VCS - Optical Program Manager

Summary

Join us in making a difference for our nation's Veterans and their caregivers. The Veterans Canteen Service (VCS) is seeking an experienced and motivated Optical Program Manager to lead operations, optimize customer experience, develop and implement standardized policies, and ensure compliance with industry best practices.

Duties

Duties include, but are not limited to the following: Program Leadership: Lead the Optical Program across multiple VA locations, ensuring consistent service quality, operational efficiency, and program standards. Team & Performance Management: Oversee remote and onsite optician teams, including staffing, training, performance, and workforce needs across multiple locations. Operational Strategy & Improvement: Develop and implement standardized workflows, policies, and quality standards while identifying opportunities to improve efficiency, technology, and service delivery. Business & Financial Performance: Analyze operational and financial data to guide staffing, product selection, pricing, profitability, and opportunities for program growth. Stakeholder & Vendor Management: Build and maintain relationships with clinical partners, VA leadership, suppliers, fabricators, contractors, and other key stakeholders to resolve issues and support program operations. Program Growth & Innovation: Identify opportunities to expand optical services, introduce new products, improve the Veteran experience, and strengthen program visibility through market and industry trends. Additional Responsibilities & Flexibility: Perform and adapt to additional responsibilities as needed. Requirements

As a Condition of Employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: - 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 - Whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service Upon completion of your trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest. Additional Conditions of Employment include: -Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959. -Subject to background/security investigation. Qualifications

Optical Industry Knowledge: Knowledge of current optical industry practices, products, lens fabrication, optician workflows, trends, and techniques, including commercial and government environments. Business & Operational Leadership: Demonstrated business acumen and experience managing complex operations, with the ability to apply sound judgment, creativity, and strategic thinking to achieve organizational goals. Program & Project Management: Ability to plan, develop, coordinate, implement, and evaluate multiple programs, projects, and initiatives while managing competing priorities and changing business needs. Data Analysis & Decision-Making: Ability to gather, analyze, and summarize information to identify trends, evaluate performance, support business decisions, and prepare comprehensive reports and recommendations. Communication & Collaboration: Strong interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to build effective relationships and collaborate with clinical and non-clinical stakeholders, employees, leadership, and external partners at all levels. Customer-Focused Problem Solving: Demonstrated commitment to customer service with a proactive approach to identifying and resolving operational challenges, improving service delivery, and enhancing the customer experience. Experience working in healthcare or medical center environments is preferred. Identification Requirement: A current, valid REAL ID is required to work with the Veterans Canteen Service.

Education

Education Requirement: High school diploma or General Equivalency Diploma (GED) required. How You Will Be Evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above. IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Your application, résumé, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment.NOTE: A formal pay-setting process will be used to determine your salary. The salary may be at any point in the range listed for this vacancy. 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.