Clarification from the agency

This announcement is open to current, permanent employees of the New Jersey VA Healthcare System and CTAP eligible within the local commuting area.

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Major duties include but not limited to:

Provides direct line of authority over assigned Ambulatory Care Administrative Officer(s) and Program Support Assistant (PSA) staff members. Organizes, plans, assigns, and reviews the work of subordinate professional and administrative Ambulatory Care Services staff members. Recommends changes to increase productivity, revise staffing, improve employee engagement and minimize burnout, and/or optimize efficiency of resource utilization within the service. He/she makes decisions on problems presented by subordinate staff, makes and/or approves selections for subordinate positions, reviews and approves disciplinary actions and implements ways to improve business practices. Evaluates the work performance of subordinates through the Performance Management and HPDM programs. Works with Administrative Supervisors regarding potentially controversial findings, issues, or problems with widespread impact on the Service or facility. As needed, provides education and training to other VAMC services and staff requiring knowledge of Clinic Practice Management operations. Manages general personnel policies and established practices regarding program operations, as they relate to key employees and management actions, with possible serious repercussions.

Assists the ACOS Ambulatory Care in coordinating the delivery of healthcare programs and services at the East Orange Campus, Lyons Campus, and the nine VA New Jersey OPCs. Delegated responsibility for planning, directing, coordinating, and evaluating all health system activities performed at the various Ambulatory Care clinics in collaboration with the ACOS Ambulatory Care, Deputy ACOS, PACT Section Chiefs, CMO of the CBOCs, PACT Nurse Coordinators and Managers, Ambulatory Care Supervisors, and the Ancillary staff. Oversees the ancillary services provided by all Ambulatory Care Leadership team dispersed across VA New Jersey (VANJ). In addition to administrative oversight for Veteran care activities, the incumbent is responsible for implementation of special programs intended for Ambulatory Care and all other services throughout VANJ. Responsible for assuring the effective and efficient delivery of care at all Ambulatory Care clinics providing a wide range of medical activities. Works closely with Logistics in tracking all Ambulatory Care supply orders to assure all medical and administrative orders are being processed and delivered in a timely manner to assure no interruptions of services or care; works closely with the clinic supervisors to assure all clinics are set up to follow the Scheduling Directive; works closely with VANJ Specialty Care services in locating space within the outpatient clinics; works closely with Logistics in viewing reports of outstanding orders

Provides technical counsel necessary to meet the procedural, legal, and administrative requirements relating to the care and treatment of VA New Jersey Veteran outpatients to achieve maximum utilization of care in an efficient manner. Reviews all patient complaints with the Ambulatory Care Leadership Team and tracks all complaints assuring proper service recovery and actions are taken, and corrective actions applied within the mandated timelines. Responsible for reviewing all PATS-Rs, patient complaints and Congressional inquiries. Involved in the planning and coordination of all Joint Commission, Office of the Inspector General, and other special reviews, and inspections. Responsible for overseeing and acting upon policies formulated or pending by VACO; and interprets applicable legislation and agency policies and regulations.

Assures completion of mandatory training and compliance for all department employees; establish and maintain cooperation with other Department Managers and Service Chiefs and medical specialists within the VANJ as well as associated community facilities and organizations. Represents VANJ at VA facility and VISN meetings as well as State and local community level meetings and conferences. Assumes responsible leadership in carrying out the Equal Employment Opportunity, OEF/OEF/OND, Women's' Health, PACT Act, TES Screening, and other special emphasis programs. Plays a responsible role in fulfilling VANJ public relations needs and requirements.

Other duties as required.


Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 8:00am - 4:30pm
Telework: AdHoc only
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Position Description/PD#: Supervisory Health System Specialist/PD36318O
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Approved
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

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
• 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.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP)

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider:

• your performance and conduct;
• the needs and interests of the agency;
• whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
• whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.

Upon completion of your probationary period or trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 03/11/2026.

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-12 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-11. 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. If the most recent SF-50 has an effective date within the past year, it may not clearly demonstrate you possess one-year time-in-grade, as required by the announcement. In this instance, you must provide an additional SF-50 that clearly demonstrates one-year time-in-grade. 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 your experience as described below:

Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-11 that is directly related to the work of the position and has equipped you with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities to successfully perform the duties as a Supervisory Health System Specialist. Qualifying specialized experience is defined as 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:

(1) Missions, organizations, programs, and requirements of health care delivery systems;

(2) Regulations and standards of various regulatory and credentialing groups; and

(3) Government-wide, agency, and facility systems and requirements in various administrative areas such as budget, personnel, and procurement.

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.

You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position:


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.

Physical Requirements: Work is primarily sedentary, with some walking to clinical areas, meeting rooms, and occasional lifting of light materials (laptops, binders). Periodic on-site observations in patient care areas to assess workflows and validate processes. Office and clinical settings typical of a hospital environment. Observance of standard safety and infection control practices in patient care areas; normal everyday risks and discomforts.

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/.

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.

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.