Program Specialist

Summary

Health Professions Education Program Specialist, performs a variety of duties and responsibilities in an academic health care environment that require many different and unrelated processes and approaches and differing regulatory criteria and procedures. The position analyzes the issues in the assignment, then selects and applies accepted analytical techniques towards the resolution of procedural problems affecting the service's efficiency,effectiveness, or productivity.

Duties

The incumbent must be able to plan, organize work and set priorities, and able to organize work to be performed by others and to follow up as necessary to provide a concerted administrative effort. The ability to solve problems associated with the day-to-day operations. It is essential that the incumbent be positive and goal-orientated in taking quick and effective action when problem-solving. The incumbent consistently completes work independently and ensures compliance with established program criteria, federal directives and policies in preparation of required procedural and fiscal reports and audits. Incumbent compiles and synthesizes information for supervisor required action or concurrence and final disposition. The incumbent must have effective written and oral communication skills. Incumbent manages the educational program for medical residents, medical students, and all other healthcare trainees to ensure their compliance with directives, curriculum standards of the academic affiliates, and local expectations. Efficiently and effectively manage program operations for Aleda E. Lutz VAMC thirty-six institution affiliation agreements encompassing twenty-one academic programs in health-related fields: Internal Medicine, Family Medicine, Psychiatry residency; Nurse Practitioner, Physician Assistance, Nursing, Psychology, Physical Therapy, Dietetics/Nutrition, Social Work, Pharmacy, Dental, Optometry and Audiology students, etc. 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 0800- 1600. Schedule may be subject to change based on the needs of the Agency. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Description/PD#: Program Specialist/PD932730 and PD932740 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Approved Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized VA Healthcare System advocates for a Whole Health System of care in each of the Medical Centers. This is an approach to healthcare that empowers and equips people to take charge of their health and well-being and live their lives to the fullest. As an employee operating in a Whole Health System of care, you will operate in a model with three core elements, seeking to create a personalized health plan for each Veteran. This is done in the context of healing relationships and healing environments and a connection back to the Veteran's community. This aligns with the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Mission Statement to Honor America's Veterans by providing exceptional health care that improves their health and well-being.

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 10/02/2026. 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. 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: analyzing program operations, coordinating or supporting administrative projects, preparing and presenting reports, interpreting and applying regulations and policies, and providing recommendations for process improvements. Note: Experience must be fully documented on your resume and must include job title, duties, month and ear start/end dates AND hours worked per week. OR, Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have two (2) years of progressively higher-level graduate education or masters or equivalent graduate degree or LL.B. or J.D., in a related field of the position to be filled. Education at the graduate level must have been obtained in an accredited college or university and must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of this position. NOTE: Transcripts must be submitted with your application materials. Education cannot be credited without documentation. OR, Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have an combination of specialized experience and education (beyond the first year) and specialized experience as described above, to meet the total experience requirements. The education portion must include graduate courses that demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do to the work of this position. This education must have been obtained in an accredited college or university. NOTE: Transcripts must be submitted with your application materials. Education cannot be credited without documentation. Experience must be clearly indicated in your resume. GS-11 Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-09 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: Conducting in-depth program analysis to develop new or revised policies and procedures. Managing complex projects or administrative functions and evaluating progress. Leading program initiatives and providing advice to management or stakeholders. Preparing comprehensive reports, briefings, or presentations to inform decision makers. Researching and interpreting a wide range of regulations to ensure compliance. Developing and implementing action plans and workflow processes. Note: Experience must be fully documented on your resume and must include job title, duties, month and ear start/end dates AND hours worked per week. OR, Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have two (3) years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree, LL.M., or equivalent doctoral degree in the related field of the position to be filled. The education portion must include courses that demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of this position. Education must have been obtained in an accredited college, or university. NOTE: Transcri