Program Analyst

This Program Analyst position is with Veterans Health Administration (Department of Veterans Affairs) in Phoenix, AZ. The incumbent serves as a Program Analyst in the Veteran and Family Member Programs (VFMP) Appeals Department, providing program analysis, evaluation, operations and project management. Supports major appeals programs impacting over one million Veterans. Leads data analysis, process mapping, knowledge management, risk assessments, SOP maintenance, and audit activities for the Appeals Directorate. Key duties: • Applicant Count: This announcement will remain open until the closing date, 11/16/2026 or when the applicant count is reached, whichever is earlier. The applicant count is the point at which the first 50 applications are received. All applications submitted that day up to 11:59 p.m. eastern standard time on the date the applicant count is reached will be accepted and considered. Applications received after 11:59pm EST on the date in which 50 applications are received may not receive consideration unless otherwise requested by management. Additional applications will be reviewed in one-day increments at management request. Major Duties: Serves as a technical authority for data management and evaluative assessments that have a direct impact on the efficiency and effectiveness of operations that affect all appellants. Performs evaluative work to gain an understanding of VFMP Appeals processes to help Appeals program segments identify staffing requirements, inefficiencies, process gaps and process improvements. Facilitates planning, development, coordination, implementation, and monitoring of program initiatives that have a direct impact on the work being performed in Appeals. Recommends organizational changes and improvements in support of Appeals programs and functions to improve operational efficiencies in work methods and procedures, personnel utilization, and distribution of work assignments. Compiles key performance information and makes presentations to internal and higher echelon management. Implements Total Quality Management policies and procedures to minimize risk, reduce errors, and maximize customer satisfaction. Serves as a liaison for inquiries on matters pertaining to Appeals from internal and external sources and participates in special groups, committees, and conferences which address strategic issues Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8 hour tour between 7:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Telework: This position may be authorized for Ad-hoc telework. Ad-hoc Telework eligibility will be discussed during the interview process. Virtual: This position may be authorized for Virtual Work. Virtual Work eligibility is for current VA employees that are already subject to the return to the in-person work mandate in their current position. Definition of Virtual Work: Employee works outside of original hiring duty station at a VA-owned or leased space. Return to Office (RTO): RTO mandates are in effect and selectees will be required to report to in-person work unless they are approved for an exception or an exemption. Any approval for an RTO exception, exemption, or extension will happen after a conditional job offer, but before a final job offer. Position Description/PD#: Program Analyst/PD68643A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Approved Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Qualifications: To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 11/16/2026. 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-12 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-11. 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. You may qualify based on your experience as described below: Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-11 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: Experience with preparing easy-to-understand data and presentations for leadership and stakeholders. Experience with presenting conclusions and recommendations based on analysis and evaluation. Experience with evaluating processes to identify gaps, improve efficiency, and support program outcomes. Experience with developing procedures and standard operating processes to ensure consistency and compliance. Experience with communicating assignment and project status through timely briefings, reports, and updates. 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/. View the full announcement and apply on USAJOBS.gov.