Program Specialist

Washington, DC, United States

Summary This Program Specialist serves as the Senior Data and Tooling Integrator within the Executive Director's Office (EDO) of Strategic Investment Management (SIM), which is organizationally aligned with the Veterans Health Administration (VHA). The incumbent is responsible for the oversight and development of integrated tooling solutions within SIM, and management of SIM's capability architecture. This incumbent reports to the Deputy Executive Director, SIM. Responsibilities This announcement will close on 07/05/2024, the first 50 applications received will receive first consideration. Applications received after the initial cut-off number has been reached will not receive consideration unless otherwise requested by management. Develops analytics standards for staff within SIM and precisely communicates to staff, as required. Provides formal and informal feedback and evaluates analytical performance. Works in close collaboration across organizational lines with other senior-level managers and support staff to assure the goals of SIM are met and in line with VHA initiatives and objectives. Participates in policy and planning and contributes to the management decisionmaking process. Applies expert management skills when needed; adjusts staff assignments to meet unexpected operational needs, technical IT issues and priorities that arise within VA, VHA and SIM. Develops data domain elements for data referential expertise within the VHA-SIM portfolio. Reviews analytical data utilization and data engineering strategies for architecture domain expertise and recommends modification as needed. Develops data engineering and utilization strategy for SIM. Identifies industry and federal data, process, and reference architecture strategies and communicates trends and objectives pertinent to VA, VHA and the Health Care industry. Develop, implement, and manage an executive level reporting dashboard with integrated SIM data. Develops a SIM level centralized repository for of VHA Business Owners, key stakeholders, and capability mapping. Manage knowledge and integration VA databases (i.e., ServiceNow) into SIM databases/systems. Responsible for managing data related processes and policies for completing and documenting SIM capability architecture requirements. Identifies and troubleshoots issues that may arise; generates solutions; makes appropriate recommendations. Provides expert guidance and coordination to senior SIM staff throughout the project lifecycle to resolve complex and controversial issues related to architecture deliverables. Plans and directs architecture analyses, assesses the current and future needs for SIM's architecture elements, and develops and maintains program plans and strategies designed to meet the operational goals and objectives of VHA and the Department. Requires working knowledge of SQL databases, application support (e.g., ASP.NET development), management of enterprise database systems, Power BI, tool/systems integration, and SharePoint design/maintenance. Provides leadership in the evaluation, assessment, and improvement of administrative programs and management systems through application of a wide range of qualitative and quantitative architecture techniques. Maintains comprehensive knowledge of regulations and rules affecting the administration and delivery of care in VHA healthcare facilities and the ability to seek out and secure more detailed insight and information. Exhibits knowledge of intra- and interdepartmental relationships specific to and supportive of healthcare programs. Other duties as assigned. Work Schedule: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm Compressed/Flexible: May be availble Telework: VA supports the use of telework as a way to help attract and retain talented individuals in public service, increase worker productivity, and better prepare the agency to operate during emergencies. 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/PD#: Program Specialist/PD370800 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized. Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not approved. Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized. Financial Disclosure Report: Not required Requirements Conditions of Employment You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959 You may be required to serve a probationary period Subject to background/security investigation Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP) Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details. Qualifications To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 07/05/2024. 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. Selective Placement Factor (SPF) Requirement: Applicants must possess this SPF to qualify for this position. Must have demonstrated knowledge and experience in database administration and data architecture management. Must qualify based on your experience as described below: Specialized Experience: 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 the following examples: Professional knowledge in information technology, business analysis, budgeting, and project management. Also requires knowledge of resource management.to coordinate the Executive Directors Office priority assignments. Mastery knowledge to provide operational leadership on projects in a matrix organization, to include knowledge of organization structure, functions, procedures, and legislation which impact entities served and advised. Knowledge of program development and delivery methodologies and techniques to manage, identify, evaluate, recommend, and implement program strategies and attainment of program outcomes Skill to plan, organize, and work within a team study work and negotiate effectively with management to accept and implement recommendations where the proposals involve substantial agency resources, require extensive changes in established procedures, or may be in conflict with the stakeholder desires of the activity studied. Oral and written communication skills which can be used to present to leadership at high level meetings, congressional hearings, and in meetings with other government agencies. Skill in directing multiple fast pace concurrent projects from inception to completion; coordinating and establishing timeframes, deliverables, and preparing senior level reports. Recommends and judgments in a role that supports program outcomes and each operating plan's milestones and objectives. Coordinate project teams to ensure SIM program goals and objectives are achieved in accordance with the program's strategic plan. Interpret and apply guidelines in developing and implementing solutions to problems that are unique and outside the scope of current written guidelines. Settting short and long-term priorities, provides advice and counsel, identifies training needs, suggests improvements in organizational processes, and ensures operating procedures are written, followed, and updated as necessary. Demonstrated competence in dealing effectively with complex problems in the VHA and SIM which may have no available guidelines. Authority in the analysis, reporting, and interpretation of planning and development guidelines related to Architecture Data and Business Analysis within VA. Review legislation that has a significant impact on the program segment and the way it conducts business with the public and or private sector. Plan, organize, and carry out broad completion studies/reports involving key agency programs. Supports Leadership with data analytics and tooling requirements that are department-wide in scope and impact and its effectiveness and delivery of health care. Demonstrated managerial, consultative, negotiation, and problem resolution skills. Preferred Experience: Preferred experience will be utilized to identify highly qualified applicants. Professional knowledge and experience in data analysis and visualization, including the ability to develop and manage a senior or executive level reporting dashboard comprised of organizational, department, or agency data. You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position: Data Management Database Administration Database Management Systems Administration and Management Planning and Evaluation 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 sedentary. It may require some physical effort such as standing, bending, carrying of light items, such as papers, books, or other small parts. No special physical demands are required to perform the work. The work may require extended hours to meet program deadlines. The work requires almost constant use of a video display terminal. 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/. Education There is no educational substitution at this grade level. 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. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/. Additional Information The Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) provide eligible displaced VA competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. To be qualified you must submit appropriate documentation (a copy of the agency notice, your most recent performance rating, and your most recent SF-50 noting current position, grade level, and duty location) and be found well-qualified for this vacancy. To be well-qualified: applicants must possess experience that exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors, and who are proficient in most of the required competencies of the job. Information about CTAP eligibility is on OPM's Career Transition Resources website at http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/employee-guide-to-career-transition/. During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions. 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.