Program Applications Specialist

Full Job Description

This position is in the Department of Veteran Affairs (VA), Veterans Health Administration (VHA), at the Southern Arizona VA Healthcare System (SAVAHCS) Surgical Care Service.

The primary purpose of the Program Applications Specialist (PAS) is to ensure the business processes are in place to support the implementation of new and updated information technology systems.

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 03/09/2026.

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 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: Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-07 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization.

Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: Extensive knowledge of the principles, concepts and methodologies of computer systems, automated processes and data management; Extensive knowledge of computer applications to include MS Word, database management; Development of training materials; Identify information needs and develop data collection; Coordinate, plan and implement training needs for staff; Skill in oral and written communication with all levels of end-users and management; Plan initiative for hardware and software needs.

OR, Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience.

To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have a Master's or equivalent graduate degree or 2 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.B.

or J.D., if related 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 one year of graduate level.

You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position: Administration and Management Information Resources Strategy and Planning Teaches Others 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: Regular and recurring work is mostly sedentary involving sitting at a desk, although the position requires the ability to move from one geographic location of the facility to another.

The incumbent works with a computer screen and keyboard. Some physical effort such as standing, walking, bending or prolonged sitting may be required.

The incumbent may be exposed to walking to outlying areas. The work places no special physical demands on the employee.

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/.

Major Duties:

Duties include but are not limited to: Thorough knowledge of information security principles and methods. Integrate new and emerging information technology within the business unit.

Provide advice, guidance, and recommendations to management and other technical specialists on integration issues.

Ability to relay new workflow process integrated with suggested software solutions to alleviate short term software deficiencies. Manage assigned projects.

Knowledge of appropriate Veteran Affairs policies, Veteran Affairs directives, operating procedures, information flow and of prevailing automated practices in government agencies and/or the private sector sufficient to ensure application are consistent with the current and planned infrastructure and data environments currently used at the supported Veteran Affairs Medical Center.

Communicate a clear, logical and concise explanation of information, both orally and in written format.

Extensive knowledge of service software required in training employees, identifying inconsistencies, computer software feasible use in meeting management objectives and modifying current programs to meet future needs.

Work Schedule: Monday thru Friday, 8:00 am - 4:30 pm Telework: This position may be authorized for AD-HOC telework. Telework eligibility will be discussed during the interview process.

Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Description/PD#: Program Applications Specialist/PD11262O