Advance Your Career as a Program Specialist with the VA
Are you looking for a meaningful career that impacts the lives of our nation's heroes? The Washington DC VA Medical Center is currently seeking a motivated Program Specialist to join our Surgical Care Service. This is a unique opportunity to contribute to a world-class healthcare system while growing your professional skills in administration, budget management, and clinical support.
Job Responsibilities
As a Program Specialist, you will act as a vital link in the administrative operations of the Surgical Care Service. Your core duties will include:
- Project Management: Planning and implementing short- and long-term program initiatives.
- Financial Oversight: Assisting with fund control point management, budget formulation, and payment audits.
- Process Improvement: Analyzing complex problems and developing solutions to improve program efficiency.
- Quality Assurance: Documenting productivity by surgical specialty and ensuring CPT coding accuracy.
- Clinical Support: Maintaining residency privileges, surgical procedure logs, and managing complex on-call schedules.
Salary and Grade Overview
This position is structured as a career ladder, offering professional development and salary advancement based on performance and qualification milestones.
| Grade Level | Salary Range (Approximate) | Qualification Requirement |
|---|---|---|
| GS-07 | $57,736 - $75,057 | 1 year specialized experience or graduate education |
| GS-09 | $70,593 - $91,815 | 1 year specialized experience at GS-07 level |
Requirements
To be eligible for this position, you must meet several federal requirements by the closing date of October 30, 2026:
- Citizenship: You must be a U.S. Citizen.
- Resume Limit: Resumes must be strictly two pages or less.
- Vaccination: Mandatory participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program.
- Background: Successful completion of a background check and drug screening process.
Benefits of Working at the VA
Joining the VA team comes with significant benefits, including competitive federal health and life insurance, a robust retirement plan (FERS), and the opportunity to work in a collaborative, mission-driven environment. Employees enjoy a professional setting that fosters personal and proactive care for all.
Application Tips for Success
- Tailor Your Resume: Focus on results-driven language that aligns with the duties listed in the announcement.
- Verify Time-in-Grade: If you are a current federal employee, ensure your SF-50 clearly shows one year of service at the required grade level.
- Use the Tooling: Utilize the USAJOBS resume builder to ensure your submission meets the new two-page limit requirement.
- Proofread: Double-check your application package for errors before the closing date.
This role is more than just an administrative position; it is a chance to provide operational excellence in support of those who have made significant sacrifices for our country. If you are ready to take the next step in your career with the Washington DC VA Medical Center, we encourage you to review the full announcement and submit your application today.
Why This Program Specialist Job Matters
Join the mission to serve those who served: Advance your career as a Program Specialist at the Washington DC VA Medical Center.
Program Specialist Job Overview
The Washington DC VA Medical Center is seeking dedicated individuals to join our Surgical Care Service team. As a Program Specialist, you will play a pivotal role in providing administrative, analytical, and program support that ensures the seamless delivery of high-quality care to Veterans. This position is a career-ladder opportunity, allowing for professional growth from a GS-07 to a GS-09 level as you master the intricacies of healthcare administration, budget formulation, and clinical program oversight.
Requirements for Program Specialist
- Must be a U.S. Citizen.
- Must be able to pass a background/security investigation.
- Must complete an online assessment.
- Males born after 12/31/1959 must be registered with the Selective Service.
- Participation in the annual seasonal influenza vaccination program is mandatory.
- Must submit a resume not exceeding two pages in length.
- Must serve a 1-year probationary or 2-year trial period.
- Must provide valid identification that is REAL ID compliant.
Preferred Qualifications for Program Specialist
- Proven experience with timekeeping systems.
- Proficiency in account provisioning/deprovisioning (APD) processes.
- Demonstrated experience in staff onboarding procedures.
- Strong background in administrative financial oversight and budget formulation.
Federal Benefits & Perks
- ✓Comprehensive federal health insurance options.
- ✓Participation in the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS).
- ✓Generous annual leave and sick leave accrual.
- ✓Structured career ladder progression (GS-07 to GS-09).
- ✓Supportive Whole Health environment for employees.
- ✓Opportunities for professional development and training.
💡 How to Apply Program Specialist Job & Insider Tips
Application Steps for Program Specialist Job
- Create or log into your USAJOBS account.
- Prepare a two-page federal-formatted resume.
- Submit your application and required documents (including SF-50 if applicable) via the online portal.
- Complete the required online assessment when prompted.
- Monitor your application status through the USAJOBS dashboard.
💡 General Tips
- Strictly adhere to the two-page resume limit; excess pages will disqualify your application.
- Clearly define your experience with specific job titles, dates, and hours worked per week.
- Use the USAJOBS resume builder to ensure you meet all formatting and length requirements.
- Ensure your SF-50 clearly demonstrates one-year time-in-grade if you are a federal employee.
- Save your resume as a PDF to maintain document integrity.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the promotion potential for this position?
This position is a career ladder role starting at GS-07 with promotion potential to the full performance level of GS-09.
Can I work remotely?
No, this is not a virtual or remote position. The work must be performed on-site at the Washington DC VA Medical Center.
Is a physical examination required?
A pre-placement physical examination is not required for this role.
Job from Veterans Health Administration
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is dedicated to fulfilling President Lincoln’s promise: "To care for those who have served in our nation's military and for their families, caregivers, and survivors." The Washington DC VA Medical Center is a level IA complexity facility, providing a comprehensive range of primary and specialty care, including surgery, neurology, and psychiatry. We pride ourselves on a "Whole Health" approach that values the well-being of both our Veterans and our staff.