Program Specialist

Summary This position is located in the Facilities Management Service (FMS) of the VA Medical Center in Albany, NY. Where the incumbent performs a variety of administrative and training tasks while providing technical assistance to FMS. Learn more about this agency Duties ***THIS IS NOT A VIRTUAL POSITION, YOU MUST LIVE WITHIN OR BE WILLING TO RELOCATE WITHIN A COMMUTABLE DISTANCE OF THE DUTY LOCATION*** This position involves a multi-grade career ladder. The major duties listed below represent the full performance level of GS-11. At the GS-09 grade level, you will perform assignments of a more limited scope and with less independence. You will progressively acquire the background necessary to perform at the full performance level of GS-11. Promotion is at the discretion of the supervisor and is contingent upon satisfactory performance, availability of higher-level work, and availability of funds. DevelopmentAnalysis&Instruction Designing and creating technology implementation plans and training modules; Determining the need for additional subject matter information and meeting with representatives within the organization to obtain it; Establishing contacts within and outside the organization to obtain needed information including seeking it through direct discussion; Designing evaluation tools for technology programs, analyzing satisfaction data, recommending program improvements; Developing and analyzing project plans to track new initiatives, monitoring outcomes for sustainment projects, and testing to determine effectiveness and efficiency of training; Conducting technology needs assessments and ensuring staff meets training requirements; Designing, evaluating, and developing sustainment monitoring programs, Quality Assurance programs, and training plans, and serving as documentation custodian for all projects; Developing, revising, and/or maintaining course work for programs; Providing technical assistance to end users during training implementation and sustainment phases; Providing ongoing advice and assistance during technology project implementation; Managing assigned projects and determining the need for and initiating changes/updates; Adapting and/or revising projects as needed to resolve user issues or changes in subject matter; Providing advice and assistance in the resolution of conventional problem and issues regarding program operations. ProgrammaticSupport Performing administrative work for the FMS operations team by monitoring projects, reviewing records, and creating multiple-point schedules for complex initiatives; Maintaining fiduciary oversight of the projects assigned to the FMS operations team; Researching potential projects, developing and identifying goals and action plans, coordinating meetings with participants, and leading projects; Managing the equipment inventory and researching potential upgrades/replacements; Conducting periodic audits and managing records to ensure compliance with requirements; Receiving directives and correspondence and incorporating changes to policies that may impact projects. Outreach Acting as a collateral member of the outreach workgroup and completing outreach activities either independently or with a team; Enrolling patients, presenting to groups, performing engagement activities, and making outreach calls to assist the organization in meeting its goals; Performing related duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Full-Time; Monday through Friday, 8:00am - 4:30pm. Recruitment & Relocation Incentives: Not authorized. Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not approved. Requirements 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. 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 (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's 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) - See "Required Documents" below for details. As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: 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. Upon completion of your probationary, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest. Qualifications Minimum Qualification-GS-07: One year of specialized experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of this position, and that is typically in or related to the work of this position. To be creditable, specialized experience must have been equivalent to at least the GS-05 grade level. Specialized experience includes: assisting with program or project support activities; collecting and maintaining program data, records, training materials, or technical documentation; coordinating meetings, training, or implementation activities; preparing reports, schedules, spreadsheets, or briefing materials; providing customer service and administrative support; and assisting with monitoring projects, program operations, or sustainment activities. This experience must be detailed in your resume to receive credit.This experience must be detailed in your resume to receive credit. ~OR~ SUPERIOR ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT (SAA):A bachelor's degree with SAA fully qualifying. Applicants who wish to apply under this provision must submit proof from their educational institution that they meet one of the criteria listed below. To qualify for SAA, applicants must have completed all the requirements for a bachelor's degree in a curriculum that is qualifying for the position to be filled and meet one of the following: Rank in the upper one-third of your class in the college, university, or major subdivision. A grade-point average of "B" (a GPA of 2.95 or higher out of a possible 4.0) for all completed undergraduate courses, or those completed in the last two years of undergraduate study. A grade point average of "B+" (a GPA of 3.45 or higher out of a possible 4.0) for all courses in your major field of study, or those courses in your major completed in the last two years of undergraduate study. Membership in a national honor society (other than freshman honor societies) recognized by the Association of College Honor Societies. For a list of recognized honor societies please visit http://www.achsnatl.org/quick_link.asp. For more information regarding SAA please visit http://www.opm.gov/qualifications/SEC-II/s2-e5.asp#e4f. ~OR~ Education: One year of graduate education in an accredited college or university. Such education must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work. One year of full-time graduate education is the number of credit hours that the school attended has determined to represent 1 year of full-time study. If that information cannot be obtained from the school, 18 semester hours should be considered as satisfying the 1 year of full-time study requirement. Part-time graduate education is creditable in accordance with its relationship to a year of full-time study at the school attended. Transcripts required. ~OR~ Combination: An equivalent combination of specialized experience and graduate education as described that demonstrates your ability to perform the duties of the position. Experience must be detailed in your resume and transcripts required. Minimum Qualifications- GS-09: One year of specialized experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of this position, and that is typically in or related to the work of this position. To be creditable, specialized experience must have been equivalent to at least the GS-07 grade level. Specialized experience includes: analyzing program operations, training activities, project data, or program effectiveness; monitoring project timelines, implementation plans, or sustainment activities; developing reports, recommendations, training materials, or technical documentation; coordinating with vendors, stakeholders, contractors, or staff to support program implementation; resolving operational or program issues; and applying analytical and problem-solving methods to improve program performance and operational efficiency. This experience must be detailed in your resume to receive credit. ~OR~ Education: A master's degree, equivalent graduate degree, 2 years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree, or an LL.B. or J.D. in a related field from an accredited college or university. Such education must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work. One year of full-time graduate education is the number of credit hours that the school attended has determined to represent 1 year of full-time study. If that information cannot be obtained from the school, 18 semester hours should be considered as satisfying the 1 year of full-time study requirement. Part-time graduate education is creditable in accordance with its relationship to a year of full-time study at the school attended. Transcripts required.~OR~ Combination: An equivalent combination of specialized experience and graduate education as described that demonstrates your ability to perform the duties of the position. Experience must be detailed in your resume and transcripts required. Minimum Qualifications-GS-11: One year of specialized experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of this position, and that is typically in or related to the work of this position. To be creditable, specialized experience must have been equivalent to at least the GS-09 grade level. Specialized experience includes: conducting complex program analysis and evaluation; managing or coordinating multiple projects, implementation plans, or sustainment initiatives; evaluating program effectiveness and recommending corrective actions or operational improvements; developing training materials, operational procedures, reports, or technical documentation; serving as a liaison with internal and external stakeholders, vendors, or contractors; advising management on program operations, strategic initiatives, or project status; and applying project management, analytical, and problem-solving methods to resolve complex operational issues. This experience must be detailed in your resume to receive credit. ~OR~ Education: A Ph.D., equivalent doctoral degree, 2 years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree, or an LL.M. in a related field from an accredited college or university. Such education must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work. One year of full-time graduate education is the number of credit hours that the school attended has determined to represent 1 year of full-time study. If that information cannot be obtained from the school, 18 semester hours should be considered as satisfying the 1 year of full-time study requirement. Part-time graduate education is creditable in accordance with its relationship to a year of full-time study at the school attended. Transcripts required. Combination: An equivalent combination of specialized experience and graduate education as described that demonstrates your ability to perform the duties of the position. Experience must be detailed in your resume and transcripts required. 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/. Education IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education. NOTE: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/. Additional information Reasonable Accommodation (RA) Requests: If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be granted the opportunity to request a RA in your online application. Requests for RA for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for RA must be received prior to starting the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. Decisions on requests for RA are made on a case-by-case basis. If you meet the minimum qualifications of the position, after notification of the adjudication of your request, you will receive an email invitation to complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, based on your adjudication decision. You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments if you received the link after the close of the announcement. To determine if you need a RA, please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments. Receiving Service Credit for Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act. The Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) and Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) provide eligible displaced Federal competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. To be qualified you must submit appropriate documentation and be found well-qualified (have a final rating of 80 or more before any Veterans preference points) for this vacancy. Information about ICTAP and CTAP eligibility is on OPM's Career Transition Resources website at http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/employee-guide-to-career-transition/. Expand Hide  additional information Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution. Benefits A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits. Review our benefits Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.