Health System Specialist Job in Jamaica Plain, MA

Vacancy No. CBTD-12796598-25-TL Department Veterans Health Administration
Salary $83,742.00 to $108,859.00 Grade 11 to 11
Perm/Temp Permanent FT/PT Full-time
Open Date 9/8/2025 Close Date 9/12/2025
Job Link Apply Online Who may apply Public
Locations:
Jamaica Plain, MA


Summary

The position is located in the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Veterans Health Administration (VHA), New England Health Care Network (VISN 1), VA Boston Healthcare system, Neurology Service, providing a variety of administrative and program support duties. The Health Systems Specialist is responsible for the administrative coordination of the Neurology Service in all non-clinical activities and functions.

This job is open to

Clarification from the agency

ALL US CITIZENS DIRECT HIRE AUTHORITY: This position is being filled using Direct-Hire Authority (5 CFR 337.201) for this occupation.

Duties

A. Resource Management (40%):

  • Coordinates all aspects of Neurology Service relating to personnel management based on FTEE resources including classification and position management activity to ensure that all actions are current and up to date.
  • Develops position descriptions, performance standards and competencies for Neurology Service employees, ensuring compliance with standards and format.
  • Ensures that summary ratings are performed when required
  • Monitors positions for changes in duties or performance standards and makes appropriate additions/changes to position descriptions and/or performance standards.
  • Prepares requests for Resource Management Board actions to fill vacant or newly created positions within established FTEE levels as well as Fee Basis contracts to cover specialized areas when necessary.
  • Interviews and recommends selection of clerical support personnel
  • Compiles and trends workload data for all clinical providers and submits to Chief of Service on a monthly basis. Data is used in decisions regarding resource allocation and for performance evaluations
  • Maintains DSS data by reviewing reports on a biweekly basis. Provides to DSS office breakdown of workload allocation for new staff members and changes to allocations for existing staff as duties/assignments change
  • Collaborates with Employee Relations in resolving employee disputes/grievances at the local level
  • Maintains accurate organizational chart, tracks vacancies and recruitment efforts
  • Prepares quarterly Neurology Service Staffing Assessments for presentation to Chief of Human Resources Service.
B. Program Management (40%):
  • Coordinates Neurology Service Quality Management Program. Compiles data and submits quarterly reports summarizing findings as well as recommendations for implementing improvements/changes.
  • Manages Service's Fund Control Point budget
  • Submits annual requests for funding based on knowledge of current needs and historical spending data. Ensures compliance with fiscal standards for utilizing funds.
  • Manages outgoing inventory (CMR) of Service's equipment needs and assigned priorities. Ensures that requests for equipment are submitted in a timely, accurate manner providing adequate justification to support requests
  • Composes Service administrative policies (e.g. Safety Plan, Education Plan, etc.). Initiates follow-up action where indicated. Informs staff of new procedures and/or changes to existing policies
  • Oversees compliance with Medical Center Education guidelines, ensuring that all Neurology staff complete all mandatory training each fiscal year. Prepares annual education plan and submits monthly statistical reports documenting compliance levels
  • Supervises preparation of documentation required for Professional Standards Board review including Board Actions and accompanying supporting documents
  • Ensures that Neurology Service providers complete biannual reappointment packages by submission deadlines to avoid disruption in approval of clinical privileges
  • Collects quality assurance data on each physician and summarizes this information for presentation to the Professional Standards Board as part of the re-credentialing process
  • Coordinates organization of Partners and BU Neurology Resident credentialing process. Ensures that packages are distributed to incoming Residents in ample time to allow for completion and return. Monitors review of submitted data and ensures that follow-up action is taken to obtain any missing data or documents
  • Works with Neurology Service support staff in adhering to deadline for submission of all Resident documents to ACOS/E prior to established deadlines. Late submissions can result in disruption to the Resident rotation schedule and patient care schedules
C. Budgeting/Financial Management Work/Supply (20%)
  • Responsible for Neurology budget formulation, justification and execution; financial management, financial reporting of educational and research programs
  • Oversees compliance with Medical Center Education guidelines, ensuring that all Neurology staff complete all mandatory training each fiscal year. Prepares annual education plan and submits monthly statistical reports documenting compliance levels
  • Works in collaboration with Neurology Clinic Coordinator in establishing/revising clinic profiles and schedules for Staff Physician Clinics and Resident Clinics. Initiates adjustments to profiles when need for change becomes evident
  • Supervises preparation of documentation required for Professional Standards Board review.


Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 8:00am-4:30pm
Telework: This position may be authorized for telework. Telework eligibility will be discussed during the interview process.
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Position Description Title/PD#: Health System Specialist/PD005760

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

  • You must be a U.S. citizen to apply for this job
  • Subject to a background/suitability investigation
  • May serve a probationary period
  • Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
  • A complete application package; Resume, Transcripts, etc.
  • Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents).
  • Effective May 7, 2025, driver’s licenses or state-issued dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.

Qualifications

Individual Occupational Requirement (IOR): The 0671 series requires specific education or experience to be met in order to be appointed into a position of this series. You must meet one of the pre-determined Education or Experience Individual Occupational Requirements listed below as set by Office of Personnel Management (OPM).
Undergraduate and Graduate Education: Major study of hospital administration, public health administration, or related fields such as business or public administration with course work in health care administration.
OR
Specialized Experience: Progressively responsible analytical or administrative, or clinical management or supervisory experience in the health care field. This work may have been performed in an operating health care facility or a higher organizational echelon with advisory or directional authority over such facilities. Work must have involved a close working relationship with facility managers and analysis and/or coordination of administrative, clinical, or other service activities, and provided knowledge of the following:
  • Missions, organizations, programs, and requirements of health care delivery systems;
  • Regulations and standards of various regulatory and credentialing groups; and
  • Government-wide, agency, and facility systems and requirements in various administrative areas such as budget, personnel, and procurement.
OR
Special Provision for Inservice Placement: Successful completion of an agency-sponsored on-the-job training program may be substituted for qualifying experience, provided it included a formal individualized training plan. Such a training program must have been conducted in an operating health care system and included:
  • Assignments providing a knowledge of basic health system administration philosophies, practices, and procedures, and basic government administrative policies and requirements;
  • Practical assignments providing an opportunity to apply health system administration skills and principles (as the individual progresses, work assignments must be characteristic of the grade level to which he or she is assigned); and
  • Oversight by an experienced health system administrator with periodic evaluation of the individual's progress and appropriate adjustment of the training program.
In addition to meeting the IOR requirements, you must meet the experience and/or education as described below:

You may qualify based on your experience and/or education as described below:
  • To qualify for the GS-671-11 based on specialized experience: You must have one (1) year of specialized experience at the GS-09 level or equivalent for this position. Specialized experience is 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. To be creditable, specialized experience must have been equivalent to at least the next lower grade level in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. At the GS-11 full performance level, the incumbent demonstrates:
  • Knowledge of the concepts, principles, and practices of the health care delivery systems, including an understanding of the concepts of medical care organization, financial management, and data application.
  • Knowledge of the mission, organizations, programs, and requirements specific to the VHA health care delivery system so as to be able to analyze and recommend solutions to the problems which arise within a complex Medical Center.
  • Knowledge of the VHA regulations, standards, policies, and procedures in order to advise on and interface the clinical administrative functions.
  • Knowledge of local, state, and federal laws governing the healthcare delivery system in order to insure compliance with laws and prevent medical legal complications.
  • Knowledge of qualitative and quantitative techniques for analyzing and measuring the effectiveness, efficiency, and productivity of administrative and technical programs.
  • Knowledge of budgeting concepts and procedures, knowledge of methodologies for determining unit costs and understanding of procedures for forecasting workload.
  • Knowledge of the principles of Quality Assurance in healthcare in order to implement, evaluate, and coordinate Quality Assurance activities for the Mental Health Service.
  • Ability to work well with people of varying educational and socioeconomic backgrounds in activities involving critical or sensitive issues
To qualify for the GS-671-11 based on education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree or three (3) full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.M., if related.
To qualify for the GS-671-11 based on 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 and may be computed by first determining the applicant's total qualifying experience as a percentage of the experience required for the grade level; then determining the applicant's education as a percentage of the education required for the grade level; and then adding the two percentages. The total percentages must equal at least 100 percent to qualify an applicant for that grade level. Only graduate education in excess of the amount required for the next lower grade level may be used to qualify applicants for positions at grades GS-9 and GS-11. When crediting education that requires specific course work, prorate the number of hours of related courses required as a proportion of the total education to be used.

You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position:
  • Analysis and Problem Solving
  • Human Capital management
  • Customer Service
  • Information Management

Education

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.

Physical Requirements: the work is primarily sedentary, although some slight physical effort may be required. assignments regularly involve long periods of standing, bending, and stooping to observe and study work operations in an industrial, storage, or comparable work area.

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/.


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.

Additional information

Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.

This position may be authorized for telework. Telework eligibility will be discussed during the interview process.

Participation in the seasonal influenza program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). It is a requirement that all HCP to receive annual seasonal influenza vaccination or obtain an exemption for medical or religious reasons. Wearing a face mask is required when an exemption to the influenza vaccination has been granted. HCP in violation of this directive may face disciplinary action up to and including removal from federal service. HCP are individuals who, during the influenza season, work in VHA locations or who come into contact with VA patients or other HCP as part of their duties. VHA locations include, but are not limited to, VA hospitals and associated clinics, community living centers (CLCs), community-based outpatient clinics (CBOCs), domiciliary units, Vet centers and VA-leased medical facilities. HCP include all VA licensed and unlicensed, clinical and administrative, remote and onsite, paid and without compensation, full- and part-time employees, intermittent employees, fee basis employees, VA contractors, researchers, volunteers and health professions trainees (HPTs) who are expected to perform any or all of their work at these facilities. HPTs may be paid or unpaid and include residents, interns, fellows and students. HCP also includes VHA personnel providing home-based care to Veterans and drivers and other personnel whose duties put them in contact with patients outside VA medical facilities.


The Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) and Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) provide eligible displaced VA competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. To be well-qualified, applicants must possess experience that exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors if applicable, and must be proficient in most of the requirements of the job. Information about ICTAP and CTAP eligibility is on OPM's Career Transition Resources website which can be found at https://www.opm.gov/.

Receiving Service Credit for Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. VA may offer newly-appointed Federal employee's credit for their job-related non-federal experience or active duty uniformed military service. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed.

This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.

If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

Benefits

A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

Review our benefits

Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.

How You Will Be Evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE WILL NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Applicants will be referred in the order in which they were received.

Required Documents

Documents Accepted:

  • Resume
  • Transcripts
  • SF-50 (Former/Current Federal Employees)
Documents Required:
  • Resume
Please review the above list(s) to ensure you have included all necessary documents required for your application. Not every applicant will require the same documents, therefore it is the applicants responsibility to ensure that their application package includes all necessary documents to determine qualifications and eligibility for appointment, such as a copy of your SF-50, transcript, ICTAP/CTAP documentation (for displaced Federal employees).You will not be contacted for additional information. Applicants will be deemed ineligible if supporting documentation is not submitted.

Veterans' Preference: Since the Direct-Hire Recruitment Authority is being used, traditional Veterans' Preference rules do not apply. Qualified veterans will, however, be given full consideration for this position.

Applications are accepted online. Applying online will allow you to review and track the status of your application.

How to Apply

All applicants are encouraged to apply online.

To apply for this position, you must complete the occupational questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on 09/12/2025 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12796598.

1. To begin, click Apply Online to create a USAJOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USAJOBS resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the occupational questionnaire.

2. Click Submit My Answers to submit your application package.

NOTE: It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation is submitted prior to the closing date. You may check the status of your application at any time by logging into your USA Jobs account and clicking on Applications. Information regarding your application status can be found in the USAJobs Help Center.

To return to an incomplete application, log into your USAJOBS account and click Update Application in the vacancy announcement. You must re-select your resume and/or other documents from your USAJOBS account or your application will be incomplete.

Agency contact information

Tracy Liverpool
Address
VA Boston Healthcare System
940 Belmont Street
Brockton, MA 02301
US

Next steps

After the vacancy announcement closes, applicants are evaluated to ensure qualification and eligibility requirements are met. After the review is complete, a referral certificate(s) is issued and applicants will be notified of their status by email.


Note: We cannot accept applications on behalf of Federal Agencies. Application instructions are listed within the Job Description.


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