Program Specialist

Full Job Description

The incumbent serves as a Program Specialist to the supervisory Health System Specialist with Specialty Care service (Medicine Service).

The incumbent is responsible in providing program administration, clerical needs, and coordination of administrative needs for service personnel.

The service has an academic affiliate training program, provides direct patient care, and supports research programs; all of which require coordination and/or oversite by the service chief.

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 03/10/2026.

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-07 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-05. 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.

You may qualify based on your experience and/or education as described below: GS-07 Specialized Experience: You must have at least one (1) full year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level (GS-05) in the Federal Service, that is directly related to the work of the position and has equipped you with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties as a Program Specialist.

Qualifying specialized experience is defined as: Extensive and practical knowledge and skill in applying basic analytical and evaluative methods and techniques to issues or studies concerning the efficiency and effectiveness of the Service area.

Knowledge of an array specialized duties and responsibilities involving a wide variety of problems or situations, including developing information, identifying interrelationships, and taking action consistent with program objectives.

The work requires knowledge of the mission and functions of the service.

The employee understands how the office's various administrative services relate to one another and how they relate to the Service's mission.

The work also requires broad understanding and detailed procedural knowledge of budget, data management, personnel, and information processing functions of the office.

OR, Education: Successfully completed one (1) year of graduate level education or superior academic achievement.

Education at the graduate level must have been obtained in an accredited college or university and must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of this position.

OR, Combination: Combination of successfully completed graduate level education and specialized experience as described above, to meet the total experience requirements.

Only graduate level education in excess of the amount required for the next lower grade level may be combined with experience.

This education must have been obtained in an accredited college or university. Education cannot be credited without documentation. Experience must be clearly indicated in your resume.

GS-09 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.

Specialized experience is defined as Knowledge and skill in applying analytical and evaluative methods and techniques to issues or studies concerning the efficiency and effectiveness of program operations; (2) Knowledge of pertinent laws, regulations, policies and precedents which affect the use of program and related support resources in the area studied; (3) Knowledge of the major issues, program goals and objectives, work processes, and administrative operations of the organization; (4) Knowledge and skill in adapting analytical techniques and evaluation criteria to the measurement and improvement of program effectiveness and/or organizational productivity; (5) Skill in conducting detailed analyses of complex functions and work processes; and (6) Interpersonal skills in presenting staffing recommendations and negotiating solutions to disputed recommendations.

OR, Education: Successfully completed two (2) years of progressively higher-level graduate education or masters or equivalent graduate degree or LL.B.

or J.D., in a related field of the position to be filled.

Education at the graduate level must have been obtained in an accredited college or university and must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of this position.

OR, COMBINATION: Combinations of successfully completed graduate level education (beyond the first year) and specialized experience as described above, to meet the total experience requirements.

The education portion must include graduate courses that demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do to the work of this position.

This education must have been obtained in an accredited college or university.

You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position: Attention to Detail Knowledge Management Technical Competence 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.

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: Work is in a combination of sedentary and non-sedentary, with some walking, standing, bending, and carrying of light items, such as papers and books.

Typically, the Program Specialist/Analyst may sit and do the work. No special physical demands are required to perform the work.

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:

Serves as liaison between Specialty Care (Medical Service) and Clinical Operations. Maintains the Automated Data Processing (ADP) functions, core software packages and provides training on packages.

Serves as liaison to Human Resources to ensure recruitment packets are forwarded to potential hires. Prepares LEAF and Management Self Service requests for recruitment.

Prepares and/or assists in preparing contracts, sharing agreements, and equipment obligations for Medical Services.

Prepares drafts and guidance for the development/ implementation of service policies, procedures, and credentialing. Equipment procurement.

Reviews Physician pay, via HR Market Pay and Time & Leave approval. Assists Veterans with their concerns through Patient Advocate Tracking System. Is the Records Control Liaison for the service.

Completes Physicians part time provider contracts. NOTE: This is a career-ladder position. The major duties listed above represent the level of GS-09.

At the GS-07 grade level, you will perform assignments of a more limited scope and with less independence.

You will progressively acquire the background necessary to perform at the full performance level of GS-09.

The selectee may be promoted without further competition when all regulatory, qualification, and performance requirements are met.

Selection at a lower grade DOES NOT guarantee promotion to the GS-09 level.

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 7:30am - 4:00pm Telework: Ad-hoc: Not Authorized Position Description/PD#: Program Specialist/PD70881-A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Approved Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized