Why This Program Specialist Job Matters
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Program Specialist Job Overview
To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 09/10/2026. 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 - 7 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS - 5. For a GS-09 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-07 . For a GS-11 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-09. The grade may have been in any occupation, but must have been held in the Federal service. 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. 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: GS7 : You must have one year of experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-05 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: Knowledge of principles of management and organization, including administrative practices and procedures of organizations, such as those pertaining to areas of responsibility, changes of communication, delegations of authority, routing of correspondence. Knowledge of and skill in applying analytical and evaluative methods and techniques to analyze and assess programs and projects. Knowledge of the duties, priorities, attitudes, responsibilities, commitments, Policies and goals of the HRO and DHRO). Knowledge of Senior Leadership's views sufficient to enable the incumbent to perform duties such as prioritizing calendar appointments and development of material. Respond to routine inquiries concerning the VISN, program policies and interest in actions. Knowledge of the substantive programs as they relate to administrative functions. Thorough knowledge of the organizational structure of the VISN HR SSU, to facilitate administrative review and routing of correspondence. Knowledge and skill in operating personal computers, application software such as word processing. graphics, spreadsheet, electronic mail, and various office equipment. Skilled typist. Knowledge of travel requirements and documents, including a thorough knowledge of travel policies, processes, and procedures sufficient to create, review, edit, process, and trouble-shoot travel authorizations and vouchers. Knowledge of grammar, spelling, capitalization, and punctuation to prepare material in required formats. Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing; ability to train and instruct staff in administrative procedures; ability to plan and organize work; ability to interpret and apply rules and regulations. OR, Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have one (1) full year of graduate level education in an accredited college or university. Such education must demonstrate the knowledge, skills and abilities necessary to do the work of the Program Specialist. NOTE: A transcript or course listing must be submitted if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education. Unofficial transcripts required. Applications submitted without this information will not be considered. OR, Superior Academic Achievement. OR, Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have an combination of specialized experience and successfully completion of 4-year course of study leading to a bachelor's degree qualification requirements for the grade level GS-07 GS-09: Specialized Experience: You must have one year of experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-07 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: Analyzes and implements administrative programs; serves as an intermediate point of contact for operational data. Multi-clinic or service-line developmental projects and data trend analysis. Implementation of existing SOPs and evaluation of program effectiveness. Works with increased independence on specific program assignments. Analyzes audit findings to detect trends; assists in developing corrective action plans. Monitors patient volumes and access metrics; identifies gaps in encounter throughput. Manages master staff rosters; prepares pre/post recruitment documentation. Generates non-standard reports; performs analysis of workload trends and productivity. OR, Education: 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 from an accredited college or university; OR, two (2) full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree; OR, an LL.B. or J.D., if related. NOTE: A transcript or course listing must be submitted if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education. Unofficial transcripts required. . OR, Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. Combinations of successfully completed post-high school education and experience may be used to meet total qualification requirements for the grade level GS-09. GS-11: Specialized Experience GS-11: Knowledge and skill in applying analytical and evaluative methods and techniques to issues or studies concerning the efficiency and effectiveness of program operations Knowledge of pertinent laws, regulations, policies and precedents which affect the use of program and related support resources in the area studied Knowledge of the major issues, program goals and objectives, work processes, and administrative operations of the organization Knowledge and technical skill in adapting analytical techniques and evaluation criteria to the measurement and improvement of program effectiveness and/or organizational productivity Skill in conducting detailed analyses of complex functions and work processes Interpersonal skills in presenting staffing recommendations and negotiating solutions to disputed recommendations. Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree, or 3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree, or an LL.M. if related that demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of this position. 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 of a master's or equivalent graduate education may be used to qualify applicants for the GS-11 level. 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/.