Duties
The Administrative Officer (AO) for Research Service is directly responsible to the Associate Chief of Staff (ACOS) for Research & Development (R&D) and through to the Chief of Staff for the oversight of the administration of the Research and Development programs at the John D. Dingell VA Medical Center.
The John D. Dingell VAMC Research Program is a small-sized, multifaceted investigator-initiated operation comprised of around 60 active projects funded by federal, private enterprise, non-profit, pharmaceutical sponsors, and academic sponsors. An average of 30 principal investigators, and approximately 70 individuals (VA salaried employees, WOC appointees, medical care staff, IPA's and trainees) are involved in the research, which includes biomedical laboratory, clinical, health services and rehabilitation fields.
Major duties and responsibilities include but are not limited to the following:
- Science and Information: The position works with principal investigators in developing and processing research funding proposals to ensure compliance with regulations and procedures necessary for adequate review by higher authority in the funding approval process. The AO reviews principal investigators' proposals for research funding and/or special requests prior to their submission to the VA Office of R&D (ORD) or other agencies. The position provides expert guidance to prospective, new, and established investigators on all matters related to research initiation, implementation, management, and regulatory review requirements.
- The incumbent will be responsible for developing and maintaining systems to manage the oversight and the coordination of investigations into issues of project management which include appropriate committee reviews, research committee management, liaison with committees such the Institutional Review Boards and Institutional Animal Committee, Biosafety and Conflict of Interest. The incumbent leads the program into ensuring compliance in the, but not limited to the following areas: a) human research - patient informed consent; b) scientific misconduct; c) conflict of interest; d) safety of laboratory and animal care personnel; e) hazardous materials; and f) animal
care and safety. He/she will institute mechanisms for both periodic and random monitoring of compliance with regulations.
- The incumbent will ensure appropriate representation and interface with the various review committees. He/she will also describe mechanisms for assessing and measuring outcomes of the various reviews. The incumbent will be responsible for the review of all proposals submitted for VA funding. He/she will review for adequacy for scientific merit and proposals which are inadequate will be returned to the originating investigator with appropriate comments for revision. He /she will assist the investigators in the following ways to produce the proposals for submission: Identify other investigators, collaborators, or consultants within the medical center and the Network with needed expertise, skills or resources that might be shared.
- Review budgetary requirements for personnel, equipment, and supply requirements. Review letters of intent and research proposals to ensure program relevance and conformance with published guidelines. He/she also has oversight responsibilities in such areas to ensure the eligibility status of investigators and annual reviews of the Merit Review Entry Program. During the review, he/she must ensure that R&D funds are administered according to policy that non-VA funds are appropriately spent on approved R&D activities and that VERA funds are used for the intended purposes.
- Communication: Targeted dissemination of information on research funding opportunities to investigators and prospective investigators will be a responsibility. He/she will maintain communication with the Offices of R&D, VA Headquarters and the Services regarding matters
pertaining to R&D. He/she is responsible for preparing and submitting communication, reports and correspondence under his/her purview for the administration of the R&D programs. This includes reports requested by authorized personnel in Headquarters and the Network Director. This person is also responsible for the oversight of the submission to the R&D Communications Office for publications or other public information and of the appropriate acknowledgements in publications. He/she develops and maintains liaison and coordination with Headquarter elements, Administrative Network and Medical Centers.
Work Schedule: Monday- Friday; 08:00am -04:30pm.
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Position Description/PD#: DETAIL NTE 120 DAYS
/PD938100
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Approved
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
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 WILL NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE.
Narrative responses are not required at this time. If you are referred for consideration, you may be asked to submit additional job related information, which may include, but not limited to; responses to the knowledge, skills and abilities; completion of a work sample, and/or contact for an interview. Your resume and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your rating or consideration for employment.
The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position.
For more information on the "Who may apply" eligibility requirements, please refer to the OHRM Status Candidates and Other Candidate Definitions document.
Placement Policy: The posting of this announcement does not obligate management to fill a vacancy or vacancies by promotion. The position may be filled by reassignment, change to lower grade, transfer, appointment, or reinstatement. Management may use any one or any combination of these methods to fill the position.
It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.
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How to Apply
All applicants are encouraged to apply online. To apply for this position, you must complete the questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on 04/25/2025 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12724623.
- To begin, click Apply Online to create a USA JOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USA JOBS resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the occupational questionnaire.
- Click Submit My Answers to submit your application package.
NOTE: It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation is submitted prior to the closing date.
Special Employment Consideration: VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply, including those eligible for hiring under 5 CFR 213.3102(u), Schedule A, Appointment of persons with disabilities [i.e., intellectual disabilities, severe physical disabilities, or psychiatric disabilities], and/or Disabled veterans with a compensable service-connected disability of 30% or more. Contact the Agency Contact for information on how to apply under this appointment authority via the Selective Placement Coordinator.
The
Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) and
Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) provide eligible displaced Federal/VA competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. To be qualified you must submit appropriate documentation (a copy of the agency notice, your most recent performance rating, and your most recent SF-50 noting current position, grade level, and duty location) and be found well-qualified for this vacancy. To be
well-qualified: applicants must possess experience that exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors, and who are proficient in most of the required competencies of the job. Information about ICTAP and CTAP eligibility is on OPM's Career Transition Resources website at
http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/employee-guide-to-career-transition/.
During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions.
Next steps
Once your online application is submitted you will receive a confirmation notification by email. After we receive application packages (including all required documents) and the vacancy announcement closes, we will review applications to ensure qualification and eligibility requirements are met. After the review is complete, a referral certificate(s) is issued and applicants will be notified of their status by email. Referred applicants will be notified as such and may be contacted directly by the hiring office for an interview. All referred applicants receive a final notification once a selection decision has been made.
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NOTE: Participation in the seasonal influenza program is a condition of employment and a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). It is a requirement that all HCP to receive annual seasonal influenza vaccination or obtain an exemption for medical or religious reasons. Wearing a face mask is required when an exemption to the influenza vaccination has been granted. HCP in violation of this directive may face disciplinary action up to and including removal from federal service. HCP are individuals who, during the influenza season, work in VHA locations or who come into contact with VA patients or other HCP as part of their duties. VHA locations include, but are not limited to, VA hospitals and associated clinics, community living centers (CLCs), community-based outpatient clinics (CBOCs), domiciliary units, Vet centers and VA-leased medical facilities. HCP include all VA licensed and unlicensed, clinical and administrative, remote and onsite, paid and without compensation, full- and part-time employees, intermittent employees, fee basis employees, VA contractors, researchers, volunteers and health professions trainees (HPTs) who are expected to perform any or all of their work at these facilities. HPTs may be paid or unpaid and include residents, interns, fellows and students. HCP also includes VHA personnel providing home-based care to Veterans and drivers and other personnel whose duties put them in contact with patients outside VA medical facilities.