Program Specialist

Veterans Health Administration; Durham (NC); On-site; USD 56,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Veterans Health Administration's Durham VA Medical Center seeks a Program Specialist in PM&RS to provide administrative support to the Service Chief and Administrative Officer. The position requires applying analytical methods to improve program operations and managing scheduling, clinic billing, and data processes.

The role emphasizes timekeeping, budgeting familiarity, and adherence to federal requirements.

Qualifications

• One year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-07 in a public health or medical services administration.
• Experience applying analytical and evaluative methods to program operations.
• Knowledge of budget, data management, personnel, and information processing functions.

Skills

Scheduling

Clinic Billing

Profile Management

Data Management

Timekeeping

Education

Master's degree or equivalent graduate degree

Two years of progressively higher level graduate education

LL.B. or J.D. (related)

Job description

This position is located in the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Veterans Health Administration (VHA), Mid-Atlantic Healthcare Network (Veterans Integrated Service Network 6, VISN 6), Durham, North Carolina Health Care System (HCS), Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Service (PM&RS) at the Durham VA Medical Center, this position serves as a Program Specialist providing administrative support to the Service Chief, PM&RS, and Administrative Officer (AO).

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 09/14/2026.

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-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.

Basic Requirements:

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:

• 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.

Specialized Experience:

• Knowledge and skill in applying analytical and evaluative methods and techniques to issues or studies concerning the efficiency and effectiveness of program operations;
• Knowledge of pertinent laws, regulations, policies and precedents which affect the use of program and related support resources in the area studied;
• Knowledge of the major issues, program goals and objectives, work processes, and administrative operations of the organization;
• Knowledge and skill in adapting analytical techniques and evaluation criteria to the measurement and improvement of program effectiveness and/or organizational productivity;
• Skill in conducting detailed analyses of complex functions and work processes;
• Interpersonal skills in presenting staffing recommendations and negotiating solutions to disputed recommendations.

OR Education:

• Applicants may substitute education for the required experience.
• To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have a Master's or equivalent graduate degree from an accredited college or university.
• OR, two (2) full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree.
• OR, an LL.B. or J.D., if related.
• NOTE: A transcript or course listing must be submitted if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education. Unofficial transcripts required.

Combination:

Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. Combinations of successfully completed post-high school education and experience may be used to meet total qualification requirements for the grade level GS-09.

Required Experience:

• Scheduling
• Clinic Billing
• Profile Management
• Data Management

Preferred Experience:

• Timekeeping

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/.