Summary VA Central Alabama Health Care System is recruiting for one (1) Program Analyst within Health Administration Services. The individual has the responsibility for supporting the Medical Center in its operations of the Health Administration Service. The incumbent will use analytical and evaluative methods and techniques to assess the Health Administration Service and will study, analyze, evaluate, and make recommendations to management on process improvement of the service. Responsibilities The incumbent will use analytical and evaluative methods and techniques to assess the Health Administration Services and will study, analyze, evaluate, and make recommendations to management on process improvement of the Health Administration Services (HAS). Further the incumbent will make eligibility determinations, process claims, maintain internal fund control points, provide administrative coordination in accordance with Health Administration Services Regulations and serve as the subject matter expert within reporting directly to the Chief, Health Administration Services. GS-7 Duties Developmental assignment, receiving on the job training and experience. Providing the individual with the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to perform the full range of duties. As experience and knowledge are gained and competency is demonstrated, the employee is gradually given more freedom to make independent judgements and decisions. GS-9 Duties The incumbent plans and conducts special projects or studies to analyze, evaluate, and provide recommendations on administrative issues. The incumbent will be responsible for data collection, validation, interpretation, and analysis. Researches and/or analyzes issues relating to Health Administration Services (HAS), Beneficiary Travel, Performance Measures, Administrative Data, Eligibility, Transportation, and Workload Capture. The Incumbent researches and analyzes straightforward problems, issues, or program requirements, tracks workload and analyses trends among employees in accordance with established Health Administration Services (HAS) and Beneficiary Travel Section requirements. Captures production data through by utilizing multiple reporting systems to ensure timely accomplishment of task. The incumbent will assist the Health Administration Services (HAS), in establishing quality standards for employees; reviewing and analyzing results; preparing statistical reports; and making recommendations for improvement based on information obtained. The incumbent researches and analyzes unstable or uncommon administrative issues, provides oversight of and independently determines and/or verifies Veteran eligibility for travel reimbursement according to rules, regulations and standard operating procedures. The incumbent reviews and updates local policies and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to stay abreast of new, revised, or supervised procedures for preparation and processing of correspondence and reports Plans and coordinates office support functions such as communications, procurement of supplies and equipment, printing, reproduction, property management, records management, mail service, facilities and equipment maintenance, and transportation The incumbent receives in-person, telephone and written contacts from veterans and their congressional representatives regarding questions or issues related to reimbursement of travel expenses or benefits and provides information as necessary and appropriate either orally or in writing. Answers inquiries regarding mileage, eligibility for travel reimbursement and amount of reimbursement from internal and external stakeholders such as other VA facilities, Facility Social Workers, and other medical staff. Answers telephone inquiries regarding special mode transportation including but not limited to administrative and physical eligibility, utilization of existing resources, community partnerships and disposition of claims from internal and external entities. 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 7:30am-4:00pm, work schedule subject to change based on agency needs. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Description/PD#: Program Analyst/PD108770 and PD108780 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not Authorized Requirements Conditions of Employment 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 dentification 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) As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period or 2-year trial 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 period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest. Qualifications To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 05/18/2026. Specialized Experience GS-7 Developmental: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-5 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: The position will serve as a developmental assignment, receiving on-the-job training and experience, providing the individual with the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to perform the full range of duties. As experience and knowledge are gained and competency is demonstrated, the employee is gradually given more freedom to make independent judgments and decisions. Making eligibility determinations, process claims, maintain internal fund control points, and provide administrative coordination in accordance with Health Administration Service. Education: 1 full year of graduate level education or superior academic achievement have. Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have an combination of specialized experience and education beyond bachelors degree. Specialized Experience GS-9 Full Performance Level: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-7 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: Responsible for data collection, validation, interpretation, and analysis. Research and/or analyzes issues relating to beneficiary travel, performance measures, administrative data, eligibility, transportation, and workload capture. Review and update local policies and Standard Operating Procedures to stay abreast of new, revised, or supervised procedures for preparation and processing of correspondence and reports. Veterans' eligibility for travel reimbursement according to rules, regulations and standard operating procedures. Calculates appropriate reimbursement for approved and authorized meals and lodging before the travel takes place. Accurately arranges and coordinates ambulance travel for eligible veterans for organ/issue transplants or other inter-facility transfers, prepares authorizations for travel by taxi and/or other hired vehicles. Audits of high dollars, high mileage, and repetitive claims to analyze potential cost savings and fraud detection of beneficiary claims to ensure compliance with existing directives, guidelines and regulations. Reviews and updates local policies and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), Plans and coordinates office support functions such as communications, procurement of supplies and equipment, printing, reproduction, property management, records management, mail service, facilities and equipment maintenance and transportation, Maintains internal controls to ensure that fund control point balances are reconciled and needs are met, Coordinating and/or writing replies to customer service and Congressional inquiries and is expected to contribute and assist in attaining Business Office goals etc. Education: master's or equivalent graduate degree or 2 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.B. or J.D., if related. Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have an combination of specialized experience and education beyond . 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/. Additional Information Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act. Reasonable Accommodation (RA) Requests: If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be granted the opportunity to request a RA in your online application. Requests for RA for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for RA must be received prior to starting the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. Decisions on requests for RA are made on a case-by-case basis. If you meet the minimum qualifications of the position, after notification of the adjudication of your request, you will receive an email invitation to complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, based on your adjudication decision. You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments if you received the link after the close of the announcement. To determine if you need a RA, please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments. Receiving Service Credit for Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. VA may offer newly-appointed Federal employee's credit for their job-related non-federal experience or active duty uniformed military service. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. The Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) and Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) provide eligible displaced VA competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. To be qualified you must submit appropriate documentation (a copy of the agency notice, your most recent performance rating, and your most recent SF-50 noting current position, grade level, and duty location) and be found well-qualified for this vacancy. To be well-qualified: applicants must possess experience that exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors, and who are proficient in most of the required competencies of the job. Information about ICTAP and CTAP eligibility is on OPM's Career Transition Resources website at http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/employee-guide-to-career-transition/.
