Program Specialist

The incumbent will be responsible for the time and leave administration of VCL employees. The incumbent will plan, coordinate, execute, maintain, and evaluate the VCL call center staff levels to ensure that a smooth flow of quality health care services is being provided promptly, courteously, and with a compassionate understanding of Veterans' needs and the needs of those responsible for their care. The work performed by the incumbent will directly influence decisions made by managers concerning internal administrative operations and improve the quality of services to customers and staff. The work will also involve identifying problems and making recommendations concerning the efficiency and productivity of administrative operations throughout VCL. Additional duties include but are not limited to: Maintains staffing levels and master schedules to ensure adequate coverage. Tracks and certifies all forms of employee leave requests and maintains tour of duty updates. Coordinates tour of duty change requests, leave requests, etc. in accordance with approved policy. Tracks and implements employee training, organizes new employee orientations and training shifts for all employees, and creates and reviews travel schedules for employees. Investigates and resolves employee relations issues such as no shows in accordance with approved policy, time/leave/pay/repayment/overtime issues, etc. Coordinates with employees on long term absences including annual and sick leave scheduling. Refers employees to Employee Assistance Program (EAP) as needed and provides support to employees with sensitive time and leave related concerns. Maintains responsibility for scheduling employees on 20 different shifts and 30 plus start times across call centers. Ensures coverage needs are addressed to maintain staffing needs and escalates concerns to supervisory and management staff. Organizes and submits all planned leave requests to Team Operations (TOC) and/or time and leave supervisor for approval. Coordinates with Workflow Coordinators and Workforce Management (WM) regarding staffing. WM provides all staffing data to use in the forecasting for work schedules for VCL. Provides trend analysis to supervisors, TOCs, and management on leave misuse and unplanned leave. Maintains and manages the VCL time and leave inbox groups and associated correspondence by reviewing and resolving issues. Communicates with Human Resources groups and VCL management regarding employee staffing, transfer, part-time, and job share status. Any other duties as assigned by the Time and Leave Supervisor Program Specialist. Work Schedule: Tour of Duty is typically Administrative Hours. Tour is subject to change based on program needs. Compressed/Flexible Work Schedule: May be authorized upon supervisor approval after training per Agency policy. Remote: This is remote position. Selectees will work 100% of the time in a non-VA-owned space outside of the local commuting area of a parent station. The employee's workspace must be suitable for conducting business and as such, remote employees are expected to provide a secure, distraction-free home-based worksite with reliable high speed internet connectivity. The employee will be required to travel to the closest VA Medical Center or VA Outpatient Clinic for issuance of equipment, and as needed for technical support. Selectees will be required to self-certify that their remote workplace meets all safety, privacy, and internet speed requirements. Position Description/PD#: Program Specialist/PD07527A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Approved Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not required Financial Disclosure Report: Not required This is a bargaining unit position