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. Responsibilities 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 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 of this position is primarily sedentary. No special physical demands are 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) - See "Required Documents" below for details. As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary 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, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest. 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/. Education IMPORTANT: 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 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. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. 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. 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. The Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) and Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) provide eligible displaced Federal competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. To be qualified you must submit appropriate documentation and be found well-qualified (have a final rating of 80 or more before any Veterans preference points) for this vacancy. 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/.
