Special Assistant.

National Cemetery Administration; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 110,000 - 145,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

PCS relocation services

Relocation expenses may be authorized

Job summary

The National Cemetery Administration, located in Washington, DC, seeks a Special Assistant to support the Office of the Chief of Administration. The role involves confidential advisory work, briefing materials, and coordinating high-level meetings and official travel for executive leadership.

Responsibilities include research, issue analysis, and generating recommendations while collaborating with senior staff and external stakeholders to advance VA/NCA mission goals.

Qualifications

• One year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-13.
• Ability to coordinate high-level meetings, events, and official travel for executive leadership.
• Experience advising senior executives on policy, operational, and administrative matters, and developing briefing materials.

Responsibilities

• Conducts complex research and analytical studies on sensitive organizational issues.
• Advises senior executives on policy, operational, and administrative matters.

Skills

Attention to Detail

Customer Service

Decision Making

Flexibility

Influencing/Negotiating

Integrity/Honesty

Interpersonal Skills

Learning

Reasoning

Self-Management

Stress Tolerance

Teamwork

Job description

Duties

This position serves as a Special Assistant in the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), National Cemetery Administration (NCA), Office of the Chief of Administration (CoA), located in Washington, DC. The incumbent contributes to a wide variety of assignments, including those of a sensitive and confidential nature. The incumbent completes evaluative studies, provides confidential advice, technical counsel, and assistance on various issues that impact the NCA. Works with other staff (Special Assistants, Staff Assistants, Administrative Officers, and Program Analysts) to provide exceptional service to NCA executive leadership for VA and NCA. This position works under the general supervision of the Deputy Chief of Administration (DCoA). As Special Assistant, the incumbent performs special projects on behalf of the Under Secretary of Memorial Affairs (USMA), Principal Deputy Under Secretary for Memorial Affairs (PDUSMA), Chief of Staff (CoS), Chief of Administration (CoA), involving topics related to VA and NCA's mission. Conducts research, analyzes issues, gathers facts, and considers a broad spectrum of factors when drawing conclusions and making recommendations, including public, congressional, and public policy stances. Coordinates closely with the DCoA to facilitate appropriate attendance by the USMA and PDUSMA at NCA public events. Accompanies the USMA and PDUSMA on official travel and captures action items for future follow-up. Works with key officials to ensure that all aspects of USMA travel meet the USMA's expectations. Coordinates with NCA PDUSMA, CoS, CoA, and within NCA to provide the USMA with specific topics, issues, concerns, and mission‑specific data required for preparation before engaging with internal and external stakeholders. Develops briefing presentations and other associated materials as requested. Assists the CoS and CoA in preparation and support of special conferences, meetings, briefings, and discussions to include public engagements. Coordinates visits from agency officials involving key staff members and synchronizes staff efforts. Travels to District offices and/or cemeteries to attend meetings and/or conferences. Provides quality control for the USMA, PDUSMA, CoS, and CoA travel schedule, prepares itineraries, travel folders, logistical support, and prepares vouchers. Offers key advice and consultation on USMA, PDUSMA, CoS, and CoA briefing presentations and associated aspects of engagements. Develops, implements, coordinates, and monitors functions essential to the management and control of activities required to support and ensure the accurate portrayal of NCA's vision, mission, long‑term goals, and programs to the public. Coordinates closely with the CoS, CoA, and Speech Writer, frequently attending meetings, briefings, and other significant forums. Assignments are based on close coordination and input from subject matter experts, often gathering information from a variety of sources and choosing appropriate information based on the audience, strategic messages, and themes. Performs other duties as assigned.

Work schedule

Required to work Monday through Friday, 8:00 am to 4:30 pm.

Compressed/Flexible Schedule

Not available

Telework

Ad hoc

Remote/Virtual

This is not a virtual or remote position.

Position Description Title/PD#

Special Assistant/PD1699107

The full performance level of this position is GS - 14.

Relocation Expenses

May be authorized

The Department of Veterans Affairs offers Permanent Change of Station (PCS) relocation services. Permanent Change of Station is the relocation of a household due to government convenience in connection with a transfer between duty stations or facilities. For more information go to

Relocation/Recruitment Incentives

Not authorized

Financial Disclosure Report

Not required

Requirements

• Subject to a background/security investigation.
• Designated and/or random drug testing may be required.
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
• You may be required to serve a probationary period.
• You must be a U.S. citizen to apply for this job.
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process.

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all specialized experience and time in grade requirements within 45 days of the closing date of this announcement, 11/02/2026.

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 within 45 days of the closing date of this announcement. For a GS-14 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-13. 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. If your most recent non-award SF-50 has an effective date within the past year, it may not clearly demonstrate you possess one year time-in-grade, as required by the announcement. In this instance, you must provide an additional non-award SF-50 that clearly demonstrates one year time-in-grade.

Time‑In‑Grade requirements also apply to former Federal employees applying for reinstatement as well as current employees applying for Veterans Employment Opportunities Act of 1998 (VEOA) appointment.

You may qualify based on your experience, as described below:

• Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-13 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: conducting complex research and analytical studies on sensitive organizational issues; advising senior executives on policy, operational, and administrative matters; developing briefing materials, presentations, reports, and executive correspondence; coordinating high-level meetings, events, and official travel for executive leadership; analyzing and resolving complex program issues while considering organizational, public, and policy impacts; representing leadership in meetings with internal and external stakeholders; coordinating cross‑functional projects involving multiple organizations; reviewing and evaluating directives, regulations, and policy documents for executive approval; monitoring implementation of strategic initiatives; and establishing collaborative relationships with senior officials, other government agencies, congressional staff, and external stakeholders to support organizational objectives.

You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position:

• Attention to Detail
• Customer Service
• Decision Making
• Flexibility
• Influencing/Negotiating
• Integrity/Honesty
• Interpersonal Skills
• Learning
• Reasoning
• Self-Management
• Stress Tolerance
• Teamwork

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.

Note

A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. Part‑time experience will be credited on the basis of time actually spent in appropriate activities. Applicants wishing to receive credit for such experience must indicate clearly the nature of their duties and responsibilities in each position and the number of hours a week spent in such employment.

Physical Requirements

The work is primarily sedentary. Some light physical effort may be required.

Required

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 period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

Education

There is no educational substitution at this grade level.

Special Employment Consideration

VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply, including those eligible for hiring under 5 CFR 213.3102(u), Schedule A, Appointment of persons with disabilities [i.e., intellectual disabilities, severe physical disabilities, or psychiatric disabilities], and/or Disabled veterans with a compensable service‑connected disability of 30% or more. Contact the Agency Contact for information on how to apply under this appointment authority via the Selective Placement Coordinator.

Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan

The Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) and Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) provide eligible displaced Federal/VA competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. To be qualified you must submit appropriate documentation (a copy of the agency notice, your most recent performance rating, and your most recent SF‑50 noting current position, grade level, and duty location) and be found well‑qualified (have a final rating of 85 or more) for this vacancy. Information about ICTAP and CTAP eligibility is on OPM's Career Transition Resources website at

Placement Policy

The posting of this announcement does not obligate management to fill a vacancy or vacancies by promotion. The position may be filled by reassignment, change to lower grade, transfer, appointment, or reinstatement. Management may use any one or any combination of these methods to fill the position.

This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.

Veterans and Transitioning Service Members

Please visit the

For more information on the "Who may apply" eligibility requirements, please refer to the

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

Eligibility for benefits

A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding.

Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full‑time, part‑time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.