Program Specialist

This position is located with the performance management section for the Contracts Management and Performance (CMP) Directorate of Integrated External Networks (IEN). THIS IS NOT A VIRTUAL POSITION, YOU MUST LIVE WITHIN OR BE WILLING TO RELOCATE WITHIN A COMMUTABLE DISTANCE OF THE DUTY LOCATION Duties include, but are not limited to, the following: Develops, plans, coordinates, and oversees contract-related activities, including preparing statements of work, evaluation plans, decision documents, and reports that address contracting challenges; Manages project schedules, milestones, quality assurance activities, risks, issues, and stakeholder communications; Analyzes program and operational data, identify performance measures, and prepares reports on budgets, utilization, costs, compliance, and program outcomes; Supports programs that help Veterans access healthcare services from community providers and assists VA medical centers with purchasing those services; Conducts risk assessments by reviewing program data, requirements, and regulations, and develop strategies to reduce or prevent future risks; Collaborates with leadership and stakeholders on acquisition and contracting initiatives, participates on cross-functional project teams, and supports program oversight and decision-making processes. Performs other duties as assigned Work Schedule: Monday-Friday; 8:00am-4:30pm Recruitment & Relocation Incentives: Not authorized Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not approved Telework: This position may be authorized for telework. Telework eligibility will be discussed during the interview process. To meet qualify for this position, all applicants must meet one of the following: SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: At least one (1) full year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level (GS-9) in the Federal Service that has given you the particular knowledge, skills and abilities required to successfully perform the duties of this position. Specialized experience includes reviewing and interpreting regulations, policies, and procedures to support program operations and ensure compliance; analyzing data, conducting research, and preparing reports to identify issues, evaluate findings, and support management decision-making; communicating with internal and external stakeholders to provide guidance, resolve issues, and support organizational objectives; monitoring program, project, or contract activities to track performance, validate results, and recommend process improvements; demonstrating knowledge of medical terminology and healthcare reimbursement systems sufficient to support healthcare program operations, claims review activities, and payment processes. NOTE: Applicants wishing to receive credit for such experience must clearly indicate the nature of their duties and responsibilities in each position and the number of hours a week spent in such employment. ~OR~ EDUCATION: Successfully completed a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree or 3 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree in a related field of study that demonstrates your ability to perform the duties of this position. Education must have been obtained from an accredited institution. NOTE: If you select this option, you must submit a copy of your transcript (unofficial or official) with your application. Education cannot be credited without documentation. ~OR~ COMBINATION: Equivalent combinations of successfully completed graduate-level education (beyond the second year) and specialized experience, as described above, which meet the total experience requirements for this grade level. The education portion must have provided the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of this position (as described above). Education must have been obtained from an accredited institution. NOTE: Copies of transcripts must be submitted with your application materials. Education cannot be credited without documentation. ~AND~ SELECTIVE PLACEMENT FACTOR: This position includes a Selective Placement Factor (skill, knowledge, ability or other worker characteristic basic to • and essential for • satisfactory performance of the job). Selective Placement Factors are a prerequisite to appointment and represent minimum requirements for a position. Applicants who do not meet it are ineligible for further consideration. The Selective Placement Factor for this position is: Experience supporting healthcare managed care, payer/provider operations, or health plan administration. This experience must include provider network functions (such as network operations, network adequacy, provider relations, or provider contracting) and at least one additional healthcare operational function, such as provider credentialing or enrollment, claims processing, reimbursement or payment operations, healthcare analytics or reporting, utilization management, clinical quality, appeals and grievances, customer or member services, third-party administrator oversight, or similar payer-focused functions. (This experience must be documented in your resume.) 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/. 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 identification 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. 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/.