Health System Specialist/Facility Planner

The position is at the full performance level located in the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Veterans Health Administration (VHA), at the Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System GLAHS) VA Medical Center (VAMC) in the Office of Strategic, Facility and Master Planning. GLAHS is a Joint Commission accredited, complexity level 1a facility serving Veterans throughout Kern, Los Angeles, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, and Ventura counties.

• Serves as a Facility Planner for the Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System (GLAHS) by providing a full range of support functions assisting in the formulation and development of organizational facility plans and is involved in the analysis of demography of the Los Angeles market area.
• Provides support to administrative programs including planning, projects, and overall management.
• In this capacity, the incumbent provides full and complete support to the Chief Strategy and Planning Officer and Associate Director, Ambulatory Care Services in the planning, coordination, analysis and execution of administrative policies and programs and serves as an advisor on matters related to the internal and external operations of the GLAHS.
• Develops and monitors business programs, plans, procedures, and methodologies analyzing business initiatives and processes.
• Has overall project responsibility for conducting facility-wide studies or projects to meet organizational objectives and customer needs, enhancing teamwork, and improving the organization's overall performance.
• Works with facility leadership to assure their input to business related projects. Analyzes and evaluates the effectiveness of programs or operations in meeting established goals.
• The incumbent serves as the Facility Planner for GLAHS. In this capacity, the incumbent is responsible for directing all planning activities within the facility and assisting in developing the annual strategic/operational plan, which outlines local goals, initiatives, and departmental activities.
• The incumbent ensures the GLAHS plan is aligned with the Veterans Integrated Service Network (VISN) 22 Strategic Plan and Veterans Health Administration (VHA) goals, objectives, and performance measures.
• The plan also meets the requirements of accrediting bodies such as The Joint Commission and other accreditation entities. In this regard, the incumbent works closely with the Service Lines and Departments in the facility to obtain and consolidate planning information.
• The incumbent works collaboratively with the VISN 22 Capital Asset Manager to provide support for construction project applications in the Enhanced Health Care Planning Model (EHCPM) and Strategic Capital Investment Plan (SCIP) databases.
• The incumbent performs special studies and develops reports, proposals, business plans, position and issue papers which represent the facility's position concerning a variety of managerial and technical issues including planning initiatives, development of new programs and sites of care.
• Adapts the principles, practices, processes, and techniques common to any situation to the specialized requirements of the Chief Strategy and Planning Officer and Associate Director, Ambulatory Care Services. Requires considerable knowledge of general healthcare systems, programs, and practices, and of how these healthcare principles and practices relate to the unique characteristics and needs of the PVAHCS.
• The incumbent serves on variety of GLAHS committees and boards as appointed by the Director in varying capacities to include Co-chairperson, member, facilitator, or as a representative of the Executive Leadership Team.
• The incumbent provides informed advice and feedback to the Executive Leadership Team.
• The incumbent may be called upon to serve on VISN committee's and boards in the same manner as above

• 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
• 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,
• 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.

• Specialized Experience: (In addition to meeting time and grade) 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: 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. 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 may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have completed a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree, or 3 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree, or an LL.M. if related that demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of this position. NOTE: Transcripts must be submitted with application. Education cannot be credited without documentation. 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 master's or equivalent graduate education may be used to qualify applicants for the GS-11 level. NOTE: If using education combined with specialized experience to qualify, a copy of your transcript is required.

• Specialized Experience: (In addition to meeting time and grade) you must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-11 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. 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.

• 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)

• 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.