Program Specialist

Veterans Health Administration • Boston, MA

17d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Program Specialist supports the Research and Development (R&D) Service Line at the VA Boston Healthcare System in Boston, Massachusetts. The R&D Service is one of VA’s largest and most active research and development centers, with an annual operating budget of more than $130 million. The position performs budgetary functions and procurement duties, with responsibility for the phases of the Government Purchase Card Program and contracting procurement process.

The role monitors and evaluates expenditures against planned budget levels, including salary control points; prepares analytical reports and forecasts budget shortfalls or surpluses; and recommends corrective actions. It manages purchasing and procurement activities for supplies, services, equipment, contracts, conferences, and travel, including tracking, reporting, and reconciling expenditures. The specialist also supports strategic planning for research programs and projects, budget forecasts, funding coordination, appropriations tracking, financial-system records, reconciliations, and audits.

The regular schedule is Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Compressed or flexible scheduling may be available at the supervisor’s discretion. Telework may be authorized and is discussed during the interview process; the position is not authorized for virtual work. The position is primarily sedentary, with some slight physical effort potentially required. A two-year probationary period is required.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship is required.
• Applicants must meet the applicable time-in-grade requirement if they are current or former federal employees applying under the stated conditions: 52 weeks at GS-7 for a GS-9 position.
• One year of specialized experience equivalent to at least GS-7, including relevant experience administering or monitoring a Government Purchase Card or similar procurement program; reviewing purchases for compliance; reconciling transactions and resolving discrepancies; maintaining procurement and financial records; assisting with budget work or financial reporting; analyzing data and preparing reports or recommendations; or evaluating and improving related processes and controls.
• Alternatively, applicants may qualify through a related master's or equivalent graduate degree, two full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree, or a related LL.B. or J.D.
• Applicants may combine qualifying education and specialized experience; only graduate education beyond the first year (18 semester hours) may be counted for GS-9 qualification.
• A two-year probationary period is required.
• Selective Service registration is required for males born after December 31, 1959.
• Applicants are subject to a background/security investigation and must complete the online onboarding process.
• Current and former federal employees must submit the required SF-50 documentation; applicants qualifying in whole or part through education must submit transcripts.
• The work is primarily sedentary, although some slight physical effort may be required; physical demands essential to successful performance can otherwise be performed with accommodation or workplace adjustment.

Responsibilities

• Monitor, analyze, and evaluate expenditures in relation to planned budget levels, including salary control points.
• Prepare analytical reports, recommend corrective actions, and forecast budget shortfalls or surpluses.
• Manage all phases of the Government Purchase Card Program and contracting procurement processes, including purchasing, tracking, reporting, and reconciling expenditures for supplies, services, equipment, contracts, conferences, and travel.
• Prepare and execute short- and long-term strategic planning for research programs and projects.
• Gather and analyze historical and current data, validate budget requests, and develop integrated budget forecasts.
• Coordinate between research program managers, the finance office, and contracting and grants staff regarding funding status and needs.
• Track obligations and expenditures against appropriations, monitor funds availability, and process or review funding documents.
• Maintain budget data in financial management systems, reconcile records, and support audits.

Benefits

• Federal employee benefits package; specific benefits depend on position type and eligibility.
• Newly appointed federal employees may request consideration for annual-leave service credit for job-related non-federal experience or active-duty uniformed military service; approval is not guaranteed.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level