Program Specialist (Controlled Substance Coordinator) GS-301-12

SummaryThe incumbent serves as the Controlled Substance Coordinator (CSC). As such the incumbent manages the Controlled Substances Inspection Program for VA Palo Alto Health Care System (VAPAHCS) and is responsible for ensuring the medical center is in compliance with VA regulations and mandates. The incumbent also serves as the principle auditor of part-time physician attendance, in support of the VAPAHCS Compliance and Business Integrity (CBI) Program.ResponsibilitiesTHIS IS AN OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT WITH A CLOSING DATE OF SEPTEMBER 30, 2020.The initial cut-off date is 4/30/2020. Applications will be referred every 2 weeks. Applications will remain on file for 3 months. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 8:00am - 4:30 pmCompressed/Flexible: Not ApplicableTelework: Not AvailableVirtual: This is not a virtual position.Position Description/PD#: Program Specialist (Controlled Substance Coordinator) GS-301-12/PD01124-ORelocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not AuthorizedFinancial Disclosure Report: Not required A RELOCATION INCENTIVE/RECRUITMENT INCENTIVE NOT AUTHORIZED Duties include, but are not limited to: Provides leadership, advice and instruction related to the controlled substance operations and current analysis of the program. Distributes written policies and procedures and/or memorandums that promote commitment to corporate compliance and address areas of risk associated with non-compliance. Maintains awareness of laws and regulations keeping appraised of current changes that may affect the Medical Center Controlled Substance Program through seminars, training programs, conferences and personal contacts. Conducts the controlled substance inspections and accountability in accordance with VHA Handbook 1108.2. Provides guidance and counsel on the implementation and incorporation of the unannounced controlled substance inspections and related activities at VAPAHCS. Directs long range planning efforts; directs, obtains, and consolidates planning information from subordinate units; and recommends actions or adjustments as necessary. Maintains collaborative working relationships with VHA Controlled Substance Coordinators, VAPAHCS Controlled Substance Inspectors, pharmacy staff, nurse managers, the executive leadership and other key stakeholders. The incumbent oversees the day-to-day activities of the Controlled Substance Inspectors.RequirementsConditions of EmploymentQualificationsTo qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 09/30/2020. 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. In order to qualify for the Program Specialist, GS-0301-12 position, you must meet the eligibility and qualifications requirements as defined below by the closing date of the announcement. For more information on the qualifications for this position, visit the Office of Personnel Management's General Schedule Qualification Standards. Your application and resume must clearly show that you possess the specialized experience requirements. For the GS-12: One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-11 level. Examples of qualifying specialized experience include: 1) worked as a program analyst/specialist, or directly related position with responsibility for analyzing program data and information, preparing management reports, and coordinating a variety of administrative projects; 2) write, prepared, and evaluated formal and informal correspondence, reports, statistics, and analytical documents for senior level officials; 3) worked with program managers in carrying out a variety of administrative functions and business requirements; 4) provided expert analytical and technical advice and recommendations on matters pertaining to organizational processes, procedures, policies, and inspections. 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; religious; 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. You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position:Administration and ManagementAnalysis and Problem SolvingPlanning and EvaluatingTeaches Others 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. Physical Requirements: The work is mostly sedentary involving sitting/standing at a desk, although the position requires the ability to travel among geographic locations within the Health Care System. The works with a computer screen and keyboard. Some physical effort such as standing, walking, bending or prolonged sitting may be required. The work places no special physical demands on the employee. 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/.EducationThere is no educational substitution at this grade level. 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: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html.Additional InformationVA supports the use of telework as a way to help attract and retain talented individuals in public service, increase worker productivity, and better prepare the agency to operate during emergencies. This position may be authorized for telework. Telework eligibility will be discussed during the interview process. 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. 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. Special Employment Consideration: VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply, including those eligible for hiring under 5 CFR 213.3102(u), Schedule A, Appointment of persons with disabilities [i.e., intellectual disabilities, severe physical disabilities, or psychiatric disabilities], and/or Disabled veterans with a compensable service-connected disability of 30% or more. Contact the Agency Contact for information on how to apply under this appointment authority via the Selective Placement Coordinator. The Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) and Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) provide eligible displaced Federal/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 http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/employee-guide-to-career-transition/. Placement Policy: The posting of this announcement does not obligate management to fill a vacancy or vacancies by promotion. The position may be filled by reassignment, change to lower grade, transfer, appointment, or reinstatement. Management may use any one or any combination of these methods to fill the position. It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members. For more information on the "Who may apply" eligibility requirements, please refer to the OHRM Status Candidates and Other Candidate Definitions document. If you are unable to apply online view the following link for information regarding an Alternate Application.