About this role
Job SummaryThis position is assigned to the Director of Recovery, Mental Health Care Line, to provide all administrative support to the Mental Health Recovery Section and Mental Health Social Work discipline. Program Specialist for the Mental Health Care Line provides authoritative direction and analytical support for multiple complex programs within the service. This includes responsibility for overall section management, policy development, contract administration, and comprehensive fiscal oversight.
QualificationsTo qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 09/30/2026. 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. For a GS-9 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-7. 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. You may qualify based on your experience and/or education as described below: Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-7 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: ???????experience providing support to Mental Health Programs/Services; experience with Human Resources hiring, onboarding actions, and assisting with position descriptions and functional statements; developing and implementing policies and procedures for administrative operations; experience assisting with budget planning and organizational needs; identifying needs and potential problems and developing solutions to enhance efficiency and management of the section/program. 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. Combinations of successfully completed graduate level education and specialized experience may be used to meet total experience requirements. Only graduate level education in excess of the amount required for the next lower grade level may be combined with experience. 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/.
Major DutiesIndependently oversees and coordinates the full spectrum of administrative management for multiple large and/or high-visibility programs within MHCL (Recovery, Community Employment, Compensated Work Therapy, Housing and Urban Development-VA Supportive Housing (HudVash), Grant & Per Diem Program (GPD), Healthcare for Homeless Veterans, Homeless Program, Mental Health Intensive Case Management, Veteran Recovery Center, Suicide Prevention, Supportive Services for Veterans Family, Social Work Emergency Assessment Team (SWEAT), Veterans Justice Outreach Program(VJO), Mental Health Social Work Training, Local Recovery Coordinator, Peer Support, as well as serving as a resource/advisor across the broader Mental Health Care Line. The Recovery Program Specialist will serve as back up to the other MHCL section specialists and the MHCL Administrative Officer. The Program Specialist proactively identifies needs and potential problems, developing effective solutions to enhance the efficiency and management of the section. Given the section's complexity and its multiple specialized programs, the Specialist must have thorough knowledge of both daily healthcare system operations and the VA system. The Program Specialist conducts analytical studies to address critical organizational issues and resolves interdepartmental problems by providing effective communication, motivation, and leadership when advising and consulting with staff. The Program Specialist supports evaluating and planning section activities to align with VA policies and objectives. This includes gathering information for decision-making, helping develop and implement program goals, and formulating policies for quality assurance and management. The Program Specialist acts as an extension of the Section Chief, coordinating administrative duties to support high-quality health care delivery. Responsibilities include resource utilization, data collection, and providing recommendations on space, personnel, equipment, and fiscal needs, as well as assisting sections with budget planning and long range organizational needs. The Program Specialist addresses patient complaints and internal issues between sections, investigates incident reports, and escalates significant concerns to the Chief for further action. The Program Specialist is responsible for all financial management and budgeting for the section, independently planning and directing accounting operations. The Specialist develops and oversees bookkeeping processes, ensures timely budget reports, and coordinates with Fiscal Service to ensure compliance with overall budget plans. The Program Specialist independently develops, manages, and adjusts the section's annual budget, serving as the fund control point official. Responsibilities include fund allocation, oversight of all budgetary activities, approving purchases and payments, and communicating policy or regulatory changes related to procurement and fiscal matters to all sections. The Program Specialist manages and reconciles all CMR accounts, promptly reports excess equipment, justifies supply requisitions, and maintains a current list of equipment needs and replacements. The Program Specialist reviews all section space as to facility needs and usage, health and safety precautions, and space utilization and planning. The Program Specialist serves as the liaison with Human Resources and oversees personnel management for the section, handling personnel actions, advising leadership, assisting with position descriptions, functional statements, and recruitment, and supporting promotion, evaluations, awards, counseling, and discipline to ensure timely performance reviews. The Program Specialist monitors FTEE and employee ceiling to ensure proper utilization and control of personnel and associated costs. The Program Specialist develops and implements policies and procedures related to patient care and keeps the Section Chief informed of relevant regulations and guidelines. The Program Specialist provides overall administrative direction by formulating, controlling, and evaluating policies and procedures for all section operations. Performs other related duties as assigned. Work Schedule: 7:00am - 3:30pm, Monday - Friday Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Description/PD#: Program Specialist/PD710040 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not approved Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorizedRequirementsYou must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job To be considered for this position, you must complete all required steps in the process. In addition to the application and questionnaire, this position requires an online assessment. The online assessment measures critical general competencies required to perform the job. Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959 Physical Requirements: The work required does not inherently include any physical requirements essential for successful job performance that could not otherwise be performed with accommodation or workplace adjustment. A pre-placement physical examination is not required. 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 (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP) As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may 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 interest.