Program Specialist (Investigative Coordinator) - Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration

Summary The incumbent serves as the Investigative Coordinator who will conduct, oversee, and assist in the facilitation of fact-findings throughout the Columbia, SC VA Medical Center. The position reports directly to the Chief, Quality Safety Value (QSV), who reports to the Director/CEO and also takes direction from Executive Leadership on sensitive and confidential matters. Responsibilities Major Duties include but are not limited to: Coordinate and oversee incoming requests for investigations, fact-finding, related to OAWP, Office of Resolution Management/Diversity and Inclusion, Equal Employment Office, Harassment Prevention Program, and internal staff issues not resolved at the service level. Coordinates, determines, evaluates, and conducts assessments for requests for investigations and/or fact-finding. Organize and implement investigations and fact-findings Coordinate resources for investigations such as: supplies, interview rooms, scheduling interviews, etc Prepares reports and compiles responses for Executive Leadership, Service Chiefs, OAWP, OIG, OGC, EEO/HPP, ELR/HR, and others as needed. Develops databases and spreadsheets for tracking and trending results of investigations and/or fact-findings. Ensures an open line of communication is fostered with Union Officials and adheres/follows guidance outlines in the Master Agreement. Provide quarterly reports to Executive Leadership indicating identified trends regarding investigations, allegations, and changes withing OAWP, OGC, EEO/HPP, etc processes to ensure compliance and to develop and modify any necessary changes. Oversee the development and implementation of regular and effective education and training for all employees on issues relating to conducting fact-findings and investigations. Plans, conducts and/or coordinates investigations related to alleged or suspected violations of administrative policies/procedures, making referrals to VA Police and/or VA OIG if suspect violations of criminal law. Consistently and regularly reviews OAWP, OIG, OGC, EEO/HPP findings, hearings, guidance, and reports to ensure compliance and to develop and modify any new methods of investigations or standards. Work Schedule: M-F, 8-430pm Telework: VA 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. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Description/PD#: Program Specialist (Investigative Coordinator)/PD106730 Financial Disclosure Report: Not required Requirements Conditions of Employment You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this 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 You may be required to serve a 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) Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details. Qualifications To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 10/25/2024. 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 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. Refer to the Required Documents section for additional information on acceptable SF-50(s) submissions. 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: - Coordinate and oversee incoming requests for investigations, fact-finding, related to OAWP, Office of Resolution Management/Diversity and Inclusion, Equal Employment Office, Harassment Prevention Program, and internal staff issues not resolved at the service level. - Coordinates, determines, evaluates, and conducts assessments for requests for investigations and/or fact-finding. -Organize and implement investigations and fact-findings. -Coordinate resources for investigations such as: supplies, interview rooms, scheduling interviews, etc. -Provides written reports to leadership regarding outcomes of investigations and/or fact-findings. -Develops databases and spreadsheets for tracking and trending results of investigations and/or fact-findings. OR, - Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree or 3 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.B. or J.D., if related. (TRANSCRIPTS REQUIRED) OR, - Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have a combination of specialized experience and education consisting of: equivalent combination of successfully completed higher level graduate education and specialized experience directly related to the position meet total experience requirements for the GS-09. (TRANSCRIPTS REQUIRED) You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position: Attention to Detail Critical Thinking Decisiveness Oral Communication Technical Competence Writing 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 involves intense concentration and relatively long periods of sitting with some walking. Training involves standing and walking during interactions with Executive Leadership, Service Chiefs, Supervisors, and other medical staff as appropriate. Work is generally sedentary, working predominately with the computer, but standing, bending, walking and carrying of lightweight items such as reports and manuals are 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 Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree or 3 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.B. or J.D., if related. 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: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html. 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. 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/. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process. If you are unable to apply online or need to fax a document you do not have in electronic form, view the following link for information regarding an Alternate Application.