Program Specialist

at Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration in Little Rock, Arkansas, United States

Job Description

Summary The position is in the Office of the Director of the under the direct supervision of the Medical Center Director. The purpose of the position is to plan, coordinate, execute and evaluate as well as direct and perform all administrative functions that include administration, budget, finance and program analysis, logistics, and a variety of related administrative matters in support of the medical facility while maintaining the operations of the Office of the Medical Center Director’s programs. Responsibilities Major duties include, but not limited to: Performs program analysis and administrative studies to evaluate the efficiency, effectiveness, and productivity of Medical Center operations. Analyzes policies, procedures, and workflow processes to identify issues and recommend improvements to leadership. Develops, maintains, and evaluates reporting systems, dashboards, and tracking tools to support management oversight. Reviews and validates data, reports, and other management products for accuracy, completeness, and compliance with applicable requirements. Prepares written summaries, presentations, and briefing materials for the Medical Center Director and senior leaders. Coordinates with service chiefs, supervisors, and staff to obtain information, resolve problems, and support facility initiatives. Monitors assigned projects and ensures milestones, suspense dates, and deliverables are met. Assists in developing local procedures, directives, and process improvements to strengthen operations. Interprets VA policies, directives, and operational guidance to support program administration and decision-making. Communicates findings, options, and recommendations to leadership and stakeholders in a clear and professional manner. Promotion Potential: The selectee may be promoted to the full performance level without further competition when all regulatory, qualification, and performance requirements are met. Selection at a lower grade level does not guarantee promotion to the full performance level. Work Schedule: Monday – Friday, 7:30am to 4:00pm (Subject to change based on the needs of the agency.) Telework: This position may be authorized for telework. Telework eligibility will be discussed during the interview process. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Description/PD#: Program Specialist/PD048460 and PD048470 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Approved Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Requirements Conditions of Employment You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job To be considered for this position, you must complete all required steps in the process. In addition to the application and questionnaire, this position requires an online assessment. The online assessment measures critical general competencies required to perform the job. Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959 Physical Requirements: The work is sedentary. Typically, the employee may sit comfortable to do the work. However, there may be some walking; standing; bending; carrying of light items such as papers, books, small parts; driving automobile, etc. No special physical demands are required to perform the work. The work required does not inherently include any physical requirements essential for successful job performance that could not otherwise be performed with accommodation or workplace adjustment. A pre-placement physical examination is not required. Subject to background/security investigation Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver’s licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP) As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Upon completion of your probationary period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest. Qualifications To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 08/03/2026. Time-In-Grade Requirement: 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-09 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-07, and for a GS-11 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-09. 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. Note: Time-In-Grade requirements also apply to former Federal employees applying for reinstatement as well as current employees applying for Veterans Employment Opportunities Act of 1998 (VEOA) appointment. You may qualify based on your experience and/or education as described below: GS-09 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: Assisted with project coordination across services by collecting status updates, organizing meeting materials, and maintaining tracking logs to support timely completion of organizational tasks and program requirements. Monitored program workflows and compiled routine operational data, preparing draft summaries and preliminary analyses that supported leadership’s review of workload trends, compliance needs, and performance metrics. Provided administrative and logistical support for governance structures by scheduling meetings, distributing agendas, documenting action items, and ensuring accurate filing of charters, minutes, and reference materials. NOTE: 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. OR, GS-09 Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have a master’s or equivalent graduate degree, 2 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree or an LL.B. or J.D., if related. (Transcript Required). OR, GS-09 Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have an combination of specialized experience and education in excess of the first year (18 semester hours) may be used to qualify applicants for the GS-09 level. (Transcript Required). GS-11 Specialized Experience: You must have one yea