Program Specialist Jobs

About The Position

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship is required.
• Complete all required application steps, including the online assessment measuring critical general competencies.
• Selective Service registration is required for males born after December 31, 1959.
• Must be able to undergo a background/security investigation and complete online onboarding.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is required for Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel.
• Must serve a one-year probationary period.
• Applicants must meet applicable time-in-grade requirements by the announcement closing date: for GS-7, 52 weeks at GS-5; for GS-9, 52 weeks at GS-7. Supporting SF-50 documentation is required where applicable.
• GS-7 qualification may be met through one year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-5, one year of graduate-level education, superior academic achievement, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• GS-9 qualification may be met through one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade, two years of progressively higher-level graduate education, a master’s or equivalent graduate degree, a related LL.B. or J.D., or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• For GS-7, specialized experience examples include policy and document management, administrative support for program functions, report creation, processing requests, tracking action items and data, and monitoring customer satisfaction.
• For GS-9, specialized experience examples include advising Executive Leadership on policy development and program management, process improvement and accreditation/site-visit preparation, and administering, analyzing, and performing work related to organizational policy and governance.
• If relying on education to qualify, submit a transcript; education must be from an institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Foreign education requires a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with the transcript.

Responsibilities

• Develop and refine facility-wide processes, instructions, and procedures to improve integration, performance, and standardization across the healthcare system.
• Ensure policy and process alignment with directives, laws, statutes, and Veterans Health Administration (VHA) guidance.
• Support the creation, management, and submission of implementation plans and policy documents needed to operationalize programs.
• Advise and assist staff at all levels, including Service Chiefs, program managers, supervisors, and frontline employees, on policies and directives affecting patient care, performance outcomes, and clinical operations.
• Research, analyze, interpret, and apply laws, regulations, policies, and evidence-based guidance to develop policies that safeguard Veteran information and enhance operations.
• Contribute to accreditation activities and coordinate logistics for site visits, inspections, and accreditation surveys, including preparation and scheduling.
• Develop responses to OIG referrals and status requests, manage action items arising from survey findings, and handle OIG data requests and submissions.
• Provide expert guidance to senior leaders on organizational policies and governance.
• Ensure accreditation requirements are met and required documentation is maintained.
• Analyze organizational structures, functions, and workflows to resolve complex issues affecting major programs.
• Develop and recommend new policies and improvements to enhance organizational effectiveness.
• Coordinate, draft, and submit policy documents for multidisciplinary operations.
• Assist in developing concepts and initiatives into practical proposals for testing and change, and help update policies to meet future healthcare system needs.
• Serve as the technical advisor and subject matter expert for policy and directive management across the healthcare system.
• Mentor and guide disciplines in producing compliant policies, directives, procedures, and programs for an effective governance structure.
• Create administrative policies and documents, such as Employee Handbooks, when appropriate.
• Develop healthcare system policy and directive procedures in alignment with Department and Administration requirements and support their effective implementation.
• Serve as the OIG liaison; prepare agendas, coordinate key staff involvement, and oversee OIG status reports, action plans, and responses to Veteran complaint referrals.

Benefits

• The posting states that federal employees receive a comprehensive benefits package, with benefits available to employees and their families; specific benefits depend on position type and should be confirmed with the hiring agency.
• VA may offer newly appointed federal employees credit for job-related non-federal experience or active-duty uniformed military service when determining annual leave accrual; approval is required and not guaranteed.