Program Specialist

Summary Serves as the Memphis VAMC Assistant Fisher House Manager (AFHM) and is responsible for on-site management, planning, operation, and administrative coordination of the multi-phased lodging program. The Fisher House is used by families of Veterans are receiving care at the VAMC. This job will close when we have received 50 applications which may be sooner than the closing date Responsibilities The Incumbent assists with the development of standard operating procedures concerning liaison activities between the VHA facility and the Fisher House program within the framework of existing regulations and policy. Develops operating procedures related to facility maintenance/repairs and prepares and submits work requests. Determines the appropriate method of accomplishing identified work based on policy and procedures and ensures the safety and welfare of guests. Regularly assesses the resource needs of the facility's Fisher House and the utilization of resources, recommending appropriate actions to adequately maintain the Fisher House and to assure an appropriate level of operation. Major duties and responsibilities include but are no limited to: Oversee, monitor, and coordinate the lodging program consisting of the Fisher House and off-site lodging. Operate government vehicles, to include passenger cars and vans. Manages Fisher House operations and assures that the needs of Fisher House guests are met, including orienting guests to the Fisher House and its programs. Solicits, analyzes, and reports feedback from patients and families regarding their experience with Fisher House lodging. Assists with the development of standard operating procedures concerning liaison activities between the VHA facility and the Fisher. House program within the framework of existing regulations and policy. Maintains effective working relationships with community organizations and promotes good relations between the VA and the community and at times, represents the VAMC at various functions concerning the Fisher House. Monitors the utilization of resources, recommending appropriate actions to adequately maintain the Fisher House and to assure an appropriate level of operation. 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: Sun-Wed; 0730-1800 Telework: This position is not authorized for telework. Position Description/PD#: Program Specialist/PD505150 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Requirements Conditions of Employment You 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 ( 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. Qualifications To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 07/27/2026. 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-11 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-9. 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-09 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 pertinent laws, regulations, policies, and precedents which affect the use of program and related support resources (people, money, or equipment) in the area studied. Skilled in public speaking and the ability to effectively convey ideas and job tasks to others for completion. Knowledge of office management including use of computer software, word processing, spreadsheet applications, graphics to develop presentation materials, bookkeeping/accounting series and applications, and the creation and management of filing systems. Ability to clearly communicate orally and in writing ideas, concepts, facility policies and special programs to volunteers, community members and service organizations. Assigns specific projects in terms of issues, organizations, functions, or work processes to be studied and set deadlines for completing work. Review and evaluate local Fisher House procedures, revised cost limitations, workflow, and methods as they affect the cost of maintenance and the adequacy and availability of suites and recommend changes or adjustments conducive to increased efficiency and economy of operations. Gathering information, identifying, and analyzing issues, and developing recommendations to resolve substantive problems or effectiveness and efficiency of work operations in a program or program support setting. Involves planning, scheduling, coordinating, and monitoring the operation and utilization of the Fisher House. 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 LL.M., if related that demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of this position. NOTE: Transcripts must be submitted with application. Education cannot be credited without documentation. OR, Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have equivalent combinations of successfully completed graduate level education (in excess of the first year or 18 semester hours) and specialized experience to meet total experience requirements. NOTE: If using education combined with specialized experience to qualify, a copy of your transcript is required. Preferred Experience: Purchase Card Holder, Program and Project Management, Community Outreach. You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position: Administration and Management Attention to Detail Communications Customer Service Decision Making Flexibility Integrity/Honesty Interpersonal Skills Learning Organizational Stewardship Reading Comprehension Reasoning Self-Management Stakeholder Management Stress Tolerance Teamwork Note: A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. Part-time experience will be credited on the basis of time actually spent in appropriate activities. Applicants wishing to receive credit for such experience must indicate clearly the nature of their duties and responsibilities in each position and the number of hours a week spent in such employment. For more information on these qualification standards, please visit the United States Office of Personnel Management's website at Education A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education. Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: Additional Information Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act. Reasonable Accommodation (RA) Requests: If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be granted the opportunity to request a RA in your online application. Requests for RA for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for RA must be received prior to starting the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. Decisions on requests for RA are made on a case-by-case basis. If you meet the minimum qualifications of the position, after notification of the adjudication of your request, you will receive an email invitation to complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, based on your adjudication decision. You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments if you received the link after the close of the announcement. To determine if you need a RA, please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments. Receiving Service Credit for Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. VA may offer newly-appointed Federal employee's credit for their job-related non-federal experience or active duty uniformed military service. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. The Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) and Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) provide eligible displaced VA competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. To be qualified you must submit appropriate documentation (a copy of the agency notice, your most recent performance rating, and your most recent SF-50 noting current position, grade level, and duty location) and be found well-qualified for this vacancy. To be well-qualified: applicants must possess experience that exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors, and who are proficient in most of the required competencies of the job. Information about ICTAP and CTAP eligibility is on OPM's Career Transition Resources website at