Program Specialist

Full Job Description

The Corporate Compliance Section is responsible for identifying non-clinical organizational risks for the consideration and action of executive leadership, specifically in the disciplines of Business Compliance & Integrity, Privacy, Research Compliance, Records Management, Conflict of Interest, Controlled Substance Inspections and Access Integrity.

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet time-in-grade and specialized experience requirements within 30 days of 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 within 30 days of 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.

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: Assists in the development of processes and data collection procedures for quality monitoring and in identifying areas for performance improvement.

Analyzes data by using computer applications and systems for tracking and trend finding. Contributes to the development of policies and procedures.

Provides relevant clinical and/or administrative data to identify, quantify, and resolve compliance with organizational policies.

Provides sound technical advice and guidance to employees, contractors, affiliates, and volunteers with regard to matters pertaining to the department.

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 master's or equivalent graduate degree, or 2 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree, or an LL.B.

or J.D. in a related field that demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of this position. NOTE: Transcripts must be submitted with application.

Education cannot be credited without documentation.. OR, Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level.

You must have equivalent combinations of successfully completed graduate level education (in excess of the first year or 18 semester hours) and specialized experience to meet total experience requirements.

NOTE: Transcripts must be submitted with application. Education cannot be credited without documentation.

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/.

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. Major Duties:

Major duties include, but are not limited to: Incumbent is responsible for all aspects of the controlled substance program, including identifying best practice, meeting mandatory requirements, creating training, developing policies and procedures for the facility and for inspectors, analyzing inspections, creating methods to ensure tracking and trending of controlled substance discrepancies.

Incumbent also participates in the development of other Corporate Compliance programs, including training materials, presentations, and information packages.

Based on samples or guidance from senior staff, develops materials to convey program information to target audience. Assists in monitoring and in identifying areas for performance improvement.

Assists in the development of processes and data collection procedures for quality monitoring and in identifying areas for performance improvement.

Incumbent is capable of exercising independent judgment, resolving issues in the absence of published guidance.

Incumbent ensures local medical policies around controlled substances meet requirements for to meet accreditation and VHA requirements.

Contributes to the development of policies and procedures, and educational training as it relates to controlled substance inspections, unresolved discrepancies, and performance measures for the controlled substance program.

Recruits, approves, and releases the inspectors appointed to the Controlled Substance Inspection (CSI) Program.

Trains, manages, and leads more than ten controlled substance inspectors from diverse areas of the medical center conducting inspections in about all Narcotic Areas of Use.

This includes three pharmacies across the Healthcare system, research facilities, and locations in both Portland and Vancouver. Performs other related duties as assigned.

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 7:30am - 4:00pm PST Telework: Not Authorized Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Position Description/PD#: Program Specialist/PD216470 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized