Summary The position is located in the Department of Veterans Affairs, Albany Stratton VA Medical Center (Stratton VAMC) and serves the Veterans interest across the VA Health Care Network, Upstate New York. The employee performs a variety of administrative and training tasks and provides technical assistance associated with maintaining and supporting the programmatic work and activities performed within the Department of Facilities Management Service (FMS) Operations Team (Ops Team). Responsibilities THIS IS NOT A VIRTUAL POSITION, YOU MUST LIVE WITHIN OR BE WILLING TO RELOCATE WITHIN A COMMUTABLE DISTANCE OF THE DUTY LOCATION Development Analysis & Instruction Designing and creating technology implementation plans and training modules. Determining the need for additional subject matter information and meeting with representatives within the organization to obtain it. Establishing contacts within and outside the organization to obtain needed information including seeking it through direct discussion. Designing evaluation tools for technology programs, analyzing satisfaction data, recommending program improvements. Developing and analyzing project plans to track new initiatives, monitoring outcomes for sustainment projects, and testing to determine effectiveness and efficiency of training. Conducting technology needs assessments and ensuring staff meets training requirements. Designing, evaluating, and developing sustainment monitoring programs, Quality Assurance programs, and training plans, and serving as documentation custodian for all projects. Developing, revising, and/or maintaining course work for programs. Providing technical assistance to end users during training implementation and sustainment phases. Providing ongoing advice and assistance during technology project implementation. Managing assigned projects and determining the need for and initiating changes/updates. Adapting and/or revising projects as needed to resolve user issues or changes in subject matter. Providing advice and assistance in the resolution of conventional problems and issues regarding program operations. Programmatic Support Performing administrative work for the FMS operations team by monitoring projects, reviewing records, and creating multiple-point schedules for complex initiatives. Maintaining fiduciary oversight of the projects assigned to the FMS operations team. Researching potential projects, developing and identifying goals and action plans, coordinating meetings with participants, and leading projects. Managing the equipment inventory and researching potential upgrades/replacements. Conducting periodic audits and managing records to ensure compliance with requirements. Receiving directives and correspondence and incorporating changes to policies that may impact projects. Outreach Acting as a collateral member of the outreach workgroup and completing outreach activities either independently or with a team. Enrolling patients, presenting to groups, performing engagement activities, and making outreach calls to assist the organization in meeting its goals. Performing related duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Full-Time; Monday through Friday; 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Description/PD#: Program Specialist/PD36061A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Physical Requirements: No special physical demands such as above average ability, dexterity, or strength are required to perform the work. Work is sedentary and the employee may sit comfortably. There may be some walking, standing, bending, carrying light items, driving an automobile, etc. Fieldwork may involve traveling to meetings and sources of information. 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 may 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 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, 05/20/2026. 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-7 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-5. 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. 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-9 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-7. 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. 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-11 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-9. 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. Minimum Qualification Requirement: GS-7 A bachelor's degree with Superior Academic Achievement (SAA). 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. SAA is based on (1) class standing, (2) grade-point average, or (3) honor society membership. I graduated in the top third of my graduating class. Class is defined as the college, university, or major subdivision, such as the College of Liberal Arts or the School of Business Administration, based on completed courses. OR I graduated with a Grade-point average of 2.95 or higher out of a possible 4.0. This grade point average could have been determined based on 4 years of education or based on courses completed during the final 2 years of the curriculum. OR I graduated with a grade-point average of 3.45 or higher out of a possible 4.0 based on courses required for my major field or courses in the major field completed during the final 2 years of the curriculum. OR I am a member of a national scholastic honor society. (Transcripts Required) -OR- One (1) full year of graduate level education in a field that provided the competencies/knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work. (Transcripts Required) -OR- One (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-5) in federal service, involving the performance of administrative and management work or equivalent, in the normal line of progression for the occupation, that has equipped me with the particular competencies/knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties as a Program Specialist. Specialized experience includes managing multiple technical projects and maintenance programs simultaneously; applying knowledge of technology design, infrastructure, and building codes; and installing, testing, maintaining, and repairing mechanical and building components and systems. -OR- An equivalent combination of successfully completed graduate level education and specialized experience as described above to meet the total qualification requirements for this position. (Transcripts Required) GS-9 Successfully completed two (2) years of progressively higher-level graduate education, or master's or equivalent graduate degree, or LL.B. or J.D., in a related field of the position to be filled. Education at the graduate level must be obtained in an accredited college or university and must demonstrate 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- One full year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level (GS-7) in the Federal Service, that is directly related to the work of the position and has equipped me with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities to successfully perform the duties as a Program Specialist. Specialized experience includes managing multiple technology projects and maintenance programs simultaneously; applying knowledge of technology design, infrastructure, and building codes; and installing, testing, maintaining, and repairing mechanical and building components and systems. Evaluating project/program effectiveness and efficiency and recommending improvements; and developing training programs, materials, and user guides to ensure employee compliance. -OR- A combination of successfully completed education and specialized experience directly related to the work of the position as outlined above that meets the requirements of the position. Only education in excess of the first year (18 semester hours) may be used to qualify applicants for the GS-09 level. GS-11 Successfully completed a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree, or 3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree, or an LL.M. if related 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- One full year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level (GS-9) in the Federal Service, that is directly related to the work of the position and has equipped me with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities to successfully perform the duties as a Program Specialist. Specialized experience includes managing multiple technology projects and maintenance programs in a healthcare/hospital environment simultaneously; applying knowledge of technology design, infrastructure, and building codes; installing, testing, maintaining, and repairing mechanical and building components and systems such as audio/visual, telecommunications, information technology programs, monitoring systems and physical access and safety systems; evaluating project/program effectiveness and efficiency and recommending improvements; and developing training programs, materials, and user guides to ensure employee compliance. -OR- An equivalent combination of successfully completed education and specialized experience directly related to the work of the position as outlined above that meets the requirements of the position. Only education in excess of a master's or equivalent graduate education may be used to qualify applicants for the GS-11 level. NOTE: If using education combined with specialized experience to qualify, a copy of your transcript is required. 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 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. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.
