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Program Specialist

Department of Veterans Affairs
Office of the Chief Human Capital Officer
Deputy Assistant Secretary for Human Resources Management

Summary

This position is a Human Resources Analyst and reports to the Chief Human Capital Officer (OCHCO). The incumbent is a key advisor to all HR&A leadership on strategic departmental issues facing the VA's recruitment initiatives and is responsible for coordinating with internal and
external stakeholders to further VA's mission.

Overview

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Accepting applications
Open & closing dates
03/27/2026 to 03/30/2026
Salary
$169,279 - $197,200 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 15
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
District of Columbia, DC
1 vacancy
Remote job
No
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
15
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
No
Announcement number
CCLQ-12921999-26-ELW
Control number
862929500

This job is open to

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Clarification from the agency

This announcement is open to those eligible for the following hiring authorities: CTAP and ICTAP eligible employees within the local commuting area of Washington, D.C.

Duties

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Duties include but are not limited to:

  • Develops and maintains an effective communication bridge with all VA components to establish a comprehensive plan for recruiting.
  • Oversees the development and establishment of Strategy Enablers related to VA Recruiting to increase the agency ability to work together and present a unified presence in each of our recruiting markets.
  • Ensures proper policies are in place and followed to ensure the proper influx of talent into the VA to assist in meeting strength
    requirements. Develops, implements, and ensures proper execution of recruiting action plans designed to ensure VA mission accomplishment. Is responsible for the analysis of mission requirements and the oversight of adjustments in recruitment plans.
  • The incumbent is responsible for the development and coordination of necessary Courses of Actions and briefs to
    Senior VA leaders, and other Officials on personnel issues to create a forum for senior level decisions making.
  • Serves as the advisor to the CHCO on all matters pertaining to the development of recruitment policy and management of programming, budgeting, and execution of incentives and the input to incentive policy.
  • Others duties may be assigned.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

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 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 identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you may be required to serve a one year probationary period or two 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 one year probationary period or two year 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, 03/30/2026.

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-15 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-14. 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. See the Required Document section below for more information regarding the SF-50s needed to verify time-in-grade. You may qualify based on your experience as described below:

You may qualify 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-14) in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: Examples of specialized experience would typically include but are not limited to: Experience in drafting policies, guidance, and providing oversight and technical assistance in the areas of human capital management and recruitment incentives. Extensive experience in the development and implementation of recruitment policies, including managing the full lifecycle of incentive programs. Experience in facilitating and leading working groups, task forces, and ad hoc teams focused on developing and enhancing recruitment and retention programs. Experience in planning, directing, and coordinating program activities of related to special projects, studies, and audits.

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

  • Conflict Management
  • Influencing/Negotiating
  • Manages Resources
  • Oral Communication
  • Partnering
  • Planning and Evaluating
  • Problem Solving
  • Strategic Thinking
  • Technical Credibility

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.

The Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) and Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) provide eligible displaced Federal/VA competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. To be qualified you must submit appropriate documentation (a copy of the agency notice, your most recent performance rating, and your most recent SF-50 noting current position, grade level, and duty location) and be found well-qualified for this vacancy.

To be found well qualified, applicants must meet one year of the following qualifications:

  • Providing an extensive experience in human capital management, recruitment policy development, and incentive program management. Recognized for the ability to develop and implement strategic recruitment and retention initiatives that align with organizational goals and enhance workforce effectiveness.
  • Directing and guiding cross-functional teams and working groups to design and implement innovative solutions that improve hiring outcomes and maximize the efficient use of resources. Brings a results-driven approach to program oversight, process optimization, and policy development.
  • Managing complex projects, audits, and special studies. Adept at providing expert technical assistance and recommendations to leadership, ensuring compliance with federal regulations while driving continuous improvement in recruitment and retention strategies.

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: The employee works primarily in an office setting involving everyday risks or discomforts.

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

Local Commuting Area: The local commuting area for this position is defined as a radius of 50 miles from Washington, DC. This includes all locations that fall within a 50-mile driving distance from 810 Vermont Ave NW, Washington, DC 20420 .

Education

There is no educational substitution at this grade level.

Additional information

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

This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.

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.

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

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.

Supervisory Situational Judgement Test. Applicants will be required to complete a Supervisory Situational Judgment Test (SSJT) as part of the assessment process for this position. The SSJT evaluates judgment, decision-making, and leadership competencies associated with effective supervision in a Federal work environment. Assessment results may be used as part of the evaluation, ranking and referral process. This is not a timed test, however, the assessment is expected to take approximately 45 minutes or less to complete.

You will be evaluated based on how well you meet the qualifications listed in this vacancy announcement. Your qualifications will be evaluated based on your application materials (e.g., resume, supporting documents), your responses on the application questionnaire, and your responses to all assessments required for this position.

Narrative responses are not required at this time. If you are referred for consideration, you may be contacted 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.

Order of referral: Eligible applicants will be reviewed and referred in the following order:

  • CTAP
  • ICTAP

Office of the Chief Human Capital Officer

OUR MISSION: To fulfill President Lincoln's promise to care for those who have served in our nation's military and for their families, caregivers, and survivors. How would you like to become a part of a team providing compassionate care to Veterans?

Agency contact information

Eric Whittaker
Email
Eric.Whittaker@va.gov
Address
Chief Human Capital Office
810 Vermont Ave
Washington, DC 20420
US

Visit our careers page

Learn more about what it's like to work at Office of the Chief Human Capital Officer, what the agency does, and about the types of careers this agency offers.

http://www.va.gov/jobs

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