Program Specialist
What you'd do
The Program Specialist is assigned to the Vocational Readiness & Employment (VR&E) Division. The Program Specialist is responsible for identifying training, education, processing and data quality needs of VR&E employees and coordinating the development of a formal program to meet those needs. Incumbent must be familiar with the programs and missions of the division within Regional Office and adhering to VR&E strategic plan, policy and procedures.
Major duties
Specific duties include: Responsible for assisting the Vocational Readiness Counselors (VRC) and the Employment Coordinators (EC) with technical management of the VR&E caseload and aiding veteran clients. Collaborates with VRC, DVOPs, and program participants to resolve issues pertaining to the participant's rehabilitation program. Assists program participants that are eligible for vocational readiness under USC Chapter 31 and carries out basic function in Case Management. Liaise with clients and employment service contractors and recommend various phases of employment contract services when warranted by case facts. Review contractor reports and billing for quality and accuracy and recommends certification of invoices for payment. Resolves problems; disseminates information and explains program requirements. Provides for Chapter 31 benefit consultation to Contract, School and Training Officials and VR&E Staff as required. Performs case management administrative support duties such as completing general eligibility determinations, obligating contract task orders, inputting subsistence and employment adjustment allowance awards, preparing medical referrals, enrollment authorizations and reviewing vouchers for payment. Serves as System Administrator for the automated case management systems, CWINRS. runs batch processor, initiates terminal server batch processor and letter file, adds custom letters and forms, and maintains and updates system information as well as instructs new employees on its use and troubleshooting user problems. Processes Dependency Updates and Appointments as needed. Promotion Potential: None, this is the full performance level of the position. Work Schedule: Full time, Monday through Friday, 8:00am to 4:30pm Compressed/Flexible: Not Available Telework: Available. This position is eligible for situational (ad hoc) telework only. The selectee is required to report to the official duty station each scheduled workday. 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; PD40205-A and PD40205A 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 on 08/14/2026. 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. For a GS-09 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-07 level. 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. MINIMUM QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENT: You may qualify based on your experience and/or education as described below: GS-09 Grade Level: Specialized Experience: One (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level. Specialized experience: is defined as knowledge of benefits and services available to veterans AND experience assisting case managers by addressing and resolving issues presented by customers. In addition to the duties described above, to qualify for the GS-09 grade level, the application must possess the knowledge of benefits and services available to assist program participants understanding and completing program requirements. Education Substitution: Applicants may substitute education for required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have a Master's or equivalent graduate degree, or two (2) full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.B. or J.D., if related. Combining Education & Experience: If you do not fully meet the length of experience and education described for a specific grade level (e.g. have six months of experience and some coursework but not a degree), the two can be combined to total 100% of the requirement. Click here for more information. 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: The work is mostly sedentary; however, some walking and bending will be required. Limited travel may be required to visit to the VR&E out-based offices, schools, and training facilities, and VA contractor offices. 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
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