National Institutes of Health Logo
Position Title
Director Executive Secretariat
Agency
National Institutes of Health
Announcement Number
NIH-OD-MP-23-11900221 Opens in new window
Open Period
Thursday, April 6, 2023 to Monday, April 24, 2023
For preview purposes only. To apply, please return to the USAJOBS announcement and click the Apply button.
Eligibilities
1. Do you claim Veterans’ Preference? (limit characters)
2. Are you a 30% or more disabled veteran? If so, you may be eligible to be considered for a noncompetitive temporary appointment.  Under this eligibility, you may be converted to a permanent position, but conversion is not guaranteed.
 
To be eligible, you must:
  1. Be a disabled veteran rated by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) as having a compensable service-connected disability of 30 percent or more; OR, be a disabled veteran who retired from active military service with a disability rating of 30 percent or more. 
  2. Submit the appropriate documentation listed in the SF-15: 1) A. Documentation of Service and Separation (e.g., DD-214); AND, 2) C. Documentation of Compensable Service-Connected Disability (10% or more) (e.g., VA Letter). Submission of the SF-15 is not required.  This documentation must be submitted with your application package, before the announcement closes. 
  3. Select "Yes" to this eligibility question. 
Based on the above, are you eligible, and do you wish to be considered for, a noncompetitive temporary appointment as a 30% disabled veteran?
(limit characters)
3. Are you the spouse of a member of the Armed Forces OR the un-remarried widow or widower of a member of the Armed Forces killed while in active duty status or who is 100% disabled due to a service-connected injury?
If so, you may be eligible to be considered for a noncompetitive appointment.

Visit our NIH Jobs page for more information on eligibility and required documentation: https://hr.nih.gov/jobs/announcement-links/appointment-certain-military-spouses-eligibility

Based on the above and the referenced web page, are you eligible, and do you wish to be considered for, a noncompetitive appointment as a military spouse? If so, you must select "Yes" and provide the required documents with your application package, before the announcement closes.
(limit characters)
4. Have you been laid off or received a letter stating that you will be laid off from the Department of Health and Human Services? If so, you may be entitled to selection priority under the under the Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP). 
 
You must submit the following documents with your application: Note: Your proof of eligibility MUST show the position, grade level and duty location of the position from which you were (or will be) separated and your full performance level or career ladder.  To ensure you fulfil this requirement, submit an SF-50 (Notification of a Personnel Action) that contains this information along with your proof of CTAP eligibility.  

Visit our CTAP page for more information on eligibility and required documentation. 

Based on the above and the referenced web page, are you eligible for CTAP? If so, you must select "Yes" and provide the required documents with your application package, before the announcement closes.
(limit characters)
5. Are you currently an officer in the Public Health Service Commissioned Corps and are you interested in staying in the Corps if selected? If so, you may be considered for this position as a Commissioned Corps member.  If selected as a Commissioned Corps member you must meet all requirements of the Corps, which will differ from the requirements listed in the vacancy announcement.
 
To be eligible, you must submit an official document or letter from the Public Health Service verifying you are currently in, or have been accepted to, the Commissioned Corps.
 
Based on the above, are you eligible, and do you wish to be considered for, a Commissioned Corps appointment? If so, you must select "Yes" and provide the required documents with your application package, before the announcement closes.
 
Notes: 
  • Not all positions are appropriate for the Commissioned Corps and it is at the supervisor's discretion to fill a position through the Corps.  Visit the Corps website for more information: https://www.usphs.gov/profession/.
  • If you do not wish to be considered for this position through a civilian appointment, please inform the individual listed in the "Agency contact information" section of the announcement.  You will be required to resign or retire from the Corps if you wish you enter a civilian appointment.
(limit characters)
6. Do you currently work at the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)? If so, you may be eligible to apply to this vacancy announcement.
 
To be eligible, you must:
  1. Be a current permanent HHS employee on a career or career-conditional appointment in the competitive service. If you are unsure of your eligibility, access eOPF and open your latest Notification of Personnel Action (SF-50):  Block 24 -Tenure must be "1 - Permanent" or "2 - Conditional" AND Block 34 - Position Occupied must be "1 -Competitive Service."  If you are still unsure of your eligibility, contact the individual listed in the vacancy announcement for assistance.  
  2. Submit a copy of your most recent Notification of Personnel Action (SF-50) with your application package, before the announcement closes.  You can obtain a copy from eOPF.  
  3. Select "Yes" to this eligibility question. 
Based on the above, are you eligible to apply as an HHS Employee?  If you work at HHS, select "Yes", submit the required documentation, and we will make the determination for you.
(limit characters)
7. Are you currently overseas with a family member who is employed with the federal government and are you moving back to the United States? If so, you may be eligible to be considered for a noncompetitive appointment.

Visit our NIH Jobs page for more information on eligibility and required documentation: https://hr.nih.gov/jobs/announcement-links/appointment-certain-family-members-overseas-employees-eligibility

Based on the above and the referenced web page, are you eligible, and do you wish to be considered for, a noncompetitive appointment as a family member of an overseas employee? If so, you must select "Yes" and provide the required documents with your application package, before the announcement closes.
 
(limit characters)
8. Are you a current or former Foreign Service officer or employee? If so, you may be eligible to be considered for a noncompetitive appointment.

Visit our NIH Jobs page for more information on eligibility and required documentation: https://hr.nih.gov/jobs/announcement-links/appointment-certain-foreign-service-employees-eligibility

Based on the above and the referenced web page, are you eligible, and do you wish to be considered for, a noncompetitive appointment as a current or former Foreign Service officer or employee? If so, you must select "Yes" and provide the required documents with your application package, before the announcement closes.
 
(limit characters)
9. Have you been laid off or received a letter stating that you will be laid off from federal employment, or have your disability payments from your previous federal employment stopped? If so, you may be entitled to selection priority under the under the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) or Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP). 

You must submit the following documents with your application: Note: Your proof of eligibility MUST show the position, grade level and duty location of the position from which you were (or will be) separated and your full performance level or career ladder.  To ensure you fulfil this requirement, submit an SF-50 (Notification of a Personnel Action) that contains this information along with your proof of ICTAP or CTAP eligibility.  

Visit our ICTAP or CTAP pages for more information on eligibility and required documentation. 

Based on the above and the referenced web pages, are you eligible for ICTAP or CTAP?  If so, you must select "Yes" and provide the required documents with your application package, before the announcement closes.
 
(limit characters)
10. Are you a current or former Land Management or Base Facilities agency employee who worked in a term or temporary job? If so, you may be eligible to apply.
 
Visit our NIH Jobs pages for more information on eligibility and required documentation:
Land Management - https://jobs.nih.gov/announcement-links/LMWFA.htm  
Base Facilities Management - https://hr.nih.gov/jobs/announcement-links/appointment-certain-base-facilities-management-employees-eligibility

Based on the above and the referenced web page, are you eligible to apply? If so, you must select "Yes" and provide the required documents with your application package, before the announcement closes.

 
(limit characters)
11. Do you currently work at the National Institutes of Health (NIH)? If so, you may be eligible to apply to this vacancy announcement.
 
To be eligible, you must:
  1. Be a current permanent NIH employee on a career or career-conditional appointment in the competitive service. If you are unsure of your eligibility, access eOPF and open your latest Notification of Personnel Action (SF-50):  Block 24 -Tenure must be "1 - Permanent" or "2 - Conditional" AND Block 34 - Position Occupied must be "1 -Competitive Service."  If you are still unsure of your eligibility, contact the individual listed in the vacancy announcement for assistance.  
  2. Submit a copy of your most recent Notification of Personnel Action (SF-50) with your application package, before the announcement closes.  You can obtain a copy from eOPF.  
  3. Select "Yes" to this eligibility question. 
Based on the above, are you eligible to apply as an NIH Employee?  If you work at NIH, select "Yes", submit the required documentation, and we will make the determination for you.
(limit characters)
12. Are you a current or former federal government employee AND have you competed for a position at the same grade level (or equivalent) as this position or higher with the same or higher promotion potential (or equivalent)? If so, you may be eligible to be considered for a noncompetitive appointment.
 
To be eligible, you must:
  1. Be a current or former permanent federal employee and have served in a career or career-conditional appointment in the competitive service. If you are unsure of your eligibility, access your eOPF and open your latest or prior Notification of Personnel Actions (SF-50):  Block 24 -Tenure must be "1 - Permanent" or "2 - Conditional" AND Block 34 - Position Occupied must be "1 -Competitive Service."  
  2. Submit a copy of your Notification of Personnel Action (SF-50) showing the highest grade and promotion potential you have obtained and proof you have served in a career or career-conditional appointment in the competitive service, with your application package, before the announcement closes.  You can obtain a copy from eOPF if you are a current HHS employee.  
  3. Select "Yes" to this eligibility question.
Visit USAJOBS's for more information on eligibility.  If you separated from Federal Government employment, you may obtain a copy of your SF-50 via the Federal Records Center, National Archives and Records Administration
 
Based on the above, are you eligible to apply as a non-competitive or reinstatement eligible?   
(limit characters)
13. Do you work for an excepted service agency that has an interchange agreement with OPM or are you otherwise eligible for a competitive service appointment through an authority not regulated by OPM? If so, you may be eligible to be considered for a noncompetitive appointment.

Visit our NIH Jobs page for more information on eligibility and required documentation: https://hr.nih.gov/jobs/announcement-links/opm-interchange-agreement-and-other-miscellaneous-authorities-eligibility

Based on the above and the referenced web page, are you eligible, and do you wish to be considered for, a noncompetitive appointment under this mechanism? If so, you must select "Yes" and provide the required documents with your application package, before the announcement closes.
 
(limit characters)
14. Are you a former Peace Corps volunteer or a current or former Peace Corps staff member? If so, you may be eligible to be considered for a noncompetitive appointment.

Visit our NIH Jobs page for more information on eligibility and required documentation: https://hr.nih.gov/jobs/announcement-links/appointment-peace-corps-or-americorps-vista-staff-members-eligibility

Based on the above and the referenced web page, are you eligible, and do you wish to be considered for, a noncompetitive appointment as a former Peace Corps volunteer or a current or former Peace Corps staff member? If so, you must select "Yes" and provide the required documents with your application package, before the announcement closes.
(limit characters)
15. Are you an individual with a documented intellectual, severe physical, or psychiatric disability that substantially limits one or more major life activities? If so, you may be eligible for employment through a Schedule A appointment.
 
In order to be eligible, documentation of the disability is required. Documentation of eligibility for employment under Schedule A can be obtained from a licensed medical professional (e.g., a physician or other medical professional certified by a state, the District of Columbia, or a U.S. territory to practice medicine); a licensed vocational rehabilitation specialist (i.e., state or private); or any Federal agency, state agency, or agency of the District of Columbia or a U.S. territory that issues or provides disability benefits. The letter must be printed on the official letterhead of a medical professional and must include a signature or it is invalid. Please visit OPM's website for sample letters. Learn more about Schedule A eligibility.
 
Applying under "Schedule A" can be an expedited way to get a Federal job, but it is only one of many options that may be available. You will still have to compete with other eligible applicants and meet all requirements of the position including the ability to perform the essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodations.
 
Based on the above, are you eligible, and do you wish to be considered for, a Schedule A appointment? If so, you must select "Yes" and provide the required documents with your application package, before the announcement closes.
(limit characters)
16. Are you a current or former federal government employee?  If so, you may be eligible to be considered as a status applicant/reinstatement eligible for this position.  
 
To be eligible, you must:
  1. Be a current or former permanent federal employee and have served in a career or career-conditional appointment in the competitive service. If you are unsure of your eligibility, access your eOPF and open your latest or prior Notification of Personnel Actions (SF-50):  Block 24 -Tenure must be "1 - Permanent" or "2 - Conditional" AND Block 34 - Position Occupied must be "1 -Competitive Service."  
  2. Submit a copy of your Notification of Personnel Action (SF-50) showing the highest grade and promotion potential you have obtained and proof you have served in a career or career-conditional appointment in the competitive service, with your application package, before the announcement closes.  You can obtain a copy from eOPF if you are a current HHS employee.  
  3. Select "Yes" to this eligibility question.
Visit USAJOBS's for more information on eligibility.  If you separated from Federal Government employment, you may obtain a copy of your SF-50 via the Federal Records Center, National Archives and Records Administration
 
Based on the above, are you eligible to apply as a status applicant/reinstatement eligible?   
(limit characters)
17. Are you eligible for veterans' preference or have you separated from the armed forces after three or more years of continuous active service? If so, you may be eligible as a status applicant through the Veterans Employment Opportunities Act (VEOA).
 
To be eligible, you must:
  1. Be a preference eligible, OR be a veteran separated from the armed forces after three or more years of continuous active service performed under honorable conditions. Veterans released shortly before completing a three-year tour are eligible. 
  2. Submit verifying documentation (DD-214, VA Disability Letter, etc.): Reference Standard Form 15 (SF-15) for required documentation for 10 point preference eligibles. Submission of SF-15 is not required, unless you have derived preference (XP) as described in questions 7, 8, or 9 on the SF-15. In those cases, you must submit a completed SF-15 and the required documentation. For 5 point preference eligibles and all other members of the armed forces, you must submit your DD-214 (if separated) or any written documentation from the armed forces that certifies you are expected to be discharged or released from active duty service in the armed forces under honorable conditions not later than 120 days after the date the certification is submitted with your application package. 
  3. Select "Yes" to this eligibility question. 
Based on the above, are you eligible to apply as a status applicant through the Veterans Employment Opportunities Act (VEOA)?
(limit characters)
Other
1. Political, Schedule C, Non-career SES Appointee: In the last five years, based on the closing date of this announcement, have you been or are you currently an employee in the Executive Branch serving on a political, Schedule C, or Non-career SES appointment? If yes, and you are selected through this vacancy announcement, you may be required to obtain approval by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) prior to beginning employment.

A political appointee is an appointment made by the President without confirmation by the Senate (5 CFR 213.3102(c)) OR an Assistant position to a top-level Federal official if filled by a person designated by the President as a White House Fellow (5 CFR 213.3102(z)). A Non-career SES appointee is approved by the White House and serves at the pleasure of the appointing official without time limitations. A Schedule C appointee occupies a position excepted from the competitive service by the President, or by the Director, OPM, because of the confidential or policy-determining nature of the position duties.
(limit characters)
2. Almost all male U.S. citizens and male immigrants, who are 18 through 25, are required to register with Selective Service. Federal law and regulations require covered civil service employees to register before appointment. For more information, visit the Selective Service website to determine if you are required to register: https://www.sss.gov/Registration-Info/Who-Registration

What is your Selective Service Registration Status?
(limit characters)
Assessment 1
Thank you for your interest in the Director, Executive Secretariat,GS-0301-15, position at our agency. 

For each task in the following group, choose the statement from the list below that best describes your experience, training, or ability. For the purposes of this assessment, an expert is a person, through education and experience, who has a comprehensive and authoritative knowledge of or skill in a particular area. 
 
(limit characters)
1. Choose the one answer that best describes how you meet the basic qualification requirements for the Director, Executive Secretariat, GS-0301-15, position as described in the Qualifications Section of the Vacancy Announcement. (limit characters)
Select the one statement that most accurately describes your training and experience carrying out each task using the scale provided. (limit characters)
2. Oversee and direct Executive Portfolio Services, which manages an agency's Director's and Deputy Director's email correspondence, invitations, reports, and meeting and briefing materials, including authoring certain responses. (limit characters)
3. Oversee and direct Executive Correspondence Operations, which manages all written communications and clearance requirements to, from, and on behalf of an agency's Director and Deputy Director. (limit characters)
4. Oversee and direct Records Management and Official Files, which manages an agency's Director's and Deputy Director's official government records. (limit characters)
5. Oversee and direct a Program Integration and Business Operations Unit, which carries out business operations, cross-cutting programs and projects, and integrates information to support organizational priorities, programs, and operations. (limit characters)
6. Receive assignments from the Office of the Secretary preparing responses following agency guidelines, reflecting current policy and sensitivities. (limit characters)
7. Oversee the assignment of clearance requests through an electronic filing system (such as SAAVI), including materials that require senior leadership approval and/or signature. (limit characters)
8. Oversee preparation of special reports and information for Office of Secretary, preparing reports pertaining to matters of policy importance, and following up with these organizations to ensure that policy initiatives are progressing. (limit characters)
9. Manage the assignment of official Agency materials to and from the agency Director or Deputy Director including materials to and from agency (Office of the Secretary and Operating and Staff Divisions); academic and scientific organizations; Congress and congressional offices; national and international stakeholders; other federal agencies; and the general public. (limit characters)
10. Ensure the appropriate and comprehensive content, along with accuracy and conformance with departmental requirements, preparing reports on policy developments, congressional interactions, key events, and other issues that may be used in preparing reports for the White House. (limit characters)
11. Oversee the official records of an agency's Director and Deputy Director. (limit characters)
12. Maintain an electronic filing system, preserving an agency Director's and Deputy Director's substantive temporary and permanent digital records according the Records Schedule. (limit characters)
13. Direct the transfer of the agency Director's and Deputy Director's records that are categorized as permanent due to their historical value and importance to the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). (limit characters)
14. Coordinate with the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) office to provide copies of an agency Director's and Deputy Director's records in response to FOIA requests. (limit characters)
15. Maintain close knowledge of agency policies so they are accurately reflected in meeting preparation materials, outgoing information and documents for approval and signature. (limit characters)
16. Manage clearance of policy-related materials on behalf of the agency Director or Deputy Director. (limit characters)
17. Manage the review process for policy documents, reports, and other correspondence prepared by program directors or more senior leaders to ensure content and actions are aligned with the views of agency leadership, addressing and/or resolving problems or inconsistencies with conflicting views. (limit characters)
18. Lead efforts in the conduct of studies and reviews of agency processes to ensure that federal and regulatory requirements are met and provides recommendations for changes and improvements. (limit characters)
19. Serve on agency and interagency task force/work groups that initiate, study, and resolve priority policy issues with national implications and impact. (limit characters)
20. Apply knowledge of current, high-priority, sensitive program issues and policies, as well as skill in planning and implementing complex programs and projects involving coordinating across organizational lines. (limit characters)
21. Serve as Senior Advisor to an agency Director and Deputy Director on a wide variety of executive correspondence and information management programs and policies. (limit characters)
22. Serves as a key source of information for an agency's program area Directors and senior staff, filling an independent executive role in information integration and analysis, ensuring that the agency Director and Deputy Director have the benefit of all points of view before signing and approving documents that establish or affect agency policy. (limit characters)
23. Manage communications between an agency Director and Deputy Director and program area staff; as well as between the agency leadership and the Department Secretary and senior staff. (limit characters)
24. Establish and implement agency-wide policies, guidelines, and procedures as the agency lead for correspondence and information management, creating effective procedures for internal communication of assignments and requirements. (limit characters)
25. Establish editorial policy for an agency, communicating that policy across the entire agency. (limit characters)
26. Provide overall leadership and management direction for developing and maintaining sophisticated technology systems and platforms for information sharing and integration, and for maintaining federally required official records of an agency Director's and Deputy Director's communications and decisions. (limit characters)
27. Manage incoming invitations to the agency Director and Deputy Director by tracking the invitations in an electronic filing system such as SAAVI, preparing them for review by the agency Director and Deputy Director. (limit characters)
28. Notify recipients when an invitation is declined by the agency Director and Deputy Director, which involves communicating with stakeholders, academic leaders, international organizations, members of Congress, the public, and other entities. (limit characters)
29. Manage correspondence assignments to ensure that correspondence addressed to the agency Director and Deputy Director receives appropriate visibility and response, if appropriate, by a subject matter expert within a set timeframe. (limit characters)
30. Assign correspondence via electronic filing system such as SAAVI, ensuring draft responses are comprehensive, reflect current policy, and are well written. (limit characters)
31. Draft correspondence responses, and other correspondence and executive policy documents from an internal agency, the White House, and other government agencies. (limit characters)
32. Prepare legislatively mandated reports to Congress, ensuring the reports are accurate and complete and signed by the appropriate agency Official(s) or provided to the agency Executive Secretariat for signature by appropriate official(s), before being transmitted to Congress. (limit characters)
33. Set annual long-range work plans and schedules and ensure implementation of assigned goals and objectives. (limit characters)
34. Plan for long range staffing needs and assures equity among subordinate employees' performance standards. (limit characters)
35. Make decisions on problems presented by subordinates; evaluates subordinates; hears and resolves group grievances and complaints; approves serious disciplinary actions; and recommends awards and position changes. Promotes and supports EEO and workforce diversity. (limit characters)
36. Provide leadership, direction, supervision, and performance measures for staff, through multiple subordinate supervisors, setting standards to meet or exceed both quantitative and qualitative factors. (limit characters)
37. Appraise supervisor and employee performance, identifying employee strengths and weakness. (limit characters)
38. Approve or recommend promotions, reassignments, or selection of personnel. (limit characters)
39. Hear and resolve complaints which may effect disciplinary measures. (limit characters)
40. Identify developmental and training needs of subordinate personnel. (limit characters)
41. Develop such projections as annual budget projections and staffing projections. (limit characters)
42. Provide supervision and direction of a subordinate staff of professional, technical, and administrative staff, through subordinate supervisors. (limit characters)
43. Lead and direct a team in accomplishing a wide and diverse array of services for executive portfolio services, executive correspondence operations, records management or official files, and program integration and business operations, supporting the agency at the highest level. (limit characters)
44. As an applicant for federal employment you are required to provide accurate, complete, and honest information. All applicants are treated fairly and equally, so it is important you know what is required of you. You must read this question, then certify your application. You will be disqualified from consideration for this position if you do not answer this question or do not certify your application.

I understand that if I misrepresent or exaggerate my experience or education, or provide false, fraudulent, or misleading information in or with my application, it may be grounds for not hiring me, firing me after I begin work, and may be punishable by fine, imprisonment, or debarment from federal employment.

I understand that not following the information and instructions contained in the vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating, or me not being considered for certain eligibilities, preferences, grade-levels, specialties, and other areas of the announcement that require me to provide information.

Do you certify that you have read this statement and understand what is required of you, and certify that to the best of your knowledge and belief, all of the information included in your application is true, correct, and provided in good faith?
(limit characters)