Program Specialist

Veterans Health Administration • Albany, NY

6d • Onsite

About The Position

The Program Specialist serves within Surgical Service at the Albany Stratton VA Medical Center, providing administrative and operational support in personnel management, procurement, budgeting, resource management, and program improvement. The position coordinates administrative activities, analyzes operational processes, and supports efficient delivery of surgical services.

This is a full-time position with a Monday–Friday schedule from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Telework may be authorized; eligibility will be discussed during the interview. This is not a virtual position.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship.
• Selective Service registration for males born after 12/31/1959.
• Subject to a background/security investigation.
• Complete the online onboarding process and provide acceptable identification for pre-employment requirements.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is required for Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel.
• Serve a one-year probationary period or two-year trial period, as applicable.
• For current or former Federal employees subject to the requirement, meet the GS-09 time-in-grade requirement: 52 weeks at GS-07, with supporting SF-50 documentation.
• Meet the GS-09 qualification requirement through one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least GS-07; qualifying experience includes administrative operations, advising on policies and program requirements, process analysis and reporting, personnel actions, procurement requests, or equipment, supply, and resource coordination; OR qualifying doctoral-level graduate education; OR an applicable combination of education and experience.
• Submit transcripts if qualifying based wholly or partly on education; foreign education requires a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with the transcript.
• Clearly document relevant duties, responsibilities, and weekly hours to receive credit for qualifying part-time or volunteer experience.

Nice To Haves

• One year of administrative experience in a healthcare setting, preferably supporting a surgical or clinical service.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate and manage Surgical Service administrative support functions, ensuring timely processing of correspondence, inquiries, and administrative actions.
• Advise Surgical Service leadership on administrative operations, policies, procedures, and program requirements.
• Analyze administrative processes, prepare reports, identify operational deficiencies, and recommend improvements to program efficiency and effectiveness.
• Coordinate personnel-related actions and liaise with Human Resources regarding staffing, onboarding, and other personnel requirements.
• Perform procurement and contracting administrative functions, including reviewing purchase requests, monitoring receipts, and coordinating follow-up actions.
• Monitor the use of supplies, equipment, and services to support operational requirements.
• Identify equipment and resource needs, coordinate replacement requests, and support acquisition activities for Surgical Service.
• Coordinate administrative compliance activities, staff training requirements, and program reporting.
• Support budgetary activities and monitor expenditures associated with departmental operations.

Benefits

• Federal employees and their families have access to a comprehensive benefits package.
• Selected applicants may request prior work or military service credit toward annual leave accrual, subject to approval and not guaranteed.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree