In Office of People Science (OPS), our focus goes beyond technology to the heartbeat of our organization — our people. We’re committed to supporting the Office of Information and Technology (OIT) in creating an inclusive organizational culture and streamlining human resources operations to support the Department of Veterans Affairs mission. By creating high-performing teams and establishing a culture driven by data-based decision making, OPS helps recruit, develop, and retain a diverse, talented workforce comprising the next generation of IT professionals.
Joining OPS means joining a community that puts employees first — creating an inclusive culture, fostering continuous learning and career development, developing mobility opportunities and training courses, and directly engaging with people to understand their needs. From seasoned professionals to those just starting their careers, you can play a role in providing them with professional growth, recognition, and the benefits provided by a federal career. Above all, your work improves the OIT enterprise by streamlining the employee experience from recruitment to retirement so we can focus on what really matters: making a difference in the lives of the Veterans, clinicians, and caregivers OIT serves.
Accomplishments
Breaking Barriers in Federal Pay
In 2023, OPS assisted OIT with developing and establishing a Special Salary Rate (SSR) for employees in the 2210 (Information Technology Management), 0854 (Computer Engineering), and 1550 (Computer Science) occupational series. The SSR creates a competitive advantage for OIT to be a federal leader in IT and ensures our employees are compensated in line with their private sector peers to honor their service to the Nation’s Veterans and their families.
Fostering Career Growth and Development
OPS has been instrumental in ensuring OIT’s employees can excel professionally through the establishment of several career development programs:
- Coaching and mentoring programs provide job training, supervisor support, and professional development
- Employee rotation programs allow employees to gain cross-functional experience
- Leadership development programs conducted virtually create more growth opportunities for aspiring leaders