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-09 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-07, and for the GS-11 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.

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, GS-09: 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: Ability to learn and apply policies, procedures, systems, and controls related to information technology, logistics, property, facilities, privacy, and records management; Skill in coordinating work across organizational boundaries and maintaining productive relationships with technical and nontechnical stakeholders; Proficiency with common office software, electronic communication tools, spreadsheets, databases, and service-request or tracking systems; Commitment to responsive customer service, confidentiality, accountability, and support of the MHSL mission.

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 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 an combination of specialized experience and education beyond graduate level.

Specialized Experience, GS-11: 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.

Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: Liaison between the Chief Information Officer and the Mental Health Service Line regarding clinical information; Responsible for the planning, direction and support of the implementation of Decentralized Hospital Computer Program (DHCP) software packages; Liaison between MHSL and members of the activation teams related to space management and activation moves; Understands the relationships and adjacencies of space needs and ensures that all newly activated spaces are monitored.

OR, Education, GS-11: 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 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 an combination of specialized experience and education beyond graduate level.

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/.

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. Major duties include, but are not limited to: Serves as the MHSL point of contact for routine information technology needs, requests, and service issues.

• Coordinates requests for computer hardware, software, telecommunications, network access, shared resources, and approved clinical or administrative applications.
• Assists program managers and supervisors in preparing and routing requests, obtaining required documentation and approvals, and monitoring actions through completion.
• Maintains accurate tracking tools and files for equipment, property, supply needs, pending requests, deliveries, warranties, and related actions.

Serves as an MHSL liaison to Facility Planning and related services for office moves, renovations, repairs, space assignments, signage, furniture placement, and workspace readiness. Collects operational requirements from MHSL stakeholders and communicates them clearly to planners, technical staff, and project teams. Establishes and maintains effective working relationships with MHSL leaders and staff, OI&T, Facility Planning, Logistics, other internal services, vendors, and external customers.

Clarifies customer requirements, identifies the responsible service, facilitates communication, and follows issues through to an appropriate resolution. Prepares clear correspondence, status reports, briefing materials, meeting notes, standard operating procedures, and other administrative documents. Provides timely, professional, and service-oriented responses while protecting sensitive information and observing applicable privacy requirements. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00am - 4:30pm.

Work Schedule is subject to change based on agency need. Telework: This position may be authorized for telework. Telework eligibility will be discussed during the interview process. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Description/PD#: Program Specialist/PD508350 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized