Program Specialist

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 10/29/2026. 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-12 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-12. 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 as described below: Specialized Experience: 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.

Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: (1) providing project management for a program office, including leading work groups on projects with significant organizational impact while managing budgets, schedules, and resources; (2) designing and conducting studies using qualitative and quantitative analysis to evaluate program performance, analyze and define new or modified procedures, identify deficiencies, and develop recommendations or corrective actions to streamline office processes and workflow; and (3) providing administrative support for a program office, including implementing administrative policies and procedures and preparing briefing materials, presentations, and information papers for executive or senior leadership officials.

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/.

Order of Referral: This announcement will close on 10/29/2026. Only the applications received up to 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on the day that 50 applications is reached will be considered. Applications that are submitted after the initial cut-off number has been reached will not receive consideration unless otherwise requested by management.

Major Duties Include: Responsible for fulfillment of larger organizational goals and managing section projects and programs, giving detailed attention to program strategy, project delegation, and program implementation.

Drafts budget reviews (such travel expenses, decentralized budget items such as award funds, etc.), briefing decks, talking points, communications, information papers, and other written materials based on knowledge of program goals and awareness of both internal and external stakeholders' needs and interests for review by subject matter experts and CoE leadership.

Assists in developing approaches to problems of an unusual or complex nature, which includes identification of the key questions to be answered, alternative approaches to be considered, and application of appropriate methods to be used to resolve challenges related to integration of HR policies and procedures. Reviews and analyzes highly controversial or politically sensitive communications of a complex and far-reaching nature to assess issues specifically related to CoE mission responsibilities.

Gathers background information and related documents concerned with various positions on HR related issues raised, as well as policy-related questions and concerns throughout the CoE management chain. Completes a variety of project related studies or analyses of issues that entail a range of project activities. This includes fact-finding, development of issue papers, and other documents for management. Identifies areas of concern with business requirements through in-depth reviews and analysis.

Presents findings to management with recommendations for resolutions. Makes decisions on data sources, methodology of data collection, techniques of analysis, and display of findings, conclusions, and recommendations. Participates in preparation of briefings and presentations on assigned projects.

Establishes and continually reviews, updates, and develops complex procedures that affect the orderly and efficient flow of work within the office and with stakeholders and agencies outside the organization, ensuring that procedures meet the needs of the service and are consistently understood and followed by the staff. Provides ongoing assessment of projects/work effort goals and implementation effects to management and associated process owners.

Analyzes current business processes for assigned projects and help define potential solutions to the business needs. Provides administrative planning and oversight for a variety of special and continuing programs, oversees performance management and employee plans and conducts management studies and analyses to determine impact of organization realignments and changes. Coordinates responses to management officials, supervisors and employees on the interpretation and application of a variety of HR policies.

This requires understanding of the intended audience and different communication styles. Manages, coordinates, completes, and respond to team action items. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00am - 4:30pm Compressed/Flexible: Available Telework: This position may be authorized for telework. Telework eligibility will be discussed during the interview process. Virtual: This position may be authorized for Virtual Work.

Virtual Work eligibility is for current VA employees that are already subject to the return to the in-person work mandate in their current position. Definition of Virtual Work: Employee works outside of original hiring duty station at a VA-owned or leased space. Return to Office (RTO): RTO mandates are in effect and selectees will be required to report to in-person work unless they are approved for an exception or an exemption.

Any approval for an RTO exception, exemption, or extension will happen after a tentative job offer, but before a final job offer. Position Description/PD#: Program Specialist/PD99444A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Approved Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized