Program Specialist

Full Job Description

The Program Specialist provides support to all subspecialties and units within the Specialty Care Service Line.

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 04/20/2026.

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; 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.

You may qualify based on your experience and/or education as described below: GS-09 (Developmental): 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.

Qualifying specialized experience includes: analyzing processes/procedures; planning and organizing work to achieve goals; interpreting regulatory guidelines; generating various reports; and implementing department best practices.

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 degree or two (2) full years of graduate level education leading to such a degree in a related field of study that demonstrates your ability to perform the duties of this position.

(TRANSCRIPTS REQURIED) OR, Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level.

You must have a combination of specialized experience and graduate education beyond the first year.

(TRANSCRIPTS REQUIRED) GS-11 (Full Performance): Specialized Experience: 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.

Qualifying specialized experience includes: analyzing processes/procedures to solve problems; planning and organizing work to achieve goals and objectives; interpreting regulatory guidelines; serving as a liaison between services to ensure smooth, efficient workflow; generating various reports for managing data; and implementing department best practices.

OR, Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have a Ph.D.

or equivalent doctoral degree or three (3) full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.M., if related, that provided the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of this position.

(TRANSCRIPTS REQUIRED) OR, Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level.

You must have a combination of specialized experience and graduate education beyond the first two years.

(TRANSCRIPTS REQUIRED) 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/.

Physical Requirements: You will be asked to participate in a pre-employment examination or evaluation as part of the pre-employment process for this position.

Questions about physical demands or environmental factors may be addressed at the time of evaluation or examination.

The work is primarily sedentary, although some slight physical effort is involved, such as bending to file and retrieve files and walking to and from meetings.

Work Environment: The work is carried out in an appropriately lit and climate-controlled office environment. Major Duties:

Major duties include but are not limited to: Advise service chief and clinical staff on efficiently utilizing positions and employees in the inpatient areas.

Daily review of inpatient service functions. Collaborate with various groups to assign staff to various activities and maximize productivity and access to care.

Perform routine program analysis to seek opportunities for expansion and collaboration. Oversee procurement and contracting processes within the department.

Communicate with vendors and suppliers, negotiating terms and conditions to secure favorable agreements. Prepare detailed reports and documentation to support procurement audits and reviews.

Serve as Facility Service Level Advocate, addressing complaints actioned to the service line within 2 business days.

Collect and ensure validation of all workload data to maintain accurate utilization metrics.

Review, evaluate, and interpret regulatory guidance, policies, and procedures applicable to health services programs. Enforce policy regarding incomplete documentation and unsigned notes.

Evaluate assigned processes to determine areas of effectiveness, efficiency, and improvement. Performs other duties as assigned.

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, 8:00am - 4:30pm 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 Specialist/PD804440 and PD804410 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Approved Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized The VA Midwest Health Care Network advocates for a Whole Health System of care in each of the Medical Centers.

This is an approach to healthcare that empowers and equips people to take charge of their health and well-being and live their lives to the fullest.

As an employee operating in a Whole Health System of care, you will operate in a model with three core elements, seeking to create a personalized health plan for each Veteran.

This is done in the context of healing relationships and healing environments and a connection back to the Veteran's community.

This aligns with the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Mission Statement to Honor America's Veterans by providing exceptional health care that improves their health and well-being.