VA SECURITY ISSUE

Commissoned Officer Opportunities in the Office of the Secretary

Deadline Date: 10 July 2006

The Office of the Secretary, Office of Public Health and Science (OPHS), invites qualified commissioned officers to apply for consideration for appointment to any of several positions that are currently available, or projected for potential vacancy. General directions on how to apply are at the end of this announcement. Descriptions of each position also contain specific requirements that are in addition to the general directions.

All positions are located in duty stations that require the wearing of the appropriate uniform during duty hours as well as when officially representing the Department or departmental officials. All positions are open to qualified officers currently serving on active duty. Applications from officers who are not currently assigned to duty stations in the Washington, DC commuting area are encouraged. Normal permanent change of station (PCS) conditions for commissioned officers are applicable.

Executive Assistant to the Assistant Secretary for Health (ASH)

The incumbent serves as a senior advisor to the ASH on a wide array of policy and operational issues, including those pertaining to public health, science, Commissioned Corps, and other topics as requested. The incumbent is also responsible for reviewing correspondence for the ASH= s signature, overseeing the ASH= s schedule and briefing materials. He/she will serve as a liaison between the ASH and office directors within OPHS as well as representatives from outside organizations. On occasion, the incumbent may be asked to represent the ASH at meetings or on committees. Additionally, the incumbent works with other members of the ASH= s senior staff to review invitations and make recommendations. The incumbent must have excellent written and verbal communication skills, be well versed in Commissioned Corps policies, be familiar with the organization of the Department and the leadership of its Operating Divisions and Staff Divisions, and have a demonstrated record of successful program and/or personnel management. The incumbent must possess demonstrated writing and organizational skills.

The Executive Assistant must possess, at minimum, a secret level security clearance. Officers who do not possess this level of security clearance at the time of selection will be required to complete documentation to initiate any required investigation within 30 days of selection. Any selection in the absence of the possession of an active secret clearance is conditional. All security clearances must be renewed every 5 years.

Applicants who will be serving in the temporary or permanent O-5/O-6 grades by 1 January 2007, are preferred. The duty station for this position is Departmental Headquarters, Washington, DC.

Flag Aide to the Assistant Secretary for Health (ASH)

The incumbent serves as the principal general assistant and aide to the ASH on a daily basis. He/she will be responsible for completing or coordinating all advance work for the ASH= s travel (both within and outside of the commuting area), ensuring ground transportation during the ASH= s travel, and coordinating safe and efficient transit through airports and other public transportation venues. The incumbent will be responsible for drafting correspondence for signature by the ASH (or other senior officials), ensuring that the ASH has appropriate briefing materials, talking points and background information for each event and meeting. He/she will be responsible for completing follow-up tasks from events and meetings. It is expected that the incumbent will be highly organized and possess excellent written and verbal communication skills. The incumbent will be available to assist the ASH 24/7 and will be expected to travel extensively. Given the nature of this position, the incumbent must be well versed in military customs and courtesies and understand the application of military and diplomatic protocol. The incumbent will be accompanying the ASH to both informal and formal events and must possess a complete wardrobe of service, formal, and deployment uniforms. The incumbent must possess demonstrated writing and organizational skills. The incumbent must also understand and know how to utilize electronic communications.

The Flag Aide must possess, at minimum, a secret level security clearance. Officers who do not possess this level of security clearance at the time of selection will be required to complete documentation to initiate any required investigation within 30 days of selection. Any selection in the absence of the possession of an active secret clearance is conditional.

Applicants who will be serving in the temporary or permanent senior O-3/O-4/O-5 grades by 1 January 2007, are preferred. This is a developmental assignment and rotation should be expected within 2 years. The duty station for this position is Departmental Headquarters, Washington, DC.

Liaison Officer to the Assistant Secretary for Administration and Management

The incumbent serves as the principal liaison between the Assistant Secretary for Administration and Management (ASAM) and the Assistant Secretary for Health (ASH). The incumbent assists the ASAM on a day-to-day basis in providing liaison on human resource matters, particularly as they pertain to the Commissioned Corps and the Office of Commissioned Corps Force Management and Office of Commissioned Corps Operations. The incumbent also undertakes analytical tasks for the ASAM that pertain to administrative and management matters that concern public health and emergency operations, strategic planning for acquisitions, and general matters concerning logistics. Candidates should have demonstrated successful program management experience and have the capacity to address broad issues while at the same time observing and acting on details of processes; an ability to communicate cogently and accurately; proven analytical skills; and, well developed interpersonal skills sufficient to facilitate working with and among the most senior career and appointed officials in the department. Possession of formal management credentials in addition to the officer= s heath professional credentials is a plus.

The Liaison Officer must possess, at minimum, a secret level security clearance. Officers who do not possess this level of security clearance at the time of selection will be required to complete documentation to initiate any required investigation within 30 days of selection. Any selection in the absence of the possession of an active secret clearance is conditional.

Applicants who will be serving in the temporary or permanent senior O-4/O-5/O-6 grades by 1 January 2007, are preferred. This is a developmental assignment and rotation should be expected within 2 years. The duty station for this position is Departmental Headquarters, Washington, DC.

Regional Health Administrator Positions

The Office of Public Health and Science (OPHS) is recruiting for commissioned officers to fill positions of Regional Health Administrator (RHA) in the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Regional Office system. More information about the regional system and the States that comprise each region can be found at www.hhs.gov/about/regionmap.html

OPHS is accepting applications for assignments in all 10 HHS Regions. Regions and their regional cities with immediate opportunities are: Region II B New York; Region IV B Atlanta; Region VB Chicago; Region VI B Dallas; Region VII B Kansas City; and Region VIII B Denver. Regions for which applications are being contingently accepted for future consideration are: Region I B Boston; Region III B Philadelphia; Region IX B San Francisco; and Region X B Seattle. Applicants must indicate their first, second, and third preference for immediate regional opportunities, and may indicate a preference for one contingent region. Applications that are solely for a contingent region are NOT being solicited or accepted.

The RHA is the principal U.S. Public Health Service official within the assigned area, reports to the Assistant Secretary for Health (ASH), and represents the ASH on matters of public health and science in the region. The RHA directs and coordinates regionally based programs of OPHS that include Program Coordinators for Minority Health, Population Affairs, and Women= s Health for all OPHS activity in the region. The incumbent participates in policy development and implementation, and serves as the Department= s primary health liaison to State and local government health entities, and other health related organizations, including public and voluntary organizations, community based organizations, universities and private sector organizations. RHAs are also responsible for assisting in Commissioned Corps and other departmental recruitment activities, as well as liaison with health professions colleges and schools within their respective regions.

All RHAs must be fully qualified to deploy as needed to provide leadership and assistance during a public health emergency. Emergency deployments may be directed anywhere in the United States, and potentially to foreign countries. Within their respective region, an RHA serves as an integral member of Federal emergency response systems, providing leadership and technical assistance to a broad variety of local, State, and/or Federal officials.

All RHA positions are flag officer eligible and are graded as rear admiral (upper half). Promotions are subject to conditions established in the Commissioned Corps Personnel Manual for competitive promotion to the flag grade, or from lower to upper half.

All RHAs must possess a top secret security clearance. Officers who do not possess this level of security clearance at the time of selection will be required to complete documentation to initiate any required investigation within 30 days of selection. Any appointment to an RHA position in the absence of the possession of an active top secret clearance is conditional and will not become a permanent change of station until such time as the clearance is granted. All RHAs must renew their security clearance every 5 years.

The positions are open to officers at the temporary O-6 rank, and above. Officers who will be promoted to and serving in that rank by 1 January 2007, are eligible to apply.

How to Apply

A letter of intent that specifies the title of the position for which the application is being made and curriculum vitae (c.v.) are to be submitted. Listings of presentations, speeches, and publications should be submitted as attachments to the c.v. in that order. The letter of intent must include all information necessary to contact the applicant= s current supervisor as well as the applicant. The c.v. should also contain three references to whom the applicant is well known.

Application may be made via submission of hard-copy materials or electronically. If submitted electronically, the cover email will be an acceptable substitute for the letter of intent. It is preferred that attachments to emails (i.e., c.v.= s, listing of publications, etc.) be in PDF format, however, attachments that are in Word Perfect or Word format will be accepted.

Hard copy materials are to be sent to:

RADM Arthur J. Lawrence

Deputy Assistant Secretary for Health Operations

Office of Public Health and Science

Room 716 G, Hubert H. Humphrey Building

200 Independence Avenue, S.W.

Washington, DC 20201

ATTN: Mr. Michael Savitch

Electronic submissions and inquires are to be directed to:

Michael.Savitch@HHS.GOV

202-690-7439

COMPLETE MATERIALS MUST BE RECEIVED BY CLOSE OF BUSINESS

10 JULY 2006

Current Issue Front Page