Program Specialist (PADRECC Business Manager)
What you'd do
This position is in the VA San Francisco Health Care System, Parkinson's Disease Research, Education and Clinical Center (PADRECC). This position serves as the Program Specialist and PADRECC Program Manager-Regional Program Coordinator-Operations, with Primary responsibility for the day-to-day non-clinical operations of the San Francisco PADRECC.
Major duties
The primary purpose of the position is to plan, analyze and manage PADRECC operations, local program metrics, reporting, compliance, audits preparation, but they are not always directly tailored to the specific issues or problems encountered in the San Francisco PADRECC and associated clinics.Duties: Uses judgment in selecting, interpreting, and adapting available guidelines to resolve issues in PADRECC operations, such as determining how to apply existing policies to local workflows, reconciling differences among overlapping instructions, and identifying where current procedures may not fully support program efficiency, effectiveness, or compliance. Recommends updates or adjustments to local procedures and tools (e.g., refining existing audit checklists, modifying established data-collection templates, or adjusting current tracking logs) but generally works within the scope ofestablished policy and previously approved local processes rather than creating entirely new guideline frameworks. Has primary responsibility for day-to-day practice evaluation and operational monitoring of the San Francisco PADRECC, covering clinical services, educational activities, research-support functions, and regional outreach, to ensure efficient and compliant operations. Oversees local PADRECC program metrics, reporting, compliance, and audit preparation, including workload, access, quality, 11SPEC funding, and education metrics for the SF PADRECC, RPMDC, and associated sites; prepares recurring and ad hoc reports for facility, VISN, and local PADRECC leadership. Develops and maintains data systems to collect, analyze, and present performance and quality data, identifies operational trends and gaps, and recommends and tracks implementation of business and process changes to improve efficiency, access, and Veteran outcomes. Coordinates PADRECC preparation for local, VISN, and national audits and reviews, ensuring that required data, documentation, and corrective action plans for the San Francisco PADRECC are complete, accurate, and timely. Serves as designated federal officer/administrative coordinator for the PADRECC Advisory Subcommittee, ensuring compliance with federal/VA committee requirements, documentation, and timely submission of minutes and reports. Collaborates with national PADRECC leadership and the national PADRECC program manager on national metrics, deliverables, and performance expectations, providing SF PADRECC input and analysis, with national responsibilities expanding over time as assigned by PADRECC leadership. Participates in local and national PADRECC planning efforts, including updates and implementation strategies for VHA Directive 1420 and the Parkinson's Program and Clinical Guide, and coordinates SF PADRECC input into national tools, templates, and standards. Manages the San Francisco PADRECC annual operating budget (approximately $2.2 million), including planning, execution, monitoring, and reconciliation of clinical, education, and other program funds in accordance with VHA and facility fiscal policy, under the direction of the PADRECC Director and in coordination with facility Fiscal Service, and separate from Neurology Service funding structures. Develops business cases and cost analyses to support major capital/non-recurring equipment and technology acquisitions (e.g., Brain lab systems and multi-year software support agreements) and ensures appropriate justification, approvals, and oversight in collaboration with Fiscal, Logistics, Contracting, and Biomedical Engineering. Coordinates and tracks all procurement and contracting actions for the SF PADRECC, working closely with supporting services to secure equipment, services, and supplies needed to meet Center of Excellence standards and national program expectations. Facilitates PADRECC personnel activity, including coordinating recruitment packages, position descriptions, onboarding, and HR actions for PADRECC-funded positions in collaboration with SFVA Human Resources and national PADRECC leadership, ensuring alignment with VA Central Office funding and position control. Other related duties may be 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 telework. Telework eligibility will be discussed during the interview process. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Description/PD#: Program Specialist (PADRECC Business Manager)/PD03353O and PD03354O 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, 08/17/2026. Time-In-Grade Requirement GS-11: 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-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. Specialized Experience, GS-11: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-09 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. To be minimally qualified for this position at the GS-11 level, you must meet 3 of the 5 experiences listed below: 1) Plan and execute complex management studies and reviews that affect organizational structure, policy, processes, operations and fiscal management. 2) Assesses and improves program efficiency and effectiveness using a wide range of qualitative and quantitative methods such as conducting research and analysis, evaluating program requirements, and reconciling conflicting policies and program goals. 3) Provides program support in a multifaceted, technical production environment to include overseeing mail process information systems, data management, and automated pharmaceutical dispensing systems. 4) Develops procedures and systems for administrative control systems, conducting audits, inspections, and management control reviews while assessing the effectiveness of these systems in a national scope context. 5) Develops organization-wide policy procedures and guidelines regarding mail processes and package delivery management to include providing advice and recommendations to top management based on thorough research, analysis, and interpretation of legislative and program data. OR, Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have successfully completed a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree, or 3 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree, or an LL.M. if related. OR, Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have a combination of specialized experience directly related to the work of the position as outlined above and education beyond the first two (2) graduate years or 36 semester hours. Time-In-Grade Requirement GS-12: 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-12 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-11. 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. Specialized Experience, GS-12: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-11 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. To be minimally qualified for this position at the GS-12 level, you must meet 4 of the 7 experiences listed below: 1) Plan and execute complex management studies and reviews that affect organizational structure, policy, processes, operations and fiscal management. 2) Assesses and improves program efficiency and effectiveness using a wide range of qualitative and quantitative methods such as conducting research and analysis, evaluating program requirements, and reconciling conflicting policies and program goals. 3) Provides program support in a multifaceted, technical production environment to include overseeing mail process information systems, data management, and automated pharmaceutical dispensing systems. 4) Develops procedures and systems for administrative control systems, conducting audits, inspections, and management control reviews while assessing the effectiveness of these systems in a national scope context. 5) Develops organization-wide policy procedures and guidelines regarding mail processes and package delivery management to include providing advice and recommendations to top management based on thorough research, analysis, and interpretation of legislative and program data. 6) Organize and direct team study work, including selecting appropriate methodologies, assembling and assessing information, and formulating findings, conclusions, and recommendations for organizational improvements. 7) Manages risk and ensures compliance with regulatory standards, particularly in areas that involve sensitive data, disaster recovery, and business continuity planning. Preferred Experience: Preferred experience includes administrative support within a Neurology service, particularly in programs focused on movement disorders or Parkinson's disease. Experience coordinating clinical operations, managing program workflows, and supporting interdisciplinary Neurology teams is highly valued. Must demonstrate the ability to effectively support specialized Neurology programs, including experience with clinical coordination, patient scheduling workflows, and communication within multidisciplinary teams. Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and the ability to manage multiple priorities within a Neurology program are preferred. Additional strengths include experience assisting with budget development or monitoring, coordinating contract-related activities, and preparing agendas or documentation for program committees or subcommittees. Experience supporting movement disorder related initiatives or veteran specialty programs is also valued 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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