Program Specialist

Major Duties include but are not limited to:

• Extracts and collects data for analysis.
• Performs data analysis and evaluation.
• Review and tracks compliance monitoring and evaluates adherence to monitoring and auditing plan requirements.
• Identifies potential problems and refers them to the Integrity and compliance Officer for recommendations.
• Utilizes established databases and spreadsheets for tracking and trending results of analyses.
• Monitors indicators progress measures objectives and emphasis areas that are potentially non-compliant per VHA rules and regulations and discusses with Integrity and Compliance Officer.
• Monitors indicators and established monitors and the effectiveness of quality procedures and controls with the Integrity and compliance Officer.
• Monitors program implementation and indicators designed to prevent erroneous transactions and ineffective work practices and to verify adherence to plans and requirements.
• Investigates and analyzes non-compliant conditions and requests corrective action.
• Consults with technical experts to examine and analyze unusual or problem situations indicated by changes in program indicators.
• Performs in-depth research analyzes operating contingencies and special situations.
• Assists managers and staff in developing process solutions.
• Effectively communicates with Integrity and Compliance Officer and senior management to request corrective action.
• Effectively researched and articulates regulatory information in understandable terms.
• Utilizes established Excel Workbooks and understands basic formulas.
• Performs intermediate functions in Microsoft Office VistA and CPRS.
• Researches and understands guidelines for application to specific issues using discretion to improve reliability of information in the records.
• Conducts concurrent and retrospective reviews to determine data validity and identify the root cause of compliance failures.
• Assists in the review of corrective action plans.
• Participates in education programs to improve business compliance.

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Telework: Ad-hoc only. Telework eligibility will be discussed during the interview process.
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Position Description/PD#: Program Specialist/PD3686-O
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Approved
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

Physical Demands- The work involves intense concentration and relatively long periods of sitting (8 hours) with some walking (1 hour). Training involves interactions with coders billing staff medical staff and others as appropriate. Work is generally sedentary working predominantly with the computer but standing (1 hour) bending walking and the lifting and carrying of lightweight items (under 15 lbs.) such as reports and manuals are required. Reaching above shoulder use of fingers both hands required ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously near vision correctable at 13 to 16 to Jaeger 1 to 4 20/40 DVA; corrected visual requirement both eyes required ability to distinguish basic colors hearing (aid may be permitted) keyboarding (6-8 hours) mental/emotional stability.

Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job
• To be considered for this position you must complete all required steps in the process. In addition to the application and questionnaire this position requires an online assessment. The online assessment measures critical general competencies required to perform the job.
• All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA.
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
• Physical Requirements: The work required does not inherently include any physical requirements essential for successful job performance that could not otherwise be performed with accommodation or workplace adjustment. A pre-placement physical examination is not required.
• Subject to background/security investigation
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements ( Effective May 7 2025 drivers licenses or state-issued dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP)

• your performance and conduct;
• the needs and interests of the agency;
• whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
• whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.

Qualifications

To qualify for this position applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement 02/09/2026.

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 GS-09 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-07. 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 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 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: Applying analytical and evaluative methods and techniques to issues or studies concerning the efficiency and effectiveness of program operations; Understanding of how regulatory or enforcement programs are administered; Knowledge of statistical and analytical programs; Conducting independent and systematic program reviews; Knowledge of Microsoft Office Professional Veterans Health Information Systems and Technology Architecture (VistA) and Computerized Patient Record System (CPRS). OR
• Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have a masters 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. (TRANSCRIPT REQUIRED). 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 the first year of graduate education (18 semester hours) to qualify under the combination requirements. (TRANSCRIPTS REQUIRED)