Become a Key Leader in Veteran Healthcare Support: Program Specialist (GS-11) Opportunity

In the federal government, behind every clinical triumph and seamless administrative operation is a team of dedicated program management professionals. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is currently seeking a Program Specialist at the GS-11 grade level to join the Facilities Management Service (FMS) team at the Albany Stratton VA Medical Center in Albany, New York.

This position is structured to bridge the gap between healthcare administrative processes and operational technology. Acting as an essential coordinator, the selected candidate will play a pivotal role in keeping critical facility systems online, designing employee training structures, and ensuring organizational compliance. If you are an experienced administrative professional with strong systems-level troubleshooting skills and a desire to give back to America's heroes, this position offers an incredibly rewarding career path.

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About the Agency: The Veterans Health Administration

The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) is the largest integrated healthcare network in the United States, providing comprehensive care to millions of Veterans daily. Guided by President Lincoln's historic promise "to care for those who have served in our nation's military and for their families, caregivers, and survivors," the VA fosters a culture of deep gratitude, respect, and clinical excellence.

At the Albany Stratton VA Medical Center, healthcare professionals and administrative support staff work hand-in-hand to manage state-of-the-art medical environments. Employees enjoy an outstanding balance between professional achievement and personal lifestyle, accompanied by a comprehensive package of federal benefits, predictable working hours, and rich opportunities for professional advancement.

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Job Responsibilities: Maintaining Excellence in Facilities Management

The Program Specialist within the Facilities Management Service acts as an administrative and technical anchor. This is a hands-on, multi-faceted position that requires adaptability and a diverse skill set. The core responsibilities of this role include:

• Special Purpose Systems Management: Directing and supporting software and hardware workflow updates, including cybersecurity vulnerability remediations, software parameter configurations, and technical network troubleshooting.
• Project and Initiative Tracking: Developing comprehensive tracking schedules for new programs, coordinating execution details, and monitoring ongoing sustainability milestones.
• Facility Needs Assessments: Preparing, distributing, and analyzing staff surveys and hosting townhalls to identify clinical and operational requirements throughout the facility.
• Quality Assurance and Training: Drafting standard training modules and quality assurance initiatives, while serving as the official documentation custodian for all active projects.
• Technical Troubleshooting and Liaison: Using knowledge of basic information technology and networking concepts to resolve facility-specific hardware issues (e.g., Vocera badges, TempTrak temperature systems, digital signage, portable radios) or translating complex issues to centralized IT departments.
• Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs): Writing systematic protocols for hardware maintenance, cybersecurity patches, user credentials administration, and hardware installations.
• Liaison Duties: Partnering with strategic development groups and representing FMS at critical environment-of-care and safety committee meetings.

This is not a virtual position. The chosen candidate will perform these duties on-site during standard business hours: Monday through Friday, 7:30 AM to 4:00 PM.

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Requirements and Qualifications

To succeed in this role and secure a GS-11 placement, applicants must meet specific citizenship, educational, or professional standards.

General Requirements

• Citizenship: Applicants must be citizens of the United States.
• Assessments: Candidates must complete the initial application questionnaire along with the comprehensive USA Hire Competency Based Assessment.
• Medical Policy: In compliance with Department of Veterans Affairs healthcare regulations, employees must participate in the annual seasonal influenza immunization program or secure an authorized medical or religious exemption.
• Probationary Term: New appointees are subject to a mandatory one-year probationary period.
• Identification: Onboarding personnel must present REAL ID-compliant identification card structures.

Qualification Pathways

Applicants can qualify for the GS-11 Program Specialist position through professional experience, academic achievements, or a combination of both.

Qualification Pathway	Academic Standard	Required Specialized Experience	Documentation Requirements
Professional Experience	Not required	At least one full year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-09 federal level. Must demonstrate capability in designing training models, building evaluation programs, and managing physical database records.	Comprehensive chronological resume detailing exact start and end dates along with hours worked weekly.
Advanced Education	Ph.D., equivalent doctoral degree, or 3 full years of progressively higher-level graduate-level study leading to a degree.	Not strictly required, provided the field of study demonstrates the necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities.	Clear, legible copy of graduate-level college transcripts.
Combined Education & Experience	Successful graduate education in excess of a master’s degree.	A partial year of qualifying GS-09 equivalent specialized experience.	Both detailed professional resume and academic transcripts must be provided.

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Salary Overview and Compensation Structure

The compensation for this position falls under the General Schedule (GS) federal pay scale. For the Albany, New York locality, the GS-11 salary range for this vacancy is structured as:

• Minimum Salary: $77,045 per year
• Maximum Salary: $100,164 per year

This basic salary structure is determined by the selected candidate's documented experience, education, and credentials relative to the federal pay classification. Relocation and recruitment incentives are not authorized for this recruitment cycle.

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Benefits of Working with the VA

Accepting a career with the Department of Veterans Affairs introduces employees to an industry-leading selection of federal employee benefits designed to support long-term professional satisfaction and physical wellness:

• Retirement Planning: Membership in the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS), alongside the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) with active agency matching funds up to 5%.
• Paid Time Off: Excellent accumulation of annual vacation hours and separate sick leave, alongside eleven paid federal holidays every calendar year.
• Comprehensive Healthcare: Multiple affordable options for health, dental, vision, life, and long-term care insurance programs.
• Flexible Leave Credit: Potential to receive leave accumulation credit based on prior military or private-sector professional service history.

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Application Tips for Success

Applying for a federal job requires a high level of attention to detail. Follow these expert tips to ensure your application stands out and makes it past the initial screening reviews:

1. Respect the Resume Page Limit: Under current merit hiring directives, federal reviewers will only accept resumes that are a maximum of two pages in length. Any application package with a resume exceeding this limit will be disqualified immediately.
2. Explicitly State Your Hours: The HR department cannot make assumptions about your previous experience. You must clearly state your exact job titles, complete start and end dates (Month/Year), and the specific hours worked per week (e.g., '40 hours/week') for every job entry on your resume.
3. Prepare for USA Hire: Set aside at least three hours of uninterrupted time in a quiet, distraction-free environment to complete the online competency tests. This assessment is a critical component of your final score and evaluation tier.
4. Format for Readability: Save your final document as a standard PDF. Use highly readable, standard sans-serif fonts such as Arial or Calibri at 10-point to 12-point sizing with 0.5-inch margins to ensure your two-page resume displays correctly.
5. Submit Transcripts Early: If you are using advanced educational milestones to qualify for the GS-11 level, do not wait to upload your transcripts. Applications lacking supporting educational files will not receive qualification credit for academic paths.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Can I apply if I do not live in the state of New York?

Yes, but this position is strictly an on-site, in-person role located at the Albany Stratton VA Medical Center. You must live within or be willing to relocate to a commutable distance of the medical center at your own expense, as relocation packages are not provided.

Q: What exact systems will the Program Specialist help support?

This individual will assist in the setup, troubleshooting, and daily administration of unique, hospital-specific technical systems such as Vocera communication tools, TempTrak temperature sensors, portable radios, paging networks, and interactive facility digital signage.

Q: How long does the background check process usually take?

Federal suitability and background investigations can vary in length. Once a tentative job offer is extended, you will receive step-by-step instructions to complete your fingerprints, digital security questionnaires, and credential verification.

Q: When is the application deadline for this position?

Your complete application packet—including the online questionnaire, resume, and any required transcripts—must be successfully submitted through the application portal before September 9, 2026, at 11:59 PM Eastern Time.

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The Program Specialist position with the Facilities Management Service at the Albany Stratton VA Medical Center is a fantastic career opportunity for administrative and systems-oriented professionals who want to make a meaningful difference. If you have the required technical troubleshooting expertise, project administration experience, and a desire to support the Veterans Health Administration's honorable mission, do not delay. Prepare your streamlined two-page resume, gather your academic files, and apply for this rewarding federal career today.