Advance Your Career: Program Specialist at the Robert J. Dole VA Medical Center

Are you looking for a career that combines administrative excellence with a meaningful purpose? The Robert J. Dole VA Medical Center in Wichita, Kansas, is seeking a motivated Program Specialist to join our Education Department. This role is essential to our mission, ensuring that our medical staff and trainees have the resources and regulatory support they need to provide world-class care to our nation's heroes.

Job Responsibilities

As a Program Specialist, your daily contributions will have a direct impact on the efficiency of our facility. Key responsibilities include:

Program Support: Facilitating the daily operation of Education services and ensuring compliance with VA directives.
Training Affiliations: Managing complex agreements between the VA and academic institutions.
Resource Management: Acting as a Contracting Officer Representative (COR) to oversee contractor performance and budget control points.
Administrative Management: Tracking proficiency processes for nursing staff and maintaining essential HR reports.

Requirements

To be considered for this position, applicants must meet specific federal criteria:

U.S. Citizenship.
Successful completion of background and security checks.
Ability to meet the 1-year probationary/2-year trial period requirements.
Willingness to receive the annual seasonal influenza vaccine.
Submission of a two-page maximum resume.

Salary Overview

This position offers a competitive salary structure ranging from $61,722 to $97,087 per year, depending on qualifications and experience level.

Grade Level	Education/Experience Requirement	Promotion Potential
GS-9	Master's degree or equivalent experience	Yes (to GS-11)
GS-11	PhD or equivalent graduate experience	Yes (Full Performance)

Benefits

Working for the VA provides more than just a paycheck. Employees enjoy:

Robust health and wellness programs.
Generous leave accrual policies.
Federal pension and retirement matching programs.
A supportive culture dedicated to serving veterans.

Application Tips

Focus on Quality: Ensure your resume clearly states your hours worked per week and specific accomplishments.
Follow Formatting Rules: Do not exceed the two-page limit; this is a strict requirement.
Use the Builder: Utilize the USAJOBS resume builder to ensure your format meets federal standards.

Serving as a Program Specialist at the Robert J. Dole VA Medical Center is an opportunity to grow your professional skills while supporting the critical mission of veteran healthcare. If you meet the qualifications, we encourage you to submit your application and become part of our team.

Why This Program Specialist Job Matters

Join the mission to empower our veterans as a Program Specialist at the Robert J. Dole VA Medical Center in Wichita, Kansas.

Program Specialist Job Overview

The Veterans Health Administration is seeking a dedicated Program Specialist to support education and programmatic operations at the Robert J. Dole VA Medical Center. In this role, you will be instrumental in ensuring the success of department-wide initiatives, managing critical training affiliation agreements, and overseeing resources that directly support our healthcare mission. You will work within the Education Department, serving as a technical liaison and administrator for programs that maintain high standards of clinical and operational excellence. This is a unique opportunity to contribute to a facility that serves over 24,000 veterans annually.

Requirements for Program Specialist

U.S. Citizenship is strictly required.
Must undergo and pass a background and security investigation.
Males born after 12/31/1959 must be registered with the Selective Service.
Must complete a mandatory 1-year probationary or 2-year trial period.
Must participate in the annual seasonal influenza vaccination program as a condition of employment.
Must meet time-in-grade requirements if currently a Federal employee.
Must provide an official transcript if using education to meet qualification standards.

Preferred Qualifications for Program Specialist

One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-07 or GS-09 level (depending on the grade applied for).
Experience providing operational support to a department, including compliance, budget management, and resource oversight.
Demonstrated ability to manage training affiliation agreements with academic institutions.
Strong proficiency in federal administrative processes and human resource reporting systems.

Federal Benefits & Perks

✓Competitive Federal Salary
✓Comprehensive Health Insurance options
✓Federal Retirement and Pension plans
✓Paid vacation and sick leave
✓Opportunities for professional growth and internal promotion
✓Access to VA career development and training resources

💡 How to Apply Program Specialist Job & Insider Tips

Application Steps for Program Specialist Job

Create or log into your USAJOBS account.
Prepare a resume that does not exceed the two-page limit.
Review all required documents, including SF-50s for current federal employees and transcripts for education-based qualifications.
Complete the online application and mandatory questionnaire.
Submit your application package by 11:59 PM (ET) on the closing date of 09/08/2026.
Complete the required USA Hire Assessment when notified via email.

💡 General Tips

Keep your resume concise and strictly follow the two-page limit to avoid disqualification.
Be specific about your hours worked per week; full-time is considered 35-40 hours.
Save and upload all documents as PDFs to preserve formatting.
Ensure your SF-50 documentation clearly demonstrates your time-in-grade eligibility if applicable.
Proofread your application to ensure all data matches your uploaded documents.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the education requirement for this position?

You may qualify based on specialized experience alone or a combination of graduate-level education and experience. A master's degree or two years of graduate study is typically required for GS-9, while a PhD or three years of graduate study is required for GS-11.

Is this a remote or virtual position?

No, this is an onsite position located at the Robert J. Dole VA Medical Center in Wichita, Kansas.

What if I need an accommodation for the assessment?

You can request a reasonable accommodation during the online application process before starting the USA Hire assessment. Requests are evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

Can I apply if I don't have a graduate degree?

Yes, you can qualify based on specialized experience in a related field as outlined in the announcement.

Is relocation assistance provided?

No, relocation and recruitment incentives are not authorized for this position.

Job from Veterans Health Administration

The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) is committed to providing exceptional care to those who have served. The Robert J. Dole VA Medical Center is the backbone of veteran healthcare in Kansas, offering a wide array of services ranging from surgery and behavioral health to community living and primary care. Our team is defined by a heart for service and a commitment to operational excellence.