Program Specialist

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Boston (MA); On-site; USD 70,000 - 91,000; Full time

Job summary

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs in Boston, MA seeks a Program Specialist for the R&D Service Line. You will manage budget and procurement activities, including Government Purchase Card operations, analysis, and reporting to support research programs.

This federal role requires coordination with program managers, finance, and grants staff, with a Monday–Friday schedule. Telework is eligible, subject to supervisor approval, and compliance with VA rules.

Qualifications

• Transcript must be submitted with your application.
• If you are using foreign education, you must submit a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript.
• Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment.

Responsibilities

• Perform full budgetary functions related to the Government Purchase Card Program and procurement for the R&D Service Line.
• Monitor, analyze, and evaluate expenditures against budget levels, including salary control points.
• Prepare analytical reports, forecast budget shortfalls or surpluses, and manage all phases of the government credit card purchase program and contracting procurement processes.
• Prepare and execute short- and long-term strategic planning for research programs and projects, gather and analyze data, validate budget requests, and develop integrated budget forecasts.
• Liaises between research program managers, finance office, and contracting/grants staff on funding status and needs.
• Tracks obligations/expenditures against appropriations; monitors funds availability; processes funding documents.
• Maintains budget data in financial management systems; reconciles records; supports audits.
• Work Schedule: Monday - Friday (8:00am - 4:30pm); Telework eligible; Virtual work not authorized.

Job description

• Department: Department of Veterans Affairs

This position provides support as a Program Specialist for the Research and Development (R&D) Service Line in the VA Boston Healthcare System (VABHS), Boston, Massachusetts. The Boston's Research and Development Service is one of the VA's largest and most active Research and Development Centers in the nation with an annual operating budget of over $130 Million.

Key Responsibilities

The Program Specialist performs the full complement of budgetary functions related to the Government Purchase Card Program and procurement duties for the R&D Service Line with overall responsibility associated with all phases of the intricate government credit card purchase program and contracting procurement process. Monitor, analyze, and evaluate expenditures in relation to planned budget levels, including salary control points.

Prepare analytical reports, recommend corrective actions, and forecast budget shortfalls or surplus. Manage all phases of government credit card purchase program and contracting procurement processes, including purchasing, tracking, reporting, and reconciling expenditures for supplies, services, equipment, contracts, conferences, and travel.

Prepare and execute short- and long-term strategic planning for research program and projects, gather and analyze historical and current data, validate budget requests, and develop integrated budget forecasts. Liaises between research program managers, finance office, and contracting/grants staff on funding status and needs. Tracks obligations/expenditures against appropriations; monitors funds availability; processes/reviews funding documents.

Maintains budget data in financial management systems; reconciles records; supports audits. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday (8:00am - 4:30pm) Compressed/Flexible: Available at supervisor's discretion Telework: This position may be authorized for telework. Telework eligibility will be discussed during interview process. Virtual: This position is not authorized for Virtual Work.

NOTE: Virtual Work eligibility is for current VA employees that are already subject to the return to in person work mandate in their current position. Definition of Virtual Work: Employee works outside of original hiring duty station at a VA owned or leased space. Return to Office (RTO): RTO mandates are in effect and selectees will be required to report to in person work unless they have an approved exception or an exemption.

Any approval for an RTO exception, exemption, or extension will happen after a tentative job offer, but before a final job offer. Position Description/PD#: 523-03381-0 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Approved Financial Disclosure Report: Not required Notifications: Interchange Agreements with Other Merit System: Employees who occupy medical or medical-related positions and were appointed under 38 U.S.C.

4701(1) or (3) [formerly 38 U.S.C. 4104 (1) and (3)] must be serving in a full-time position without time limit and have served continuously for at least one year in this other merit system to be eligible to convert to the Title 5 System. Some exceptions to this rule may apply if you have previously acquired tenure under a Title 5 appointment. Current and former Federal employees must submit copies of their most recent SF-50, (Notice of Personnel Action).

The SF-50 must identify the position title, series, grade, step, tenure and type of service (Competitive or Excepted). In some cases, more than one SF-50 may be required to show a higher grade previously held

Requirements & Education

NOTE: 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://www.ed.gov/about/initiatives/international-affairs/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications

Which agency is hiring for this position?

This position is with Veterans Health Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs.

What is the salary for this position?

The posted pay range is $69905 – $90882/yr.

Is this position remote or telework eligible?

This position is eligible for telework.

What security clearance is required?

This position requires a Other security clearance.

What is the application deadline?

Applications close on 2026-10-28.

Who is eligible to apply?

This position is open under the 'Fed Transition' hiring path.