Program Applications Specialist

The Program Applications Specialist provides continuous business oversight for a variety of software programs integral to the overall administration and operations of the business and effects programmatic changes at the facility level. The incumbent coordinates ongoing data collection and analysis and uses knowledge of System Redesign principles to determine organization performance.

**Qualifications:**
To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 04/22/2026. 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-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. 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. The full performance level of this position is GS-11. The incumbent may be noncompetitively promoted to the next level when all the requirements are satisfied, including satisfactory performance, qualifications requirements, and the continued availability of duties at the higher grade. You may qualify for the GS-09 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-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 health care systems and delivery systems, management principles, practices, methods and techniques, and skill in integrating management services with general management of the organization is needed. Applies knowledge and abilities to analyze, evaluate and make recommendations on major aspects of all assigned VISTA and commercial off the shelf computer packages. Incumbent works with OI&T to troubleshooting computer packages, which require developing specifications and business process models. Ability to retrieve, track and trend information for analysis and reporting. Management analysis techniques and methods are needed to develop and refine information for comprehensive reports, addressing elements such as cost analysis, work measurement, trend analysis, efficiency, effectiveness, productivity, and assess the success or failure in attaining program goals/objectives. Knowledge of the service software is required to train employees, identify inconsistencies, discuss with management the capabilities of software feasibility toward meeting objectives, validate new programs/options, recommend changes in existing programs and modify programs to meet future needs. A comprehensive knowledge of software programs of other services (i.e. Radiology, Dietetics, Health Summary, OE/RR, CPRS, Laboratory and Pharmacy) is needed due to the interrelation of the VISTA programs to train staff. Knowledge of, and skill in applying user acceptance testing principles, methods, and approaches sufficient to test, debug and maintain software applications that meet functional requirements. OR, Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have a related Master degree or 2 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree (TRANSCRIPTS REQURIED). OR, Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have an combination of specialized experience and related graduate level education (TRANSCRIPTS REQUIRED). You may qualify for the GS-11 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 health care systems and delivery systems, management principles, practices, methods and techniques, and skill in integrating management services with general management of the organization is needed. Applies knowledge and abilities to analyze, evaluate and make recommendations on major aspects of all assigned VISTA and commercial off the shelf computer packages. Incumbent works with OI&T to troubleshooting computer packages, which require developing specifications and business process models. Ability to retrieve, track and trend information for analysis and reporting. Management analysis techniques and methods are needed to develop and refine information for comprehensive reports, addressing elements such as cost analysis, work measurement, trend analysis, efficiency, effectiveness, productivity, and assess the success or failure in attaining program goals/objectives. Knowledge of the service software is required to train employees, identify inconsistencies, discuss with management the capabilities of software feasibility toward meeting objectives, validate new programs/options, recommend changes in existing programs and modify programs to meet future needs. A comprehensive knowledge of software programs of other services (i.e. Radiology, Dietetics, Health Summary, OE/RR, CPRS, Laboratory and Pharmacy) is needed due to the interrelation of the VISTA programs to train staff. Knowledge of, and skill in applying user acceptance testing principles, methods, and approaches sufficient to test, debug and maintain software applications that meet functional requirements Possess an expert degree of knowledge of Patient Information Management System (PIMS) software to create entry transactions on simple data needs and provide reports about any of the clinical or administrative data elements contained in the PIMS package. OR, Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have a related Ph. D. or equivalent doctoral degree or three full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree (TRANSCRIPTS REQUIRED). 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 first two years of graduate level education (TRANSCRIPTS REQUIRED). You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position: Organizational Performance Analysis Performance Measurement Planning and Evaluating Problem Solving Teaching Others Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations. 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. 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/.