Program Manager - Controlled Substance Coordinator

Clarification from the agency

(Updated 8/7/26): This job is open Service-Wide. Open to current and permanent Service employees assigned Quality Service to Lexington VA Health Care System only. To meet this Area of Consideration, the applicant's SF-50 must reflect the following information in Block #22: Veterans Health Administration Executive Director

Please Note: Hiring Path Clarification Text has been updated as of 8/7/26 to accurately reflect the Block #22 information required to be considered within the Area of Consideration for this position due to the Service being aligned under the Executive Director Service.

Duties include, but may not be limited to the following:

• Investigates inspection findings to ensure receipt of adequate corrective action plans from clinic Service Line Managers.
• Categorizes and determine inspection findings and other incident reports.
• Maintains the inspection rotation schedule in compliance with consecutive inspection restrictions, inspector terms, and competencies.
• Manages technical and administrative direction, schedule assignments, respond to questions, resolve conflicts, set deadlines, and find coverage for unexpected absences.
• Tracks program metrics and non-adherence to regulations.
• Decides the methodologies to use in achieving work goals and objectives and continuously monitor and improve inspection methods.
• Consolidates reports from CSIs, Omnicell's and/or inspection areas.
• Evaluates CSI performance and assess training needs to assure inspector competencies.
• Writes monthly and quarterly reports and present quarterly at the QPSC meeting.
• Provides leadership, advice, and instruction to the high-level stakeholders relative to the CSIP operations and current analysis of the program.
• Provides technical guidance, training, understanding, and improvement concepts.
• Ensures the development and implementation of regular, effective education and training for all controlled substance inspectors on issues relating to the CSIP.

Promotion Potential: The selectee may be promoted to the full performance level without further competition when all regulatory, qualification, and performance requirements are met. Selection at a lower grade level does not guarantee promotion to the full performance level.

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 7:00am - 3:30pm
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Position Description/PD#: Program Manager - Controlled Substance Coordinator/PD305720
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Approved
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 identification 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, 08/11/2026.

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. For a GS-11 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-9 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:
• Basic knowledge of analytical and evaluative methods to assist with studies related to the efficiency and effectiveness of data management and performance improvement programs.
• Familiarity with relevant regulations, policies, and procedures for assigned tasks.
• Ability to apply established analytical techniques to carry out assigned projects under supervision.
• General understanding of performance improvement processes and regulatory requirements such as TJC, VHA, and OIG.
• Ability to utilize clinical and administrative VA computer systems to extract information for specific, well-defined assignments.
• Ability to validate data for routine reports and support data tracking and analysis activities.
• Developing skills to communicate findings through oral and written reports and briefings.
• Ability to organize work, prioritize assignments, and assume routine administrative duties in support of program objectives, with increasing independence as experience is gained.

OR,

• Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have successfully completed 2 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.B or J.D., if related Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree

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 graduate level education (in excess of the first two years or 36 semester hours) and specialized experience to meet total experience requirements.

GS-11 Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-9 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Your experience must have equipped you with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled. Specialized Experience is defined as:

• Knowledge and skill in applying analytical and evaluative methods and techniques to issues and studies concerning the efficiency and effectiveness of the data management, and performance improvement programs.
• Knowledge of the regulations, policies and procedures which affect the assigned programs.
• Knowledge and skill in adapting analytical techniques and evaluation criteria to the measurement and improvement of program effectiveness for both data management and performance improvement.
• Formal training in performance improvement tools, techniques, and initiatives.
• Understanding of regulatory agency requirements such as TJC, VHA, and OIG.
• Knowledge of a broad range of clinical and administrative computer systems used by the Department of Veterans Affairs to collect data and how to extract pertinent information for specific assignments (Pyramid, VSSC, VistA, etc.).
• Skill in applying fact-finding, investigative techniques, and critical thinking skills to identify, analyze and recommend solutions to problems posed by the management of the medical center.
• Knowledge and understanding of the mission, vision, values, goals, and organization of the VHA and the health care system.
• Knowledge and understanding of how the above relates to the mission of our Quality Management & Systems Redesign Programs.
• Performs routine validation of data for standard reports submitted from the medical center to network and central office program offices.
• Extensive knowledge and understanding of management principles, practices, and methods of data tracking and analysis.
• Ability to analyze complex data and problems and present both oral and written recommendations for improvement, taking into consideration the wide range of factors and requirements that affect the management of the medical center.
• Ability to organize and deliver oral and written briefings to managers to foster understanding and acceptance of findings and recommendations.
• Ability to identify problems, analyze pertinent findings and circumstances, arrive at solutions/resolutions and assess impact of same.
• Ability to organize and prioritize work assignments, Ability to be flexible and assume a wide variety of administrative duties.

OR,

GS-11 Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have successfully completed a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree, or 3 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree, or an LL.M. in a field related to this position. (Transcripts must be submitted with application)

OR,

GS-11 Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have a combination of specialized experience and education beyond graduate level education (in excess of the first two years or 36 semester hours) and specialized experience to meet total experience requirements.

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: Work is mostly sedentary; however, some walking and stair climbing, bending, stooping, and occasional lifting of moderately heavy items such as computers, chairs, multiple folders, books, and binders are 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

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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