Program Specialist

Description:

The Program Specialist serves in VA Community Care (VACC) as a liaison between VA staff, community providers, vendors, and Veterans. The incumbent supports program administration, resource management, and policy implementation in collaboration with the Chief of VACC. Responsibilities include coordinating and monitoring Provider Agreements, ensuring compliance with VA regulations, and working with community agencies to support timely, quality healthcare services for Veterans.

Requirements:

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 03/09/2026.

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 GS09 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS07. 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 GS7 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: Managing or coordinating provider agreements, contracts, or service-level agreements between a healthcare organization and community partners; acting as a liaison to explain complex program policies, payment methodologies, or eligibility requirements to internal and external stakeholders; utilizing data management systems (such as SharePoint or electronic health records) to track program performance, monitor compliance, and generate status reports for management; and participating in program evaluation or performance improvement initiatives to identify operational deficiencies and recommend corrective actions.

. OR,

• Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have 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, or 2 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree, or LL.B. or J.D., if related NOTE: Transcripts (unofficial or official) 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 1 full year of graduate level education.

You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position:

• Analysis and Problem Solving
• Communications
• Data Management
• Manages and Organizes Information

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; religions; 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.

Note : A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. Part-time experience will be credited on the basis of time actually spent in appropriate activities. 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.

Preferred Experience: The incumbent, serving as a specialist for VA Community Care (VACC) and administrator for the Veterans Choice Program (VCP) Provider Agreement program, acts as a liaison among VA staff, community providers, vendors, and Veterans, ensuring collaboration and guideline adherence for Provider Agreements. Reporting to the Assistant Chief MD, this role involves resource management, program administration, preparing reports, developing policies, and managing administrative requirements, including overseeing all VACC Provider Agreements.

Work Environment
Work is typically performed in an adequately lighted and climate-controlled office. The incumbent must be able to work closely with others. Occasional travel related to training opportunities and visiting community partners is required.

Physical Requirements: The work is primarily sedentary, but may require some standing, bending, and light lifting (under 15 pounds). The incumbent may occasionally need to carry items such as books, medical records, and paper. Due to the nature of the work, the incumbent may come into contact with veteran patients who are confused, intoxicated, or have contagious diseases. The incumbent must have functional eyesight and hearing (with aids if necessary), use of fingers and hands, the ability to drive a car, and have a valid state driver's license. The position may involve stress, and frequent or daily travel throughout the Bay Pines VAHCS is required. Overnight travel may be necessary for multi-day stays in the southern catchment area.

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/ .