Program Specialist

Summary This position is located in the Office of Retailer Operations and Compliance. The Program Specialist reviews and coordinates the SNAP retailer duties in accordance with rules and regulations in the Retailer Operations, Retailer Compliance, and Fraud Analytics divisions. Duties

• Conduct detailed technical reviews of SNAP retailer applications by evaluating business documentation, ownership information, and eligibility criteria against federal requirements.
• Perform compliance assessments by verifying store operations, business records, and adherence to SNAP regulations.
• Analyze transaction data using established analytical tools to identify patterns that may indicate fraud, trafficking, or other compliance concerns.
• Prepare clear, well-organized written summaries and reports that support findings and determinations.
• Communicate with retailers to request documentation or clarify compliance issues while ensuring professional, consistent, and policy-aligned correspondence. Qualifications Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement including time-in-grade restrictions, specialized experience and/or education, as defined below. Time in Grade: Current federal employees applying for a promotion opportunity must meet the time in grade requirement of 52 weeks of service at the next lower grade level in the normal line of progression for the position being filled. 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; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. To qualify for the GS-11: Applicants must possess one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-09 in the Federal and or Public Service. Specialized experience is defined as: Conducting complex research and studies to evaluate program effectiveness, identify trends, and develop recommendations for improvement; Providing interpretation and guidance on complex policies, regulations, and procedures to recommend modifications or new approaches; and Preparing and presenting comprehensive reports, briefings, and recommendations to senior management and external stakeholders. OR a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree or 3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.M., if related; OR an appropriate combination of specialized experience and graduate level education (beyond what is required for a master's degree, i.e., more than 36 semester hours leading to a Ph.D.). To qualify for the GS-12: Applicants must possess one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-11 in the Federal and or Public Service. Specialized experience is defined as: Leading comprehensive projects to evaluate the effectiveness of major programs or policies and formulate strategic recommendations; Providing authoritative guidance and expert interpretation on complex or ambiguous policies, regulations, and procedures to resolve critical issues; and Developing and presenting high-level briefings, reports, and proposals to advance organizational strategic objectives. Education See the Qualifications section for education that may be qualifying for the specific grade level.