The Bay Pines VA Healthcare System is currently recruiting a Program Specialist in the Surgery Service. This position is located at the Bay Pines

VA HCS, C.W.

Bill Young Campus in Bay Pines, Florida.

Qualifications:

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 09/21/2026.

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

Specialized Experience:

You must have one year of specialized 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: Applying established evaluation methods to complete routine data reviews, collect clinical or administrative information, and enter findings into local tracking systems. Preparing routine documentation such as draft evaluation forms, data reports, or written summaries that support ongoing program review or compliance activities. Following standardized procedures to analyze information for completeness and accuracy and resolve straightforward discrepancies with guidance from senior staff. Using basic research, data-gathering, or verification techniques to support program operations, including identifying missing information or supporting documentation. Performing entry-level tasks requiring familiarity with regulatory requirements, internal policies, or standard operating procedures to support program workflow.

OR, Education:

Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have 1 full year of graduate level education or superior academic achievement

•. Degree must be relevant to the position to be filled.

OR, Combination:

Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have an combination of specialized experience and education beyond a bachelor's degree. The education and experience must be directly related to the work of the position to be filled. GS-09

Specialized Experience:

You must have one year of specialized 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: Independently analyzing program data, conducting complex reviews, and preparing detailed reports to advise leadership on operational or clinical program effectiveness. Resolving complex administrative or operational issues impacting service delivery, recommending improvements, and implementing workflow enhancements. Evaluating new products, systems, or processes and recommending changes to optimize operational efficiency or improve compliance outcomes. Extracting, analyzing, and reporting program or operational data to support metrics tracking, trend identification, and management-level decision-making. Leading or coordinating program activities, training staff, or developing detailed written guidance, reflecting knowledge of program policies and advanced analytical methods.

OR, Education:

Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have successfully completed a master's or equivalent graduate degree or 2 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.B. or J.D., if related. Degree must be relevant to the position to be filled.

OR, Combination:

Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have an combination of specialized experience and education beyond 1 year of graduate level education may be used to qualify applicants for positions at grades GS-09. The education and experience must be directly related to the work of the position to be filled.

Preferred Experience:

Knowledge of procedures for assessing, evaluating, and monitoring programs or projects for compliance with Federal laws, regulations, and guidance. Organizes work, sets priorities, and determines resource requirements; determines short- or long-term goals and strategies to achieve them; coordinates with other organizations or parts of the organization to accomplish goals; monitors progress and evaluates outcomes. Knowledge of the principles, procedures, and tools of data management, such as modeling techniques, data backup, data recovery, data dictionaries, data warehousing, data mining, data archiving, data disposal, and data standardization processes. Identifies and analyzes problems; uses sound reasoning to arrive at conclusions; finds alternative solutions to complex problems; distinguishes between relevant and irrelevant information to make logical judgements. Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming. 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/ .