What are the responsibilities and job description for the Health Systems Administrator (Associate Director) position at U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs?
Summary
Shape the future of Veteran care in New England This position is located within the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) - Veterans Health Administration (VHA) - VA Bedford Healthcare System - a facility nationally recognized for leadership in mental health - whole-health integration - innovation - and community-based Veteran support. Seeking a dynamic - mission-driven Associate Director / Chief Operating Officer (COO).
Qualifications
To qualify for this position - applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement - 06/01/2026. 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 by the closing date of this announcement. For a GS-15 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-14. 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 the most recent 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 SF-50 that clearly demonstrates one-year time-in-grade. Note: 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. Individual Occupational Requirements Education: Undergraduate and Graduate Education with Major study in hospital administration - public health administration - or related fields such as business or public administration with course work in health care administration - OR Specialized Experience (for positions above GS-5): Progressively responsible analytical or administrative - or clinical management or supervisory experience in the health care field. This work may have been performed in an operating health care facility or a higher organizational echelon with advisory or directional authority over such facilities. Work must have involved a close working relationship with facility managers and analysis and/or coordination of administrative - clinical - or other service activities - and provided knowledge of the following: Applicants must also possess: Management ability to delegate authority - evaluate and oversee people and programs - recognize and adapt to changing priorities; and Knowledge of the interrelationships and interdependencies among various medical and administrative services and programs Grade Determination: Specialized Experience GS-15: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS 14 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include - but are not limited to: providing executive leadership with insight in establishing organizational structures that are efficient - cost effective - support desired grade levels - and facilitate career development; works on the development of a balanced financial plan designed to meet realistic needs of the facility and the network; establishing and maintaining public relations with a variety of institutions and groups; applying performance standards to measure program performance and health care activities are meeting established goals and objectives; and developing long and short term policies - plans and standards for a Health Care System. Applicants must also possess: Management ability to delegate authority - evaluate and oversee people and programs - recognize and adapt to changing priorities; and knowledge of the interrelationships and interdependencies among various medical and administrative services and programs. At this level - applicants would identify and resolve problems which may inhibit accomplishing patient care mission and public policy objectives; exercise fiscal management responsibility by assisting in the preparation of the overall facility budget - in monitoring expenditures - and in recommending reallocation of funds based on shifting program needs; establish and maintain public relations with a variety of institutions and groups; apply performance standards to measure program performance and health care activities are meeting established goals and objectives; and develop - evaluate - and adjust organizational structures and management systems for the administrative and allied health services managed. You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position: Preferred Experience: Five years of healthcare administration experience Experience in healthcare administration - preferably within the Department of Veteran Affairs. Three years' leadership and management experience. In-depth understanding of VA systems - policies - and procedures. Experience working directly with Veterans and an understanding of the unique challenges and needs of the Veteran population. Proven ability to foster a collaborative work environment and build effective relationships across multifunctional teams. 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. For more information on these qualification standards - please visit the United States Office of Personnel Management's website at https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/
Duties
Shape the future of Veteran care in New England This position is located within the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) - Veterans Health Administration (VHA) - VA Bedford Healthcare System - a facility nationally recognized for leadership in mental health - whole-health integration - innovation - and community-based Veteran support. Seeking a dynamic - mission-driven Associate Director / Chief Operating Officer (COO).
Qualifications
To qualify for this position - applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement - 06/01/2026. 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 by the closing date of this announcement. For a GS-15 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-14. 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 the most recent 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 SF-50 that clearly demonstrates one-year time-in-grade. Note: 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. Individual Occupational Requirements Education: Undergraduate and Graduate Education with Major study in hospital administration - public health administration - or related fields such as business or public administration with course work in health care administration - OR Specialized Experience (for positions above GS-5): Progressively responsible analytical or administrative - or clinical management or supervisory experience in the health care field. This work may have been performed in an operating health care facility or a higher organizational echelon with advisory or directional authority over such facilities. Work must have involved a close working relationship with facility managers and analysis and/or coordination of administrative - clinical - or other service activities - and provided knowledge of the following: Applicants must also possess: Management ability to delegate authority - evaluate and oversee people and programs - recognize and adapt to changing priorities; and Knowledge of the interrelationships and interdependencies among various medical and administrative services and programs Grade Determination: Specialized Experience GS-15: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS 14 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include - but are not limited to: providing executive leadership with insight in establishing organizational structures that are efficient - cost effective - support desired grade levels - and facilitate career development; works on the development of a balanced financial plan designed to meet realistic needs of the facility and the network; establishing and maintaining public relations with a variety of institutions and groups; applying performance standards to measure program performance and health care activities are meeting established goals and objectives; and developing long and short term policies - plans and standards for a Health Care System. Applicants must also possess: Management ability to delegate authority - evaluate and oversee people and programs - recognize and adapt to changing priorities; and knowledge of the interrelationships and interdependencies among various medical and administrative services and programs. At this level - applicants would identify and resolve problems which may inhibit accomplishing patient care mission and public policy objectives; exercise fiscal management responsibility by assisting in the preparation of the overall facility budget - in monitoring expenditures - and in recommending reallocation of funds based on shifting program needs; establish and maintain public relations with a variety of institutions and groups; apply performance standards to measure program performance and health care activities are meeting established goals and objectives; and develop - evaluate - and adjust organizational structures and management systems for the administrative and allied health services managed. You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position: Preferred Experience: Five years of healthcare administration experience Experience in healthcare administration - preferably within the Department of Veteran Affairs. Three years' leadership and management experience. In-depth understanding of VA systems - policies - and procedures. Experience working directly with Veterans and an understanding of the unique challenges and needs of the Veteran population. Proven ability to foster a collaborative work environment and build effective relationships across multifunctional teams. 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. For more information on these qualification standards - please visit the United States Office of Personnel Management's website at https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/
Duties
- As the Executive Director's principal partner in driving operational excellence - you will play a pivotal role in ensuring that the care we deliver is accessible - Veteran-centered - and consistently high-quality
- This is a high-visibility role with the opportunity to influence strategy - strengthen organizational culture - and lead transformative initiatives that shape the next era of healthcare for Veterans across Massachusetts and beyond
- What You'll Lead - Oversight of daily administrative and operational services across a complex healthcare system - Leadership of major performance-improvement - access - and modernization initiatives - Strategic planning and execution in collaboration with clinical and administrative chiefs - Stewardship of resources - capital planning - and operational readiness - A culture of accountability - innovation - and compassionate service What We're Looking For - A servant-leader who thrives in a mission-driven environment - A strategic thinker who can execute with discipline and operational clarity - Experience managing large - multidimensional healthcare operations (VA or non-VA) - A collaborator who builds trust - empowers teams - and sets a high standard of excellence - A commitment to advancing a high reliability organization - whole-health culture - employee engagement - and Veteran experience Duties include - but may not be limited to the following: Sharing with the Executive Leadership Team a level of responsibility for the direction and management of the Medical Center and is directly responsible for all facilities operations
- A direct line authority and leadership responsibility for all administrative operation support services
- May serve as the Acting Medical Center Director in the absence of the Director
- Taking an active leadership role in coordinating and developing customer and stakeholder support and resourcing to meet Medical Center objectives
- Determining operational services and programs goals and objectives - develop short-and long-range plans for achieving them in conjunction with the overall plans of the Veterans Integrated Service Network (VISN) and consistent with the strategic planning process
- Directing a comprehensive evaluation of operational services goals and objectives and makes necessary adjustments to improve delivery of patient care services
- Establishing local policy in such areas impacting facility operations as program emphasis and operating guidelines
- Administering and ensuring compliance with a system designed for the development and communication of program policies and procedures in accordance with new or existing rules and regulations
- Administering a management reporting system which provides appropriate data for decision making for facility operations - impacting organizational improvements
- Performs other related duties as assigned
- Work Schedule: Monday - Friday - 7:30 a.m
- - 4:00 p.m
- Telework/Virtual/Remote Work: Authorized
- Telework Ad-Hoc work can be performed on an as needed basis anywhere other than a VA facility or using VA-leased space (example: home)
- Position Description/PD#: Health Systems Administrator (Associate Director) /PD478-04032-A Relocation Incentives: Authorized Recruitment Incentives: Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not Required Notifications: This position is in the Competitive Service
- This position is covered by locality-based comparability pay
- May be required to attend conference at other facilities or other VA sites on occasion
- Current and former Federal employees must submit copies of their most recent SF-50 (Notice of Personnel Action)
- The SF-50 must identify the position title - series - grade - step - tenure and type of service (Competitive or Excepted)
- In some cases - more than one SF-50 may be required to show a higher grade previously held
- Time-in-Grade Restriction: 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
- The grade may have been in any occupation but must have been held in the Federal service
- Veterans' preference does not apply for other current permanent Federal agency employees
- Interchange Agreements with Other Merit System: Employees who occupy medical or medical-related positions and were appointed under 38 U.S.C. 4701(1) or (3) [formerly 38 U.S.C. 4104 (1) and (3)] must be serving in a full-time position without time limit and have served continuously for at least one year in this other merit system to be eligible to convert to the Title 5 System
- Some exceptions to this rule may apply if you have previously acquired tenure under a Title 5 appointment
- Selectee required to serve one year supervisory/managerial probationary period.
Salary : $167,560 - $197,200