Program Specialist

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 11/06/2026. 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-9 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-7. The grade may have been in any occupation, but must have been held in the Federal service.

For a GS-11 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-9. 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: GS-09 EXPERIENCE: You must possess one (1) full year of specialized experience at the next lower grade GS-07, which has equipped you with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the Program Specialist position.

Examples include: Basic knowledge in applying qualitative and quantitative techniques in order to perform thorough management analysis of current and projected diagnostic service programs.

Basic knowledge of the unique characteristics of the specific health care delivery system served, the missions, organizations, programs, and requirements of health care delivery systems, intra- and interdepartmental relationships, and agency operations and programs sufficient to interact effectively with healthcare facilities and to seek out and secure more detailed, technical information for task accomplishment when needed.

Basic understand of agency administrative practices such as correspondence control practices, office processes, regulations, and rules in keeping with senior management decision makers affecting the administration and delivery of healthcare services. OR, Education - Must possess a Masters 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 any combination of specialized experience and education at the GS-07 level. (Only graduate education in excess of 1 full year of progressively higher-level graduate education may be used to qualify in combination of experience). (Transcripts are required for proof of qualifying education).

GS-11 SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: You must possess one (1) full year of specialized experience, which has equipped you with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the Program Specialist position.

Examples include: Knowledge of health care service administration, continuous quality improvement; data analysis; healthcare principles, theories and practices; budgeting, planning, administration, and labor/union relationships, or other key administrative support functions; sufficient to analyze and evaluate broad and difficult problems, apply extensive qualitative and/or quantitative methods for program improvement, make recommendations for complicated solutions.

Extensive knowledge of the unique characteristics of the specific health care delivery system served the missions, organizations, programs, and requirements of health care delivery systems. Comprehensive knowledge of broad agency administrative practices such as correspondence control practices, office processes, regulations, and rules in keeping with senior management decision makers affecting the administration and delivery of healthcare services.

Ability to independently investigate complex issues, analyze problems, and present both written and oral recommendations taking into full consideration the wide range of factors and requirements which affect the management of the healthcare delivery system. OR, Education - Must possess a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree or 3 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.M., if related.

OR, Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have any combination of specialized experience and education at the GS-09 level. (Only graduate education in excess of 2 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education may be used to qualify in combination of experience). (Transcripts are required for proof of qualifying education).

Preferred Experience - Pathology/Laboratory experience 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/.

Duties Develop procedures, polices and support artifacts to ensure procurement and contracting activities. Follow federal procurement laws and regulations. Perform equipment, instrumentation, consignments, and scope audits. Develop a quality assurance program to identify and correct any opportunities for improvement related to all Pathology Laboratory acquisitions. Submit reports to leadership with recommendations. Establish and maintain controls of all contracts to ensure execution in accordance with terms.

Monitor and make recommendations to replace end of life equipment. Research and enter equipment and instrument requests, ensuring all data is complete prior to submitting procurement package. Service as a liaison between Pathology Laboratory and all other VA services. 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 7:30am - 4:00pm Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Description/PD#: Program Specialist/PD13892A and PD13893A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorize Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not approved