Job Summary

The Program Specialist serves as the principal administrative and program management advisor supporting the physician component of Emergency Medicine Service (EMS) at the Salt Lake City VA Health Care System. The position provides comprehensive administrative, analytical, evaluative, and operational support to the Chief of Emergency Medicine Service and physician leadership in the planning, implementation, coordination, and evaluation of programs.

Job Description

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 07/31/2026. 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. The grade may have been in any occupation but must have been held in the Federal service. For a GS-09 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-07. For a GS-11 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-09. 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 experience and/or education as described below: GS-09: Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-07 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include but are not limited to: Knowledge of qualitative and quantitative analytical methods and techniques is applied to collect, validate, organize, and analyze operational and performance data from a variety of sources. The incumbent assists in preparing productivity reports, monitoring Strategic Analytics for Improvement and Learning (SAIL) measures and other performance metrics, compiling information for physician performance reviews, and supporting leadership with recurring analytical and reporting requirements. Working knowledge of quality management, compliance requirements, credentialing and privileging processes, professional practice evaluation activities, and policy implementation is applied to support Emergency Medicine Service initiatives. The incumbent assists with coordinating projects, monitoring action items and organizational deliverables, facilitating multidisciplinary workgroups, and supporting the development and implementation of Medical Center Policies (MCPs), Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), and other organizational guidance. The incumbent applies established analytical methods, policies, procedures, and guidelines to identify and resolve recurring administrative and program issues. Assignments are developmental in nature and are performed with increasing independence as knowledge, skills, and abilities are demonstrated. The work requires effective oral and written communication skills to prepare reports, exchange information, coordinate with clinical and administrative personnel, and support the accomplishment of Emergency Medicine Service program objective. OR, Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have a master's or equivalent graduate degree or 2 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.B. or J.D., if related. OR, Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have an combination of specialized experience and education beyond the requirements of the GS-07. GS-11: Specialized Experience: You must 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. Examples of specialized experience would typically include The Program Specialist serves as the principal administrative and program management support resource for the physician component of Emergency Medicine Service (EMS). The incumbent independently plans, coordinates, implements, and monitors a variety of administrative and programmatic activities that support the effective operation of Emergency Medicine programs and services. Coordinates and manages administrative processes, administrative management and oversight a wide range of functional areas including personnel administration/coordination, organizational priorities, and program initiatives for the Chief of Emergency Medicine Service and physician leadership. Tracks assignments, deliverables, suspense actions, and program requirements to ensure timely completion and compliance with established organizational deadlines. Monitors and coordinates actions received through Strategic Analytics for Improvement and Learning (SAIL), enterprise tracking systems, and other organizational suspense mechanisms and ensures appropriate follow-up, resolution, and completion of assigned actions. Facilitates the development, implementation, revision, and maintenance of Medical Center Policies (MCPs), Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), standards of practice, and other program guidance impacting Emergency Medicine operations. Reviews regulatory and organizational requirements from VA, VHA, VISN, Medical Center leadership, and other governing authorities to identify actions required by the service. Coordinates multidisciplinary workgroups and recurring meetings necessary to develop, implement, and maintain policies, procedures, and operational guidance affecting Emergency Medicine Service programs and operations. Coordinates multidisciplinary workgroups, committees, and project teams established to address operational, administrative, clinical, and regulatory initiatives. Schedules and facilitates meetings; develops agendas; tracks action items; monitors project milestones; follows up on assigned tasks; and provides status updates to leadership regarding progress, barriers, and completion of deliverables. Independently manages and coordinates special projects and program initiatives involving multiple stakeholders across the medical center. Identifies project requirements, establishes timelines, monitors progress toward objectives, and recommends corrective actions when project milestones or organizational goals are at risk. 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. OR, Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have an combination of specialized experience and education. (Only graduate education in excess of 2 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education may be used to qualify in combination of experience). (Transcripts are required for proof of qualifying education). Preferred Experience: Knowledge of healthcare administration principles. Knowledge of qualitative and quantitative analytical methods and techniques. Able to manage and coordinate a broad range of administrative and programmatic activities involving program operations, administrative management and oversight of a wide range of functional areas. Ability to independently manage actions including personnel administration/coordination, performance improvement, quality management, compliance monitoring, credentialing and privileging support, policy development, project management, data analysis, and organizational effectiveness. 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/.