Program Specialist

Summary

The Program Specialist (PS) for Medicine Service serves as executive support for the Administrative Officer (AO) and provides the primary technical direction for members of the administrative staff – clinical and provider staff and other members of the Salt Lake City Veterans Administration Health Care System. The Program Specialist develops and implements reports intended to analyze and improve delivery of care, the efficiency of administration, and reduction of cost.

To qualify for this position applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement – 02/27/2026. 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‑07 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS‑05. For a GS‑09 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS‑07. 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.

Note:

Time‑In‑Grade requirements also apply to former Federal employees applying for reinstatement as well as current employees applying for Veterans Employment Opportunities Act of 1998 (VEOA) appointment. You may qualify based on your experience and/or education as described below. GS‑07:

• You must have one year of experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS‑05 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization
• Examples of specialized experience would typically include – but are not limited to:
  Extensive and practical knowledge and skill in applying basic analytical and evaluative methods and techniques to issues or studies concerning the efficiency and effectiveness of the Service area
• Knowledge of an array specialized duties and responsibilities involving a wide variety of problems or situations – including developing information, identifying interrelationships, and taking action consistent with program objectives
• The work requires knowledge of the mission and functions of Medicine Service
• The employee understands how the office's various administrative services relate to one another and how they relate to the Service's mission
• The work also requires broad understanding and detailed procedural knowledge of budget, data management, personnel, and information processing functions of the office
• OR –
  
  Education:
  
  Applicants may substitute education for the required experience
• To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have one (1) full year of graduate level education in an accredited college or university
• Such education must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of the Program Specialist
• NOTE:
  
  A transcript or course listing must be submitted if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education
• Unofficial transcripts required
• Applications submitted without this information will not be considered
• OR – Superior Academic Achievement
• OR – Combination:
  Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level
• You must have an combination of specialized experience and successfully completed post‑high school education to meet total qualification requirements for the grade level GS‑07 GS‑09:
  Specialized
  
  Experience:
  
  You must have one year of experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS‑07 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization
• Examples of specialized experience would typically include – but are not limited to:
  Knowledge and skill in applying analytical and evaluative methods and techniques to issues or studies concerning the efficiency and effectiveness of program operations
• (2) Knowledge of pertinent laws, regulations, policies and precedents which affect the use…