Program Analyst
What you'd do
This position is located in the Great Lakes Healthcare Network, VISN 12, serving as a Program Analyst for the Network Managerial Cost Accounting (MCA) Department at a designated Madison VA facility. The incumbent has knowledge, experience, and demonstrable success working in an automated information systems environment and in project management.
Major duties
This position is a Program Analyst for the Network Managerial Cost Accounting (MCA) Office. MCA is an automated clinical and financial decision support system which links actual operating expenses to health care services consumed at the patient level. The scope of the MCA program is to improve veterans' health care by providing a system for making data-driven decisions utilizing information related to patient care patterns, outcomes, and associated resource costs. Major Duties: Analyzes and processes large amounts of financial and clinical workload data within a mainframe database (DSS system) Works independently with VAMC staff and MCA peers to gather data necessary for monthly data processing. Conducts extensive research using diverse sources to complete the monthly processing Resolves difficult problems related to variable and changing costs, multidisciplinary programs with workload and cost variables that are hard to identify Communicates effectively with MCA peers, service chiefs, administrative officers and others to resolve data collection and assignment issues. Completes several routine and non-routine data audits. Maps expenses using various electronic tools to their respective clinical and administrative departments, following the structure in the DSS database. Manages several concurrent projects, demonstrating effective scheduling, time management, and prioritization skills. Performs other related duties as assigned. 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; 8:00am - 4:30pm Telework: This position may be authorized for ad-hoc telework. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Description/PD#: Program Analyst/PD251770 and PD251760 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
What you need to qualify
To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 07/17/2026. 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-09 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-07. 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. 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. To qualify at the GS-09 level, you must meet one of the following: Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-07 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: Skills in conducting detailed analyses of complex functions and work processes, Skills in the application of fact-finding techniques, oral and written communications, and development of presentations and reports, Ability to conduct complex studies that require the incumbent to accurately work with problem definitions, General knowledge of system design and database management. 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, OR two full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree, OR LL.B. or J.D., if related. Such education must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of the position. (Transcripts Required). OR, Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have equivalent combinations of specialized experience and education. To qualify for this position at the GS-11 level, you must meet one of the following: Specialized Experience: Must have one full year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-9 in Federal Service that 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 position to be filled. Specialized experience includes, but is not limited to: Knowledge and skill applying analytical and evaluative methods and techniques to issues concerning costs, efficiency, and effectiveness; Comprehensive knowledge of the operating programs and objectives of the Medical Center; Knowledge and understanding of VA accounting systems; Knowledge of a wide range of auditing techniques and analyses to ensure the accuracy of financial data; Skill in presenting program recommendations and negotiating solutions to disputed recommendations; and Development of presentations and reports. OR, Education: Applicants may substitute education for specialized experience. You must have a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree, OR three full years of progressively higher graduate education leading to such a degree, OR LL.M., if related. Such education must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work. (Transcripts Required) OR, Combination: Applicants may combine education and experience. You must have equivalent combinations of specialized experience and education. (Transcripts 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/.
Before you apply
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