Program Specialist

This Program Specialist position is with Veterans Health Administration (Department of Veterans Affairs) in Phoenix, AZ. The Program Specialist is responsible for developing a variety of systems and data integration support tools and any technology requirements not supported by OIT, through work with internal and external entities. They should have expert knowledge and skills to develop solutions using a variety of web-based platforms and PC-based software programs such as Microsoft Office/365, Microsoft Power Platform, Microsoft SQL Server, Visual Studio, Power BI, SSRS, WordPress/web design, etc. Key duties: • MAJOR DUTIES The major duties of this position include but are not limited to: Develops or supports development of a variety of systems and data integration support tools through work with internal and external (e.g., VHA program offices, centralized IT staff, contracting firms, other Federal agencies) entities. Examples of such tools include submission trackers, project management systems, action item workflow trackers, internal process workload controls, automation of educational system process measures, improvements to action item tracking methods, and custom data collection and reporting dashboards to support VHA educational initiatives. Conducts projects that involve coordinating, analyzing, modeling, and consolidating project data as required to develop a wide variety of outputs (e.g., final proposals, reports, executive briefs/summaries, presentations, interactive data visualizations, dashboards, and data stories). Establishes and develops methods, tools, and other resources to obtain requested or required data and other information for use by executive and other management and staff (e.g., to solve widespread problems, resolve persistent issues, clarify management lines of authority). Performs ad hoc, unique, and/or other assignments involving sensitive/internal management information as directed by the supervisor or other management officials in support of program management operations. Creates and edits no- and low-code apps and workflows using VA standard tools such as SharePoint and Power Apps. Promotion Potential: The selectee may be promoted to the full performance level without further competition when all regulatory, qualification, and performance requirements are met. Selection at a lower grade level does not guarantee promotion to the full performance level. Work Schedule: Mon-Fri, 8:00am to 4:30pm Compressed/Flexible: May be Authorized Telework: This position may be authorized for telework. Telework eligibility will be discussed during the interview process. 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 tentative job offer, but before a final job offer. Position Description/PD#: Program Specialist/PD20805A and PD27867A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Qualifications: To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 10/13/2026. 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 level. For a GS-13 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-12 level. 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. Specialized Experience: You must have one full year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level in the Federal service that has equipped you with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position. Specialized experience is experience that included all or most of the following: For GS-12- Do you possess one-year specialized experience to at least the GS-11 level? Specialized experience: Developing and supporting development of a variety of systems and data integration support tools through work with internal and external entities. Examples of such tools include submission trackers, project management systems, action item workflow trackers, internal process workload controls, automation of educational system process measures, improvements to action item tracking methods, and custom data collection and reporting dashboards to support VHA educational initiatives. Serving as an information technology (IT) administrative liaison establishing and maintaining mutual understanding and cooperation with the Office of Information Technology and other related external offices. For GS-13 - Do you possess one-year specialized experience to at least the GS-12 level? Specialized experience: Conducting projects that involve coordinating, analyzing, modeling, and consolidating project data as required to develop a wide variety of outputs (e.g., final proposals, reports, executive briefs/summaries, presentations, interactive data visualizations, dashboards, and data stories). Leading integrated project teams consisting of subject matter experts (SME), contract IT staff, field users, and management officials in the development of operational requirements for IT systems. You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position: Applies Technology to Tasks Attention to Detail Customer Service Database Administration Decision Making Flexibility Integrity/Honesty Interpersonal Skills Learning Reading Comprehension Reasoning Self-Management Stress Tolerance Teamwork Technology Management Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Note: A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. Part-time experience will be credited on the basis of time actually spent in appropriate activities. Applicants wishing to receive credit for such experience must indicate clearly the nature of their duties and responsibilities in each position and the number of hours a week spent in such employment. Physical Requirements: The work is mostly sedentary and involves the use of typical office equipment telephones, copiers, personal computers and fax machines. However, the work requires nationwide travel to attend meetings, coordinate actions and, at times, to present briefings to large and small audiences. Some standing and lifting would be required or accommodated. The incumbent is a virtual member of a team and performs independently with limited face-to-face interaction with teammates, customers and others. This requires the exercise of sound time management, frequent written and telephonic communications, and a disciplined approach to project planning and execution. 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.