Program Specialist

Full Job Description

The National Consolidated Mail Outpatient Program (CMOP) network provides pharmaceutical support services to VA healthcare facilities located within defined respective CMOP service areas throughout the United States.

The incumbent will provide organizational and program support over a multifaceted, highly technical production operation that brings together the functions of mail process information systems, data management, and automated pharmaceutical dispensing systems for all VA CMOPs.

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 04/14/2026.

You may qualify based on your experience and/or education as described below: Time-In-Grade Requirement GS-11: 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-11 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-09. 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, GS-11: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-09 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization.

To be minimally qualified for this position at the GS-11 level, you must meet 3 of the 5 experiences listed below: 1) Plan and execute complex management studies and reviews that affect organizational structure, policy, processes, operations and fiscal management.

2) Assesses and improves program efficiency and effectiveness using a wide range of qualitative and quantitative methods such as conducting research and analysis, evaluating program requirements, and reconciling conflicting policies and program goals.

3) Provides program support in a multifaceted, technical production environment to include overseeing mail process information systems, data management, and automated pharmaceutical dispensing systems.

4) Develops procedures and systems for administrative control systems, conducting audits, inspections, and management control reviews while assessing the effectiveness of these systems in a national scope context.

5) Develops organization-wide policy procedures and guidelines regarding mail processes and package delivery management to include providing advice and recommendations to top management based on thorough research, analysis, and interpretation of legislative and program data.

OR, Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have successfully 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, Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level.

You must have a combination of specialized experience directly related to the work of the position as outlined above and education beyond the first two (2) graduate years or 36 semester hours.

Time-In-Grade Requirement GS-12: 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-12 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-11. 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, GS-12: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-11 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization.

To be minimally qualified for this position at the GS-12 level, you must meet 4 of the 7 experiences listed below: 1) Plan and execute complex management studies and reviews that affect organizational structure, policy, processes, operations and fiscal management.

2) Assesses and improves program efficiency and effectiveness using a wide range of qualitative and quantitative methods such as conducting research and analysis, evaluating program requirements, and reconciling conflicting policies and program goals.

3) Provides program support in a multifaceted, technical production environment to include overseeing mail process information systems, data management, and automated pharmaceutical dispensing systems.

4) Develops procedures and systems for administrative control systems, conducting audits, inspections, and management control reviews while assessing the effectiveness of these systems in a national scope context.

5) Develops organization-wide policy procedures and guidelines regarding mail processes and package delivery management to include providing advice and recommendations to top management based on thorough research, analysis, and interpretation of legislative and program data.

6) Organize and direct team study work, including selecting appropriate methodologies, assembling and assessing information, and formulating findings, conclusions, and recommendations for organizational improvements.

7) Manages risk and ensures compliance with regulatory standards, particularly in areas that involve sensitive data, disaster recovery, and business continuity planning.

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:

Major duties and responsibilities of the Program Specialist include but are not limited to the following: Plan and execute special projects, including managing business continuity and disaster recovery efforts for the CMOP program.

Conduct research and analysis to identify issues, interpret data, and provide actionable recommendations to senior management on CMOP operations.

Oversee mail processing and delivery management, develop policies and guidelines, and serve as a liaison on related matters within the CMOP program.

Develop and implement procedures for administrative control systems, conduct audits and inspections, and ensure compliance with regulatory standards.

Evaluate organizational structures, develop policy interpretations, and provide guidance to improve CMOP program efficiency and effectiveness.

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 - Friday, 7:00 am - 3:30 pm Telework: Ad-Hoc Only.

This position may be authorized for telework. Telework eligibility will be discussed during the interview process. Virtual: This position may be filled as virtual (i.e.

the employee may work at a VA facility or VA-leased space other than the facility that is hiring the employee and may include telework on an ad-hoc basis) Position Description/PD#: Program Specialist/PD050140 and PD051240 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Approved Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized