: providing clerical and administrative support related duties, screening telephone calls and visitors, scheduling appointments, reviewing, preparing incoming and outgoing correspondence, generating various reports, preparing travel paperwork, agendas, meetings, using computer-based programs essential to coordinate all aspects of the position such as Word, Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Adobe Acrobat. Physical Demands: The work is sedentary. There may be some walking, standing, bending, carrying light objects, etc. However, no special physical qualifications are required to perform the work. For more information on these qualification standards, please visit the United States Office of Personnel Management's website at https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/.
Major Duties***THIS IS NOT A VIRTUAL POSITION, YOU MUST LIVE WITHIN OR BE WILLING TO RELOCATE WITHIN A COMMUTABLE DISTANCE OF THE DUTY LOCATION*** Major duties and responsibilities include: Acts as a back-up to the other three Executive Secretaries for the Director, Associate. Screens telephone calls and visitors; handling, referring on, or forwarding to the COS as appropriate. Schedules appointments and makes commitments for the COS to attend meetings, and conferences. Handles many requests for information and interpretation of nontechnical policies and procedures. Reschedules appointments as necessary when conflicts arise. Maintains the highest degree of professionalism, remain polite, courteous, and punctual for all duties as assigned. Demonstrates a high degree of integrity, initiative, and willingness to offer help to all staff associated with the office of the Chief of Staff. Researches, assembles, and summarizes information as required from files and documents as requested by the Chief of Staff or in anticipation of their needs. Follows up on commitments, assignments, projects, and work assigned in a timely manner. Transcribes meeting minutes, ensuring appropriate distribution of minutes once approved. Reviews incoming correspondence for the Chief of Staff, determining proper action, and prepares answers for the COS signature. Acts as the timekeeper for the Chief of Staff office to include service chiefs and is the alternate timekeeper for Medical Center Director and Associate Director for operations and the Associate Director for Patient Care Services as needed. Maintains Chief of Staff leave calendar, so he is aware of provider absences/shortages. Performs other related duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Full Time, Monday- Friday - 7:30am - 4:00pm Recruitment & Relocation Incentives: Not authorized Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not approvedRequirementsYou 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 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) - See "Required Documents" below for details. As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary 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, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.