Executive Assistant VA Jobs 2026 | Salary, Eligibility & Apply
INTRODUCTION
Executive Assistant jobs in the Veterans Health Administration are among the most sought-after federal government careers for professionals looking for stable employment, competitive salaries, excellent benefits, and long-term career growth in the United States. If you are interested in working with one of the nation's largest healthcare systems while supporting senior leadership and administrative operations, this Executive Assistant recruitment for 2026 is an excellent opportunity to consider. The Veterans Health Administration (VHA), which operates under the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, provides healthcare services to millions of veterans across the country and regularly hires skilled professionals to support its mission.
The advertised annual salary ranges from USD 61,722 to USD 116,362 depending on the grade level, duty location, qualifications, and experience of the selected candidate. Applications must be submitted through the official USAJOBS portal before the closing date of July 16, 2026.
This recruitment is intended for qualified candidates who meet the education, experience, and federal employment requirements specified in the official announcement. Current federal employees should also pay close attention to the time-in-grade requirements before applying. In this guide, you will find complete information about eligibility requirements, salary details, selection process, application procedure, important dates, frequently asked questions, and useful preparation tips to help you submit a successful application.
QUICK FACTS
Organization | Veterans Health Administration
Post Name | Executive Assistant
Vacancies | See Official Notification
Salary | USD 61,722 - USD 116,362 per year
Apply Start | Refer to Official Notification
Apply End | July 16, 2026
Official Site | https://www.usajobs.gov/job/876185100
DETAILED ELIGIBILITY
Applicants must satisfy all eligibility requirements on or before the closing date of July 16, 2026. Eligibility is determined according to federal hiring regulations and the requirements listed in the official vacancy announcement.
Age Limit
There is generally no specific minimum or maximum age limit for this position unless otherwise stated in the official notification. Applicants must meet all federal employment eligibility requirements.
Educational Qualifications
Candidates should possess the educational qualifications required for the grade level advertised. Depending on the grade, qualifying education may include a bachelor's degree, graduate education, or an equivalent combination of education and specialized experience. Applicants should carefully review the official announcement to determine whether they qualify through education, experience, or a combination of both.
Experience Requirements
Relevant administrative, executive support, office management, scheduling, correspondence management, records management, communication, and organizational experience is expected. Experience supporting senior executives or management officials in a professional environment is highly desirable.
Time-in-Grade Requirement
Current federal employees must meet time-in-grade requirements.
- GS-09 applicants must have completed at least 52 weeks at the GS-07 level.
- GS-11 applicants must have completed at least 52 weeks at the GS-09 level.
- GS-12 applicants must have completed at least 52 weeks at the GS-11 level if applicable.
Applicants should verify grade-specific requirements in the official vacancy announcement.
Citizenship
Applicants generally must be U.S. citizens unless the announcement specifically states otherwise.
Background Investigation
Selected candidates may be required to complete a background investigation and satisfy federal employment suitability requirements.
Medical Requirements
Certain positions may require medical evaluations if applicable to the duties of the position.
Veterans Preference
Eligible veterans may receive hiring preference according to federal hiring regulations. Supporting documentation should be submitted with the application.
Other Requirements
- Complete USAJOBS profile
- Updated federal resume
- Required supporting documents
- Meet qualification standards before the closing date
- Submit application before the deadline
VACANCY BREAKDOWN
Category | Vacancies
Executive Assistant | See Official Notification
Location | Vacancies
Various VA Facilities | See Official Notification
SALARY AND PAY SCALE
The Executive Assistant position offers an annual salary ranging from USD 61,722 to USD 116,362 depending on grade level, locality pay, qualifications, and experience. Federal employees receive salaries based on the General Schedule (GS) pay system. The exact salary offered depends on the grade assigned to the position and the locality adjustment applicable to the duty station.
In addition to base salary, selected candidates may receive a comprehensive federal benefits package that can include:
- Federal Employees Health Benefits Program
- Dental and vision insurance options
- Federal retirement benefits
- Thrift Savings Plan with government contributions
- Paid annual leave
- Paid sick leave
- Federal holidays
- Life insurance
- Flexible work schedules where applicable
- Professional training opportunities
- Career advancement opportunities
Estimated monthly gross earnings generally range from approximately USD 5,100 to USD 9,700 before taxes and deductions depending on grade level and locality adjustments.
Actual take-home pay varies based on federal and state tax withholding, retirement contributions, health insurance selections, and other payroll deductions. Employees assigned to higher-cost geographic areas may receive additional locality pay that increases total compensation.
SELECTION PROCESS
The Veterans Health Administration follows established federal hiring procedures to identify the most qualified applicants. The selection process may vary slightly depending on the position and hiring office.
Typical selection stages include:
- Online application review.
- Qualification assessment to determine whether applicants meet education and experience requirements.
- Review of specialized experience and supporting documentation.
- Rating and ranking of eligible applicants.
- Referral of the highest-ranked candidates to the hiring manager.
- Interview if required.
- Reference checks.
- Background investigation.
- Verification of education and employment history.
- Final selection and tentative job offer.
- Medical examination if required.
- Final employment offer after all pre-employment requirements have been successfully completed.
There is generally no physical fitness test associated with Executive Assistant positions unless specifically mentioned in the vacancy announcement.
Applicants should ensure that all submitted documents are accurate, complete, and uploaded before the application deadline because incomplete applications may not be considered.
EXAM PATTERN AND SYLLABUS
Most Executive Assistant positions within the Veterans Health Administration do not require a traditional written competitive examination. Instead, applicants are evaluated based on qualifications, specialized experience, assessment questionnaires, and supporting documentation submitted through USAJOBS.
Candidates may be assessed on areas such as:
Subject | Focus Area
Administrative Management | Office administration, scheduling, correspondence
Communication Skills | Written and verbal communication
Executive Support | Calendar management, travel coordination
Records Management | Filing systems and document organization
Computer Skills | Microsoft Office, email, spreadsheets, presentations
Problem Solving | Decision making and organizational skills
Customer Service | Professional interaction with internal and external stakeholders
Federal Policies | Understanding of government procedures where applicable
If interviews are conducted, applicants should be prepared to answer behavioral and situational questions demonstrating leadership, organization, confidentiality, communication, prioritization, and multitasking abilities.
Negative marking is generally not applicable because there is usually no written examination for this type of administrative position.
Candidates should always review the official announcement for any position-specific assessment requirements.
HOW TO APPLY
- Visit the official USAJOBS website.
- Search for the Executive Assistant vacancy using the job announcement number or job title.
- Carefully read the complete vacancy announcement including eligibility requirements and required documents.
- Sign in to your USAJOBS account or create a new account if you do not already have one.
- Prepare your federal resume highlighting relevant administrative and executive support experience.
- Upload all required supporting documents, which may include:
- Federal resume
- Academic transcripts
- Veterans preference documents if applicable
- SF-50 for current or former federal employees
- Performance evaluations if requested
- Other supporting documentation listed in the announcement
- Complete the online occupational questionnaire honestly and accurately.
- Review every section of your application to ensure all information is correct.
- Submit the application before July 16, 2026.
- Monitor your USAJOBS account regularly for updates regarding application status, referrals, interview invitations, and hiring decisions.
Application Fee
There is generally no application fee for federal government jobs advertised through USAJOBS unless specifically stated in the official announcement.
Helpful Application Tips
- Submit your application well before the deadline.
- Tailor your federal resume to match the required qualifications.
- Include measurable accomplishments whenever possible.
- Ensure all documents are readable.
- Double-check your contact information.
- Save copies of every uploaded document.
- Respond promptly to any requests from the hiring office.
IMPORTANT DATES
Event | Date
Application Start | Refer to Official Notification
Application Closing Date | July 16, 2026
Interview Schedule | To Be Announced
Document Verification | To Be Announced
Final Selection | To Be Announced
Result | To Be Announced
PREVIOUS YEAR CUT-OFFS
The Veterans Health Administration generally does not publish fixed numerical cut-off scores for Executive Assistant positions because applicants are evaluated using federal qualification standards, specialized experience, assessment questionnaires, and hiring manager reviews. Selection depends on the quality of the applicant pool and the needs of the hiring office. Candidates are encouraged to focus on building a strong federal resume and meeting every qualification listed in the official vacancy announcement. Any available hiring information should be verified through the official USAJOBS announcement.
PREPARATION TIPS
Preparing for an Executive Assistant position requires both administrative knowledge and professional communication skills.
- Study the responsibilities listed in the official vacancy announcement carefully and understand how your experience matches the required duties.
- Update your federal resume using measurable accomplishments rather than general job descriptions.
- Practice answering behavioral interview questions using real workplace examples involving organization, communication, leadership, confidentiality, and multitasking.
- Improve your proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, calendar management, spreadsheets, presentations, and document preparation.
- Learn about the mission of the Veterans Health Administration and understand how administrative professionals contribute to supporting veterans and healthcare operations.
- Review federal hiring procedures, USAJOBS application requirements, and required documentation to avoid delays or disqualification.
Being organized, detail-oriented, and submitting a complete application before the deadline can significantly improve your chances of advancing through the hiring process.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What is the position being advertised?
The advertised position is Executive Assistant with the Veterans Health Administration.
What is the salary range?
The annual salary ranges from USD 61,722 to USD 116,362 depending on grade level, qualifications, and duty location.
What is the last date to apply?
Applications must be submitted by July 16, 2026.
Where can I apply?
Applications must be submitted through the official USAJOBS website.
Is there an application fee?
Federal jobs posted through USAJOBS generally do not require an application fee unless specifically stated.
Are current federal employees eligible?
Yes. However, they must satisfy applicable time-in-grade requirements before the closing date.
Is there a written examination?
Most Executive Assistant positions are evaluated through qualifications, assessments, and interviews rather than a traditional written examination.
What documents are usually required?
Common documents include a federal resume, transcripts, veterans preference documents if applicable, SF-50 for current federal employees, and any additional documents requested in the announcement.
Are veterans given preference?
Eligible veterans may receive hiring preference according to federal hiring regulations when appropriate documentation is provided.
How can I improve my chances of selection?
Submit a complete federal resume tailored to the vacancy, provide all required documents, answer assessment questions accurately, and apply before the deadline.
DISCLAIMER
This article is provided for informational purposes only to help job seekers understand the Executive Assistant recruitment process with the Veterans Health Administration. Although every effort has been made to present accurate and updated information, applicants should always verify eligibility requirements, salary details, application procedures, deadlines, and hiring policies directly from the official USAJOBS vacancy announcement before applying. This article is not affiliated with the U.S. Government, the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Veterans Health Administration, or USAJOBS. Always rely on the official notification for the most accurate and legally binding information.