Lead Program Specialist

Summary

The incumbent serves as a Lead Program Specialist within the Veterans Health Administration’s Integrated Veteran Care (IVC), Integrated External Networks (IEN), Contracts Management Directorate. In this role, the incumbent leads Program Specialists performing contract administration, project management, and Contracting Officer’s Representative duties; assigns workload, monitors contractor performance, resolves issues, and supports national community care contract operations.

Duties

• Major Duties: Serves as the designated Contracting Officer Representative (COR) on one or more large-scale contracts, providing day-to-day technical oversight of contractor performance.
• Reviews, analyzes, and interprets contractor-submitted performance reports, Quality Program descriptions, and Work Plans to assess compliance with contract requirements and Minimum Performance Standards (MPS).
• Identifies performance deficiencies and prepares written findings; initiates and monitors Corrective Action Plans (CAPs), documenting milestones and contractor progress in the official contract file.
• Participates in and leads quarterly quality review meetings with contractors; prepares meeting agendas, records minutes, and tracks action items through resolution.
• Coordinates with the Contracting Officer (CO) to escalate unresolved performance issues, recommend contract remedies, and support past performance evaluations at option year renewals.
• Serves as a technical advisor to the CO and program leadership on healthcare quality trends, emerging managed care standards, and industry best practices.
• Work Schedule: Full-time, Monday – Friday, 8:00am to 4:30pm EST Telework: This position may be authorized for Ad-hoc telework.
• Telework eligibility will be discussed during the interview process.
• Virtual: This position may be authorized for Virtual Work.
• Virtual Work eligibility is for current VA employees that are already subject to the return to in person work mandate in their current position.
• Definition of Virtual Work: Employee works outside of original hiring duty station at a VA owned or leased space.
• Return to Office (RTO): RTO mandates are in effect and selectees will be required to report to in person work unless they have an approved exception or an exemption.
• Any approval for an RTO exception, exemption, or extension will happen after a tentative job offer, but before a final job offer.
• Position Description/PD#: Lead Program Specialist/PD62251A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Approved Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized This is a bargaining unit position.

Requirements

You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job To be considered for this position, you must complete all required steps in the process. In addition to the application and questionnaire, this position requires an online assessment. The online assessment measures critical general competencies required to perform the job.

Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959 Physical Requirements: The work required does not inherently include any physical requirements essential for successful job performance that could not otherwise be performed with accommodation or workplace adjustment. A pre-placement physical examination is not required. 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, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

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/.

Required Documents

Prepare the documents below before applying. Always confirm the exact requirements on the official announcement, since they vary by 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).
• Cover Letter DD-214/ Statement of Service Disability Letter (Schedule A) Disability Letter (VA) License Other (1) Performance Appraisal Professional Certification Proof of Marriage Status 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.
• 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.