Program Analyst

Summary

The Program Analyst is located in Nursing Service at the VA Medical Center in Louisville, KY. The incumbent performs as the Program Analyst for the administrative areas and assists the Deputy Nurse Executive (DNE) with program analysis for the clinical areas within Nursing Service.

Duties

• The position is at the full performance level located in the Department of Veteran Affairs, at the Robley Rex VA hospital in the Nursing Service Department. The incumbent performs as program analyst for the administrative areas and assists the Administrative Officer and Deputy Associate Director of patient care with program analysis for the clinical areas within Nursing Service. The primary purpose of the position is to perform a wide range of analytical evaluation, related to improving the quality, efficiency, and effectiveness of healthcare by integrating clinical and information processes necessary to achieve successful adoption and application of new technologies throughout the Veterans Health Administration (VHA). The incumbent is also responsible for providing comprehensive administrative and data management duties to serve Primary Care Service. Major duties include, but are not limited to: Performs analytical and evaluative work that includes extracting, compiling, researching and/or tracking and reporting of data and program information. Provides review, analysis and recommendations of human resources, budget and operating programs within the service. Reviews, analyzes and makes recommendations to the DADPCS, Nursing Service in the development of strategic, operational and service business planning documents. Reviews and develops Nursing Service procedures, methodologies and policies assuring they are pertinent, relevant and current. Has knowledge of all required service and Medical Center reports pertinent to the service, coordinated their completion and establishes a suspense file to track due dates. Identifies areas of concern, troubleshoot problems, develops resolutions and investigates a wide variety of matters pertaining to the service. Prepares comprehensive reports that incorporate thorough review and analysis for submission to appropriate facility, network and/or VA Central Office officials. Reviews all outgoing correspondence and reports ensuring proper format, mathematical and grammatical content are correct and ascertaining that all necessary coordination of facts has been completed and is in accordance with established policy. Prepares the annual service budget and submits recommendation to the DADPCS, Nursing Service. Performs cost analysis, cost benefit or economic evaluations of Nursing Service projects and programs. Oversees the organization and maintenance of a comprehensive system of budgetary information in support of the service's two fund control points. Monitors all accounting transactions and cash flow as budgetary demands on control points frequently requires incumbent's advice on increases or decreases of purchases for reconciliation with budget limitations. Designs and maintains with current costs and new products a variety of computerized spreadsheets, such as inventory templates, cost/serving, nourishment cost update and other performance measures to assist management in cost containment and quality control. Serves as the liaison and/or point of contact between the Nurse Managers and the DADPCS and the Associate Chief Nurses (to include Acute Care, Critical Care and Surgery) for non-clinical and budgetary issues. Have frequent interaction with individuals at all levels in VA. These contacts may be personal, one-to-one basis or in conferences held to exchange information and negotiate mutually satisfactory solutions to important issues. Oversees an ongoing training tracking program for Nursing Service employees to ensure annual mandatory and required education is developed, implemented and monitored. Develops procedures and systems for establishing, operating and assessing the effectiveness of administrative control systems and line or operating programs e.g. quality assurance monitors, patient satisfaction and patient safety programs as they relate to the service and/or medical center. 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. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday; 8:00 AM-4:30 PM Telework: Ad-hoc Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position Position Description/PD#: Program Analyst/PD403720 and PD40372-0 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 09/11/2026. 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-9 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-7. For a GS-11position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-9. 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. You may qualify based on your experience and/or education as described below: Specialized Experience for a GS-9: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-7 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Specialized experience is defined as: Knowledgeable of Medical Center operations, policies, and procedures, as well as VA regulations, and program guidelines; Reviewing data, presenting alternatives, making recommendations, and assisting with developing problem resolutions; Performing analytical and evaluative work that includes extracting, compiling, researching and/or tracking and reporting of data and program information; Utilizing computers and applicable databases/software for statistical purposes; and managing information systems; Preparing and presenting reports for management; Knowledge of accounting, budgeting and statistical principles to use in administering a wide variety of budgetary accounts and transfer of funds; Utilizing a variety of software such as Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, QI Macros, Access, among other VA related software in order to compile and process data collected and produce reports in useful reporting formats. OR, Education: Applicants must have a Master's or equivalent graduate degree OR 2 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree OR a LL.B or J.D., if related. Education must have been obtained in an accredited college or university and must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of this position. NOTE: Transcripts must be submitted with your application materials. Education cannot be credited without documentation. (TRANSCRIPTS REQUIRED) OR, Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have an combination education beyond one year of graduate education (in excess of 18 semester hours) and specialized experience to meet total experience requirements. NOTE: Transcripts must be submitted with your application materials. Education cannot be credited without documentation (TRANSCRIPTS REQUIRED).Specialized Experience for a GS-11: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-9 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Specialized experience is defined as: Performing a wide variety of analytical studies and projects related to management improvement, productivity improvement, and long-range planning; Knowledgeable of Medical Center operations, policies, and procedures, as well as VA regulations, and program guidelines; Reviewing data, presenting alternatives, making recommendations, and assisting with developing problem resolutions; Skill to evaluate and analyze processes and procedures with multiple variables; Performing analytical and evaluative work that includes extracting, compiling, researching and/or tracking and reporting of data and program information; Utilizing computers and applicable databases/software for statistical purposes; and managing information systems; Preparing and presenting reports for management; Knowledge of accounting, budgeting, and statistical principles and practices to use in administering a wide variety of budgetary accounts and transfer of funds; Knowledge of disbursements and of fund accounting methods, procedures, and techniques used in maintaining, balancing, and closing Fund control accounts; Utilizing a variety of software such as Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, QI Macros, Access, among other VA related software in order to compile and process data collected and produce reports in useful reporting formats. NOTE: Experience must be fully documented on your resume and must include job title, duties, month and year start/end dates AND hours worked per week. OR, Education: Applicants 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 a LL.M, if related. Education must have been obtained in an accredited college or university and must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of this position. NOTE: Transcripts must be submitted with your application materials. Education cannot be credited without documentation. (TRANSCRIPTS REQUIRED). OR, Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must possess equivalent combinations of successfully completed graduate level education (in excess of the first two years or 36 semester hours) and specialized experience to meet total experience requirements. NOTE: Transcripts must be submitted with your application materials. Education cannot be credited without documentation (TRANSCRIPTS REQUIRED). 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: Work is performed in an office setting is primarily sedentary in nature. 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/.

Requirements

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. 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 (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). 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.

Education

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/.

How to apply

Please read the entire announcement and all the instructions before you begin an application. To apply for this position, you must complete the initial online application, to include the initial online questionnaire and submission of the required documentation specified in the How to Apply and Required Documents section. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on the closing date of the announcement to receive consideration. To preview the application questionnaire, click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13055499. The application process is as follows: To begin, click Apply Online to create a USA JOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USA JOBS resume and/or other supporting documents. Answer the questions presented in the application and attach all necessary supporting documentation. Click the Submit Application button prior to 11:59 PM (ET) on the announcement closing date, 09/11/2026. If you are required to complete any USA Hire Assessments, you will be notified after submitting your application. The notification will be provided in your application submission screen and via email. The notification will include your unique assessment access link to the USA Hire system and the completion deadline. Additionally, in USAJOBS you can click "Track this application" to return to your assessment completion notice. Access USA Hire using your unique assessment link. Access is granted through your USAJOBS login credentials. Review all instructions prior to beginning your assessments. You will have the opportunity to request a testing accommodation before beginning the assessments should you have a disability covered under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended. Set aside at least 3 hours to take the USA Hire Assessments; however, most applicants complete the assessments in less time. If you need to stop the assessments and continue later, you can re-use your unique assessment link. NOTE: Your responses to the USA Hire Assessments will be reused for one year (in most cases) from the date you complete an assessment. If future applications you submit require completion of the same assessments, your responses will be automatically reused. Visit the USA Hire Applicant Resource Center for practice assessments and assessment preparation resources at https://support-usahire.opm.gov/hc/en-us. To update your application, including supporting documentation: During the announcement open period, return to your USAJOBS account, find your application record, and click Edit my application. This option will no longer be available once the announcement has closed. To view the announcement status or your application status: https://help.usajobs.gov/how-to. Your application status page is where you can view your application status, USA Hire assessment completion status, and review your notifications sent by the hiring agency regarding your application. Beginning September 27, 2025, Federal agencies will only accept resumes up to two pages in length to comply with the Merit Hiring Plan. Resumes longer than two pages will result in ineligibility for further consideration for the position. USAJOBS will not allow you to upload or build resumes longer than two pages, and you will need to update the resumes in your profile before applying for a job. Resumes should include information relevant to the knowledge, skills, abilities, and competencies of the position to which you are applying. VA is unable to make assumptions about qualifications if not clearly listed. Resumes must be legible so they can be reviewed for eligibility, minimum qualifications and other position requirements listed in the job announcement. Your resume must be 5MB or less. We recommend saving and uploading your resume as a PDF to maintain formatting and number of pages. We also accept GIF, JPG, JPEG, PNG, RTF, TXT, PDF, ODT or Word (DOC or DOCX). We do not accept PDF portfolio files. We recommend using a sans-serif font size like Lato, if available. Other widely available options are Calibri, Helvetica, Arial, Verdana, Open San Source Sans Pro, Roboto or Noro Sans. Make your page margins 0.5 inches. Consider using 14-point size font for titles and 10-point for the main text in your resume. The resume builder can help you create a resume using these recommendations and uses the information in your USAJOBS profile to help you get started. Helpful Hints for Creating a Two-Page Resume: Prioritize most relevant and recent experience Use concise, results focused language Align language from the job announcement Focus on demonstrating skills and competencies Remove outdated or unrelated experience Use the USAJOBS resume builder Additional guidance on this new requirement and resume building tools can be found at https://help.usajobs.gov/faq/application/documents/resume/page-limit