Clarification from the agency

This announcement is open to Current permanent employees of the Captain James A. Lovell Federal Health Care Center and its outreach facilities including CBOC and VCS employees.

Major Duties:

Supervisory/Program Management (45%)
As the Department Head and Senior Civilian Leader of Health Administration Service (HAS) the incumbent oversees the operation of the following programs: Eligibility and Enrollment, Coding Program, Means Testing, MCCF Collections, Admissions and Discharges, Joint Patient Registration, Bed Control, Transcription Services, Administrative Officers of the Day, Release of Information, Pediatric Transfers, File Room, Outpatient and Inpatient MSAs, Group Practice Management, Clinic Profile Team, and many more.

The incumbent communicates through division leaders to all staff to solicit involvement from all department incumbents to identify areas where operational improvement could be realized. The incumbent ensures that workload surveys and scheduling studies are conducted and provides analysis of these to the directorate leaders, and senior leadership.

The incumbent represents the department and labor management meetings, provides information and resolves problems in accordance with the negotiated agreement. The incumbent is responsible for the overall space management needs and equipment utilization for the department. The incumbent manages personnel utilization, develops and incorporates performance standards, evaluates members of PAD staff, provides counseling for position advancement or to correct deficiencies, and instantiates the reassignment or removal of personnel, as required.

Incumbent establishes and administers an effective program of preventive equipment maintenance, coordinates the annual inventory of all property assigned to the department, and oversees the maintenance of accurate records for all inventory with the department.

Additional duties.

Quality/Productivity Goals (25%)
The incumbent advises the Resources Director and hospital leadership on the minimum standards for quality and productivity, and the direction of program implementation while exercising contract and control of each division through subordinate leaders. The incumbent develops, interprets, applies, and integrates objective criteria and acceptable standards for use i monitoring activities and conducts special studies to resolve administrative problems which arise in the course of normal operations, presenting conclusions and recommendations to the directorate leadership.

Additional duties

Direction/Long-Range Planning (15%)
Incumbent coordinates the development of both long and short-range plans for PAD by assessing departmental needs based on constant communication with division leaders. Anticipates and coordinates program needs of the department for incorporation into annual budget and operating plans. Incumbent develops flexibilities in operations and cost-effective approaches to ensure Veteran and incumbent satisfaction. Coordinates the establishment of department goals, objectives, and long-range plans including use of demand forecasting and strategies to address distinct populations. Participates in the development of contingency plans to meet unexpected and planned resource demands.

Many additional duties

Budget Guidance and Administration (15%)
As the Department Head for Patient Administration, the incumbent oversees the budget and makes recommendations directly to directorate leadership regarding the distribution or redistribution of resources based on a comprehensive awareness of the needs of each division. The incumbent plans, implements, monitors, and adjusts the budget to effectively operate the department while maintaining budgetary constraints and accomplishing the departmental mission with the greatest cost-efficiency.

Performs other duties as assigned.

Work Schedule: 7:30am - 4:00pm, Monday - Friday
Compressed/Flexible: Not Authorized
Telework: Ad-Hoc
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Position Description/PD#: Program Management Officer/PD250630
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job
• All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA.
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
• Subject to background/security investigation
• 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.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP)

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period or 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.

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

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 04/03/2026.

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-14 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-13. 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 as described below:

• Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-13 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: Supervising and overseeing a number of program segments or programs of administrative work including modifying and adapting, business best practices or establishing production standards for new or unusual projects. Analyzing problems from an overall viewpoint to obtain a comprehensive understanding of the elements that underlie the problem to enable the best solution. Formulating administrative policies and procedures through research and knowledge of regulations and guidelines and implementing programs having both immediate and long-range effects. Applying statistical, auditing analytical and evaluative methods and techniques to issues and for related reports. Conducting qualitative research to gather statistics and quantitative research from notes, interviews, and observations. Presenting staffing recommendations and negotiating solutions to disputed recommendations. Working with Microsoft Office programs, i.e., Outlook, Word, Excel, Access, and Power Point, to develop documents, charts, and computer presentations.

Preferred Experience: Mastery in application of a wide range of qualitative and/or quantitative methods for the assessment and improvement of program effectiveness or the improvement of complex management processes and systems. Comprehensive knowledge of the range of administrative laws, policies, regulations, and precedents applicable to the administration of one or more important programs. Knowledge of VA and DoD program goals and objectives, the sequence and timing of key program events and milestones, and methods of evaluating the worth of program accomplishments. Knowledge of relationships with other VA and DoD programs and key administrative support functions within the VA and DoD. Demonstrated skills to plan, organize and direct team study work and to negotiate effectively with management to accept and implement recommendations where the proposals involve substantial agency resources, require extensive changes in established procedures, or may conflict with the desires of the activity studied. Oral and written communication skills to establish and maintain effective work relationships with a broad range of people that often have divergent viewpoints and conflicting priorities. Ability to present highly complex data and information to audiences of senior managers and executives, as well as members of the public.

You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position:

• Administration and Management
• Analytical Reasoning
• Communication
• Strategic Thinking

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: There is a certain mobility factor associated with this position in physically visiting areas for observation or problem-solving on-site locations. the majority of work is performed in an office setting, and mostly sedentary, requiring standing, ambulation, bending, and light lifting. The incumbent must be able to deal with emergency situations and function calmly under stress in both public and private settings.

Working Conditions: Work is typically performed in an adequately lighted and climate-controlled office setting. The incumbent may experience some exposure to communicable diseases. Some travel may be required.

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/.

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.

Narrative responses are not required at this time. If you are referred for consideration, you may be asked to submit additional job related information, which may include, but not limited to; responses to the knowledge, skills and abilities; completion of a work sample, and/or contact for an interview. Your resume and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your rating or consideration for employment.

The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position.

For more information on the "Who may apply" eligibility requirements, please refer to the OHRM Status Candidates and Other Candidate Definitions document.

Placement Policy: The posting of this announcement does not obligate management to fill a vacancy or vacancies by promotion. The position may be filled by reassignment, change to lower grade, transfer, appointment, or reinstatement. Management may use any one or any combination of these methods to fill the position.

It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.

Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.

To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:

• Resume
• SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action

The following documents are accepted, and may be required if applicable to your eligibility and/or qualifications for this position. Please make sure you have included other documents required for your application, such as a copy of your transcript (if using education to qualify), SF-50's (current/former Federal employees), documentation to support Veterans Preference claims, or ICTAP/CTAP documentation (for displaced Federal employees). You will not be contacted for additional information.

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

SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action (if applicable for Time in Grade and/or Eligibility):

• Most recent SF-50 if you are a current or former Federal employee
• An SF-50 showing 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
• Award 50's do not provide sufficient information and will not be accepted for the purpose of verifying time-in-grade.
• Examples of appropriate SF-50's include:
  • Within grade increases at the highest grade held; or
  • Promotions with an effective date more than one year old; or
  • SF-50's at the highest grade held with an effective date more than one year old.

Veterans' Preference: When applying for Federal Jobs, eligible Veterans should claim preference for 5pt (TP), 10pt (CP/CPS/XP), or for Sole Survivor Preference (SSP) in the questionnaire. You must provide a legible copy of your DD214(s) which shows dates and character of service (honorable, general, etc.). If you are currently serving on active duty and expect to be released or discharged within 120 days you must submit documentation related to your active duty service which reflects the dates of service, character of service (honorable, general, etc.), and dates of impending separation. Additionally, disabled veterans and others eligible for 10-point preference (such as widows or mothers of eligible Veterans) must also submit an SF-15 "Application for 10 Point Veteran Preference" with required proof as stated on the form. Documentation is required to award preference. For more information on Veterans' Preference, please visit Feds Hire Vets - Veterans - Job Seekers - Veterans' Preference.

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