Administrative Assistant (OA)

About the role

This position is located at the Armed Forces Retirement Home (AFRH) Washington, DC. The primary purpose of the position is to provide a wide range of administrative support services for­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­ an AFRH Division. This position is concurrently open to Merit Promotion eligibles under Announcement Number 27-AFRH-13108194-MP.

What you will do

• Edit and format electronic drafts for grammar, spelling, punctuation, and compliance with established formats.
• Respond to questions from residents, family members, and outside agencies about office procedures and general administrative matters.
• Schedule meetings for the Service Chief and resolve calendar conflicts by checking attendees' availability.
• Plan travel itineraries, make reservations, and coordinate with points of contact at temporary duty locations.
• Create documents, spreadsheets, and databases using software such as Microsoft Word, Excel, and Access.

Requirements

• Please refer to "Conditions of Employment." Click "Print Preview" to review the entire announcement before applying.
• Must be U.S. Citizen or U.S. National.
• The AFRH ethics program promotes the highest standards of ethical conduct for all employees.
• As a federal employee, you will be subject to the Standards of Ethical Conduct, and the U.S. criminal conflict of interest statutes.
• As an AFRH employee, you will also be subject to the AFRH Supplemental Ethics Regulations which restrict the extent to which a AFRH employee can engage in certain activities and hold certain investments.
• Depending on your position, you may also be required to file a public or confidential financial disclosure report which must be filed within 30 days of your appointment as an employee of AFRH.
• Upon your new appointment, you will receive guidance regarding your ethics obligations.
• You will also be required to attend a mandatory ethics training within 3 months of your appointment.
• Please contact the Agency Ethics Officer (Joseph Pollard) at ***, or *** if you should have any questions.

Education

There is no substitution of education for experience at the grade level(s) of this announcement.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated based on how well you meet the qualifications listed in this vacancy announcement. Your qualifications will be evaluated based on your application materials (e.g., resume, supporting documents), your responses on the application questionnaire, and your responses to all evaluations required for this position.

You will be evaluated on the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics): Accountability, Attention to Detail, Customer Service, Decision Making, Flexibility, Influencing/Negotiating, Integrity/Honesty, Interpersonal Skills, Learning, Reading Comprehension, Reasoning, Self-Management, Stress Tolerance, and Teamwork To preview the application questionnaire, click the following link: *** The USA Hire evaluation includes a cut score based on the minimum level of required proficiency in these critical general competencies.

You must meet or exceed the cut score to be considered.

You will not be considered for the position if you score below the cut score or fail to complete the assessment. Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application materials or application questionnaire may result in your removal from consideration. Cheating on an evaluation may also result in your removal from consideration.

Candidates will be rated and ranked using Category Rating procedures. These procedures place candidates with veteran's preference above non-preference eligibles within each category.

Veterans with a service-connected disability of at least 10 percent are listed in the highest quality category, except when the position being filled is scientific or professional at the GS-09 grade level or higher.

Under Category Rating, candidates will be rated and ranked into one of three categories: Outstanding (highest quality category): Is highly proficient with an overall comprehensive level of knowledge, skills, and abilities of the job. Excellent (middle category): Has a solid and comprehensive understanding.

Can perform the required tasks efficiently and is proficient in applying the knowledge, skills, and abilities of the position. Qualified (minimally qualified): Has an overall basic level of knowledge, skills and abilities of the job.

Your rating may be lowered if your responses to the online questions are not supported by the education and/or experience described in your application. Your application may be reviewed by a Subject Matter Expert. Referral: If you are among the top qualified candidates, your application may be referred to a selecting official for consideration.

You may be required to participate in a selection interview. Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP) or Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP): For information on how to apply as an ICTAP or CTAP eligible see ***

To be well-qualified and exercise selection priority for this vacancy, displaced Federal employees must be rated at 90 or above on the rating criteria for this position. Optional Essay Questions:Applicants may choose to respond to four short essay questions (200 words max each) to help us better understand your alignment with the agency's mission.

These responses are optional and will not affect the applicant's eligibility.

Documents you must provide

• As a result, the announcement will close at 11:59 p.m. ET on the date of receipt of the 100th application or at 11:59 p.m. ET on11/30/2026 whichever occurs first.
• Any required documents should be submitted at the time that you apply as documents will not be accepted after the vacancy closes.
• Required documents include: A resume of no more than two pages which includes a list of all significant jobs held and duties performed, with dates specified in month and year, and indicates hours worked per week.
• If military or a civilian Federal employee, you must include your rank and/or grade.
• The USAJOBS resume builder can help you create a resume using these recommendations and uses the information in your USAJOBS profile to help you get started.
• A complete application questionnaire and online USA Hire Assessments.
• Other supporting documents, if applicable: Veterans Preference Documentation: If you are a Discharged, Non-Disabled Veteran, you must submit a copy of your DD-214 showing character of discharge (Member 4 copy), or other Documentation of Service and Separation under Honorable Conditions, as listed on the SF15.
• If you are a veteran within 120 days of discharge, you must submit signed documentation from the Armed Forces certifying: 1) your expected release/retirement from active duty, 2) under honorable conditions, 3) your pay grade/rank/rate at time of discharge, 4) dates of active duty service, 5) any campaign or expeditionary medals received, & 6) dated within 120 days of your separation.
• If you are a Disabled Veteran, Purple Heart Recipient, or Mother or Spouse of a Disabled or Deceased Veteran, you must submit all additional proof required by the SF15, and if applicable, a completed SF15.
• Documentation for Interagency/Career Transition Assistance Plan consideration if you are a displaced Federal employee within the local commuting area.
• You must include: 1) Proof you are a displaced Federal employee, e.g., RIF Separation Notice, Notice of Proposed Removal, etc; 2) SF-50s (Notifications of Personnel Action) showing career/conditional tenure competitive status, promotion potential and duty location; and 3) your most recent performance appraisal.
• To exercise selection priority, displaced or surplus Federal employees must be rated well-qualified 90 or above on the rating criteria for this position.
• Do not submit photographs with your application package.
• Documents with photographs may not be seen by hiring officials.

Benefits

Our comprehensive benefits are very generous. Our benefits package includes: Challenging work, opportunities for advancement, competitive salaries, bonuses and incentive awards. Eleven paid holidays, 13 days of sick leave, and 13 to 26 days of vacation time each year.

Access to insurance programs that may be continued after you retire. A wide choice of health insurance plans, coverage for pre-existing conditions, and no waiting periods. We pay a substantial amount (up to 75%) of the health insurance premiums.

A retirement program which includes employer-matching contributions. Learn more about Federal benefits programs at: USAJOBS Help Center - Benefits

What to expect next

Based on your application and your responses to the application questionnaire, you may be presented with instructions on how to access the USA Hire system to complete the online assessments. The online assessments must be completed within 48 hours following the close of this announcement.

You will have the opportunity to request a testing accommodation for the assessment should you have a disability covered under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended. We will review your résumé and transcript(s) (if appropriate) to ensure you meet the basic qualification requirements.

We will evaluate each applicant who meets the basic qualifications on the information provided and may interview the best-qualified applicants. After making a tentative job offer, we will conduct any required suitability and/or security background investigation.

Additional information

OTHER INFORMATION: We may select from this announcement or any other source to fill one or more vacancies. This is a bargaining unit position - LIUNA Laborer's International Union of North American FPS & PTE Local 572 CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT: All newly appointed employees to the competitive (or excepted) service are subject to a probationary (or trial) period.

During this time, your performance, conduct, and suitability for continued employment will be evaluated. You will not automatically convert to permanent status at the end of the probationary (or trial) period. Your supervisor must affirmatively determine that continued employment is in the best interest of the Federal service.

If no certification is made before the probationary (or trial) period ends, your appointment will be terminated. You are encouraged to actively engage with your supervisor, seek feedback, and understand role expectations. Additional guidance and support will be provided during onboarding.

A one year probationary period may be required. Must successfully complete a background investigation.

Complete a Declaration for Federal Employment to determine your suitability for Federal employment, at the time requested by the agency If you are a male applicant born after December 31, 1959, certify that you have registered with the Selective Service System or are exempt from having to do so.

Have your salary sent to a financial institution of your choice by Direct Deposit/Electronic Funds Transfer. Go through a Personal Identity Verification (PIV) process that requires two forms of identification from the Form I-9.

Federal law requires verification of the identity and employment eligibility of all new hires in the U.S. Submit to a drug test prior to your appointment and random drug testing while you occupy the position. Selectees will be subject to the AFRH Tuberculosis Surveillance Program.

Because the AFRH's mission requires uninterrupted, direct human support and medical care for its Residents, this position is considered essential for continuing AFRH operations. Therefore, the incumbent is expected to arrive for duty on time, as scheduled, and to complete the assigned tour during emergency situations such as hazardous weather.