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Program Specialist

Department of Health and Human Services
National Institutes of Health
NIH Clinical Center, Department of Pediatrics

Summary

The National Institutes of Health (NIH), part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, is the world's largest biomedical research funding organization. It includes 27 Institutes and Centers, each focused on specific diseases or systems. NIH employs about 18,000 staff supporting research to improve health and save lives.

This position is in the Clinical Center, Department of Pediatrics.

Overview

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Accepting applications
Open & closing dates
04/27/2026 to 05/01/2026
Salary
$85,447 - $133,142 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 11 - 12
Locations
2 vacancies in the following locations:
Baltimore, MD
Montgomery County, MD
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
12
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Other
Drug test
No
Position sensitivity and risk
Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk
Trust determination process
Financial disclosure
No
Bargaining unit status
No
Announcement number
NIH-CC-MP-26-12934462
Control number
866254200

Duties

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  • Develop and implement comprehensive plans and strategies for the internal and external integration of day-to-day and long-range projects, actions and activities.
  • Analyze and evaluate, on a quantitative or qualitative basis, the effectiveness of programs or operations in meeting established goals and objectives and analyze program performance data to identify issues and make recommendations for improvement.
  • Participate in developing timely and executable plans of action for assigned programs requiring extensive coordination.
  • Evaluate the impact of new program policies and procedures and determine measures of effectiveness and participate with decision-makers in setting organizational goals and objectives.
  • Participate in special studies, which include analyzing data, developing formats to report the results of studies, and recommending alternative courses of action.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • U.S. Citizenship requirement or proof of being a U.S. National must be met by closing date.
  • Employment is subject to the successful completion of a background investigation, verification of qualifications, completion of onboarding forms, submission of required documents, and any other job-related requirement before or after appointment.
  • Applicants must meet all qualifications requirements within thirty (30) calendar days of the closing date of this announcement, including time in grade.
  • Males born after December 31, 1959 must be registered with the Selective Service.
  • The National Institutes of Health participates in the USCIS Electronic Employment Eligibility Verification Program (E-Verify). E-Verify helps employers determine employment eligibility of new hires and the validity of their Social Security numbers.
  • The NIH maintains a tobacco free work environment and campus.
  • Must be able to perform the essential duties of the position, with or without reasonable accommodation.
  • Based on your appointment, a one or two-year trial/probationary period may be required. A decision regarding your continued employment with NIH will be made as you near the end of this period.
  • If selected, you must pass a pre-employment medical examination.
  • This position is designated as a "non-emergency/teleworker" position and the selected candidate will be considered a "non-emergency/teleworker" employee. In the event of a closure, you must be available to telework or request leave.

Qualifications

In order to qualify for a Program Specialist, Gs-0301 position at the GS-11 level, you must:

A. completed a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree, or 3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree or an LL.M., if related;

OR

B. 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-09 level in the Federal service obtained in either the private or public sector, performing the following types of tasks: evaluating program efficiency and effectiveness; interpreting the impact of regulations and policies on administrative programs; planning, analyzing, and evaluating priorities, resource allocations, work force management, and performance in support of operational requirements; participating in the development and implementation of plans for organizational projects and initiatives; reviewing information and developing analytical reports with recommendations;

OR

C. a combination of post baccalaureate education related to the position and experience that meets 100% of the qualification requirements for this position.

In order to qualify for a Program Specialist, GS-0301 position at the GS-12 level, you must have 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-11 level in the Federal service obtained in either the private or public sector, performing the following types of tasks: evaluating programs in areas such as grant review, program support management, financial management, procurement, quality assurance, management analysis or administrative program management; formulating and executing action plans to respond to business and management problems or initiatives; providing organizational support for program planning and analysis activities; evaluating the impact of new program policies; determining measures of effectiveness in setting organizational goals and objectives.

You will receive credit for all experience material to the position, including experience gained in religious, civic, welfare, service, and organizational activities, regardless of whether you received pay.

Do not copy and paste the duties or specialized experience from this announcement into your resume as that will not be considered a demonstration of your qualifications for this position.

We may verify or assess your qualifications at any time. Inflated or unsupported qualifications may affect your rating. Any misrepresentation or material omission of facts may be sufficient cause to end further consideration of your candidacy. Persons listed as knowing your past accomplishments or experience in your application may be contacted for verification purposes at any time. Verification may, but need not, begin before receiving an offer.

Preview application questionnaire before you apply: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12934462

Education

If you qualify based on education in lieu of specialized experience, you are strongly encouraged to submit a copy of your transcripts or a list of your courses including titles, credit hours completed and grades. Unofficial transcripts will be accepted in the application packages. Official transcripts will be required from all selectees prior to receiving an official offer. Click here for information on Foreign Education.

Additional information

  • This position is designated as a "non-emergency/teleworker" position and the selected candidate will be considered a "non-emergency/teleworker" employee. In the event of a closure, you must be available to telework or request leave.
  • A newly appointed or reappointed employee may receive service credit for prior work experience or active-duty uniformed service that otherwise would not be creditable for the purpose of determining his or her annual leave accrual rate. All creditable service must be directly related to the duties of the position being filled and decisions to allow for such credit must be finalized prior to the selectee's entrance on duty. Recipients will be determined on a case-by-case basis based on organizational need, specific case justification, and budget limitations.
  • If selected, you must pass a pre-employment medical examination.
  • PHS Commissioned Officers interested in performing the duties of this position within the Commissioned Corps should apply online to this announcement to receive consideration.
  • Visit Help Applying for helpful information on the application process.
  • If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be granted the opportunity to request a RA in your online application. Requests for RA for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for RA must be received prior to starting the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. Decisions on requests for RA are made on a case-by-case basis. If you meet the minimum qualifications of the position, after notification of the adjudication of your request, you will receive an email invitation to complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, based on your adjudication decision. You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments if you received the link after the close of the announcement. To determine if you need a RA, please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments here: Reasonable Accommodation Information
  • Veterans' Preference only applies to Schedule A (disability appointment), HHS Reemployment Priority List (RPL) Eligibles, HHS Priority Reemployment List (PRL) Eligibles, and Veterans Recruitment Appointments (if applicable).

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.

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. You will be assessed on the following competencies:

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

Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application materials or application questionnaire may result in your removal from consideration. Cheating on an assessment may also result in your removal from consideration.

The position advertised in this announcement are covered by the agency's Reemployment Priority List (RPL). RPL candidates will be rated, placed into one of the quality categories below, and referred to the hiring office, once veterans' preference is applied. - Qualified - Well Qualified - Best Qualified

Additional selections may be made for similar positions across the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) within the local commuting area(s) of the location identified in this announcement. By applying, you agree to have your application shared with interested selecting official(s) at HHS. Clearance of CTAP/ICTAP will be applied for similar positions across HHS.

To be considered well qualified for the purposes of the Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP)and the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP), you must be able to satisfactorily perform the duties of the position upon entry and substantively exceed the basic qualifications by scoring at least 80 points on the assessment(s) and meet all eligibility, physical, medical, suitability, and all other requirements.

National Institutes of Health

The NIH Clinical Center is strengthening pediatric care through a unified, patient-centered Department of Pediatrics. Supporting approximately 1,500 active research protocols-one-third involving children-the Center integrates an 18-bed inpatient unit, 11 day hospital stations, a 6-bed behavioral health unit, and a 20-room outpatient clinic. Care is delivered 24/7 by board-certified pediatricians and advanced practitioners within a collaborative, integrated model. By aligning clinical and research expertise, the Department improves continuity of care, optimizes resources, and ensures high-quality pediatric outcomes. It provides age-appropriate care for children in diverse studies while advancing research on congenital disorders, genetics, and the development of new diagnostics and treatments. The Program Specialist supports the Department Chief and the administrative framework that enables clinicians and researchers to operate effectively. Operating in a fast-paced environment, this role manages procurement, supports contract activities, and coordinates essential functions critical to departmental operations.

Virtually explore the NIH's Bethesda campus, learn about scientific research, and meet NIH community members working to help people live longer, healthier lives: https://www.nih.gov/virtual-tour/

Agency contact information

NIH HR Service Desk Branch E
Email
ohrcsdbranchesrvdsk@od.nih.gov
Address
National Institutes of Health
6701 Rockledge Drive
Bethesda, MD 20892
US

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