Program Specialist
What you'd do
Serves in the Office of Executive Review, Office of the Under Secretary for Benefits. Performs analytical, planning, evaluative, and advisory work to coordinate and manage legislative functions, responses to congressional queries, and executive communications. Collaborates with internal stakeholders on complex and sensitive program issues, provides support to key officials on processes and procedures. Initiates, manages, reviews, and processes timely, high-quality responses.
Major duties
The Program Specialist performs a wide variety of analytical, planning, evaluative, and advisory work related to the coordination and management of VBA's legislative functions, responses to congressional queries, and other executive communications. The position's responsibilities may include but are not limited to the following: Manages internal actions related to Congressional briefings or other communications regarding VBA programs. Obtains review/input of assigned correspondence assigned by the Office of the Executive Secretary and works with external offices to obtain input and concurrence. Manages the VBA legislative proposal process. Coordinates development of testimony for Congressional hearings, including preparing or assisting in the preparation of VBA representatives for appearances before Congress, including participation in preparation sessions. Coordinates or conducts internal preparation sessions with VBA subject matter experts in support of Congressional briefings. Facilitates Under Secretary for Benefits (USB) or other leadership concurrence on documents for VBA concurrence. Reviews internal documents submitted for approval (e.g., regulatory packages; equitable relief packages, responses to Requests for Information). Includes reviewing the package for completeness, quality, and effectiveness of submitted documents and making recommendations for changes/additional information before submission to management for approval. Reviews and coordinate sensitive and confidential correspondence including contracts, labor relations, and other VBA matters through the review and concurrence process. Conducts thorough fact gathering, research, and analysis to provide advice and direction to business lines or program offices before assigning tasks. Responds to and address customer needs and resolve complaints and concerns within the employee's control. Promotion Potential: None Work Schedule: Full time, Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. The employee is required to report to the official duty station each workday. Flexible Schedule: Available Telework: This position is eligible for situational (ad-hoc) telework only. Telework may be approved only on a case-by-case basis with supervisory approval. Routine or recurring telework is not authorized for this position. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Description/PD#: Program Specialist; PD41962A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not Required
What you need to qualify
To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 07/27/2026 MINIMUM QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENT: You may qualify based on your experience as described below: GS-13 Grade Level: Applicants must have one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade (GS-12) in the federal, state, local, public, or private sector. Specialized Experience is the ability to manage high visibility, executive correspondence, and internal coordination functions in support of senior leadership; Managing internal actions related to Congressional briefings and communications ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and alignment with enterprise processes and requirements; Obtaining reviews, comments, and concurrence on correspondence assigned and coordinating with multiple internal and external offices to ensure completeness and quality of products; and Conducting thorough fact gathering, research, and analysis to advise business lines and program offices to ensure clarity and alignment with organizational priorities. Volunteer Experience: 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. Full vs. Part-Time Employment: Full-time employment is considered to be at least 35 hours per week. Part-time experience will be credited on a pro-rated basis; when including part-time employment in your resume you must specify the average hours worked per week. Physical Requirements: Work is primarily sedentary, although some slight physical effort may be required. For more information on these qualification standards, please visit the United States Office of Personnel Management's website at http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/.
Before you apply
Federal applications are different: your resume should be 3–5 pages and mirror the language of this announcement. Read our federal resume guide first — it's the #1 reason qualified people get screened out.
Don't miss the next one.
Get an email the moment a similar federal job opens — postings can close in as little as 5 days.