The Program Specialist, as an extension of the Chief of Social Work, assists and supports the Chief of Social Work, Administrative Officer and service managers in daily administrative functions, outcomes management, performance measures, and logistics/supply management.

Duties

The incumbent provides a variety of services essential to the direction, operation, and functioning of Social Work Service, the contracted Community Nursing Homes, and State Veteran Homes programs. The incumbent independently plans and carries out all assigned projects inaccordance with pre-established deadlines and agency policies. The Program Specialist reports directly to the Chief of Social Work. The position has the responsibility and is accountable for all the administrative activities in support of their assigned programs. This position functions in a highly affiliated, two-division medical center and outpatient clinics. The diverse nature and magnitude of these activities result in duties and responsibilities that are difficult, complex, and highly variable. Major Duties will include but not limited to: Plans and conducts special projects or studies to analyze, evaluate, and provide recommendations on administrative issues. Utilizes excel spreadsheets, PowerPoint, and other computer software to capture pertinent data necessary for data tracking to monitor program growth. Provides administrative support on HR related documents. Monitors performance, enforces the direction of the supervisor and ensures deadlines are met along with reports and initiatives. Provides guidance to staff members to include changes in policies and procedures; distributing and balancing workload; maintaining employee work schedules; orienting and providing on-the-job training for new and current employees: ensuring all training requirements are met. Monitors workload and establishes priorities and identifies coding errors. Manages and/or prepares responses to correspondence for the organization. Organize reports for presentation and record minutes for meetings. Acts as a liaison with persons and/or groups within and outside of the organization. Collects data from a variety of sources, compiles statistics, and uses analytical techniques to measure and improve program effectiveness and/or productivity. Conducts a detailed analysis of complex functions and work processes; interprets results and makes recommendations for program change and improvement. Monitors, coordinates and tracks personnel actions and maintains files and documents on all actions. Other duties as assigned. 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: Monday-Friday 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Description/PD#: Program Specialist (Social Work Service)/PD305150 and PD30516 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized. Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Approved. Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized. Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 03/29/2024. 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. You may qualify based on your experience and/or education as described below: For the GS-07 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: (1) Knowledge of office procedures, filing system, various references, and handbooks commonly used by the staff to order, classify, retrieve, and dispose of materials.; (2) Knowledge of regulations and standards of various regulatory and credentialing groups and the ability to reconcile contradictory requirements in preparing staff recommendations and/or in coordinating nursing and administrative services, and providing procurement, and personnel functions. (3) Knowledge of mission, organizations, programs, functions, and theory of management of health care delivery systems in general, and entitlements and eligibility within the VA health care system. (4) Knowledge of goals, resources, objectives, organizations, functions, and sources pertinent to the program(s) and related customers, functions, and resources. (5) Knowledge of PC computer and laptop equipment, printers, multifunction devices, and software to provide staff support and to accomplish specific programs and projects; must be proficient in Microsoft Office programs, Microsoft Teams, and Microsoft Outlook. (6) Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing to gather information, present recommendations, coordinate services, develop technical reports, and draft policy statements. OR, Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have successfully completed 1 full year of graduate level education 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 may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have an combination of specialized experience and education beyond a bachelors degree may be used to qualify applicants for the GS-07 level. For the GS-09 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: (1) Knowledge of logistics management principles, concepts, policies, and regulations. (2)Knowledge is required in applying analytical and evaluative techniques to the identification, consideration, and resolution of issues or problems of a procedural or factual nature. (3)Knowledge and skill in applying qualitative and quantitative techniques for analyzing and measuring the effectiveness, efficiency, and productivity of administrative and technical programs. (4)Knowledge of resources and references utilized in day-to-day support of the activities, such as VHA, Mosby's, Educational Evidence Based Research, OIG, OSHA, and The Joint Commission (TJC) standards. (5)Knowledge of PC computer and laptop equipment, printers, multifunction devices, and software to provide staff support and to accomplish specific programs and projects; must be proficient in Microsoft Office programs, Microsoft Teams, and Microsoft Outlook. (6) Ability to transmit, receive, and acknowledge electronic mail and correspondence. (7) Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing to gather information, present recommendations, coordinate services, develop technical reports, and draft policy statements. (8) Ability to plan and execute complex, multi-faceted projects. OR, Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have successfully completed a masters or equivalent graduate degree or 2 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.B. of J.D., if related that demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of this position. OR, Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have an combination of specialized experience and education beyond the first year of graduate level education(18 semester hours) may be used to qualify applicants for the GS-09 level. You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position: Administration and ManagementCommunicationsDatabase Management SystemsPlanning and Evaluating 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 primarily sedentary, requiring walking, standing, and occasional carrying and lifting objects to accomplish required daily activities and tasks. 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: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.

Contacts

• Address Lexington VA Health Care System 2250 Leestown Road Lexington, KY 40511 US
• Name: Erica Burdines
• Phone: 470-500-8505
• Email: [email protected]