Health System Specialist (WRIISC)

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.

Program Oversight & Policy
- Leads the full suite of administrative and operational systems supporting EXPRT missions, including staffing, fiscal oversight, contractual management, space and asset planning, administrative compliance, risk mitigation, and operational governance.
Reviews, interprets, and applies policy issued by VHA Central Office, HOME, VISN, and other federal authorities; resolves conflicts between policy, operations, and resource constraints; advises leadership on the operational implications of new or emerging policy.
Designs and implements Center wide standard operating procedures (SOPs), decision pathways, accountability structures, and performance dashboards to ensure efficient operations.
Conducts complex operational impact analyses for proposed programmatic changes (e.g., new research initiatives, regulatory changes, new technologies, facility modifications, staffing expansions); determines feasibility, cost, resource requirements, and risk exposure.
- Serves as trusted advisor to leadership, providing expert analysis, policy interpretation, strategic recommendations, and implementation planning for organizational changes,
B. Data, Performance, and Quality
- Develops and executes the Center's data strategy including data integration, governance, validation, security, and analytic reporting.
Leads quality improvement (Ql) and systems redesign (Sk) efforts using structured methodologies
(Lean, Six Sigma, PDSA, A3) to optimize operations, reduce waste, and improve system reliability and productivity. Designs multi layered performance measurement systems (process, outcome, effectiveness, resource utilization, compliance) that inform executive decision making.
Interprets complex multidimensional datasets; prepares high impact reports and briefings for EXPRT leadership, HOME, VISN leadership, and related stakeholders; synthesizes findings into actionable programmatic recommendations.
C. Financial Management & Contracts
Oversees all budgetary operations for EXPRT, including formulation, justification, execution, monitoring, and reporting for multiple fund control points.
Conducts financial forecasting, variance analysis, multi year budget planning, and strategic resource allocation to maximize program efficiency.
Develops detailed business plans, including cost benefit analyses, risk assessments, and alternative funding models; recommends reallocation of resources and oversees implementation of approved changes,
- Serves as Contracting Officer's Representative (COR) for EXPRT acquisitions; provides technical direction, monitors contractor performance, authorizes payments, documents compliance, and ensures adherence to FAR and VA acquisition regulations.
Drafts scopes of work (SOWs), determines contract types, evaluates proposals, participates in technical evaluation panels, and oversees life cycle contract management.
- Ensures proper management of interagency agreements, MOUs, reimbursables, and cooperative agreements with affiliates; investigates potential improper expenditures or contract concerns and reports issues as required.
D. Personnel & HR Liaison
Recruits, interviews, and recommends candidates for selection; addresses conduct and performance issues; provides coaching, corrective actions, and development opportunities.
- Designs staffing plans, organizational alignment strategies, and functional roles to support long term growth of the Center.
Coordinates comprehensive onboarding activities, delivering ongoing training and development support, and managing structured offboarding processes to ensure continuity and compliance.
Collaborates with Human Resources to ensure compliance with classification, hiring, labor relations, performance management, and federal personnel regulations.
Develops PDs/FSs, writes justifications for new positions, and guides leadership on organizational structure and workforce planning.
Organizes, coordinates, and chairs EXPRT-wide meetings by developing agendas, facilitating discussion across multidisciplinary stakeholders, and ensuring timely documentation and follow-up of action items.
E. External Partnerships, Agreements & Governance
- Serves as EXPRT's principal administrative liaison to HOME/VACO, VISN leadership, other VA facilities, state/federal agencies, academic institutions, and nonprofit research partners.
Drafts, negotiates, and manages MOUs, IPAs, CRADAs, DUAs, and other governance instruments that enable collaborative research, data sharing, or operational integration.
- Resolves differences in administrative procedures across institutions; ensures compliance with federal regulations, VA policy, and local requirements.
Performs other duties as assigned.

Work Schedule: Monday through Friday 8:00am- 4:30pm
Position Description Title/PD#: Health System Specialist (WRIISC)/PD14302O
Physical Requirements: Sedentary.

Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. citizen to apply for this job
• Subject to a background/suitability investigation
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
• A complete application package; Resume, Transcripts, etc. is required
• 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 identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.

Upon completion of your probationary period (OR INSERT "trial period"), your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period (OR INSERT "2-year trial period") during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider:

• your performance and conduct;
• the needs and interests of the agency;
• whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
• whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service

Qualifications

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

Individual Occupational Requirements

Undergraduate and Graduate Education:

Major study -- hospital administration, public health administration, or related fields such as business or public administration with course work in health care administration.

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.

GS-12 grade level: One year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-12 grade level in the federal service); experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities (KSA's) and other characteristics to perform successfully the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled, in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Specialized experience includes: Experience with complex health systems administration including VHA program structure, governance, operations, regulatory environment, and administrative processes to independently manage complex Center functions. Knowledge of federal budgeting, fiscal law, cost analysis, and financial oversight, enabling formulation and execution of complex multi source budgets and long range financial plans. Knowledge of contracting and acquisition principles, including FAR, to serve as authoritative COR on high impact contracts and agreements. Advanced analytical skills, including data interpretation, system evaluation, and performance modeling for complex national programs. Knowledge of quality improvement (QI) and systems redesign methodologies and ability to
apply them to improve organizational effectiveness. Understanding of HR laws and VA personnel systems, enabling accurate
interpretation of policy and management of supervisory responsibilities. Experience in policy analysis, organizational design, and governance, enabling development of SOPs and frameworks that influence local and national operations.


OR

Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at the GS-12level.To calculate, first identify the percentage of required education you have earned (when substituting, you cannot use the first 60 semester hours that you earned). Then identify the percentage of required experience you possess. Add the two percentages. The total percentage must equal at least 100 percent to qualify at the GS-XX. For example, an applicant who has 9 semester hours of graduate level education (i.e. 50% of graduate education required) and 6 months of creditable specialized experience (i.e. 50% of the required experience) would equal 100% of the required experience for the position A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on 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.

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.

Documents Accepted:

• Cover Letter
• DD-214/ Statement of Service
• Disability Letter (Schedule A)
• Disability Letter (VA)
• License
• Other (1)
• PCS Orders
• Professional Certification
• Resume
• Separation Notice (RIF)
• SF-15
• SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action
• Transcript

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.

Next steps