Program Specialist

Summary

Summary

The position is located at the Michael J. Crescenz VA Medical Center in Philadelphia and reports to the PADRECC Director. The Parkinson's Disease Research, Education and Clinical Centers (PADRECCs) are congressionally mandated VHA specialized, multidisciplinary programs caringfor Veterans with Parkinson's disease and related movement disorders. There are currently six PADRECCs throughout the United States. The PADRECCs have three core missions: research, education, and clinical care.

Learn more about this agency

Duties

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Duties include, but not limited to:

• The incumbent manages the PADRECC program's educational activities and products. The
  
  work involves implementing principles of clinical education, communicating about
  
  healthcare, and project management techniques as it relates to PDMD.
• Collaborates with VHA Communications to develop and disseminate relevant, up-to-date
  
  military exposure and health information that is informed by health education and health
  
  promotion theories and principles to Veterans with PDMD, their caregivers and family
  
  members, VA, providers, and the general public. The information is disseminated using
  
  various formats such as print materials (e.g., fact sheets, newsletters, website content), inservices,
  
  webinars (live meetings), web-based (e-learning), satellite broadcasts, conferences,
  
  and other platforms.
• In conjunction with the National Center for Healthcare Advancement and Partnerships, the
  
  incumbent will be responsible for establishing and nurturing strategic partnerships with nongovernmental
  
  organizations (NGOs), private sector entities, and academic institutions to
  
  advance the mission and goals of the organization.
• Conducts national needs assessments and develops national educational programs to address
  
  identified needs. Collaborates with ILEAD to arrange education and training programs to
  
  occur.
• Independently investigates complex issues, analyzes problems, and presents written and oral
  
  recommendations. Conducts appropriate evaluations of health education activities at each
  
  PADRECC to assess their quality and effectiveness and eliminate redundancies. Initiates
  
  follow-up as needed.

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 0730-1600

Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Position Description/PD#: Program Specialist/PD072080

Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized

Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not Authorized

Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

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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.
• All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA.
• 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, 11/09/2026.

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-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.

You may qualify based on your experience as described below:

• Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization.
  
  
  • Examples of Specialized experience include but not limited to: Knowledge of evaluating, planning, and analytical processes and techniques (quantitative and qualitative) for measuring the effectiveness, efficiency, and productivity of facility health education and training programs. Develops and delivers health education in different modalities, including health education classes and materials to Veterans and providers; Collaborates with VHA Communications to develop and disseminate relevant, up-to-date military exposure and health information that is informed by health education and health promotion theories and principles to Veterans with PDMD, their caregivers and family members, VA, providers, and the general public; Conducts national needs assessments and develops national educational programs to address identified need while collaborating with ILEAD to arrange education and training programs to occur; Mastery of the broad functional area of learning and education, which includes health professionals learning and continuing education, staff education and patient education.

For more information on these qualification standards, please visit the United States Office of Personnel Management's website at

Education

There is no educational substitution at this grade level.

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

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.



Help

A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

Review our benefits

Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.

Job Description

Summary

The position is located at the Michael J. Crescenz VA Medical Center in Philadelphia and reports to the PADRECC Director. The Parkinson's Disease Research, Education and Clinical Centers (PADRECCs) are congressionally mandated VHA specialized, multidisciplinary programs caringfor Veterans with Parkinson's disease and related movement disorders. There are currently six PADRECCs throughout the United States. The PADRECCs have three core missions: research, education, and clinical care.

Learn more about this agency

Duties

Help

Duties include, but not limited to:

• The incumbent manages the PADRECC program's educational activities and products. The
  
  work involves implementing principles of clinical education, communicating about
  
  healthcare, and project management techniques as it relates to PDMD.
• Collaborates with VHA Communications to develop and disseminate relevant, up-to-date
  
  military exposure and health information that is informed by health education and health
  
  promotion theories and principles to Veterans with PDMD, their caregivers and family
  
  members, VA, providers, and the general public. The information is disseminated using
  
  various formats such as print materials (e.g., fact sheets, newsletters, website content), inservices,
  
  webinars (live meetings), web-based (e-learning), satellite broadcasts, conferences,
  
  and other platforms.
• In conjunction with the National Center for Healthcare Advancement and Partnerships, the
  
  incumbent will be responsible for establishing and nurturing strategic partnerships with nongovernmental
  
  organizations (NGOs), private sector entities, and academic institutions to
  
  advance the mission and goals of the organization.
• Conducts national needs assessments and develops national educational programs to address
  
  identified needs. Collaborates with ILEAD to arrange education and training programs to
  
  occur.
• Independently investigates complex issues, analyzes problems, and presents written and oral
  
  recommendations. Conducts appropriate evaluations of health education activities at each
  
  PADRECC to assess their quality and effectiveness and eliminate redundancies. Initiates
  
  follow-up as needed.

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 0730-1600

Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Position Description/PD#: Program Specialist/PD072080

Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized

Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not Authorized

Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

Help

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.
• All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA.
• 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, 11/09/2026.

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-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.

You may qualify based on your experience as described below:

• Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization.
  
  
  • Examples of Specialized experience include but not limited to: Knowledge of evaluating, planning, and analytical processes and techniques (quantitative and qualitative) for measuring the effectiveness, efficiency, and productivity of facility health education and training programs. Develops and delivers health education in different modalities, including health education classes and materials to Veterans and providers; Collaborates with VHA Communications to develop and disseminate relevant, up-to-date military exposure and health information that is informed by health education and health promotion theories and principles to Veterans with PDMD, their caregivers and family members, VA, providers, and the general public; Conducts national needs assessments and develops national educational programs to address identified need while collaborating with ILEAD to arrange education and training programs to occur; Mastery of the broad functional area of learning and education, which includes health professionals learning and continuing education, staff education and patient education.

For more information on these qualification standards, please visit the United States Office of Personnel Management's website at

Education

There is no educational substitution at this grade level.

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

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.



Help

A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

Review our benefits

Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.