Executive Director Optometry

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 145,000 - 295,000; Full time

Job summary

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs seeks an Executive Director for Optometry to provide national leadership for programs, policies, and initiatives across VHA.

Lead high-quality, accessible eye care for Veterans nationwide and collaborate with Ophthalmology and the Department of Defense to ensure consistent care. The role requires a Doctor of Optometry, state licensure, residency or equivalent clinical experience, and executive core qualifications.

Qualifications

• U.S. citizen required.
• OD degree from an approved school/college.
• Licensure to practice optometry in the U.S.
• Residency training or equivalent clinical experience.
• Board certification by ABCMO or ABO preferred.
• Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs) required.

Responsibilities

• Not a virtual position; in-person leadership of VA Optometry programs nationwide.
• Serve as senior advisor to Chief Officer and plan long-term goals for Eye Care services.
• Collaborate with Ophthalmology and DOD to ensure consistent eye care delivery to veterans.
• Develop short- and long-term objectives and manage program budgets and resources.

Skills

Executive leadership

National program leadership

Policy development

Clinical optometry leadership

Education

Doctor of Optometry (OD)

Residency training or equivalent

Job description

Summary

Are you ready to shape the future of Optometry care for our Nation's Veterans? The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) is seeking an exceptional leader to serve as the Executive Director for Optometry - providing national leadership for programs - policies - and initiatives across VHA. Join us in advancing high-quality - accessible - and innovative eye care for Veterans nationwide.

Qualifications

To qualify for this position - applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement - 09/30/2026. REFERENCES: VA Regulations - specifically VA Handbook 5005 - Part II - Appendix G-5 Optometrist Qualification Standard 0662 - effective December 19 - 2025. Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019 - Employee Occupational Health Service for requirements. In order to qualify for this position - you must meet the following:

Basic Requirements

• FOR Executive Director Optometry U.S. Citizen Education
• Degree of doctor of optometry resulting from a course of education in optometry
• The degree must have been obtained from one of the schools or colleges approved by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs for the year in which the course of study was completed
• Approved schools are the United States and Canadian schools or colleges of optometry listed as accredited by the Accreditation Council on Optometric Education (ACOE) - in the list published for the year in which the course of study was completed
• Licensure and Registration
• Optometrists must possess a current - full and unrestricted license to practice optometry - and maintain a current registration in a state - territory - or Commonwealth of the United States - or in the District of Columbia that requires successful passage of all parts of National Board of Examiners in Optometry intended for basic licensure
• The Optometrist must maintain current registration in the state of licensure if this is a requirement for continuing active - current licensure
• Residency Training
• Optometrist must have successfully completed residency training - approved by the Secretary of VA in an accredited post-graduate training program - or have comparable experience - as described below: Approved residencies are those with accredited or within pre-accredited status by the ACOE - in the list published for the year the residency was completed OR Two years of licensed clinical optometric practice in the United States consisting of active involvement in the management of medically complex patients
• Board Certification
• Attending Optometrists must be board certified by The American Board of Certification in Medical Optometry (ABCMO) or The American Board of Optometry (ABO)
• PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS: Possess truly outstanding professional clinical ability in optometry
• demonstrated by previous experience as a be capable of affording the facility Director and appropriate Chief of Service or higher at a complex facility
• proven experience in delivering the benefits of their professional experience and counsel
• and be capable of rendering such professional optometric services as may be required in maintaining the highest possible level of medical care in VA facilities
• Be capable - when applicable - to serve as the didactic representatives of optometric or other appropriate affiliated schools or colleges and to accept responsibility for - and direction of - the educational training of optometric residents or students (if present) in their specialty DEMONSTRATED LEADERSHIP EXPERIENCE: Applicants must possess extensive leadership experience in the health care arena sufficient to qualify for the equivalent of a senior executive equivalent position within the Federal service
• In addition - the incumbent is broadly acquainted with clinical treatment modalities - administrative and clinical support systems and is knowledgeable about multifaceted health care delivery systems
• Leadership experience at a national or regional level showing a broad scope of responsiblity
• In addition to basic requirements - executive core qualifications are required for this position
• Typically - these qualifications would be gained through education - experience and training which reflect progressive development and achievement in responsible management/executive level assignments in health care at a national or Network level - equivalent positions in a hospital/network/regional office or allied medical care facility - or executive positions in an academic institution
• An individual's total experience and education must demonstrate the ability to perform the duties of the position
• To meet the minimum qualifications - applicants must possess all of the necessary requirements for this position - you MUST SHOW in your RESUME that you possess the five Mandatory Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs) outlined below
• Eligibility will be based on clear and concise accomplishments that emphasize your level of responsibilities - scope and complexity of programs managed - program accomplishments (with results) - policy initiatives and level of contacts
• Applicants can obtain a sample resume along with additional information regarding the Executive Core Qualifications on the Internet at http://www.opm.gov/ses/recruitment/qualify.asp
• A
• EXECUTIVE CORE QUALIFICATIONS: 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.

Duties

• This is not a virtual position
• 4-Year 7306 appointment with potential for re-appointment (not guaranteed) This is a Pay Table 4 Tier 2 position
• Salary range is $145 -000 to $295 -000
• NOTE: Exceptions to the salary cap must be approved
• Work schedule: Monday - Friday - 40 hours per week Relocation Incentives: May Be Authorized Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not Authorized Relocation Expenses: Authorized The Executive Director (ED) - Optometry serves as senior and principal advisor to the Chief Officer - Specialty Care Services - Assistant Under Secretary for Health for Clinical Services - Deputy Under Secretary for Health (DUSH) - and Under Secretary for Health (USH) - on all policies and procedures pertaining to delivery of services - assessment of services - and outcome analysis relating to optometry programs and initiatives
• The ED - Optometry - collaborates with the Executive Director for Ophthalmology to form VA's Eye Care Services and with DOD to ensure a consistent approach to delivering eye care services to veterans - with services provided through the Vision Center of Excellence
• Additionally - the incumbent collaborates with Network and Medical Center Directors to ensure that top-quality optometry healthcare delivery services are made available - immediately accessible - and efficiently provided to eligible veterans as clinically indicated
• The ED - Optometry develops short- and long-term goals - objectives - priorities - and plans for the programs - consistent with VA's and VHA's missions - strategies - and goals.