Realty Specialist

Summary The Realty Specialist is located within the Office of Real Property (ORP), Office of Construction & Facilities Management (CFM), Office of Acquisition, Logistics, and Construction (OALC), Office of the Secretary, Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and provides support for one or more of ORP's programs. These include prospectus-level leasing, land acquisition and disposition, land use, special real property projects, and the implementation of policies and procedures for those programs. Learn more about this agency Duties Major duties include, but are not limited to the following: Participating in reviews/ requests and providing guidance to field staff Conducting training and drafting correspondence related to projects Creating and conducting presentations to leadership, both verbally and in writing Traveling to project sites Producing high-quality, accurate, and timely work while using resources responsibly to support program goals Setting clear objectives, tracking progress, and adjusting priorities as needed while following required controls, documentation standards, and compliance procedures Taking ownership of results by identifying and resolving issues early, learning from mistakes, and promoting integrity, transparency, and accountability within the project team Planning and managing multiple projects so deliverables meet scope, schedule, and budget, and providing timely feedback on technical submissions Monitoring project cost and schedule performance, identifying variances, managing risks, and ensuring all required procurement steps are completed and well documented Coordinating with internal and external stakeholders to maintain consistent communication, accurate data in required systems, and timely updates for leadership on project status and risks Serving as a subject-matter expert for complex lease projects, including major medical or large-scale leased facilities Developing, interpreting, and applying policies, regulations, and operational decisions to ensure real estate projects meet required standards Guiding project teams in preparing complete and accurate lease proposal packages that meet all real estate policy and regulatory requirements Planning, negotiating, and executing complex long-term real estate transactions while ensuring full compliance with laws, regulations, and policy Providing expert contracting guidance by interpreting acquisition regulations, resolving complex contract issues, and advising teams on appropriate real property acquisition strategies Leading or participating in negotiations with property owners, developers, and other partners to secure terms that meet mission, cost, and schedule needs, and document decisions to withstand oversight 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. Work Schedule: Monday through Friday, 8:00 am to 4:30 pm Compressed/Flexible: Authorized Telework: Position is eligible for Ad Hoc telework (situational telework) as determined by the agency policy. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Location is negotiable among VA-approved staff offices, subject to space availability and management approval. Applicants without an existing assigned VA staff office must be located within 50 miles of a CFM regional office to be considered. This is not a remote position. Position Description Title/PD#: Realty Specialist/PD1604717 and PD1604716 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Required Requirements Conditions of employment You must be a U.S. citizen to apply for this job Subject to a background/suitability investigation Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959 A complete application package; including Resume, Transcripts, etc. is required Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment. 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. Upon completion of your probationary period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest. Qualifications To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement. GS-13 grade level: One year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-12 grade level in the federal service); experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities (KSA's) and other characteristics to perform successfully the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled, in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include but are not limited to: Prospectus-level leasing, land acquisition and disposition, land use, special real property projects Implementing policies and procedures for those programs Participating in reviews and requests Provides guidance to field staff and conducting training Drafting correspondence related to projects. Creating and conducting presentations to leadership, both verbally and in writing There is no educational substitution for the GS-13 level. GS-14 grade level: One year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-13 grade level in the federal service); experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities (KSA's) and other characteristics to perform successfully the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled, in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include but are not limited to: Managing numerous projects within one or more of ORP's programs Leading a cross-functional project team, establishing project plans and schedules, achieving milestones and communicating effectively with internal and external stakeholders Ensuring that Departmental policy, regulations, and operational decisions are continually reflected in ORP's programs as they relate to the managed projects Monitoring project performance, client comments and concerns, operational considerations Conducting studies, chairing working groups, and developing new approaches, alternatives, and recommendations for improvement Communicating effectively with the project team to ensure that environmental, historic, community, legal Working directly with a variety of contractors for project support Representing the office in meetings with officials from VA Central Office, Medical Centers, National Cemeteries, state and local government officials, and other stakeholders There is no educational substitution for the GS-14 level. Physical Requirements: The work is primarily sedentary with regular and recurring travel to proposed and ongoing construction sites. Site visits require the ability to walk over rough terrain, climb ladders and crawl in often tight spaces. Beginning September 27, 2025, Federal agencies will only accept resumes up to two pages in length to comply with the Merit Hiring Plan. Resumes longer than two pages will result in ineligibility for further consideration for the position. USAJOBS will not allow you to upload or build resumes longer than two pages, and you will need to update the resumes in your profile before applying for a job. Resumes should include information relevant to the knowledge, skills, abilities, and competencies of the position to which you are applying. VA is unable to make assumptions about qualifications if not clearly listed. Resumes must be legible so they can be reviewed for eligibility, minimum qualifications and other position requirements listed in the job announcement. 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. 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 for this vacancy. To be found well qualified, applicants must meet the following qualifications: At least 3 years of real property leasing experience Mastery of the advanced principles and available tools for project management, evidenced by a project/program management certification, Lease Certification Program (LCP) Level I certification, or other applicable credential Demonstrated experience in coordinating and interacting with high-ranking officials from the private sector (land owners, realty personnel, attorneys) and managing progress through attaining project milestones Directing administrative, technical, acquisition, and management activities to manage real property portfolios through leasing, acquisitions, dispositions, and/or reuse Information about ICTAP and CTAP eligibility is on OPM's Career Transition Resources website at http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/employee-guide-to-career-transition/. Local Commuting Area: The local commuting area for this position is defined as a radius of 50 miles from Washington DC, Gurnee, IL, Vallejo, CA, or another approved Department of Veterans Affairs staff offices (including CFM regional offices and other approved VA staff office locations). This includes all locations that fall within a 50-mile driving distance from 810 Vermont Ave NW, Washington, DC 20420; Construction & Facilities Management Regional Office - Central, 1425 Tri-State Parkway, Suite 140, Gurnee, IL 60031; or Construction & Facilities Management Regional Office - West, 400 Mare Island Way, Suite 100, Vallejo, CA 94590. Location Negotiable: Location is negotiable among VA-approved staff offices, subject to space availability and management approval. Applicants without an existing assigned VA staff office must be located within 50 miles of the CFM regional office locations listed above to be considered. This is not a remote position. Education There is no educational substitution for the GS-1170-13/14 levels. 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 (TJO). Please visit the Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP), va.gov/EMPLOYEE/docs/The-Fair-Chance-to-Compete-Act.pdf for more information. Additional information 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 (TJO). Please visit the Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP), va.gov/EMPLOYEE/docs/The-Fair-Chance-to-Compete-Act.pdf for more information. VA supports the use of telework as a way to help attract and retain talented individuals in public service, increase worker productivity, and better prepare the agency to operate during emergencies. This position may be authorized for telework. Telework eligibility will be discussed during the interview process. The Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) and Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) provide eligible displaced VA competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. To be well-qualified, applicants must possess experience that exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors if applicable, and must be proficient in most of the requirements of the job. Information about ICTAP and CTAP eligibility is on OPM's Career Transition Resources website which can be found at https://www.opm.gov/. Receiving Service Credit for Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. VA may offer newly-appointed Federal employee's credit for their job-related non-federal experience or active duty uniformed military service. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement. Expand Hide  additional information 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. Benefits 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. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits. Review our benefits 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.