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Health System Specialist - Integrity and Compliance Officer (ICO) TCF Trainee

Department of Veterans Affairs
Veterans Health Administration
VA Maine Healthcare System - Executive Service
This job announcement has closed

Summary

The Technical Career Field (TCF) is a national workforce development program within VHA that was designed to replenish technical staff in critically identified positions.

This Health System Specialist Intern (TCF) position is assigned to the Office of Integrity and Compliance (OIC) Program as a trainee in the VA Technical Career Field (TCF), located at Togus, ME Campus. This is a full-time position at 40 hours per week.

Overview

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Reviewing applications
Open & closing dates
07/22/2025 to 08/04/2025
Salary
$61,111 to - $96,116 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 9
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
Togus, ME
1 vacancy
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Travel Required
25% or less - Occasional Travel. Travel is required as determined as part of the two year training program and in accordance with the Individual Development Plan. This travel could range from occasional and not-to-exceed 25% of the time.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
11
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Not Required
Drug test
No
Position sensitivity and risk
Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk
Trust determination process
Financial disclosure
No
Bargaining unit status
Yes
Announcement number
CBTD-12764843-25-MK
Control number
841266000

This job is open to

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Clarification from the agency

Career transition (CTAP, ICTAP, RPL), Individuals with disabilities; Federal employees serving in the Competitive Service on Career or Career-Conditional appointment or in the Excepted Service with an Interchange Agreement; Permanent Title 38 employees employed on a full time basis; Former federal employees eligible for reinstatement; 30% Disabled Veterans, VRA, VEOA, Military Spouses, or based on completion of service in Peace Corps.

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Duties

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The TCF career fields represent those technical fields where VA-specific knowledge and experience is desirable for success in the field. Individuals selected follow a formal training plan for two years during which they are trained, coached, and supervised by a preceptor. Preceptors are selected annually, through an extensive application process, for their technical expertise, their commitment to training and the suitability of their facility as a training location. *Selectees will be required to sign Mobility, Training, and Continued Service Agreements.

This is a developmental position leading to a GS-11, performing assignments intended to broaden skills and provide practical experience leading to progressively more complex assignments performed under progressively less supervision. 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.

Major duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

  • Contributes to the fulfillment of the elements of an effective compliance program to include complianceprogram committee oversight, training and education, auditing and monitoring, risk assessment, open lines of communication, enforcement, recognition, investigation, and response.
  • Assists in the planning, development, and implementation of compliance initiatives within the Medical Center and Community Based Outpatient Centers (CBOC)s.
  • Reviews and evaluates compliance issues and concerns within the organization with limited guidance from theVeterans Affairs Central Office (VACO) OIC Program Office, the Veterans Integrated Services Network (VISN) OIC Officer and facility Director.
  • Works closely in collaboration with the Preceptor to conduct the primary duties/responsibilities. As time progresses in the training program, the ICO TCF Trainee conducts work more independently to prepare them for placement as a permanent ICO.
  • Preventing illegal and/or unethical conduct;
  • Responding to alleged violations of law, rule or regulation; reporting alleged violations to appropriate existing channels for investigations and resolution;
  • Planning program objectives; developing risk management solutions and associated mitigation plans, such as, monitoring and auditing;
  • Creating training and education plans for the employees within the facility


Work schedule: Monday-Friday; 7:30am-4:00pm.
Compressed/Flexible Schedule: Not Available
Telework: This position may be authorized for telework, Adhoc only. Telework eligibility will be discussed during the interview process.
Position Description Title/PD#: Health System Specialist - Integrity and Compliance Officer (ICO) TCF Trainee/PD99534-S
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized
Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Notifications:

  • This position is in the Competitive Service.
  • This position is a AFGE Bargaining Unit position.
  • Veterans' preference does not apply for internal or other current permanent Federal agency employees.
  • Training-Service Agreement and Mobility Agreement required.
  • This position is covered by locality-based comparability pay.
  • The incumbent may be required to attend conferences at other facilities or other VA sites on occasion.
  • The incumbent will be required to travel to other VA campuses and CBOC's.
  • Selectee may be required to work at any VISN 1 Healthcare System campus, as needed.
  • Interchange Agreements with Other Merit System: Employees who occupy medical or medical-related positions and were appointed under 38 U.S.C. 4701(1) or (3) [formerly 38 U.S.C. 4104 (1) and (3)] must be serving in a full-time position without time limit and have served continuously for at least one year in this other merit system to be eligible to convert to the Title 5 System. Some exceptions to this rule may apply if you have previously acquired tenure under a Title 5 appointment.
  • Current and former Federal employees must submit copies of their most recent SF-50, (Notice of Personnel Action). The SF-50 must identify the position title, series, grade, step, tenure and type of service (Competitive or Excepted). In some cases, more than one SF-50 may be required to show a higher grade previously held.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job
  • Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
  • You may be required to serve a probationary/trial period
  • Subject to background/security investigation
  • 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 dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
  • Training-Service Agreement and Mobility Agreement required
  • Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 08/04/2025.

Time-In-Grade Requirement: Applicants who are current Federal employees and have held a GS grade any time in the past 52 weeks must also meet time-in-grade requirements by the closing date of this announcement.

For a GS-09 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-07.
For a GS-11 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-09.

The grade may have been in any occupation, but must have been held in the Federal service. An SF-50 that shows your time-in-grade eligibility must be submitted with your application materials.

Note: Time-In-Grade requirements also apply to former Federal employees applying for reinstatement as well as current employees applying for Veterans Employment Opportunities Act of 1998 (VEOA) appointment.

You may qualify based on education and/or experience as described below:

Individual Occupational Requirements:

Undergraduate and Graduate Education:
Possess an Undergraduate or Graduate degree with a major field of study in hospital administration, public health administration, or related fields such as business or public administration with course work in health care administration. (TRANSCRIPT REQUIRED)
OR
Specialized Experience:
Possess progressively responsible analytical or administrative, or clinical management or supervisory experience in the health care field. This work may have been performed in an operating health care facility or a higher organizational echelon with advisory or directional authority over such facilities. Work must have involved a close working relationship with facility managers and analysis and/or coordination of administrative, clinical, or other service activities, and provided knowledge of the following:
  • Missions, organizations, programs, and requirements of health care delivery systems;
  • Regulations and standards of various regulatory and credentialing groups; and
  • Government-wide, agency, and facility systems and requirements in various administrative areas such as budget, personnel, and procurement.
OR;
Special Provision for Inservice Placement:
Successful completion of an agency-sponsored on-the-job training program may be substituted for qualifying experience, provided it included a formal individualized training plan. Such a training program must have been conducted in an operating health care system and included:
  • Assignments providing a knowledge of basic health system administration philosophies, practices, and procedures, and basic government administrative policies and requirements;
  • Practical assignments providing an opportunity to apply health system administration skills and principles (as the individual progresses, work assignments must be characteristic of the grade level to which he or she is assigned); and
  • Oversight by an experienced health system administrator with periodic evaluation of the individual's progress and appropriate adjustment of the training program.
THIS POSITION WILL ONLY BE FILLED AT THE GS-9 GRADE LEVEL. SELECTEE MAY BE ELIGIBLE FOR PROMOTION TO GS-11 AFTER 1 YEAR.

You may qualify for the GS-09 based on your experience and/or education as described below:
  • Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-07 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: developing and implementing a process. Manages the day-to-day operations of the organization's program. Monitors established policies and procedures. Under guidance utilizes inquiry system to track and trend organizational failures. Monitors established policies and procedures which may involve identified or potential sources of failures, other operational failures, or in accordance with the risk assessment. Conducts ongoing studies of policies and procedures, resource utilization, and organizational structure for the cycle and activities as related to standards. Skill & ability in written and oral communication. Uses basic computer skills communication and report generation (e.g., Microsoft Office Suite, SharePoint).OR,
  • Education: Possess a Master's or equivalent degree, or 2 full years of progressively higher graduate level education leading towards such a degree, or LL.B. or J.D., if related. (TRANSCRIPT REQUIRED) OR
  • Combination of Experience and Education: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. Only graduate education in excess of the first year of graduate level education is creditable. (TRANSCRIPT REQUIRED)
You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position:
  • Communication
  • Compliance
  • Risk Management


Physical Requirements: Work is primarily sedentary although some slight physical effort may be required.

Education

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.

Note: A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. Part-time experience will be credited on the basis of time actually spent in appropriate activities. Applicants wishing to receive credit for such experience must indicate clearly the nature of their duties and responsibilities in each position and the number of hours a week spent in such employment.

For more information on these qualification standards, please visit the United States Office of Personnel Management's website at https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/.

A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.

Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.

Additional information

Receiving Service Credit or 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. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience.. 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.

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. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.

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.

How you will be evaluated

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

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE WILL NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE.

Narrative responses are not required at this time. If you are referred for consideration, you may be asked to submit additional job related information, which may include, but not limited to; responses to the knowledge, skills and abilities; completion of a work sample, and/or contact for an interview. Your resume and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your rating or consideration for employment.

The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position.

Resume Reminder- Your resume must include the following information for each job listed:

  • Job title
  • Duties (be as detailed as possible)
  • Month & year start/end dates (e.g. June 2007 to April 2008)
  • Full-time or part-time status (include hours worked per week)
  • Series and Grade, if applicable, for all Federal positions you have held
Please be aware that your answers will be verified against information provided on your resume. Be sure that your resume clearly supports your responses to all of the questions by addressing your work experience in detail.

An incomplete application will receive a rating of IFFM (ineligible due to missing forms). Request for reconsideration will not be considered for applicants who fail to submit a complete application package. We cannot be held responsible for incompatible software or fax transmissions.

For more information on the "Who may apply" eligibility requirements, please refer to the OHRM Status Candidates and Other Candidate Definitions document.

Placement Policy: The posting of this announcement does not obligate management to fill a vacancy or vacancies by promotion. The position may be filled by reassignment, change to lower grade, transfer, appointment, or reinstatement. Management may use any one or any combination of these methods to fill the position.

It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.

Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.

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