Secretary

Veterans Health Administration • Charleston, SC

2d • Onsite

About The Position

The Secretary is assigned to the Research Service at the Ralph H. Johnson VA Health Care System, which supports the Department of Veterans Affairs’ research mission. Research Service facilitates and supports research activities intended to advance scientific knowledge and improve the health and care of Veterans. The Secretary reports to the Administrative Officer (AO) and provides administrative support to Research Service, including committee coordination, records management, budget documentation, purchasing, purchase-card reconciliation, timekeeping, and correspondence review.

The position’s regular schedule is Monday through Friday, either 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. or 7:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Compressed or flexible scheduling and telework are not available. Virtual work may be authorized only for current VA employees already subject to the return-to-in-person-work mandate in their current position, and is defined as working at a VA-owned or leased space outside the original hiring duty station. Return-to-office mandates apply, and selectees must report in person unless an exception or exemption is approved.

This is a GS-07 position. Applicants must meet the stated qualification requirements by the announcement’s closing date of November 9, 2026. The position requires one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least GS-06; education cannot substitute for experience at this grade. The work is mostly sedentary, with some walking, bending, and lifting light items such as papers or books; no special physical demands are required. The position includes a one-year probationary period or two-year trial period, as applicable.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship is required.
• Complete the application, questionnaire, and required online assessment.
• For current Federal employees and certain former Federal employees, meet the applicable time-in-grade requirement; for GS-07, this is 52 weeks at GS-06, with supporting SF-50 documentation.
• Have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least GS-06, including experience with business-function planning and coordination, resource allocation and production; budget administration and analysis; and administrative skills such as filing, typing, data entry, records maintenance, shorthand, and use and completion of forms.
• There is no educational substitution for experience at this grade level.
• Meet applicable Selective Service registration requirements for males born after December 31, 1959.
• Be subject to a background/security investigation and complete the online onboarding process and required pre-employment identification checks.
• Participate in the VA seasonal influenza vaccination program.
• Serve a one-year probationary period or two-year trial period, as applicable.

Responsibilities

• Prepare agendas, invitations, and meeting minutes for Research Service committees.
• Maintain Research Service records in accordance with established records management requirements.
• Prepare budget documentation to support the administration and execution of Research Service funds.
• Use the Government Purchase Card to acquire authorized supplies and services supporting Research Service operations.
• Reconcile Government Purchase Card transactions in IFCAP within established time frames.
• Serve as the principal timekeeper for employee time and attendance.
• Review incoming correspondence and determine appropriate administrative action in accordance with established policies and procedures.

Benefits

• Federal employees receive access to a comprehensive benefits package for themselves and their families. Specific eligibility depends on position type; applicants are directed to contact the hiring agency for details.
• Newly appointed Federal employees may request credit for job-related non-federal experience or active-duty uniformed military service when determining annual leave accrual; approval is required before appointment and is not guaranteed.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed