Program Specialist - Controlled Substance Coordinator

The Controlled Substance Coordinator (CSC) provides leadership and oversight for the facility's Controlled Substance Inspection Program. The CSC functions as the medical center's subject matter expert on controlled substance inspections, managing and training a team of 35-40 inspectors from diverse clinical and administrative areas ensures ongoing compliance with VHA Handbooks and directives to maintain effective and compliant controlled substance operations across the medical center.

Qualifications:

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 05/26/2026.

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-9 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-7. 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-9:

Specialized Experience:

You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-7 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: Applies basic qualitative and quantitative techniques to collect, compile, and review data related to inspections, discrepancies, and compliance trends. Applies established methods and procedures to support program operations, identify issues, and assist in developing recommendations.

OR Education:

Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have a Mater's or equivalent degree or 2 full years if progressively higher level graduate education leading to such degree; or LL.B or J.D.. in the related field of the position to be filled. Such education must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work. Such education must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work. Transcripts must be provided .

OR Combination:

Possess a combination of successfully completed graduate education (beyond a master's degree) and specialized experience as described above to meet total experience requirements. The education portion must include graduate courses that demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do to the work of this position. GS-11:

Specialized Experience:

You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-9 level. Specialized Experience is defined as experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: Creates written policies, procedures and educational material regarding narcotic inspections, unresolved discrepancies and performance measures. Provides formal program recommendations for all aspects of the Controlled Substance Program. Working knowledge of Drug Enforcement Administration compliance mandates. Develop and deploy a system of internal monitoring at the Medical Center level to identify potential organization risks. Utilizes flow charts, staff interviews, and auditing tools to identify weaknesses within the program and makes formal program recommendations where changes are needed. Makes formal program recommendations to Senior Leadership. Ensures that all monthly controlled substance inspections are assigned and completed in accordance with VHA Handbooks, Directives, VISN Policies, SOARS Assessment/Recommendations, TJC Standards and OIG Recommendations.

OR Education:

Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have have a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree or 3 years of progressively higher lever graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.M. in the related field of the position to be filled. Transcripts must be provided . OR Combination of education and experience : Possess a combination of successfully completed graduate education (beyond a master's degree) and specialized experience as described above to meet total experience requirements. The education portion must include graduate courses that demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do to the work of this position.

Preferred Experience:

Program Management. Chart review and auditing.

Physical Requirements:

See Directive and

HANDBOOK

5019, Employee Occupational Health Service for requirements. You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position: Analytical Reasoning Attention to Detail Compliance Inspection Customer Service Customer Service (Clerical/Technical) Decision Making Flexibility Integrity/Honesty Interpersonal Skills Learning Reading Comprehension Reasoning Self-Management Stress Tolerance Teamwork Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

Note :

A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. Part-time experience will be credited on the basis of time actually spent in appropriate activities. Applicants wishing to receive credit for such experience must indicate clearly the nature of their duties and responsibilities in each position and the number of hours a week spent in such employment. 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/ .