Summary Serves as a Program Analyst administering correspondence and operations issues, reviewing inquiries received by various communications/media (e.g., letter, telephone) to determine the proper disposition of inquiries and reviewing, evaluating, and solving related problems and conducting analyses of issues related to program segment healthcare administrative functions. Submissions originate from a variety of sources (e.g., Congressional offices, White House, Agency, special interest groups). Responsibilities These major duties include, but are not limited to: Performs data analysis, data validations, program analyses, and related management support functions to facilitate development and refinement of Program Office management systems. Collects cost and workload data from other Agency automated systems to produce reports and provide management with requested information. Applies problem-solving techniques, work methods, practices, and procedures to identify parameters of viable solutions to problems encountered. Analyzes workload trends from network and facility's operating data, independently identifying variances among facilities, when compared; identifies irregularities in these comparisons that may need further investigation to determine anomalies between sites in processing claims procedures and/or data reporting in processing provider network claims. Researches, adapts, and applies a wide range of qualitative and/or quantitative methods to evaluate, analyze. Provides management and other staff on a variety of unique cost and workload issues and provides coordination/support as needed. Develops guidelines such as standard operating procedures, job aids, and similar materials related to procedures. Conducts clinical, and workload data to ensure information is accurate and usable for management decision-making purposes. Respond to management requests for statistical and other program segment information pertaining to employing organization. Reviews assigned inquiries (e.g., Congressional, White House, Agency, etc.) received by various media (e.g., letter, telephone, email) to determine their proper disposition. Conducts research, coordinates, and gathers/provides additional information as needed to prepare accurate, appropriate responses for those inquiries not directed to other organizations or staff. Provides findings and/or responses in writing using approved/required Program Office and/or employing organization formats. Monitors/tracks assignments to ensure timely, accurate responses and accountability, making ongoing adjustments in accordance with established, assigned priorities and standards. Serves on ad hoc task forces, committees, or study or other work groups to evaluate, develop, and/or coordinate Program Office or program segment and/or related policy changes and initiatives for procedural issues (e.g., reimbursement). Attends and represents the employing organization at meetings (e.g., briefings related to fee programs, hearings, public forums, etc.) regarding justification and approval of specific procedures related to program segment operations. Provides justifications for and information on developmental and operational aspects of procedural proposals, such as expected costs, scope of effects, and projected/potential outcomes. Performs other duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Monday through Friday from 7:00 AM to 3:30 PM (MDT) or upon the discretion of the Supervisor. Compressed/Flexible: Not Available Telework: This position may be telework eligible on an ad-hoc basis (ad-hoc is performed on an occasional, one-time, or irregular basis)as determined by agency policy, the discretion of the supervisor and the needs of the service line. Position Description/PD#: Program Analyst/PD05100A and PD05101A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure: Not Required Requirements Conditions of Employment 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 one year probationary period Subject to background/security investigation Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP) Qualifications To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 09/16/2024. 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 grade level position, you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-09 grade level. For a GS-12 grade level position, you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-11 grade 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 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. In addition to the time-in-grade requirements as described above, applicants may qualify based on specialized experience and/or education as described below. GS-11 Grade Level: Specialized Experience: Applicants must have at least one (1) year of specialized experience that has equipped them with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the position to be filled. [To be creditable, specialized experience must have been equivalent to at least the GS-09 grade level in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of creditable specialized experience include but are not limited to: assigns and reviews work of subordinates; develops and coordinates standard operating procedures (SOPs) and other guidance and polices; provides oversight and development of efficient and effective processes and procedures that ensure are audit compliant; establishes and maintains recurring collaborative meetings with customers; and records all quality discrepancies, provides definitive corrective recommendations, and reviews adequacy of corrective action taken. (APPLICANTS' EXPERIENCE MUST BE DETAILED IN RESUME IN ORDER TO RECEIVE FULL CREDIT.) Education: Applicants must have successfully completed Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree; OR three (3) 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 the position. [NOTE: One year of full-time graduate level education is 18 semester hours or the number of credit hours that the school attended has determined to represent one (1) year of full-time study. Part-time graduate education is creditable in accordance with its relationship to a year of full-time study at the school attended.] (TRANSCRIPTS REQUIRED. TRANSCRIPTS MUST SHOW THE REQUIRED INFORMATION INCLUDING NAMES OF COLLEGES/UNIVERSITIES, COURSES, SEMESTER HOURS, DEGREES EARNED AND CONFERRAL DATES IN ORDER TO RECEIVE FULL CREDIT.) Combination: Applicants must have equivalent combinations of experience and education as described above to meet total experience requirements at the GS-11 grade level for this position. Only progressively higher graduate level education in excess of the amount required for the next lower grade level may be combined with experience. [To calculate, first identify the percentage of required education you have earned (when substituting, you cannot use the first 60 semester hours that you earned). Then identify the percentage of required experience you possess. Add the two percentages. The total percentage must equal at least 100 percent to qualify at the GS-11. For example, an applicant who has 9 semester hours of graduate level education (i.e., 50% of graduate education required) and 6 months of creditable specialized experience (i.e., 50% of the required experience) would equal 100% of the required experience for the position.] (APPLICANTS' EXPERIENCE MUST BE DETAILED IN RESUME IN ORDER TO RECEIVE FULL CREDIT AND TRANSCRIPTS MUST SHOW THE REQUIRED INFORMATION INCLUDING NAMES OF COLLEGES/UNIVERSITIES, COURSES, SEMESTER HOURS, DEGREES EARNED AND CONFERRAL DATES IN ORDER TO RECEIVE FULL CREDIT.) GS-12 Grade Level: Specialized Experience: Applicants must have at least one (1) year of specialized experience that has equipped them with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the position to be filled. [To be creditable, specialized experience must have been equivalent to at least the GS-09 grade level in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of creditable specialized experience include but are not limited to: assigns and reviews work of subordinates; develops and coordinates standard operating procedures (SOPs) and other guidance and polices; provides oversight and development of efficient and effective processes and procedures that ensure are audit compliant; establishes and maintains recurring collaborative meetings with customers; and records all quality discrepancies, provides definitive corrective recommendations, and reviews adequacy of corrective action taken. (APPLICANTS' EXPERIENCE MUST BE DETAILED IN RESUME IN ORDER TO RECEIVE FULL CREDIT.) There is no educational substitution at the GS-12 grade level for this position. You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position: Communications Organizational Performance Analysis Planning and Evaluating Project Management 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. 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. 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. Physical Requirements: The work is primarily sedentary, although some walking, standing, bending and carrying of light office items is required. Work Environment: Work is typically performed in an office setting, which is adequately lighted and heated. Periodic travel is required. 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/. Education IMPORTANT: 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: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. 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: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/. Additional Information Receiving Service Credit or 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. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. 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. Veterans' preference does not apply to promotion, reassignment, change to lower grade, transfer or reinstatement in accordance with 5 CFR 211.102(d)(6). If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement. 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.