Program Specialist

Specific duties include:
Supports the VRC and EC staff and provides assistance to veterans by:

• Acquiring Chapter 31 supplies for Veterans using the Government Purchase Card and performs voucher processing of Chapter 31 vendor invoices. Collects supply requests consolidated purchase requirements and communicates purchasing needs to the Support Services Division or the entity responsible for making purchases. Tracks supply spending in VR&E conducts budget reconciliation and reports findings to division management.
• Approving or denying special service requests and preparing documents for services such as medical referrals loan requests and tutor requests. Resolves issues related to overpayment questions class schedules termination dates remaining entitlement training and accounts receivable. Explains decisions rendered by the VRC or EC and advises clientele of appeal rights.
• Responding to a variety of personal telephone and written inquires including but not limited to status of counseling case status Chapter 31 awards entitlement calculations tuition fees books supplies subsistence and general procedures and policies of the Division as well as the Veterans Benefits Administration. Receiving visitors to Regional Office screening issues and as appropriate taking action to resolve problems.
• Preparing certification lists for training facilities preparing forms to authorize enrollment preparing orientation to train document for each veteran and preparing case controls. Reviews certification from school to insure veteran is properly enrolled. Authorizes Chapter 31 subsistence awards. Receives grades from schools and associates with proper Counseling Evaluation Rehabilitation (CER) folder and degree plan to determine if Veteran is achieving success in educational activities. Prepares action documents for case manager.
• Assists VRC and EC in maintaining supervisory schedules.
• Prepares and releases letters required when training is interrupted or discontinued. Keeps VRC and EC apprised of situations.
• Responsible for compiling analyzing and preparing all necessary information required for reports such as Quality Statistical Reports Systematic Analysis of Operations Internal Controls and other reports deemed necessary by VR&E management. Responsible for ensuring that the data submitted is complete and accurate. Assists in or prepares the forms and documents needed to meet reporting requirements or to support claims or applications for benefits. This may include contacting other agencies employers schools or other organizations or individuals to obtain or verify information needed for agency determinations.
• Assists in or prepares travel authorizations and reimbursement vouchers for VR&E travelers. Ensures the accuracy of a II travel-related vouchers and requests. Assists with the preparation and maintenance of VR&E travel budget. Completes required monthly and annual travel budget reports.
• Completes all IT requests for systems access deletions and changes for VR&E employees. Assist VR&E staff in the management of tracking databases. Serves as backup timekeeper.
• Customer Service - Meets the needs of customers while supporting VA missions. Consistently communicates and treats customers (Veterans their representatives visitors and all VA staff) in a courteous tactful and respectful manner. Provides the customer with consistent information according to established policies and procedures. Handles conflict and problems in dealing with customers constructively and appropriately.
• ADP Security - Protects printed and electronic files containing sensitive data in accordance with the provisions of the Privacy Act of 1974 and other applicable laws federal regulations VA statutes and policy and VHA policy. Protects the data from unauthorized release or from loss alteration or unauthorized deletion. Follows applicable regulations and instructions regarding access to computerized files release of access codes etc. as set out in the computer access agreement that the employee signs.

Work Schedule: Full Time Monday -Friday 8:00am - 4:30pm
Compressed/Flexible: Not Available
Telework: 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; PD04043A
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Financial Disclosure Report: Not Required
Bargaining Unit: Yes
Physical Demands: The work is primarily sedentary although some slight physical effort may be required.

As a condition of employment for accepting this position you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public determining if your employment advances the public interest you will be consider:

• your performance and conduct;
• the needs and interests of the Agency;
• whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the Agency or the Government; and
• whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.

Upon completion of your probationary period your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification in writing that your continued employment advances the public Conditions of Employment are as follows:

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
• You may be required to serve a probationary or trial period
• Subject to background/security investigation
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements I-9 Acceptable Documents.
• Effective May 7 2025 drivers licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.

To qualify for this position applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement:08/05/2026.

TIME-IN-GRADE REQUIREMENT: As a current Federal GS employee you must 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 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. 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 this instance you must provide an additional SF-50 that clearly demonstrates one-year time-in-grade.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENT: You may qualify based on your experience and/or education as described below:
GS0-9 Grade Level:

• Specialized Experience: To qualify at the GS-09 grade level you must have one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-07 grade level or higher in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Specialized experience includes performing a wide range of administrative technical and program support activities requiring knowledge of federal laws regulations and policies related to education approvals compliance and liaison operations. Experience includes independently reviewing and routing correspondence; analyzing information to determine appropriate disposition; and preparing statistical narrative and management reports using automated systems such as Microsoft Word Excel and other VA applications. Coordinating with internal and external stakeholders responding to complex inquiries and ensuring timely completion of suspense actions and reporting requirements. Additional experience includes supporting budget meeting and project preparation; monitoring program workflow for alignment with organizational goals; maintaining personnel records; preparing HR actions; processing system access requests; advising employees on administrative requirements; and assisting leadership on policies involving travel timekeeping and office operations.

OR

• Education Substitution: You may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education you must have: 2 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree; or possession of a LL.B. or J.D degree if related. Graduate level education must demonstrate the competencies necessary to do the work of the position.

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.

For more information on these qualification standards please visit the United States Office of Personnel Managements website at