This Program Specialist position is in Surgical Service Line at the Providence VA Medical Center. This position is a full-time at 40 hours per week.

Duties

The Program Specialist position is predominantly analytical and directly related to the planning, implementation, and evaluation of programs in Surgical Service. The position ensures that both productivity and efficiency are maximized while continually working towards improvement, requiring analytical ability as well as sound judgement and discretion. The position ensures that systems and processes are implemented consistently and accurately by supporting Surgical operational functions. The position is responsible for specialized work encompassing such issues as workplace environment, resource needs assessment, analysis of operations and analysis of current systems/procedures. Duties include, but not limited to: GS-07: Under the direct supervision of the Surgical Services Health System Specialist, ensures that both productivity and efficiency are maximized while continually working towards improvement, requiring analytical ability as well as sound judgement and discretion. Works closely with the Surgical Services Health System Specialist in development and implementation of performance improvement measures, data collection and analysis and preparation of reports on a routine basis that reflect the performance of the service. With assistance from the Surgical Services Health System Specialist, the incumbent will work on evaluation and analysis of Surgical areas to reflect program status and identify areas requiring management attention. With supervision, is responsible for the coordinating the smooth onboarding and exit of all trainees rotating through Surgery, managing the disbursement agreements with our affiliated medical schools, and other related duties that may arise during the performance of these responsibilities. Responsible for the submission of premium pay monitoring and validation of time cards for staff in Surgery. GS-09: Development and implementation of performance improvement measures, data collection and analysis and preparation of reports on a routine basis that reflect the performance of the service Analysis of data to make quantitative and qualitative evaluations for the preparation of narrative and statistical reports of findings. Employs management analysis techniques and methods to develop information for comprehensive reports, addressing such elements as work measurement, trend analysis, efficiency, effectiveness, and productivity, and to assess the success or failure in attaining program operational goals/objectives Continuing evaluation and analysis of Surgical areas to reflect program status and identify areas requiring management attention Providing effective planning direction for programs and functions by taking the initiative to identify needs and potential issues/concerns, devising flexibilities in operations and constructive, cost effective approaches to the resolution of problems 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. VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package: HR Specialist Total Rewards Work Schedule: Full time; Monday-Friday 8a-4:30p Compressed/Flexible: Not Authorized. Telework: VA supports the use of telework as a way to help attract and retain talented individuals in public service, increase worker productivity, and better prepare the agency to operate during emergencies. This position may be authorized for telework. Telework eligibility will be discussed during the interview process. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Description/PD#: Program Specialist/PD650-03368-0 and PD650-03369-0 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized. Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized. Financial Disclosure Report: Not required. Notifications: This position is in the Competitive Service. Veterans' preference does not apply for internal or other current permanent Federal agency employees. Applicants must submit copies of their most recent SF-50, (Notice of Personnel Action). The SF-50 must identify the position title, series, grade, step, tenure and type of service (Competitive or Excepted). In some cases, more than one SF-50 may be required to show a higher grade previously held. This position is a LIUNA Bargaining Unit position. This position is covered by locality-based comparability pay. Narrative responses to the knowledge, skills and abilities (KSAs) may be required from the selectee in order to proceed with the appointment.

Requirements

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 10/20/2023. 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-07 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-05. 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 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 and/or education as described below: GS-07 Grade Requirements: Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-05 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: Data collection and analysis; Collecting and maintaining data for Focused Professional Practice Evaluation (FPPE) and ongoing Professional Practice Evaluation (OPPE); Knowledge of the organization and the ability to navigate through a complex, nationwide System; Able to engage staff in systems analysis and change implementation. OR, Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have: One (1) full year of successfully completed graduate (Masters) level education or superior academic achievement. if related that demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of this position. NOTE: Transcripts must be submitted with application. Education cannot be credited without documentation. OR, Combination: Equivalent combination of successfully completed education and specialized experience directly related to the work of the position as outlined above that meets the requirements of the position. Only education beyond a bachelor's degree may be used to qualify applicants for the GS-07 level. NOTE: If using education combined with specialized experience to qualify, a copy of your transcript is required. GS-09 Grade Requirements: 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: Ability to function at a mostly independent level with a fair amount of autonomy to manage his/her assignments; Primary timekeeping responsibilities including posting time, monitoring and enforcing leave submissions, assuring timecards are validated and certified accurately; Assist with HR functions within EBOS, HR Smart, USAStaffing; Specialist in the assessment of performance, and development and evaluation of improvement activities.. OR, Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have: Master's or equivalent graduate degree OR, Two full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree OR, LL.B. or J.D., if related that demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of this position. NOTE: Transcripts must be submitted with application. Education cannot be credited without documentation. OR, Combination: Applicants can qualify if they have a combination of specialized experience and education. Only education in excess of the first 60 semester hours (i.e. beyond the second year) of graduate level education is creditable toward meeting the specialized experience requirement. NOTE: If using education combined with specialized experience to qualify, a copy of your transcript is required. You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position: Administration and ManagementComputer SkillsInterpersonal SkillsOperations Support 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: This work is primarily sedentary. 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

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: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html.

Contacts

• Address VA Providence Healthcare System 830 Chalkstone Avenue Providence, RI 02908 US
• Name: Courtney Kreshak
• Phone: 4012737100
• Email: [email protected]