Program Specialist

Summary

The Program Specialist Business Manager serves as a key administrative leader within the Health Administration Service (HAS) at the Atlanta VA Health Care System. The role functions as the service line's expert in business operations, resource management, and organizational effectiveness. This role also manages administrative staff, develops policies and procedures, and leads strategic planning initiatives.

Duties

Major duties include, but are not limited to: Identify budget needs, develop budget proposals, and negotiate funding levels. Forecast, plan, allocate, and monitor financial resources across HAS departments. Analyze actual vs. planned expenditures and recommend adjustments. Oversee reimbursable agreements and ensure funds are collected properly. Conduct cost-benefit and economic analyses to support decision-making. Serve as Contract Officer Representative (COR) for complex contracts. Assist with solicitation development, participate on Technical Evaluation Panels (TEP). Monitor contractor performance and ensure compliance with contract terms. Lead department procurement actions and guide staff in acquisition processes. Oversee staffing policies, utilization plans, and workforce alignment. Support HR processes for staff working within HAS service lines. Oversee development of SOPs, administrative policies, and regulatory compliance. Promote VA core values and ensure positive interactions with staff and Veterans. Maintain strong relationships with internal and external partners (clinicians, academic affiliates, community organizations) Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00am - 4:30pm. Work Schedule is subject to change based on agency need. Telework: Ad-hoc Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Description/PD#: Program Specialist/PD115670 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not Authorized

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 10/14/2026. 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-11 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-9. 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: Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-9 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: Manage and coordinate all administrative aspects of a Service/Department. Gather data analyzes budget needs for a service. Plan and maintain a system of internal controls which assures that the fiscal management is maintained in accordance with accepted accounting practices, participate in the manpower utilization program assuring recruitment and retention within the approved ceilings. At least 2 years providing Operational Support drafting administrative rules, guidance, and reports that directly support agency programs, staffing, and financial management. And at least 1 year of experience identifying bottlenecks in workflow or administrative systems and proposing, planning, and implementing improvements. Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree. OR, 3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree. OR, LL.M., if related. Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have an combination of specialized experience and education beyond. For more information on these qualification standards, please visit the United States Office of Personnel Management's website at https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/.

Education

A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education. Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.