What are the responsibilities and job description for the Administrative Officer. position at National Cemetery Administration?
Duties
The Administrative Officer performs the administrative and personnel management functions relative to staff supervision. Provides direct supervision to the administrative office and exercises the full range of human resource responsibilities to include, but not limited, to: plans work to be accomplished by subordinates, sets and adjust short-term priorities, and prepares schedules for completion of work. Directs office productivity, ensures team members are actively and continuously trained to enhance employee development and achievement. Establishes guidelines and performance expectations for the staff, which are clearly communicated through the formal employee performance management system, as well as informal verbal/written communication. Monitors employee work progress and provides feedback on accomplished tasks. Gives advice, counsel or instruction to employees on both work and administrative matters. Recruits and maintains personnel per approved allotted FTEE for the cemetery. This involves initiating recruitment actions, interviewing and making timely selections of candidates for vacant positions, adhering to the NCA Merit Promotion Plan procedures and meeting hiring metrics. Recommends employees for appropriate awards and recognition. Approves leave and/or certifies time and attendance records accordingly based on request and documentation provided.
Provides oversight or manages the budget and financial management program for the cemetery complex. This includes budget formulation, justification, and execution; financial management; and financial reporting. Provide advice to management and program personnel on budgetary and financial issues. Manage budget formulation and execution for a changing budget of administrative expenses involving different funding sources. Analyzes Federal budget calls, reviewing guidelines and instructions. Briefs managers on schedules and data requirement. Participates with managers in reviewing office needs, plans, and goals to develop budget data and justification for review and approval. Prepares budget packages including, but not limited to: Resource Management Tool (RMT), the Operational Budget Plan (OBP) and the salary spreadsheet for submission to the budget office and responds to all questions from the office. After budget has been approved, directs execution. Monitors balances, and status of projects and recommends reprogramming of funds as needed. Justifies requests for reprogramming as necessary. Reviews financial reports and resolves discrepancies with the appropriate accounting office. Assures that all expenditures are properly authorized and documented.
Performs public outreach as needed.
Work schedule: Required to work Monday through Friday, 8:00 am to 4:30 pm. May include occasional weekends. Due to the mission of the National Cemetery, the cemetery cannot be closed for more than 2 consecutive days at any given time. Additionally, when a Federal holiday falls on a Monday or Friday, staff may be required to work on that holiday or a Saturday. All staff is required to work Memorial Day and Veteran's Day each year. Staff will be required to work overtime, weekends and holidays when necessary to meet the needs of the cemetery. Occasionally staff may be called back to the facility to perform emergency overtime work.
Compressed/Flexible Schedule: Not Available
Telework: Not Available
Remote/Virtual: This is not a virtual or remote position.
Position Description Title/PD#: Administrative Officer/PD141750
The full performance level of this position is GS - 11. At the level GS-09, you will perform similar duties but under closer supervision.
Promotion Potential: The selectee may be promoted to the full performance level without further competition when all regulatory, qualification, and performance requirements are met. Selection at a lower grade level does not guarantee promotion to the full performance level.
Relocation Expenses: Not Authorized
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Financial Disclosure Report: Not Required
If interested in applying for this position you ay preview the online application:
Requirements
Conditions of employment
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, 10/30/2026.
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.
Gs-09
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 position requires walking and standing including significant periods of outdoor duty to perform tasks such as attending services and inspecting sections of the cemetery (including sections which are active interment areas or sections under construction). The position requires bending, stooping, and lifting cemetery records, manuals, cremains containers, and other small items. The position requires assisting with the moving of caskets placed on wheeled biers in and out of committal shelters. The work is primarily administrative within facilities that are adequately lighted, heated, and ventilated, but includes exposure to outside elements such as heat and cold as well as wet, humid, or arid conditions.
Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process.
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:
Education
A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.
PLEASE NOTE: Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications (particularly positions with a positive education requirement). Therefore, applicants must report only attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Applicants can verify accreditation at the following website:
Additional information
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.
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.
Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit The Fair Chance Act.
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.
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.
The Administrative Officer performs the administrative and personnel management functions relative to staff supervision. Provides direct supervision to the administrative office and exercises the full range of human resource responsibilities to include, but not limited, to: plans work to be accomplished by subordinates, sets and adjust short-term priorities, and prepares schedules for completion of work. Directs office productivity, ensures team members are actively and continuously trained to enhance employee development and achievement. Establishes guidelines and performance expectations for the staff, which are clearly communicated through the formal employee performance management system, as well as informal verbal/written communication. Monitors employee work progress and provides feedback on accomplished tasks. Gives advice, counsel or instruction to employees on both work and administrative matters. Recruits and maintains personnel per approved allotted FTEE for the cemetery. This involves initiating recruitment actions, interviewing and making timely selections of candidates for vacant positions, adhering to the NCA Merit Promotion Plan procedures and meeting hiring metrics. Recommends employees for appropriate awards and recognition. Approves leave and/or certifies time and attendance records accordingly based on request and documentation provided.
Provides oversight or manages the budget and financial management program for the cemetery complex. This includes budget formulation, justification, and execution; financial management; and financial reporting. Provide advice to management and program personnel on budgetary and financial issues. Manage budget formulation and execution for a changing budget of administrative expenses involving different funding sources. Analyzes Federal budget calls, reviewing guidelines and instructions. Briefs managers on schedules and data requirement. Participates with managers in reviewing office needs, plans, and goals to develop budget data and justification for review and approval. Prepares budget packages including, but not limited to: Resource Management Tool (RMT), the Operational Budget Plan (OBP) and the salary spreadsheet for submission to the budget office and responds to all questions from the office. After budget has been approved, directs execution. Monitors balances, and status of projects and recommends reprogramming of funds as needed. Justifies requests for reprogramming as necessary. Reviews financial reports and resolves discrepancies with the appropriate accounting office. Assures that all expenditures are properly authorized and documented.
Performs public outreach as needed.
Work schedule: Required to work Monday through Friday, 8:00 am to 4:30 pm. May include occasional weekends. Due to the mission of the National Cemetery, the cemetery cannot be closed for more than 2 consecutive days at any given time. Additionally, when a Federal holiday falls on a Monday or Friday, staff may be required to work on that holiday or a Saturday. All staff is required to work Memorial Day and Veteran's Day each year. Staff will be required to work overtime, weekends and holidays when necessary to meet the needs of the cemetery. Occasionally staff may be called back to the facility to perform emergency overtime work.
Compressed/Flexible Schedule: Not Available
Telework: Not Available
Remote/Virtual: This is not a virtual or remote position.
Position Description Title/PD#: Administrative Officer/PD141750
The full performance level of this position is GS - 11. At the level GS-09, you will perform similar duties but under closer supervision.
Promotion Potential: The selectee may be promoted to the full performance level without further competition when all regulatory, qualification, and performance requirements are met. Selection at a lower grade level does not guarantee promotion to the full performance level.
Relocation Expenses: Not Authorized
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Financial Disclosure Report: Not Required
If interested in applying for this position you ay preview the online application:
Requirements
Conditions of employment
- 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.
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, 10/30/2026.
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-09 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-07.
- For a GS-11 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-09.
- Must have the ability to type at least 40 words per minute.
- Must possess and maintain a valid state driver's license.
Gs-09
- Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-07 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: experience with personnel management, budget management, and office administration providing advice and assistance to managers and staff personnel process and procedures; assisting in staffing needs, recommending appropriate actions or suggesting alternatives; performing financial management work; managing procurement; tracking management of services and activities of work operations in a program or program support setting; preparing recurring and non-recurring statistical reports; conducts studies to collect data. OR,
- Education: Applicants may substitute education for the experience required for the GS-09 level: a master's degree or equivalent graduate degree or 2 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.B. or J.D., if related. Such education must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work. (TRANSCRIPTS REQUIRED) OR,
- Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at the GS-09 level. Applicants must possess equivalent combinations of graduate education and specialized experience (as described above). This education must have been obtained in an accredited college or university. (TRANSCRIPTS REQUIRED)
- Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-09 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: experience with personnel management, budget management, and office administration providing advice and assistance to managers and staff personnel process and procedures; assisting in staffing needs, recommending appropriate actions or suggesting alternatives; performing financial management work; managing procurement; tracking management of services and activities of work operations in a program or program support setting; preparing recurring and non-recurring statistical reports; conducts studies to collect data. OR,
- Education: Applicants may substitute education for the experience required for the GS-11 level: Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree or 3 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree, or LL.M., if related. Such education must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work. (TRANSCRIPTS REQUIRED) OR,
- Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at the GS-11 level. Applicants must possess equivalent combinations of graduate education and specialized experience (as described above). This education must have been obtained in an accredited college or university. (TRANSCRIPTS REQUIRED)
- Accountability
- Customer Service
- Decisiveness
- Flexibility
- Interpersonal Skills
- Problem Solving
- Resilience
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 position requires walking and standing including significant periods of outdoor duty to perform tasks such as attending services and inspecting sections of the cemetery (including sections which are active interment areas or sections under construction). The position requires bending, stooping, and lifting cemetery records, manuals, cremains containers, and other small items. The position requires assisting with the moving of caskets placed on wheeled biers in and out of committal shelters. The work is primarily administrative within facilities that are adequately lighted, heated, and ventilated, but includes exposure to outside elements such as heat and cold as well as wet, humid, or arid conditions.
Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process.
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.
Education
A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.
PLEASE NOTE: Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications (particularly positions with a positive education requirement). Therefore, applicants must report only attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Applicants can verify accreditation at the following website:
Additional information
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.
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.
Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit The Fair Chance Act.
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.
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.