Program Specialist

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Lakewood (CO); Remote; USD 75,000 - 121,000; Full time

Job summary

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration, is seeking a Program Specialist to support external contracts within Integrated External Networks and Contracts Management.

You will track performance, analyze data, prepare reports, and develop contract documents to address contracting challenges. The role requires knowledge of healthcare operations, claims processing, and regulatory requirements.

Qualifications

• A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.
• Education or degrees must be recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited institutions.
• Foreign education requires a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency.

Responsibilities

• Develop, plan, coordinate, and oversee contract-related activities and reports.
• Manage project schedules, milestones, risks, and stakeholder communications.
• Analyze program data, identify performance measures, and prepare cost reports.
• Support access to healthcare services through external provider networks.

Skills

Healthcare operations knowledge

Claims processing

Regulatory requirements

Education

Transcript requirement

Foreign education recognition (Certificate of Foreign Equivalency)

Job description

• Department: Department of Veterans Affairs

The Program Specialist, located within VHA's Integrated External Networks, Contracts Management and Performance, supports community care contract administration by tracking performance issues, analyzing data, preparing reports, and developing contract documents. The role requires knowledge of healthcare operations, claims processing, and regulatory requirements.

Key Responsibilities

Major Duties: Develop, plan, coordinate, and oversee contract-related activities, including preparing statements of work, evaluation plans, decision documents, and reports that address contracting challenges. Manage project schedules, milestones, quality assurance activities, risks, issues, and stakeholder communications. Analyze program and operational data, identify performance measures, and prepare reports on budgets, utilization, costs, compliance, and program outcomes.

Support programs that facilitate access to healthcare services through external provider networks and assist healthcare organizations in acquiring those services. Conduct risk assessments by reviewing program data, requirements, and regulations, and develop strategies to reduce or prevent future risks.

Collaborate with leadership and stakeholders on acquisition and contracting initiatives, participate on cross-functional project teams, and support program oversight and decision-making processes. Work Schedule: Full-time, 8-hour shifts Monday through Friday, with tours scheduled between 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Telework: This position may be authorized for Ad-hoc telework. Telework eligibility will be discussed during the interview process.

Virtual: This position may be authorized for Virtual Work. 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 are approved for an 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#: Program Specialist/PD39599A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Approved Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

Requirements & 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 in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/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 $74678 – $121371/yr.

Is this position remote or telework eligible?

This position is eligible for telework.

What is the application deadline?

Applications close on 2026-11-10.

How many openings are available?

There are 4 openings for this position.

Who is eligible to apply?

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