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Program Specialist

Department of Veterans Affairs
Veterans Health Administration
Veterans Health Administration

Summary

This position is located in the Admin Office within the Surgery Service Line, Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center, Charleston, SC. This is a complex organization providing surgical services across 13 operative subspecialties at the main medical center and CBOCs throughout South Carolina and Georgia. The incumbent performs work related to equipment budgeting and procurement, contracting and procurement administration, and complex human resources management supporting Surgery Service operations.

Overview

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Accepting applications
Open & closing dates
04/15/2026 to 04/27/2026
Salary
$50,460 - $80,243 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 7 - 9
Location
2 vacancies in the following location:
Charleston, SC
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
No
Travel Required
Not required
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
9
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
CBTB-12935986-26-AF
Control number
865351500

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Duties

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The incumbent provides comprehensive administrative and programmatic support to the Supervisory Management and Program Analyst (GS-12) and Administrative Officer (GS-13) with responsibilities spanning equipment budgeting and procurement, contracting and procurement administration, and complex human resources management requiring coordination across providers, administrative staff, Contracting Officers, HR, specialists and vendors.

The duties of this position are the same at both grade levels. The distinction between grades lies in the degree of independence, complexity of assignments, and level of supervisory oversight required to perform them.

Equipment Budgeting and Procurement (40%)
  • Supports or independently manages the complete equipment lifecycle for Surgery Service, from needs assessment through disposal, depending on grade level.
  • Develops or assists in developing equipment justification packages for capital and major non-capital purchases, including clinical need, patient impact, alternatives analysis, cost-benefit evaluation, and strategic alignment.
  • Processes equipment procurements; at the GS-09 level, independently handles complex, high-value procurements exceeding $100,000.
  • Manages or assists with the Surgery Service equipment budget including planning, allocation, execution, and monitoring. Tracks expenditures and identifies variances.
  • Supports or serves as primary authority on the Surgery Service purchase card program. Reviews transactions for compliance, provides guidance to cardholders, and conducts compliance reviews.
  • Maintains comprehensive equipment inventory across all locations, coordinating transfers, disposals, preventive maintenance schedules, and equipment evaluations.
Contracting and Procurement Administration (30%)
  • Supports or independently serves as Contracting Officer Technical Representative (COTR) for Surgery Service contracts, maintaining required COTR certification per VA Directive 1663.
  • Monitors contract performance against Statement of Work requirements; identifies performance deficiencies and works with contractors to implement corrective actions.
  • Reviews and processes invoices for assigned contracts, verifying accuracy and compliance with contract terms.
  • Assists with or independently develops Statements of Work (SOW) for new or renewed contracts, translating clinical and operational needs into enforceable contract requirements.
  • Monitors contractor compliance with FAR, VAAR, VA directives, facility policies, labor standards, safety requirements, and environmental regulations.
  • Coordinates with VA Contracting Office on procurement actions, contract modifications, and technical matters.
  • Develops or supports development of procurement strategies for recurring Surgery Service needs, including national contracts, GSA schedules, BPAs, and IDIQ contracts.
Complex Human Resources Management (30%)
  • Assists with or independently manages the Market Pay Review (MPR) process for Surgery Service positions, serving as subject matter expert on physician and advanced practitioner compensation, market pay analysis, and Title 38 pay authorities.
  • Supports or independently manages recruitment and retention incentive programs, including Title 5 recruitment bonuses, relocation incentives, retention allowances, and Title 38 physician incentives.
  • Prepares or assists with comprehensive justification packages for recruitment and retention incentives, ensuring compliance with 5 CFR Part 575, Title 38, and facility policies.
  • Supports credentialing and privileging processes; maintains databases tracking physician credentials, certifications, licenses, and privileges.
  • Advises or supports Surgery Service leadership on workforce planning, position management, and organizational design.
  • Serves as Surgery Service liaison with Human Resources Management Service on classification, position management, and complex personnel actions.

Performs other related duties as assigned.

Promotion potential: 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.


Work Schedule: Mon-Fri 07:30-16:00
Compressed/Flexible: Not Applicable
Telework: This is not a routine or virtual telework position. Ad-hoc telework may be authorized based on agency needs.
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Position Description/PD#: Program Specialist/PD11492A
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not approved
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not Authorized

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
  • 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, 04/27/2026.

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, April 13, 2026. You will be considered for the grade level(s) for which you apply and meet qualifications. Time-in-grade requirements apply to current Federal employees.

Time-in-Grade Requirement:
At the GS-07 Level:
Time-in-Grade: Must have served 52 weeks at the GS-05 level (or equivalent) in the Federal service.

Specialized Experience: One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-05 level in the Federal service that demonstrates developing knowledge of administrative procedures, procurement processes, contracting requirements, or human resources principles. Experience must demonstrate ability to perform routine to moderately complex administrative assignments under supervision, including activities such as:

  • Assisting with procurement or purchasing processes, including processing transactions and maintaining records
  • Supporting contract monitoring or administration functions
  • Assisting with human resources-related administrative tasks (e.g., tracking personnel actions, preparing documentation)
  • Preparing administrative correspondence, reports, or justification materials
  • Using automated systems for budget tracking, procurement, or records management

At the GS-07 level, this is a developmental position (PD# 534-11492-A). The incumbent works under closer supervision and is building toward full-performance capabilities. The GS-07 selectee may be non-competitively promoted to GS-09 upon meeting all qualifications and performance requirements.

At the GS-09 Level:
Time-in-Grade: Must have served 52 weeks at the GS-07 level (or equivalent) in the Federal service.

Specialized Experience: One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-07 level in the Federal service that demonstrates comprehensive knowledge of administrative, procurement, contracting, and/or human resources management principles sufficient to independently perform complex assignments. Experience must demonstrate:
  • Managing equipment procurement or contracting administration, including developing specifications, processing procurements, and monitoring compliance
  • Serving as or supporting a COTR function, including monitoring contractor performance, reviewing invoices, and ensuring compliance with contract terms
  • Independently preparing complex administrative documents, justification packages, or management analyses requiring interpretation of regulations
  • Managing or supporting human resources compensation programs such as market pay reviews, recruitment or retention incentives, or other special pay programs
  • Applying federal procurement regulations (FAR/VAAR), VA directives, or Title 5/Title 38 authorities to varied and complex administrative situations
  • Working with VA administrative systems (e.g., IFCAP, IPPS, VistA, FMS, USA Staffing) or comparable procurement/HR systems

The GS-09 is the full performance level (PD# 534-11491-A). The incumbent works under general supervision with substantial independence, exercises sound judgment on complex matters, and serves as a technical resource for Surgery Service administrative functions.
You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position:
  • Attention to Detail
  • Customer Service
  • Decision Making
  • Flexibility
  • Integrity/Honesty
  • Interpersonal Skills
  • Learning
  • Reading Comprehension
  • Reasoning
  • Self-Management
  • Stress Tolerance
  • Teamwork


Experience Credit
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, religious, 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 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 clearly indicate the nature of their duties and responsibilities in each position and the number of hours per week spent in each role.

  • Attention to Detail
  • Customer Service
  • Decision Making
  • Flexibility
  • Integrity/Honesty
  • Interpersonal Skills
  • Learning
  • Reading Comprehension
  • Reasoning
  • Self-Management
  • Stress Tolerance
  • Teamwork


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/.

Education

GS-07: One full year of graduate education (or Superior Academic Achievement at the bachelor's level) may substitute for the specialized experience requirement
GS-09: A master's degree or two full years of graduate education may substitute for the specialized experience requirement

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 for 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.

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. You will be assessed on the following Competencies for this position:

  • Attention to Detail
  • Customer Service
  • Decision Making
  • Flexibility
  • Integrity/Honesty
  • Interpersonal Skills
  • Learning
  • Reading Comprehension
  • Reasoning
  • Self-Management
  • Stress Tolerance
  • Teamwork


Your experience must be fully documented on your resume and must include job title, duties, month and year start/end dates AND hours worked per week. 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. IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE WILL NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application materials or application questionnaire may result in your removal from consideration. Cheating on the online assessment may also result in your removal from consideration.

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.

During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions.

Special Employment Consideration: VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply, including those eligible for hiring under 5 CFR 213.3102(u), Schedule A, Appointment of persons with disabilities [i.e., intellectual disabilities, severe physical disabilities, or psychiatric disabilities], and/or Disabled veterans with a compensable service-connected disability of 30% or more. Contact the Agency Contact for information on how to apply under this appointment authority via the Selective Placement Coordinator.

Veterans Health Administration

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" - by serving and honoring the men and women who are America's Veterans. How would you like to become a part of a team providing compassionate whole health care to Veterans?

Agency contact information

Armon Franklin
Phone
(843) 577-5011
Email
Armon.Franklin@va.gov
Address
Ralph H Johnson Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center
109 Bee Street
Charleston, SC 29401
US

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