Program Specialist

This position is located in the Admin Office within the Surgery Service Line, Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center, Charleston, SC. This is a complex organization providing surgical services across 13 operative subspecialties at the main medical center and CBOCs throughout South Carolina and Georgia. The incumbent performs work related to equipment budgeting and procurement, contracting and procurement administration, and complex human resources management supporting Surgery Service operations.

Qualifications:

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 04/27/2026.

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, April 13, 2026. You will be considered for the grade level(s) for which you apply and meet qualifications. Time-in-grade requirements apply to current Federal employees.

Time-in-Grade Requirement:
At the GS-07 Level:
Time-in-Grade: Must have served 52 weeks at the GS-05 level (or equivalent) in the Federal service.

Specialized Experience: One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-05 level in the Federal service that demonstrates developing knowledge of administrative procedures, procurement processes, contracting requirements, or human resources principles. Experience must demonstrate ability to perform routine to moderately complex administrative assignments under supervision, including activities such as:

• Assisting with procurement or purchasing processes, including processing transactions and maintaining records
• Supporting contract monitoring or administration functions
• Assisting with human resources-related administrative tasks (e.g., tracking personnel actions, preparing documentation)
• Preparing administrative correspondence, reports, or justification materials
• Using automated systems for budget tracking, procurement, or records management

At the GS-07 level, this is a developmental position (PD# 534-11492-A). The incumbent works under closer supervision and is building toward full-performance capabilities. The GS-07 selectee may be non-competitively promoted to GS-09 upon meeting all qualifications and performance requirements.

At the GS-09 Level:
Time-in-Grade: Must have served 52 weeks at the GS-07 level (or equivalent) in the Federal service.

Specialized Experience: One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-07 level in the Federal service that demonstrates comprehensive knowledge of administrative, procurement, contracting, and/or human resources management principles sufficient to independently perform complex assignments. Experience must demonstrate:

• Managing equipment procurement or contracting administration, including developing specifications, processing procurements, and monitoring compliance
• Serving as or supporting a COTR function, including monitoring contractor performance, reviewing invoices, and ensuring compliance with contract terms
• Independently preparing complex administrative documents, justification packages, or management analyses requiring interpretation of regulations
• Managing or supporting human resources compensation programs such as market pay reviews, recruitment or retention incentives, or other special pay programs
• Applying federal procurement regulations (FAR/VAAR), VA directives, or Title 5/Title 38 authorities to varied and complex administrative situations
• Working with VA administrative systems (e.g., IFCAP, IPPS, VistA, FMS, USA Staffing) or comparable procurement/HR systems

The GS-09 is the full performance level (PD# 534-11491-A). The incumbent works under general supervision with substantial independence, exercises sound judgment on complex matters, and serves as a technical resource for Surgery Service administrative functions.

• Attention to Detail
• Customer Service
• Decision Making
• Flexibility
• Integrity/Honesty
• Interpersonal Skills
• Learning
• Reading Comprehension
• Reasoning
• Self-Management
• Stress Tolerance
• Teamwork

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, religious, 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 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 clearly indicate the nature of their duties and responsibilities in each position and the number of hours per week spent in each role.

• Attention to Detail
• Customer Service
• Decision Making
• Flexibility
• Integrity/Honesty
• Interpersonal Skills
• Learning
• Reading Comprehension
• Reasoning
• Self-Management
• Stress Tolerance
• Teamwork

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.


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/.

Responsibilities:

The incumbent provides comprehensive administrative and programmatic support to the Supervisory Management and Program Analyst (GS-12) and Administrative Officer (GS-13) with responsibilities spanning equipment budgeting and procurement, contracting and procurement administration, and complex human resources management requiring coordination across providers, administrative staff, Contracting Officers, HR, specialists and vendors.

The duties of this position are the same at both grade levels. The distinction between grades lies in the degree of independence, complexity of assignments, and level of supervisory oversight required to perform them.

• Supports or independently manages the complete equipment lifecycle for Surgery Service, from needs assessment through disposal, depending on grade level.
• Develops or assists in developing equipment justification packages for capital and major non-capital purchases, including clinical need, patient impact, alternatives analysis, cost-benefit evaluation, and strategic alignment.
• Processes equipment procurements; at the GS-09 level, independently handles complex, high-value procurements exceeding $100,000.
• Manages or assists with the Surgery Service equipment budget including planning, allocation, execution, and monitoring. Tracks expenditures and identifies variances.
• Supports or serves as primary authority on the Surgery Service purchase card program. Reviews transactions for compliance, provides guidance to cardholders, and conducts compliance reviews.
• Maintains comprehensive equipment inventory across all locations, coordinating transfers, disposals, preventive maintenance schedules, and equipment evaluations.

• Supports or independently serves as Contracting Officer Technical Representative (COTR) for Surgery Service contracts, maintaining required COTR certification per VA Directive 1663.
• Monitors contract performance against Statement of Work requirements; identifies performance deficiencies and works with contractors to implement corrective actions.
• Reviews and processes invoices for assigned contracts, verifying accuracy and compliance with contract terms.
• Assists with or independently develops Statements of Work (SOW) for new or renewed contracts, translating clinical and operational needs into enforceable contract requirements.
• Monitors contractor compliance with FAR, VAAR, VA directives, facility policies, labor standards, safety requirements, and environmental regulations.
• Coordinates with VA Contracting Office on procurement actions, contract modifications, and technical matters.
• Develops or supports development of procurement strategies for recurring Surgery Service needs, including national contracts, GSA schedules, BPAs, and IDIQ contracts.

• Assists with or independently manages the Market Pay Review (MPR) process for Surgery Service positions, serving as subject matter expert on physician and advanced practitioner compensation, market pay analysis, and Title 38 pay authorities.
• Supports or independently manages recruitment and retention incentive programs, including Title 5 recruitment bonuses, relocation incentives, retention allowances, and Title 38 physician incentives.
• Prepares or assists with comprehensive justification packages for recruitment and retention incentives, ensuring compliance with 5 CFR Part 575, Title 38, and facility policies.
• Supports credentialing and privileging processes; maintains databases tracking physician credentials, certifications, licenses, and privileges.
• Advises or supports Surgery Service leadership on workforce planning, position management, and organizational design.
• Serves as Surgery Service liaison with Human Resources Management Service on classification, position management, and complex personnel actions.

Performs other related 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: Mon-Fri 07:30-16:00
Compressed/Flexible: Not Applicable
Telework: This is not a routine or virtual telework position. Ad-hoc telework may be authorized based on agency needs.
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Position Description/PD#: Program Specialist/PD11492A
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not approved
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not Authorized

Salary : $50,460 - $100,000