PROGRAM SPECIALIST IV-DOE - 50009803

Requisition No: 869471 

Agency: Veterans Affairs

Working Title: PROGRAM SPECIALIST IV-DOE - 50009803

 Pay Plan: Career Service

Position Number: 50009803 

Salary:  $73,236.02 

Posting Closing Date: 02/25/2026 

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

Requisition # 869471  

PROGRAM SPECIALIST IV

FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS' AFFAIRS

Veterans’ Administration Regional Office

Bureau of State Approving Agency for Veterans’ Education and Training

St. Petersburg, Pinellas County

Annual Salary: $73,236.02

Paid Bi-Weekly

Excellent retirement package and optional deferred compensation plan.  Health, vision, dental, ‎disability, and other supplemental insurance available at reasonable premium rates.  Paid vacation and ‎sick leave. Nine (9) paid holidays and personal day.  Tuition waiver available for State Universities and ‎Community Colleges (up to 6 credits per semester).‎

***Multiple Program Specialist positions may be filled from this advertisement within six (6) months of the closing date***

Applications are being sought from all geographic areas; however, relocation expenses are not allocated.  The main office of operation is located in St. Petersburg, Florida, however, this may be a telework position assigned to another part of the state.  The exact location has yet to be determined.  Input from the chosen applicant pertaining to the individual’s Florida location will be taken into consideration.  Up to 90 days of training, in St. Petersburg, Florida, in-person, virtually, or in the field, will be required regardless of the remote location.

POSITION OVERVIEW:

This position performs all duties necessary for the inspection, approval, monitoring, compliance and supervision of courses or programs pursued by veterans and eligible persons participating in GI Bill® education and training programs according to the provisions of Chapters 30, 32, 33, 34, 35, and 36 of Title 38 of the United States Code and Section 510 and Chapters 1606, and 1607 of Title 10 of the United States Code. This position will establish communication and nurture cooperation among the federal government, the state government, and education/training institutions in reference to the execution of GI Bill® education/training benefits to veterans and their eligible dependents.

Through the interpretation and application of federal and state laws, regulations, policies and procedures, analyzes data and evaluates institutional and training establishment information to determine if academic, vocational, technical, apprenticeship, on-the-job and flight training programs meet the requirements necessary to be approved for participation in U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) education benefit programs.  Provides oversight and monitors those institutions and establishments that are approved for participation to ensure ongoing compliance with applicable laws, regulations, policies and procedures.  Conducts inspection and oversight visits at facilities, to include Risk Based Surveys and Supervisory Visits, and investigates complaints regarding possible violations of existing regulations. Upon VA’s request, may also perform Targeted Risk Based Reviews, or other VA requested visits. Provides consultative and training services as well as technical assistance to institutions and training establishment personnel. Assists with the planning, development and implementation of outreach activities to encourage participation in VA education and training programs by organizations and by veterans and their eligible dependents. Assists and advises veterans and their eligible dependents and advocates with purpose and passion by linking them to superior services, benefits and support.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

• A Bachelor’s Degree with 5 years of full-time employment related to GI Bill® Education Benefit Programs; or a Master’s Degree with 3 years of full-time employment related to GI Bill® Education Benefit Programs; or a Doctoral Degree with 1 year of full-time employment related to GI Bill® Education Benefit Programs (Degrees must be from accredited institutions of higher learning and accreditor must be recognized by the U.S. Department of Education)
• Related full-time employment must have been as a U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Education and Training employee; or as a State Approving Agency (SAA) employee; or within the realm of a VA School Certifying Official.
• Related full-time employment must have included working with SAA approval requirements and also with Post-9/11 GI Bill® beneficiaries such as during VA compliance survey visits or SAA/VA oversight visits.
• Must be able to speak, read and write English and possess excellent critical thinking skills. 
• Must be able to work autonomously, have excellent time management skills and the ability to work independently in an electronic environment, with numerous computer applications, and while meeting established deadlines.
• Applicant must have a valid Driver’s License.
• Must be willing and able to travel for up to 7 days at a time throughout the state of Florida, as needed, as well as occasional out-of-state travel, as requested, which may occur on a weekend.
• Successful completion of a State required Level 2 Background Screening, prior to employment offer, with subsequent passage of Federal Background Screening. https://info.flclearinghouse.com
• Submission of a completed application for employment, a cover letter, resume, unofficial transcript of highest degree obtained, and the names, titles, and contact information for 3 references, is required. 

Submission of a PDF of a PowerPoint Presentation created, written, and previously presented by the applicant is desired, but optional.

All information provided in response to qualifying questions 1, 2 and 3 for this vacancy advertisement must be verifiable on your State of Florida Employment Application.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Facility review for evaluation of new approval, or continued approval to participate in U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs GI Bill® Education Benefit Programs as an Institution of Higher Learning, Non-College Degree, Vocational Flight, Apprenticeship, On-the-Job (OJT) Training, Preparatory Course, or License and Certification facility, using applicable Title 38 U.S. Code laws.
• Review accreditation and licensure of facilities and work collaboratively with federal, state, and local government and non-government agencies.
• Perform oversight visits, to include Risk Based Surveys, Supervisory Visits, VA Referral Visits and Targeted Risk Based Reviews, and take appropriate actions to mitigate risks and discrepancies that jeopardize the integrity of the GI Bill®.
• Provide Technical Assistance and training to VA Certifying Officials at schools, OJT/Apprenticeship and License and Certification facilities, in small and large group settings, in-person, or virtually.
• Performs facility visits at the request of VA.
• Performs outreach to encourage facility participation in GI Bill® Education Benefit programs and also to veterans and their eligible dependents to encourage use of VA education benefits and state education resources.
• Maintains currency of knowledge of federal and state laws, Code of Federal Regulations, VA Advisories, and other agency advisories related to education and VA Education Benefit programs. 
• Maintains currency of knowledge pertaining to VA/SAA Cooperative Agreement contract to include established work performance and timeliness requirements.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Knowledge of current and multi-year VA education regulations, federal laws, and state laws pertaining to veterans’ education.  
• Knowledge of postsecondary school operations in admissions, business office, financial aid, registrar, academic advising, and with school policies and procedures, especially as they relate to VA education rules and funding.
• Ability to read, understand and interpret complex laws and cite them in work products.
• Ability to demonstrate strong work ethic, integrity, have a concern for quality, be self-motivated, and be able to submit work assignments timely.
• Ability to work independently and under pressure on multiple tasks concurrently and in an electronic environment.
• Ability to speak, read, and write in English, and follow instructions and communicate effectively.
• Ability to work effectively with others.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality.
• Ability to perform tasks related to computer use.

This position is in the Career Service System.

The State of Florida is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Affirmative Action Employer, and does not tolerate discrimination or violence in the workplace.

Candidates requiring a reasonable accommodation, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, must notify the agency hiring authority and/or People First Service Center (1-866-663-4735). Notification to the hiring authority must be made in advance to allow sufficient time to provide the accommodation.

The State of Florida supports a Drug-Free workplace. All employees are subject to reasonable suspicion drug testing in accordance with Section 112.0455, F.S., Drug-Free Workplace Act.

VETERANS’ PREFERENCE.  Pursuant to Chapter 295, Florida Statutes, candidates eligible for Veterans’ Preference will receive preference in employment for Career Service vacancies and are encouraged to apply.  Certain service members may be eligible to receive waivers for postsecondary educational requirements.  Candidates claiming Veterans’ Preference must attach supporting documentation with each submission that includes character of service (for example, DD Form 214 Member Copy #4) along with any other documentation as required by Rule 55A-7, Florida Administrative Code.  Veterans’ Preference documentation requirements are available by clicking here.  All documentation is due by the close of the vacancy announcement.