Program Specialist

Summary

The position is in the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Veterans Health Administration (VHA), at the VA Medical Center (VAMC) Salt Lake City, Utah in the Specialty Care Service. The Program Specialist serves as the service-level liaison and advisor on equipment and product acquisition and equipment/instrumentation service contracts for a wide variety of items to include specialized services.

Duties

• Duties include but not limited to: As the Program Specialist, incumbent will monitor and make recommendations to replace end of life equipment. Contacts vendors to attain quotes for items to be requested. Using the Electronic Equipment Request (EER) portal, will enter all equipment requests, track progress of the acquisition, ensure delivery, and ensure timely readiness of acquisitions for the Specialty Care service. Researches and prepares documentation of salient characteristics, market research, sole source requirements, like or exact requirements, item descriptions, justification, reusable medical equipment (RME) cleaning instructions, Instructions for Use (IFU), and technical specifications. Incumbent monitors and enters new equipment into the Strategic Equipment Planning Guide (SEPG) to enable entry into the EER. Once the data has been entered and uploaded into the EER, and the request has been approved, the incumbent will work with the Logistics service to clarify any information needed to successfully send instrumentation, scope, accessory, supply and equipment requests to Contracting. Tracks data, provides updates and advises leadership with best actionable recommendations on contracting and equipment procurement on behalf of Service in the best interest of the VA as procurement technical authority for Specialty Care Service. Independently develops performance work statements, cost benefit analysis, gap analysis, sole source justifications, quality assurance, surveillance plans (QASP), market research, and other contract documents. Establishes and maintains controls to ensure that contracts are executed in accordance with terms. Reports on deviation from contract terms: and manages a record system that includes contractor information and key contractual due dates to ensure that contractual actions are completed timely. Recommends contract termination and need to exercise option years of the contract based on contract performance, funds availability, and the need for the continuation of the services being rendered. Verifies contract interim payments after verifying accuracy and may certify payments for services rendered. 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, 7:30am - 4:00pm Telework: 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/PD144140 and PD144150 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 11/09/2026. 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 GS9 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-09. 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. For current Federal employees, the SF-50 must be effective the first pay period of the current year. 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: GS9 : Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS7 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: Extensive working knowledge and understanding of the functions and processes required to maintain healthcare, supply and support services in sufficient depth to be able to maintain adequate levels of instrumentation, supply, scope, and equipment needs while working as a procurement technical authority for the Specialty Care service. In-depth knowledge and skill of Microsoft applications to include MS Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, as well as Adobe PDF. Ability to develop reports, documentation, spreadsheets, graphs, and presentation materials when needed. Skill in written and oral communication sufficient to explain the service's position when interacting with senior leadership and to address equipment and supply impact to patient care. - COR Contracting and purchasing/tracking equipment preferred. OR, Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have a Master's or equivalent graduate degree from an accredited college or university; OR, two (2) full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree; OR, an LL.B. or J.D., if related. NOTE: A transcript or course listing must be submitted if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education. Unofficial transcripts required. Applications submitted without this information will not be considered. OR, Superior Academic Achievement. OR, Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have a combination of graduate level education (beyond the first year) and specialized experience. Unofficial transcripts must be submitted with your application. GS-11 Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS9 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: Comprehensive detailed knowledge and understanding of acquisition statutes, regulation, directives and procedures as well as business practices associated with supporting the Salt Lake City VA Specialty Care service to effectively analyze, advise, and serve as the Program Specialist and Liaison to Logistics. Extensive working knowledge and understanding of the functions and processes required to maintain healthcar…

Education

A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education. 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/.