To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 07/06/2026. 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. 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. 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-7 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 management principles, health services administration, skill in applying analytical and evaluative techniques, and knowledge administrative regulations, policies, practices, and procedures. Ability to evaluate data and information and create recommendations to assist the Service Lines regarding mission, values, goals, and staffing levels and the ability to continuously evaluate resources needed to accomplish program goals. Skill in communicating, both orally and in writing, to develop and present proposals, recommendations, status reports, policies, memorandums, etc. Knowledge of the VA, VHA, VISN and Medical Centers policies, regulations, directives, handbooks, and procedures as they relate to the Caregiver Support Program. Knowledge of federal personnel policies, regulations, and practices with respect to hiring, orientation, employee rights, leave regulations, employee counseling, Knowledge of regulations, requirements and procedures associated with various budget, accounting and/or financial processing functions. Knowledge of VHA performance measures, customer satisfaction, and data management. Knowledge of software to include but not limited to CPRS, VISTA, SharePoint, Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel, Access, and PowerPoint), VETPRO, Fed Traveler, TMS, VAFSC Online Certification System OLCS, and Fee Basis Claim System (FBCS). OR, Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have master's or equivalent graduate degree or 2 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.B. or J.D., if related (TRANSCRIPT 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 a bachelor's degree. (TRANSCRIPT REQUIRED) You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position: Administration and Management Information Management Contracting Administration Budget Administration 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. Preferred Experience: Experience with VHA Caregiver Support Program Experience working with Appeals and Patient Advocates Experience with ADPAC duties Experience working with an interdisciplinary team 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 sedentary. Some work may require movement between offices, hospitals, warehouses, and similar areas for meetings and to conduct work. Work may also require walking/standing, in conjunctions with travel to and attendance at meetings and/or conferences away from the work site. Incumbent may carry and lift light items weighing less than 15 pounds. 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/.