Program Specialist

Veterans Health Administration•Salt Lake City, UT

10d•Onsite

About The Position

The Program Specialist works in the Department of Veterans Affairs, Salt Lake City, Utah, in the Pathology Laboratory Service. The role supports the laboratory’s procurement and contracting activities by developing procedures, policies, and supporting documentation; ensuring compliance with federal procurement laws and regulations; and establishing controls to ensure contracts are carried out according to their terms. The specialist also performs audits, develops quality assurance processes, monitors equipment needs, and provides recommendations to leadership. The position is not virtual and follows a Monday–Friday schedule from 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The position description numbers are PD13892A and PD13893A. Promotion to the full performance level may be possible without further competition when regulatory, qualification, and performance requirements are met; selection at a lower grade does not guarantee promotion.

Requirements

U.S. citizenship is required.
Complete the application, questionnaire, and required online assessment.
Male applicants born after December 31, 1959, must be registered with Selective Service.
Meet the applicable qualification requirements by the announcement closing date, November 6, 2026.
Current or former federal employees applying at GS-9 or GS-11 must meet the applicable time-in-grade requirement: 52 weeks at GS-7 for GS-9, or 52 weeks at GS-9 for GS-11.
For GS-9, qualify through one year of specialized experience at GS-7, qualifying related graduate education, or an eligible combination of experience and education.
For GS-11, qualify through one year of specialized experience, qualifying related doctoral-level education, or an eligible combination of experience and education.
Submit transcripts when relying on education to qualify; foreign education requires a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency.
Complete a background/security investigation and the online onboarding process.
Participate in the seasonal influenza vaccination program as a VA health care personnel requirement.
Serve a one-year probationary period or two-year trial period, as applicable.
Pathology or laboratory experience is preferred.

Nice To Haves

Pathology or laboratory experience.

Responsibilities

Develop procedures, policies, and supporting artifacts for procurement and contracting activities.
Follow federal procurement laws and regulations.
Perform equipment, instrumentation, consignment, and scope audits.
Develop a quality assurance program to identify and correct opportunities for improvement related to Pathology Laboratory acquisitions.
Submit reports to leadership with recommendations.
Establish and maintain controls over contracts to ensure execution in accordance with their terms.
Monitor equipment approaching end of life and make recommendations for replacement.
Research and enter equipment and instrument requests, ensuring the data is complete before submitting procurement packages.
Serve as a liaison between the Pathology Laboratory and other VA services.
Perform other duties as assigned.