Program Analyst
What you'd do
Serves as a Program Specialist within their respective business line, reporting directly to the Contracts Management Operations Manager, for the Contracts Management Directorate of Integrated External Networks (IEN) providing a wide variety of technical and administrative responsibilities to support a full range of contract administration responsibilities for community care or ancillary contracts.
Major duties
Performs a variety of critical contract functions/tasks as delegated by Contracting Officers, serving as a Contracting Officer's Representative (COR). Serves as an integral point of contact for contracts, associated functions, and required terms and conditions, including those for contracted services needed to support organizational mission activities, including those impacting Veteran access to healthcare. Contract sizes can range between large to multiple small/medium level contracts and may vary in complexity. Assigned to multiple contracts, depending on the level of complexity and time required. Provides evidence-based input on contract-related tasks, items, and functions from contract modifications/change orders to related reports, briefings, and other aspects of internal administrative contract support. Monitors contractor performance to ensure compliance with technical requirements and schedules of contracts. Functions include such actions as inspecting, testing, and accepting contract line items, monitoring contractor performance, and reviewing and/or recommending approval/disapproval of vouchers/invoices to the contracting officer, etc. Project scheduling, developing and administering risk management plans, to include defining the scope of the risk and any associated mitigation plans, supporting execution of communication plans (to include leadership briefings), supporting training delivery, and creating/supporting project documentation (charters, scopes, resource plans, etc.). Defines scope of procedural gaps and provides recommendations on desk procedure updates to account for changes in programs, contracts, or internal procedures. Participates in quarterly Performance Management Reviews (PMR) to discuss contractual performance among the non-VA Third-Party Administrators, Program Management Officials, Program Managers, and other Key Stakeholders. Composes, types, and prepares for signature responses to inquiries in cases where written replies are required. Responds to contract administration questions from VA stakeholders, management officials, and business owners. Other duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Mon- Fri 8:00 am - 4:30 pm Compressed/Flexible: May be available at management's discretion. Telework: This position may be authorized for ad hoc telework. Telework eligibility will be discussed during the interview process. Ad hoc is defined as occasional, non-recurring telework. 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 the 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 are approved for an 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#: Program Analyst/PD96121A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized. Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not approved. 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, 07/23/2026. 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-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 education and/or experience as described below: Specialized Experience: 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. In order to meet the minimum qualifications for this position, you must meet 7/9 of the following examples of specialized experience: Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: Apply statutes, regulations, and administrative guidelines governing healthcare payer operations, Federal healthcare programs, and agency policies Review, analyze, and interpret administrative laws, regulations, and operating policies Project/program management principles and contract administration methods sufficient to plan, schedule, organize, and monitor work performance and meet established target dates. Manage contracts, contract language, contract modifications, and contract procedures Communicate issues surrounding contract performance and mitigation activities Apply healthcare industry practices, medical claims processing, reimbursement systems, and medical terminology Evaluate benefit programs and support policy recommendations Use automated systems and office software applications, including databases, spreadsheets, project management tools, and reporting systems Analyze data, conduct research, to prepare comprehensive reports and recommendations OR, Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree or 3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.M. if related, in a field that is directly related to the work of this position that demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work. OR, Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have a combination of specialized experience and graduate level education (beyond the first 2 years) in a field that is directly related to the work of this position that demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work equivalent to the total requirement of this position (e.g., 6 months of specialized experience and 1 year of post masters degree graduate education). 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/.
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