Health System Specialist - Strategic Planner (Direct Hire Authority)

This position is for a Health Systems Specialist- Strategic Planner at the Aleda E. Lutz Veteran Affairs Medical Center. The Strategic Planner provides expert advice and guidance on both operational and strategic issues involving a complex and ever-changing local, state, and national health care environment. The Strategic Planning section supports the management information needs for Medical Center executive leaders. Duties include but are not limited to: The Strategic Planner formulates recommendations for administrative and general management decisions relating to the operation of the medical center. Reviews and interprets directives, memoranda, and other Veteran Health Administration (VHA) documents, such as Voluntary Early Retirement Authority (VERA) workload reports, performance measures, planning models, program initiatives, clinical inventories, etc., and translates them into sound management practice, organizational goals, and operational effectiveness of the medical center. Based on research, the incumbent develops position papers and decision documents representing the position of the Medical Center Director on a variety of issues which may have significant Veterans Integrated Service Network (VISN)-wide impact, and which may involve several functional areas. The Strategic Planner possesses integrated and in-depth knowledge and understanding of VHA's basic policies, mission, and operating programs in order to meet the responsibilities of this position. The duties require a high degree of administrative and managerial expertise, and the ability to work effectively with others at high levels within the organization. The incumbent will have access to printed and electronic files containing sensitive information and will ensure their protection under the provisions of the Privacy Act of I974 and other applicable laws and regulations. The incumbent is responsible for protecting information from unauthorized release or from loss, alteration, or unauthorized deletion. Functions with a high degree of autonomy, independently initiating projects/studies and providing key stay support to the Associate Director (AsD) and the Medical Center Director for a broad range of complex planning and budgetary issues related to theoperations of a health care system. The prime objective of the Strategic Planner is the development and furtherance of a sound facility level strategic plan. Service level tactical plans support the strategic plan. Work Schedule: Monday • Friday 7:30am • 4:00pm OR 8:00am • 4:30pm. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Description/PD#: Health System Specialist • Strategic Planner (Direct Hire Authority)/PD932550 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 10/07/2026. You may qualify based on your experience and/or education as described below: This position has an Individual Occupational Requirement (IOR): An IOR is a basic requirement that must be met in order to qualify for entry into this job series, and it is something that can't be waived. To qualify for the GS-0671 occupational series, applicants MUST possess the following: Education: Undergraduate and/or Graduate Education: Major study -- hospital administration, public health administration, or related fields such as business or public administration with course work in health care administration. OR Specialized Experience: Progressively responsible analytical or administrative, or clinical management or supervisory experience in the health care field. This work may have been performed in an operating health care facility or a higher organizational echelon with advisory or directional authority over such facilities. Work must have involved a close working relationship with facility managers and analysis and/or coordination of administrative, clinical, or other service activities, and provided knowledge of the following: Missions, organizations, programs, and requirements of health care delivery systems. Regulations and standards of various regulatory and credentialing groups; and Government-wide, agency, and facility systems and requirements in various administrative areas such as budget, personnel, and procurement. OR Special Provision for In-service Placement: Successful completion of an agency-sponsored on-the-job training program may be substituted for qualifying experience, provided it included a formal individualized training plan. Such a training program must have been conducted in an operating health care system and included: Assignments providing a knowledge of basic health system administration philosophies, practices, and procedures, and basic government administrative policies and requirements; Practical assignments providing an opportunity to apply health system administration skills and principles (as the individual progresses, work assignments must be characteristic of the grade level to which he or she is assigned); and Oversight by an experienced health system administrator with periodic evaluation of the individual's progress and appropriate adjustment of the training program. Grade Determination. In addition to the Individual Occupational Requirement above, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates. GS-11 • Health Systems Specialist • Strategic Planner Specialized Experience: 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. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: evaluating data, applying statistical methods, and identifying trends to support the development of strategic initiatives that improve access, efficiency, and quality of care in a healthcare setting. Reviewing program performance, anticipating future resource needs, and supporting leadership in making informed decisions. Strong communication skills both verbal and written. Provides recommendations with community and service in healthcare settings, presenting recommendations, and coordination with facility leadership and service lines in healthcare settings. Contributing to developing strategic plans by assessing organizational needs, aligning priorities, and assisting in the creation of actionable planning documents in a health care setting. OR, Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have successfully completed a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree OR three (3) full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree, OR LL.M in the related field of the position to be filled (i.e., hospital administration, public health administration, or related fields such as business or public administration with course work in health care administration). The education portion must include courses that demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of this position. Education must have been obtained in an accredited college, or university. NOTE: Transcripts must be submitted with your application materials. Education cannot be credited without documentation.. OR, Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have a combination of specialized experience and education beyond successfully completed graduate level (beyond a master's degree) and specialized experience as described above to meet total experience requirements. The education portion must include graduate courses that demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do to the work of this position (i.e., hospital administration, public health administration, or related fields such as business or public administration with course work in health care administration). NOTE: Transcripts must be submitted with your application materials. Education cannot be credited without documentation. Experience must be clearly indicated in your resume. 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/. 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) • See "Required Documents" below for details. As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary 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. 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/.