Registration Program Specialist

Summary

This position is located in the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Philadelphia Field Division's Pittsburg, PA District Office. This position(s) primary purpose is to serve as a Registration Program Specialist (RPS), who serves as a key resource at the state and national levels in accordance with the states jurisdictions for all registration applicants authorized to manufacture, distribute, and prescribe controlled substances in accordance with the Controlled Substance Act (CSA).

Duties

As a Registration Program Specialist, your typical work assignments may include: Reviewing and processing new and renewal program applications to ensure all submitted paperwork complies with established rules and guidelines. Researching specific regulations or policy manuals to answer questions about applicant eligibility or fee-exempt status. Making initial determinations to approve qualified applicants or flag non-compliant submissions for rejection or further review. Drafting official correspondence, approval letters, or deficiency notices to inform applicants of their status or missing requirements.

Qualifications

For more information on eligibility requirements see: DEA Employment Eligibility Applicants must meet the required qualification requirements described below by the closing date of the announcement. If you are qualifying based on education or if there are mandatory education requirements listed below, you MUST submit a copy of your college transcripts with your application. Applicants applying for the GS-09 must meet one of the following requirements: A. Have at least one full year of specialized experience that is at least equivalent to work performed at the GS-07 grade level. Specialized experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Qualifying experience must demonstrate the following: Must have one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-07 level or pay band in the Federal service that includes performing at least 3 of the following duties: 1) Researching, interpreting, and applying federal and/or state laws, regulations, policies, and procedures to determine compliance with requirements and provide guidance on regulated programs or activities. 2) Reviewing and analyzing applications, licenses, registrations, referrals, or other program records to verify accuracy and completeness, determine eligibility or compliance, identify discrepancies, and recommend or take appropriate action. 3) Analyzing program policies, procedures, operations, or processes to identify problems or unusual issues and recommend solutions or improvements to increase accuracy, efficiency, effectiveness or regulatory compliance. 4) Providing technical guidance and maintain liaison relationships with internal and external stakeholders regarding requirements, policies, procedures, laws, or regulations including responding to inquiries, preparing written correspondence, and/or providing presentations or training. OR B. Education: Master's or equivalent graduate degree or two (2) full academic years of graduate level education leading to such a degree or a LL.B or J.D. degree, if related OR C. Combination of Education and Experience: Equivalent combinations of successfully completed education and experience may be used to meet the experience requirements. To compute the percentage, divide your total months of qualifying experience by 12. Then divide your semester hours of graduate education beyond one year by 18. Add the two percentages. The total percentage must equal at least 100 percent to qualify. Applicants applying for the GS-11 must meet one of the following requirements: A. Have at least one full year of specialized experience that is at least equivalent to work performed at the GS-09 grade level. Specialized experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Qualifying experience must demonstrate the following: Must have one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-09 level or pay band in the Federal service that includes performing at least 3 of the following duties: 1) Researching, interpreting, and applying laws, regulations, or policies to evaluate, process, and make determinations on applications for professional licenses, registrations, permits, or program benefits. 2) Conducting background screenings, reviewing credentials or history records, and analyzing background data or administrative referrals to verify information accuracy, identify discrepancies, and recommend appropriate agency actions. 3) Utilizing automated information systems or electronic databases to input, query, track, and verify compliance or program data, identifying transaction errors or irregular patterns for further review. 4) Serving as a point of contact to provide program or policy guidance to stakeholders, and assists in developing or delivering presentations, briefings, or training sessions to internal staff or external groups. OR B. Education: 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. OR C. Combination of Education and Experience: Equivalent combinations of successfully completed education and experience may be used to meet the experience requirements. To compute the percentage, divide your total months of qualifying experience by 12. Then divide your semester hours of graduate education beyond one year by 18. Add the two percentages. The total percentage must equal at least 100 percent to qualify. Additional information on the position qualification requirements are located in the Office of Personnel Management's (OPM) Qualifications Standards Handbook. Time-In-Grade Requirement: Applicants must meet time-in-grade and time after competitive appointment requirements by the closing date of this announcement.

Education

See the qualification section of this vacancy announcement for education requirements. Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the education requirements if you can show that the foreign education is comparable to that received in an accredited educational institution in the United States. It is your responsibility to provide such evidence when applying. For a list of accredited organizations recognized as specializing in interpretation of foreign education credentials, visit: www.naces.org/members.php. If you are claiming education as any part of your qualifications for this position, you must submit an official transcript, unofficial transcript, or a list including courses, grades earned, completion dates, and quarter and semester hours earned.