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Program Specialist

Department of Veterans Affairs
Veterans Affairs, Inspector General
This job announcement has closed

Summary

OIG is organized into seven operational units: the Immediate Office of the Inspector General, Office of the Counselor, Office of Audits and Evaluations, Office of Healthcare Inspections, Office of Investigations, Office of Management and Administration, and Office of Special Reviews. In addition to the Washington, DC, headquarters, OIG has offices located in more than 60 locations throughout the country.

Overview

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Hiring complete
Open & closing dates
01/05/2022 to 01/07/2022
This job will close when we have received 200 applications which may be sooner than the closing date. Learn more
Salary
$66,214 to - $141,064 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 11 - 12
Location
2 vacancies in the following location:
Location Negotiable After Selection, United States
Telework eligible
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Travel Required
Not required
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
13
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Not Required
Drug test
No
Announcement number
22-VAOIG-45-P
Control number
629486600

This job is open to

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Clarification from the agency

Open to all US citizens or US nationals; no prior federal experience is required

Duties

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This position is in the Office of Inspector General (OIG), Hotline Division. The Division performs work involving receipt and review of complaints from veterans, employees, Government and Congressional officials, and members of the public about the programs and operations of Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). The incumbent is a journeyman-level Program Specialist and performs a wide range of program management and analytical functions relating to receipt, review, analysis, and resolution of complaints and concerns.

The following are the duties of this position at the GS-13 full performance-level; however, you will be selected at a lower grade level (GS-11 or GS-12). You will have the opportunity to learn to perform all these duties, and will receive training to help you grow in this position.

As a Program Specialist (Hotline), you will:

  • Perform work involving receipt and review of complaints about the programs and operations of Department of Veterans Affairs.
  • Perform analytical work and complaint intake associated with program activities.
  • Provide technical guidance, training, and mentoring over activities of junior staff; handle special projects of a complex nature, such as trend analysis of cases; and create reports of complaint intake activity.
  • Analyze complaints and develop plans for handling, including opening case referrals and following up for appropriate response and disposition of complaints.
  • Perform complaint intake, review, resolution, and follow through.
****There are TWO positions that can be filled in any of the listed duty locations: Austin, TX, Baltimore, MD, Decatur, GA, Kansas City, MO, Los Angeles, CA, Salt Lake City, UT, or Washington DC.****

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

This opportunity is also open to Status Candidates under Announcement 22-VAOIG-44. Please refer to that announcement for details on open period, eligibility, and how to apply.

The experience may have been gained in either the public, private sector or volunteer service. One year of experience refers to full-time work; part-time work is considered on a prorated basis. To ensure full credit for your work experience, please indicate dates of employment by month/day/year, and indicate number of hours worked per week on your résumé.

Key Requirements:
  1. Please refer to "Conditions of Employment."
  2. Click "Print Preview" to review the entire announcement before applying.
  3. Must be a U.S. Citizen or U.S. National.

Qualifications

You must meet the following requirements by the closing date of this announcement.

Specialized Experience: For the GS-12, you must have one year of specialized experience at a level of difficulty and responsibility equivalent to the GS-11grade level in the Federal service.
Specialized experience or General experience for this position includes:
- Receiving and reviewing complaints from internal or external stakeholders in regards to an agency's mission, goals, and objectives; AND
- Analyzing complaints and making appropriate referrals in regards to an agency's mission, goals, and objectives; AND
- Providing reports, correspondence and summaries to show findings

Specialized Experience: For the GS-11, you must have one year of specialized experience at a level of difficulty and responsibility equivalent to the GS-09grade level in the Federal service.
Specialized experience for this position includes:
- Receiving complaints from internal or external stakeholders in regards to an agency's mission, goals, and objectives; AND
- Providing reports, correspondences and summaries to show findings.
OR
You may substitute education for general or specialized experience as follows:Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree; OR
3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree; OR LL.M., if related.
OR
You may qualify on a combination of education and experience: This is creditable providing the combination consists of 100% of the requirement. Only graduate level education in excess of the first 36 semester hours (54 quarter hours) may be combined to be considered for qualifying education. (Attach a copy of transcripts to ensure you receive proper credit).

Education

The education generally must be from an accredited (or pre-accredited) college or university recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Additional information

Other information:
- We may select from this announcement or any other source to fill one or more vacancies. Applicants who apply for this position may be considered for other positions within the Office of Inspector General that require the same knowledge, skills, and abilities.
- This is a non-bargaining unit position.
- We offer opportunities for flexible work schedules.
- Full-time telework may be temporarily required if space is not currently available at the location chosen by the selectee. Selectees will be notified prior to their start date if this is necessary. Telework on a more permanent basis will be determined by management upon completion of all telework requirements and availability needs.

Conditions of Employment:
- A one year probationary period may be required.
- Must successfully complete a background investigation.
- Public Trust - Background Investigation will be required.
- If you are a male applicant born after December 31, 1959, certify that you have registered with the Selective Service System or are exempt from having to do so.
- Have your salary sent to a financial institution of your choice by Direct Deposit/Electronic Funds Transfer.
- Go through a Personal Identity Verification (PIV) process that requires two forms of identification from the Form I-9. Federal law requires verification of the identity and employment eligibility of all new hires in the U.S.
- Complete a Declaration for Federal Employment to determine your suitability for Federal employment, at the time requested by the agency.
- Obtain and use a Government-issued purchase card for business-related travel.
- Must adhere to agency health requirements, including, but not limited to: (1) must report Covid-19 vaccination status when requested; and (2) must comply with agency's Covid-19 testing and vaccination requirements, if any, or qualify for and receive a valid exemption.

Our comprehensive benefits are very generous. Our benefits package includes:
- Challenging work, opportunities for advancement, competitive salaries, bonuses and incentive awards.
- Eleven paid holidays, 13 days of sick leave, and 13 to 26 days of vacation time each year.
- Access to insurance programs that may be continued after you retire.
- A wide choice of health insurance plans, coverage for pre-existing conditions, and no waiting periods. We pay a substantial amount (up to 75%) of the health insurance premiums.
- A retirement program which includes employer-matching contributions.- Learn more about Federal benefits programs at: https://help.usajobs.gov/index.php/Pay_and_Benefits

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

How You will be Evaluated:

Your application includes your résumé, responses to the online questions, and required supporting documents. Please be sure that your résumé includes detailed information to support your qualifications for this position; failure to provide sufficient evidence in your resume may result in a "not qualified" determination.

Rating: Your application will be evaluated in the following areas: Communication, Technical, and Analytical.

Category rating will be used to rank and select eligible candidates. If qualified, you will be assigned to one of three quality level categories, A-Exceptionally Qualified, B-Highly Qualified, or C-Qualified, depending on your responses to the online questions, regarding your experience, education, and training related to this position. Your rating may be lowered if your responses to the online questions are not supported by the education and/or experience described in your application.

Veterans' preference is applied after applicants are assessed. Preference-eligibles will be listed at the top of their assigned category and considered before non-preference-eligibles in that category. Qualified preference-eligibles with a compensable service-connected disability of 10% or more will be listed at the top of the highest category.

Referral: If you are among the top qualified candidates, your application may be referred to a selecting official for consideration. You may be required to participate in a selection interview and/or a writing assessment. Applicants who are selected for an interview may ask questions about the evaluation process at the time they are contacted for an interview.

If you are a displaced or surplus Federal employee (eligible for the Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP)/Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP)) you must be assigned the middle category or better to be rated as "well qualified" to receive special selection priority.

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