About the opportunity
This position is located within the Facilities Management Service, Project Development Section at the VA Healthcare System in Palo Alto, California. As an Activations Project Manager, the primary focus is planning, coordinating, and executing all building and space activation, transition, and deactivation activities across the campus. The role also supports capital asset planning and manages space assignments and project management for capital construction proposals ranging from $5 million to $500 million. This career-ladder position is offered at the GS-11 to GS-12 levels, with full performance duties expected at the GS-12 level.
Salary and benefits
- Annual base salary range of $93,358 to $121,371 per year (General Schedule pay scale)
- Comprehensive federal benefits package, including health, life, and long-term care insurance
- Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) pension and Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) 401(k)-type plan with agency matching
- Paid annual leave, sick leave, and federal holidays
- Potential service credit toward annual leave accrual for prior federal or military experience
Who can apply?
- Must be a U.S. Citizen
- Must possess one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-9 level (e.g., project management in healthcare/commercial settings, transition budgets, equipment planning, space activation for construction projects) OR hold a Ph.D./doctoral degree/3 years of graduate education in a related field OR an equivalent combination of education and experience
- Must obtain Level II Federal Acquisition Certification in Program and Project Management (FAC-P/PM) within the first 6 months of employment
- Must complete a 1-year probationary period upon appointment
- Must comply with mandatory seasonal influenza vaccination or approved medical/religious exemption
- Must live within or be willing to relocate within a commutable distance of Palo Alto, California
Required documents
- Federal resume (maximum 2 pages, 5MB limit, PDF or accepted formats)
- Responses to the online assessment questionnaire
- Official or unofficial college transcripts (if qualifying based on education)
- DD-214, Statement of Service, or VA Disability Letter (for Veterans' Preference claims, if applicable)
- SF-15 Application for 10-Point Veteran Preference (if applicable)
- SF-50 Notification of Personnel Action (for current or former federal employees)
- ICTAP/CTAP documentation (for displaced federal employees, if applicable)
When to apply
- Applications open on October 27, 2026
- Application deadline is November 3, 2026, at 11:59 PM Eastern Time
How to apply
- Log in or create an account on USAJOBS and click 'Apply Online'
- Select your max 2-page USAJOBS resume and attach all required supporting documents
- Complete the online application questionnaire and submit your application before 11:59 PM ET on November 3, 2026
- Check your email for instructions to complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments if required
- Complete the online assessments within the designated timeframe using your USAJOBS login credentials
Additional information
- Effective May 7, 2025, state-issued IDs used for employment verification must be REAL ID compliant
- Resumes exceeding two pages will automatically result in ineligibility under federal merit hiring rules
- Category rating procedures will be used to rank candidates into quality categories, with Veterans' Preference applied appropriately
- Physical requirements include walking, standing, carrying light items, driving, and inspecting construction sites wearing personal protective equipment
Our Take on This Opportunity
This section reflects Open Opportunities’ own analysis of the opportunity from an applicant’s perspective.
You may be a strong fit if…
- Experienced project managers with a background in healthcare facilities, capital construction, space planning, or medical equipment activation
- Candidates holding an advanced degree (Ph.D. or 3+ years of relevant graduate study) looking to transition into federal healthcare administration
- Professionals seeking a structured career-ladder opportunity within the Department of Veterans Affairs
What should you think carefully about?
- Strict 2-page resume limit enforced by USAJOBS; longer submissions result in immediate disqualification
- On-site position requiring residence or relocation within commutable distance to Palo Alto, CA, with no relocation incentives provided
- Requirement to earn Level II FAC-P/PM certification within the first 6 months of employment
How could this fit your current goals and plans?
[The position is well-suited for project managers aiming to expand their leadership experience within federal public health infrastructure. It offers stable GS-11/12 compensation, standard federal retirement benefits, and direct involvement in major healthcare facility activations.]
Our take
This position is a strong match for U.S. citizens with healthcare project management or space planning experience who are based near or willing to relocate to Palo Alto. Individuals unable to meet the 2-page resume limit or mandatory on-site work requirement should pass on this posting.
Ready to apply?
Review the opportunity on the official website before applying.
Official-source verifiedSource: USAJOBS
