Program Specialist

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 11/16/2026. 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.

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: 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: Coordination of administrative operations, use of office automation programs, familiarity with procurement processes, review of equipment inventory, publications management, and office operations to support leadership, coordination of calendars, conferences, and meetings; maintenance of administrative records.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 masters or equivalent graduate degree, two full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree, or an LL.B. or J.D., in a related field of the position to be filled. Education at the graduate level must have been obtained in an accredited college or university and must demonstrate 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 required documentation. 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 the first year (18 semester hours) of graduate school may be used to qualify applicants for the GS-09 level.

You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position: Auditing Problem Solving Communications Computer Skills Analysis and Problem Solving 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. Note: A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. Part-time experience will be credited on the basis of time actually spent in appropriate activities.

Applicants wishing to receive credit for such experience must indicate clearly the nature of their duties and responsibilities in each position and the number of hours a week spent in such employment.

01Physical Requirements

The work requires some walking, standing, bending, and carrying light items, such as paper, files, and books. No special physical qualifications are required to perform the duties. 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/.

The duties of this position include but are not limited to the following: Maintains comprehensive knowledge of organizational programs, policies, administrative directives, and VHA operations to provide accurate guidance and facilitate effective communication across services. Proficiency in administrative systems, office automation, procurement processes, publications management, and office operations to support executive leadership. Coordinates executive calendars, conferences, meetings, and special events.

Analyzing action and suspense tracking data and escalating unresolved items with an explanation of trends or recurring deficiencies Reviewing clinical service contract information, including expiration timelines, utilization, and performance measures, to support renewal and resource decisions.

Reviews and analyzes clinical service contract data, monitoring contract expiration timelines, utilization rates, and performance metrics, and preparing summary reports to support contract renewal and resource allocation decisions. Tracks and analyze equipment inventory and maintenance data across services, identify aging or underutilized equipment Other duties as assigned.

Work Schedule: Monday to Friday 7:30am - 4:00pm Telework: Ad-Hoc may be authorized at Supervisory discretion Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Description/PD#: Program Specialist/PD03587O Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Approved Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized