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Program Specialist

Department of Veterans Affairs
Veterans Health Administration
Veterans Health Administration

Summary

The incumbent serves as a focal resource person responsible for providing administrative coordination in the development, implementation, evaluation, interpretation, revision, and necessary corrective action of all applicable administrative policies.

Overview

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Accepting applications
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
Work site options
Telework eligible
No
Remote job
No
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Salary
$61,722 - $97,087 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 9 - 11
Promotion potential
11
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
No
Drug test
No
Security clearance
Not Required
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
CBTG-13065108-26-YE
Control number
885066100

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Duties

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Major duties include but are not limited to:

  • Research and/or analyzes problems, issues, or program requirements. Research and/or analyzes stable issues which may be simple or complex in nature. Determines pertinent issues and collects relevant information from a variety of sources. Reviews information and applies standard analytical techniques. Develops recommendations and proposals based on research.
  • Incumbent conducts special projects as assigned. Special projects generally involve fact-finding, data analysis, benchmarking, networking within and outside of the facility and presenting formalized suggestions for problem resolution as well as assisting with the development and implementation of new or reviewed policies or program changes.
  • Independently researches, collects, organizes, and displays data related to assigned initiatives and projects, preparing reports in various formats such as word, PowerPoint and excel that enable users to identify potential issues, needs and opportunities for improvement related to initiatives.
  • Serves as the Contract Officer Representative for clinical personnel contracts, sharing agreements, intergovernmental personnel act (IPA) agreements, and Memoranda of Understanding (MOU), and works with respective services in the management of said clinical contracts, sharing agreements, MOUs and IPAs. Incumbent works collaboratively with a point of contact from the respective clinical service to write and implement agreements/contracts to ensure the clinical needs are fully met.
  • Evaluates contracts for compliance with VA policies and ensures contract specifications are accurate; initiates cost proposals for change orders; develops a government cost estimate for the change and negotiates such changes with the Contractor's Representative, reviews and examines submittals for compliance; verifies daily logs; evaluates and makes recommendations concerning the release and payment of funds to contractors based upon exams and for procedures satisfactorily completed.
  • Develops and implements processes and procedures as changes are made to the VHA Procurement Manual. VA may enter into health care resources contracts (agreements) for the acquisition of health care resources with any health care provider or other entity, group of individuals, corporation, association, partnership, State or local Governments or individuals.
  • Ensures that all per procedure contracts meet VHA standards of resident supervision in terms of qualifications of the contract physician to supervise residents during their physical presence in clinical settings and procedural involvement, including preoperative evaluation and post-operative care as specified by VA policy.
  • Incumbent is responsible for working with the respective Clinical Service, Human Resources and Credentialing and Privileging to on-board personnel timely and efficiently.
  • Independently drafts documents (memos, policies, spreadsheets) for the Service Chief as needed with limited input from the AO and/or Chief of Service. Writes professionally and, when needed, technically; proofreads documents prior to submission. Electronically scans hard copy documents and converts documents to desired formats as needed.
  • Maintains all required Human Resources (HR) documentation (e.g., competency folders, organizational charts, etc.) for the Service. Submits mandated reports to HR as required. Initiates HR actions as needed.
  • Serves as a customer service liaison for the service providing service recovery to Veterans, their family members, and employees as the situations arise.
  • Serves as alternate as timekeeper, Records Management Liaison, Automated Data Processing Application Coordinator (ADPAC) and PIV Manager/Sponsor for the Service. Assists, when needed, in coordinating/planning meetings, interviews, recurring events, conferences, etc.
  • Attends meetings as the alternate or designee for the Chief of Service in order to ensure continuity, obtain information and provide feedback. When appropriate, arranges for representation by interdisciplinary staff members at important administrative meetings, committees, and functions by determining the nature and scope of the event versus functional team needs.

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: Monday Through Friday 8:00 am- 4:30pm
Compressed/Flexible: Not Authorized
Telework: This position is not eligible for telework.
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Position Description/PD#: Program Specialist/PD50485A
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Authorized
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
  • To be considered for this position, you must complete all required steps in the process. In addition to the application and questionnaire, this position requires an online assessment. The online assessment measures critical general competencies required to perform the job.
  • All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA.
  • Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
  • Physical Requirements: The work required does not inherently include any physical requirements essential for successful job performance that could not otherwise be performed with accommodation or workplace adjustment. A pre-placement physical examination is not required.
  • 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 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, 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, 09/25/2026.

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-9 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-7

For a GS-11 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-9.

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.

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-9 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-7 and for the GS-11 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-9. 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 and/or education as described below:

To qualify for this position at the GS-9 level, you must meet one of the following:

Specialized Experience: You must have (1) full year of specialized experience, You must have one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-7 in the normal line of progression for the occupation which equips you with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties, typically in or related to secretarial or clerical related.

OR,

  • Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have successfully completed graduate level education in an accredited college or university that leads to a master's or equivalent graduate degree or two (2) full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.B. or J.D. Such education must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work. (Transcript Required) .
OR,
  • Combination: Combination of successfully completed graduate level education and specialized experience, as described above, to meet the total requirements. Such education must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work? (Transcript Required)

To qualify for this position at the GS-11 level, you must meet one of the following:

Specialized Experience:
You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-9 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 require skill in applying analytical and evaluative techniques to the identification, consideration, and resolution of issues or problems of a procedural or factual nature.
  • Knowledge of the theory and principles of management and organization including administrative practices and procedures common to organizations.
  • Knowledge of the methods and techniques to issue concerning the efficiency and effectiveness of program operations.
  • Knowledge of VHA and VA policies and regulations that apply to the service and/or ability to locate, comprehend, and apply necessary policies and regulations.
  • Knowledge of pertinent laws, regulations, policies and precedents which affect the use of program and related support resources in the area studied.
  • Skill in applying analytical and evaluative techniques to the identification, consideration, and resolution of issues or problems of a procedural or factual nature.
  • Skill in conducting interviews with supervisors and employees to obtain information about organizational missions, functions, and work procedures.
  • Ability to use qualitative and quantitative analytical techniques.
OR,
  • Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have successfully completed doctoral degree in an accredited college or university that leads to Ph. D or equivalent doctoral degree or three (3) full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such degree or LL.M in accredited college or university. Such education must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work. (Transcript Required)
OR,
  • Combination: Combination of successfully completed a doctoral degree and specialized experience, as described above, to meet the total requirements. Such education must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work? (Transcript Required)
  • Preferred Experience: Two years experience in data analysis preparing reports, spreadsheets, and presentations. Analyzing data using Power BI and VSSC to support programmatic goals and initiatives.

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

There is no educational substitution at this grade level.

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

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.

Reasonable Accommodation (RA) Requests: 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.

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. VA may offer newly-appointed Federal employee's credit for their job-related non-federal experience or active duty uniformed military service. 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.

The Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) and Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) provide eligible displaced 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 well-qualified: applicants must possess experience that exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors, and who are proficient in most of the required competencies of the job. Information about ICTAP and CTAP eligibility is on OPM's Career Transition Resources website at http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/employee-guide-to-career-transition/.

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:

  • Administration and Management
  • Attention to Detail
  • Auditing
  • Communication
  • Customer Service
  • Decision Making
  • Flexibility
  • Integrity/Honesty
  • Interpersonal Skills
  • Learning
  • Organizational Awareness
  • Reading Comprehension
  • Reasoning
  • Self-Management
  • Stress Tolerance
  • Teamwork
  • Technical Competence


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?

The VAMC in Memphis, Tennessee consists of one main campus located at 116 N. Pauline St., which includes a 12-bed Spinal Cord Injury Unit, and ten community based outpatient clinics (CBOC). It is a tertiary care facility classified as a Clinical Referral Level 1 Facility and one of the most complex medical centers in the VA system. It is a teaching hospital, providing a full range of patient care services, with state-of-the-art technology, as well as extensive education and research programs. Comprehensive primary, secondary, and tertiary health care is provided in areas of medicine, general cardiovascular and neurological surgery, psychiatry, physical medicine and rehabilitation, spinal cord injury, neurology, oncology, dentistry, and geriatrics. Specialized outpatient services are provided through general, specialty, and subspecialty outpatient clinics including a women's health center. Services are available to more than 206,000 Veterans living in a fifty-three county tri-state area (Tennessee, Arkansas, and Mississippi).

Agency contact information

Yowanda Epps
Phone
615-705-1924
Email
Yowanda.Epps@va.gov
Address
Memphis VA Medical Center
116 N. Pauline St.
Memphis, TN 38105
US

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https://vacareers.va.gov/

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