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Program Specialist

Department of Veterans Affairs
Veterans Health Administration
Veterans Health Administration - VISN12 - VA Great Lakes Health Care System

Summary

The William S. Middleton Memorial VA Hospital is seeking an experienced and highly skilled Program Specialist to support the Radiation Oncology Department and serve as the VISN Cancer Program Manager/CCRN Program Manager. This role requires a minimum of one (1) years of direct oncology experience and expert-level proficiency in healthcare operations, program analysis, radiation oncology workflow coordination, and multi-site program oversight.

Overview

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Accepting applications
Posted this week · Apply by 06/10/26
Due by 11:59 p.m. ET on June 10, 2026
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
Work site options
Telework eligible
No
Remote job
No
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Salary
$61,722 - $80,243 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 9
Promotion potential
None
Pay scale and grade determines the salary of the job.
Work schedule
Full-time
Travel Required
Not required
Appointment type
Permanent
Supervisory status
No
Federal service type
This job is in the Competitive Service
Represented by a union
Yes
Drug test
No
Security clearance
Other
Position sensitivity and risk
Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk
Jobs require a background check and some require a security clearance. The type depends on the job.
Background check type
Financial disclosure required
No
Some jobs require financial disclosure to identify conflicts of interests.
Announcement number
CAZP-12973285-26-SC
Control number
871417900

This job is open to

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Clarification from the agency

Area of Consideration: Current, permanent employees of the Madison VA Medical Center, including CBOCs and VCS employees.

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Duties

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Radiation Oncology Program Leadership & VISN Coordination

  • Support the VISN Cancer Program Manager/CCRN Program Manager, overseeing hematology, oncology, radiation oncology operations, research coordination, cancer committee activities, and VISN-wide quality initiatives.
  • Lead multi-site cancer program development, standardization, operational integration, and implementation of evidence-based practices across VAMCs.
  • Monitor compliance with national, radiation oncology policies, quality standards, and research protocols to support early detection, improved outcomes, and high-quality cancer care.
  • Coordinate across service lines to ensure alignment of, radiation oncology, research, administrative, and clinical cancer program goals.
Advanced Data Analytics & Performance Evaluation
  • Collect, compile, validate, analyze, and interpret complex datasets related to workload, staffing models, performance metrics, outcomes, access, and resource utilization.
  • Develop and present dashboards, reports, and analytical models to inform executive decision-making.
  • Conduct comprehensive studies of healthcare delivery systems, including organizational structures, administrative processes, human resource management, space utilization, and equipment allocation.
Administrative & Operational Management
  • Oversee day-to-day administrative operations, ensuring program effectiveness, regulatory compliance, and continuity of care delivery.
  • Support workforce planning, including recruitment, retention strategies, staffing projections, job analyses, and position description development.
  • Prepare and review disciplinary actions, training requests, personnel documents, and administrative actions in collaboration with HR.
Regulatory Compliance & Policy Oversight
  • Ensure departmental compliance with The Joint Commission (TJC), OIG, and radiation oncology accreditation example APEx and other accrediting and regulatory agencies.
  • Participate in the development and implementation of short-term and long-term policies, integrating support services and operational initiatives.
  • Draft and implement service-level policies, procedures, and guidelines in alignment with national directives and VISN priorities.
Fiscal and Budget Management
  • Develop, execute, and oversee the annual radiation oncology budgets, including staffing, travel, supplies, and capital equipment needs.
  • Prepare funding requests, cost analyses, annual reports, staffing proposals, and long-term financial planning documents.
  • Support financial and administrative operations for the Radiation Oncology Service, as assigned, including budget formulation and operational oversight.
Contracting & Resource Management Responsibilities
  • Develops, coordinates, and manages contracting actions for Radiation Oncology, including procurement of specialized equipment, radiation therapy supplies, service contracts, calibration agreements, and technology renewals.
  • Serves as the primary liaison with the Contracting Office, vendors, biomedical engineering, and clinical leadership to ensure timely procurement, contract execution, and lifecycle management of major capital and non-recurring equipment.
  • Prepares detailed Statements of Work (SOWs), cost estimates, market research, technical evaluations, independent government cost estimates (IGCEs), and justifications to support contracting packages.
  • Monitors contract performance, deliverables, timelines, and vendor compliance, resolving performance issues and providing documented assessments to the Contracting Officer as required.
  • Manages service line fund control points, ensuring appropriate allocation, tracking, and reconciliation of expenditures for supplies, maintenance agreements, and service contracts.
  • Reviews procurement and spending requests for accuracy, necessity, compliance with federal acquisition regulations (FAR/VAAR), and alignment with service-level priorities.
  • Conducts financial analyses to support budget planning, forecasting, and resource allocation for Radiation Oncology operations, including major equipment purchases and multi-year financial planning.
  • Collaborates with Resource Management, Fiscal, Supply Chain, and Logistics teams to maintain efficient and compliant acquisition, distribution, and management of Radiation Oncology resources.
Personnel & Timekeeping Oversight
  • Approve timesheets, overtime, and compensatory time for staff in accordance with VA policy.
  • Monitor personnel actions related to recruitment, classification, promotions, awards, time and leave, labor mapping, and delegation of authority.
  • Address program issues, concerns, grievances, and operational obstacles as needed to maintain efficiency and service-level effectiveness.
Work Schedule: 7:00am to 3:30pm
Telework: Telework eligibility will be discussed during the interview process. (Ad-Hoc Only)
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Position Description/PD#: Program Specialist/PD253050

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 identification 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 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, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

Qualifications

Position Overview
The Program Specialist provides advanced analytical, evaluative, operational, and program management expertise in support of radiation oncology, radiation oncology initiatives. The incumbent serves as a subject matter expert for radiation oncology operations, cancer program implementation, and research coordination.

The incumbent leads strategic planning, process optimization, program standardization, and operational execution to ensure Veterans receive high-quality, evidence-based cancer care while maintaining full compliance with regulatory, accreditation, and research requirements.

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 06/10/2026.

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

Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-7 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: Knowledge of the range of administrative laws, policies, regulations, and precedents impacting trainee education and accreditation requirements of various programs; Knowledge of basic accounting, budget structure, organizational structure, functions and systems of operations and management; Knowledge, skill and ability to effectively communicate with all levels of internal and external entities and to make clear oral and written presentations; Knowledge of word processing software equivalent to Microsoft Suite products and VISIO; Skill in the use of computer software to create and maintain databases, retrieve organizational program data, create/compile reports, produce charts, spreadsheets, and graphs to monitor projects or program statuses.

OR,

Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have a masters or equivalent graduate degree, or successful completion of two (2) years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree, or LL.B or J.D., if related, obtained in an accredited college or university, may be substituted to qualify for the grade 9, Program Specialist position. Such education must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of the position and been obtained at an accredited college or university. One year of full-time graduate education is considered to be the number of credit hours that the school attended has determined to represent one (1) year of full-time study. If that number cannot be obtained from the school, 18 semester hours will be considered an academic year of graduate study. Part-time graduate education is creditable in accordance with its relationship to a year of full-time study at the school attended. NOTE: TRANSCRIPTS REQUIRED.

OR,

Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have an combination of specialized experience and education beyond the first year of graduate level related education. (TRANSCRIPTS REQUIRED)

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

Required Qualifications

  • Minimum of three (1) year of experience in radiation oncology operations.
  • Demonstrated expertise in healthcare program management, analytics, and organizational evaluation.
  • Advanced knowledge of accreditation, regulatory, and compliance standards applicable to hematology, oncology, radiation oncology and research operations.
  • Experience with fiscal management, personnel administration, and operational oversight in a healthcare environment.
Preferred Qualifications
  • Experience working in the VA healthcare system or another large integrated healthcare network.
  • Familiarity with VA hematology, oncology, radiation oncology programs, cancer registries, research coordination, and VISN-level administrative structures.
  • Proficiency with VA business systems, data platforms, and performance reporting tools.
You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position:
  • Administration and Management
  • Attention to Detail
  • Customer Service
  • Decision Making
  • Financial Management
  • Flexibility
  • Integrity/Honesty
  • Interpersonal Skills
  • Learning
  • Manages Resources
  • Organizational Awareness
  • Personnel and Human Resources
  • 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.

Physical Requirements: The work is typically performed in an adequately lighted and climate-controlled office. May require occasional travel.

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

NOTE: 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

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.

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.

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?

This position is part of VISN 12- The VA Great Lakes Health Care System. The VA Great Lakes Health Care System, a group of eight VA medical centers and more than 40 VA clinics, is dedicated to providing a comprehensive health care package to America's veterans. VA Great Lakes serves veterans who reside in Illinois, the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, Wisconsin, and northwestern Indiana.

Our Mission is to serve the health care needs of America's veterans. This is accomplished through a comprehensive, integrated health care delivery system that provides:

  • Excellence in Health Care Value
  • Excellence in Service as Defined by Customers
  • Excellence in Education and Research

VA Great Lakes Health Care System is also an organization characterized by exceptional accountability, and by being an employer of choice.

Our Vision is to be a veterans' health care system that supports innovation, empowerment, productivity, accountability, and continuous improvement. Working together, a continuum of high quality health care is provided in a convenient, responsive, caring manner -- and at a reasonable cost.

Agency contact information

Stacy Cooper
Email
Stacy.Cooper@va.gov
Address
William S Middleton Memorial Veterans Hospital
2500 Overlook Terrace
Madison, WI 53705
US

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