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Program Specialist

General Services Administration
Office of Governmentwide Policy
This job announcement has closed

Summary

As a Program Specialist, you will serve in the area of project and program management. You will exercise initiative in defining, organizing and conducting programmatic duties and significantly impact Federal agency initiatives, programs, procedures and operations.

Location of position: GSA, Office of Government-wide Policy, Office of Shared Solutions and Performance Improvement (OSSPI), Washington, DC.

We are currently filling one vacancy, but additional vacancies may be filled as needed.

Overview

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Hiring complete
Open & closing dates
04/22/2024 to 05/09/2024
Salary
$117,962 to - $181,216 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 13 - 14
Location
Washington, DC
Few vacancies
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
Yes—This position is located in Washington, DC. Telework is permitted and the incumbent will be expected to report to the ROB in Washington, DC at least 2x per pay period.
Travel Required
Occasional travel - May be required to attend meetings and trainings.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
14
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Other
Drug test
No
Position sensitivity and risk
Moderate Risk (MR)
Trust determination process
Announcement number
M-2024-0025
Control number
787770100

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Duties

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As a Program Specialist, you will perform the following duties:

Duties at the GS-13 grade level:

  • Serves as a Program Specialist, liaison, and program representative for the Office of Shared Solutions and Performance Improvement (OSSPI). As such, the employee works with internal and external audiences to collaborate on business practices, policies, programs and priorities, and best practices/lessons learned.
  • Conducts complex analysis that involves government-wide policy or program performance within the areas of responsibility in OSSPI. Participates in unique, controversial, and sometimes highly sensitive aspects of the policy or program.
  • Reviews, evaluates, and monitors the progress of significantly important program areas in accomplishing objectives by appraising performance, progress, program status, and trends against approved objectives and program goals and schedules.
  • Manages projects and implements processes to ensure continuing success of programs; facilitates interagency activities and manages studies, establishes benchmarks and facilitates functions to ensure timely accomplishment of milestones and objectives.
  • Analyzes business and project management processes to determine requirements and assess resourcing options, working with key stakeholders across the Federal government.

Duties at the GS-14 grade level:

  • Creates opportunities and develops expert strategies for effective outreach efforts with internal and external audiences to disseminate information regarding government-wide policies, programs, and priorities.
  • Makes recommendations for the development or modification of program objectives and resource utilization to achieve the established goals, and to improve the performance of operating programs.
  • Leads program staff to complete complex and expert level analysis that involves government-wide policy or program performance within the areas of responsibility in OSSPI. Participates in unique, controversial, and sometimes highly sensitive aspects of the policy or program.
  • Reviews, evaluates, and monitors the progress of significantly important program areas in accomplishing objectives by appraising performance, progress, program status, and trends against approved objectives and program goals and schedules. Takes into consideration the relation to current and future goals and objectives of management and program requirements for accomplishment.
  • Performs special projects of major significance in support of the accomplishment of GSA, OSSPI, and/or federal mandates.
  • Develops and provides briefings and reports for senior government officials and other stakeholders on the status of projects, programs and operations.
  • Serves as an adviser and focal point for key programmatic decisions.
  • Participates with GSA, OSSPI and other Federal government management officials to formulate decisions regarding evolving business needs.

This position has job functions that must be executed within specific geographic locations. The official duty station is a federal facility, leased space, or an alternative worksite (typically the employee’s home) within the specified geographic area. If you are selected for this position, you will be expected to report to the duty station listed on this announcement within 45 days. At that time, you may be eligible to request to telework one or more days a pay period depending upon the terms of the agency’s telework policy.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • US Citizenship or National (Residents of American Samoa and Swains Island)
  • Meet all eligibility criteria within 30 days of the closing date
  • Meet time-in-grade within 30 days of the closing date, if applicable
  • Register with Selective Service if you are a male born after 12/31/1959

If selected, you must meet the following conditions:

  • Current or Former Political Appointees: The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) must authorize employment offers made to current or former political appointees. If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C or Non­Career SES employee in the Executive Branch, you must disclose this information to the HR Office. Failure to disclose this information could result in disciplinary action including removal from Federal Service.
  • Serve a one year probationary period, if required.
  • Undergo and pass a background investigation (Tier 2 investigation level).
  • Have your identity and work status eligibility verified if you are not a GSA employee.  We will use the Department of Homeland Security’s e-Verify system for this. Any discrepancies must be resolved as a condition of continued employment.
  • Writing sample will be required. Details will be provided during the interview process.

Qualifications

For each job on your resume, provide:

  • the exact dates you held  each job (from month/year to month/year)
  • number of hours per week you worked (if part time).    

If you have volunteered your service through a National Service program (e.g., Peace Corps, Americorps), we encourage you to apply and include this experience on your resume.

For a brief video on creating a Federal resume, click here

If you are a new federal employee, your starting salary will likely be set at the Step 1 of the grade for which you are selected.  

The GS-13 salary range starts at $117,962 per year. To qualify, you must have at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-12 level or higher in the Federal service. Specialized experience is experience organizing and conducting programmatic duties related to project management and policy that cut across major organizational elements and impact an organization's initiatives, programs, procedures, and operations.

The GS-14 salary range starts at $139,395 per year. To qualify, you must have at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-13 level or higher in the Federal service. Specialized experience is defining and developing programmatic duties related to project management and policy that cut across major organizational elements and significantly impact an organization's initiatives, programs, procedures, and operations. Experience must also include preparing and delivering briefings and communications to senior executives and stakeholders.

Additional information

Bargaining Unit Status: This position is ineligible for the bargaining unit

If you are selected at a grade lower than the full performance level, you may be promoted up to that grade level without having to re-apply or compete against other applicants.

Relocation-related expenses are not approved and will be your responsibility.  

Travel expenses associated with interviews may be approved. Determinations will be made on a case-by-case basis.

On a case-by-case basis, the following incentives may be approved:

·       Recruitment incentive if you are new to the federal government

·       Credit toward vacation leave if you are new to the federal government

Additional vacancies may be filled through this announcement in this or other GSA organizations within the same commuting area as needed; through other means; or not at all.

GSA is committed to diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility that goes beyond our compliance with EEO regulations including: 
  • Valuing and embracing diversity, promoting equity, inclusion and accessibility, and expecting cultural competence; and
  • Fostering a work environment where all employees, customers and stakeholders feel respected and valued.
Our commitment is: 
  • Reflected in our policies, procedures and work environment;
  • Recognized by our employees, customers and stakeholders; and
  • Drives our efforts to recruit, attract, retain and engage the diverse workforce needed to achieve our mission.

How you will be evaluated

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

You will be evaluated on the questions you answer during the application process, which will measure your overall possession of the following competencies or knowledge, skills, and abilities.  Your responses to these questions must be supported by your resume or your score may be lowered.  

  • Knowledge of organizational and management principles, techniques, theories, practices, and policies to address a variety of management and organizational problems, provide expert advice and recommendations.
  • Skill in negotiating effectively and working cooperatively with parties who often have difference, competing interests, and constraints.
  • Knowledge of agency organization, programs, mission and functions in order to apply analytical and evaluative methods to issues concerning operations and program management, and leadership training.
  • Skill in organizing and presenting complex analyses and issues in a coherent and concise manner in writing and/or presentations.
  • Skill in conducting hearings, conferences, and/or meetings specifically designed to assist decision-making.
  • Ability to manage projects impacted by multiple competing priorities and requirements, and to successfully integrate these requirements to meet the goals and objectives.
  • Ability to demonstrate flexibility and versatility in effectively responding to varying, often time-sensitive assignments.

Additional hurdle assessments, such as narrative responses or other assessments, may be administered to applicants who meet the requirements of the first hurdle, e.g., the minimum qualification requirements. If additional assessments are used, you will be provided with further instructions.

Consideration will be given to performance appraisals and incentive awards in merit promotion selection decisions in accordance with 5 CFR 335.103(b)(3). You should list any relevant performance appraisals and incentive awards in your resume so that information will be taken into consideration during the selection process.  If selected, you may be required to provide supporting documentation.

If you are eligible under Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan or GSA’s Career Transition Assistance Plan(ICTAP/CTAP), you must receive a score of 85 or higher to receive priority.


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