Program Specialist

Summary

This position reports to Chief of Primary Care and works with a high degree of independence concerning administrative and management duties and responsibilities related to the management of the Contracted Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOCs) for the VA Western New York Healthcare System (VAWNYHS) in Buffalo - NY.

Qualifications

GS-7 SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: At least one (1) full year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level (GS-5) in the Federal service. Specialized experience is experience providing administrative support in one or more of the following areas: personnel management/administration - budgeting and financial management - procurement and contracting - property management - and/or supply management; and experience performing analysis of administrative programs or issues - compiling data and/or developing reports and/or presentations. ~OR~ GS-7 EDUCATION SUBSTITUTION: At least one year of progressively higher-level graduate education. Such education must demonstrate the knowledge - skills - and abilities necessary to do the work of this Program Specialist position. ~OR~ GS-7 COMBINATION: An equivalent combination of successfully completed graduate-level education and specialized experience - as described above - which meets the total experience requirements for this grade level. ~OR~ GS-7 SUPERIOR ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT: Superior Academic Achievement (SAA) at the baccalaureate level in the qualifying curriculum detailed above is fully qualifying. Applicants who wish to apply under this provision must submit proof from their educational institution that they meet one of the criteria listed below. To qualify for SAA - applicants must have completed all the requirements for a bachelor's degree in a curriculum that is qualifying for the position to be filled and meet one of the following. TRANSCRIPT REQUIRED - If you do not submit your transcript (official or unofficial) - your application may not be reviewed. Rank in the upper one-third of your class in the college - university or major subdivision. A grade-point average of "B" (a GPA of 95 or higher out of a possible 4.0) for all completed undergraduate courses - or those completed in the last two years of undergraduate study. A grade point average of "B " (a GPA of 45 or higher out of a possible 4.0) for all courses in your major field of study - or those courses in your major completed in the last two years of undergraduate study. Membership in a national honor society (other than freshman honor societies) recognized by the Association of College Honor Societies. For a list of recognized honor societies please visit http://www.achsnatl.org/quick_link.asp. GS-9 SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: At least one (1) full year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level (GS-7) in the Federal service. Specialized experience is experience performing administrative work in one or more of the following areas: personnel management/administration - budgeting and financial management - procurement and contracting - and experience performing analysis and/or evaluation of administrative programs or issues - compiling data and developing reports and/or presentations. ~OR~ GS-9 EDUCATION SUBSTITUTION: A master's or equivalent graduate degree - or two (2) full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree. Such education must demonstrate the knowledge - skills - and abilities necessary to do the work of this Program Specialist position. ~OR~ GS-9 COMBINATION: An equivalent combination of successfully completed graduate-level education (beyond the first year) and specialized experience - as described above - which meet the total experience requirements for this grade level. NOTE: If you are qualifying on education - you must submit a copy of your transcript (unofficial or official) with your application. Education cannot be credited without documentation. 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/.

Duties

• ***THIS IS NOT A VIRTUAL POSITION - YOU MUST LIVE WITHIN OR BE WILLING TO RELOCATE WITHIN A COMMUTABLE DISTANCE OF THE DUTY LOCATION*** MAJOR DUTIES: Performs analytical and evaluative work of administrative aspects of Primary Care CBOC operations and management which has a recurring need for data gathering - analysis - and interpretation including program and policy oversight responsibilities
• Assists with various Primary Care Service administrative duties such as data analysis and process management
• Provides overall administrative management for procurement and contracting services for Primary Care CBOCs
• Provides leadership and strategic direction to assure that contract initiatives are consistent with VA recommendations and reviews and ensures the Statements of Work are in compliance with national standards
• Guides and maintains oversight of acquisition planning and contract performance management process through continuous coordination with the Service Chief - Business Manager - Contracting Officer Representatives (CORs) - Logistics - and the Network Contracting office
• Provides technical assistance in translating clinical and organizational needs into Statements and Scopes of Work based on his/her knowledge of contracting processes
• Performs contract administration and management include budget management support - interpreting administrative policies - developing or implementing local policies - defining administrative requirements - and providing advice to management on related issues
• Acts as a resource to clinical services and develops guidelines - instructional methods - materials - etc
• Manages procurement and contracting for services and acts as the Contracting Officer Representative (COR) for procurement requests
• Provides the Chief of Primary Care with recommendations for improving efficiency and effectiveness of various processes - including provider peer reviews - scheduling audits - and training for access to system
• Reviews - analyzes and interprets incoming requests - recommends appropriate action or suggests appropriate alternatives based on knowledge of internal operations - agency personnel policies - and work priorities
• Prepares monthly - quarterly and annual reports and tracks all actions to completion
• Responsible for all administrative management functions associated with the VAWNYHS CBOCs
• Performs other related duties as assigned
• Work Schedule: Monday-Friday - 8:00am to 4:30pm Recruitment & Relocation Incentives: Not authorized Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not approved