Clarification from the agency

This position is open to current permanent employees of the Martinsburg VA Medical center, Department of Veterans Affairs, and those who are CTAP eligible.

Major Duties:

• Under the specific guidance or direction of the licensed Psychologist, the incumbent independently administers and scores neuropsychological assessment instruments, including (but not limited to) complex standardized tests of intelligence (e.g., Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale), academic achievement (e.g., Wechsler Individual Achievement Test, Wide Range Achievement Test), attention (Conner's Continuous Performance Test), memory (e.g., Wechsler Memory Scale, California Verbal Learning Test, Hopkins Verbal Learning Test, Brief Visuospatial Memory Test), speech-language functions (e.g., Boston Naming Test, Controlled Oral Word Association Test), visuospatial/constructional skills (e.g., Rey Complex Figure Test), executive functions (e.g., Wisconsin Card Sorting Test, Delis-Kaplan Executive Function System), and validity measures (e.g., TOMM), as well as cognitive screening tools (e.g., Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status, Montreal Cognitive Assessment) and extended batteries designed to assess neuropsychological abilities and functional abilities.
• Familiarity and understanding of appropriate normative data to use in scoring the above tests, including to instrument based and research based normative databases and computer-based scoring programs. Incumbent must have knowledge of scoring procedures and programs, as well as typical standard scores used (e.g., T scores, Z scores, scaled scores).
• Under the specific guidance or direction of the licensed Psychologist, an incumbent may independently administer and score assessment measures for purposes of assessment of emotional status, personality, and/or functional capability, including (but not limited to) complex measures such as the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory, Personality Assessment Inventory, Behavioral Rating Inventory of Executive Functions, Geriatric Depression Scale, and Beck Depression Inventory.
• Provides services to a subset of patients who exhibit complex diagnoses, such as patients with severe neurological disorders, including Traumatic Brain Injuries, Vascular Dementias, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, Seizure Disorders, Multiple Sclerosis, stroke, neurosyphilis, aphasia, and severe mental health conditions, such as Bipolar Disorder, Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, Alcohol Dependence, and other conditions.
• Operates equipment such as computers, tape recorders, or other specialized assessment equipment. Uses computers for purposes of data entry, scoring, and analysis for program evaluation purposes.
• Maintains an organized filing system of patient data in accordance with VA, Station, Service, and Clinic procedural regulations and ethical principles.
• Maintains a current and complete stock of assessment materials.
• Participates in quality assurance and improvement activities of the Neuropsychology Department, Mental Health Service, and Station as necessary.
• Performs all other duties as assigned.

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00am - 4:30pm
Telework: Telework eligibility will be discussed during the interview process.
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Position Description/PD#: Psychology Technician/PD21001O
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Approved
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
• 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 dentification 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)

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary 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; and
• whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.

Upon completion of your probationary period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 03/05/2026.

Time-In-Grade Requirement: Applicants who are current Federal employees and have held a GS grade any time in the past 52 weeks must also meet time-in-grade requirements by the closing date of this announcement. For a GS-9 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-8. The grade may have been in any occupation, but must have been held in the Federal service. An SF-50 that shows your time-in-grade eligibility must be submitted with your application materials. If the most recent SF-50 has an effective date within the past year, it may not clearly demonstrate you possess one-year time-in-grade, as required by the announcement. In this instance, you must provide an additional SF-50 that clearly demonstrates one-year time-in-grade. Note: Time-In-Grade requirements also apply to former Federal employees applying for reinstatement as well as current employees applying for Veterans Employment Opportunities Act of 1998 (VEOA) appointment.

You may qualify based on your experience and/or education as described below:

Basic Education Requirement:
You must possess a bachelor's degree (or higher) from an accredited college or university with a major in an appropriate social or biological science, which included or was supplemented by 12 semester hours in psychology.

AND

GS-9 Psychology Technician Grade Requirements:

Specialized Experience: Must possess at least two (2) full years of technical work under the direction of a professional psychologist in a program of professional services, training or research. At least six (6) months of such experience must be comparable in difficulty and responsibility to the next lower grade (GS-8) in the Federal service, or one (1) year comparable to the second lower grade (GS-7) in the Federal service.Examples of specialized experience include: Preparing subjects for research procedures; conducting structured interviews and administering standard tests of intelligence and achievement; collecting and maintaining statistical data relating to consultation service and other activities for purposes of timely preparation of required work; making diagnostic decisions about psychological conditions in a research context.

• Technical experience may include one or more of the following: (1) Assisting in research as in systematic collection of psychology research data, recording and collecting data, preparing tabular or graphic presentation of data, in accordance with a predetermined research plan; (2) Assisting counseling psychologists in contacting potential employers for the purpose of making vocational placement, providing follow-up consultation, administering and scoring of interest, achievement and aptitude tests, securing work history and other relevant vocational information; (3) Assisting neuropsychologists in administering and scoring of selected tests of neuropsychology battery in accordance with clearly defined procedures; or (4) Assisting psychologists in completing behavior rating scales or in conducting behavior modification.

OR,

Substitution of Education for Experience: Successfully completed two (2) full years of graduate study in psychology in an accredited college or university may be substituted for one year of experience and meets in full the requirements at the GS-9 level. NOTE: Transcripts (unofficial or official) must be submitted with your application materials. Education cannot be credited without documentation.

You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position:

• Communication
• Manages and Organizes Information
• Psychological Assessment
• Psychology

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.

Note: A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. Part-time experience will be credited on the basis of time actually spent in appropriate activities. Applicants wishing to receive credit for such experience must indicate clearly the nature of their duties and responsibilities in each position and the number of hours a week spent in such employment.

Physical Requirements: Applicants must be physically and mentally able to efficiently perform the essential function of the position without hazard to themselves or others. Depending on the essential duties of a specific position, usable vision, color vision, hearing or speech may be required. However, in most cases, a specific physical condition or impairment will not automatically disqualify an applicant for appointment. The loss or impairment of a specific function may be compensated for by the satisfactory use of a prothesis or mechanical aid. Reasonable accommodation may also be considered in determining an applicant's ability to perform the duties of a position. Reasonable accommodation may include but is not limited to: the use of assistive devices, job modification or restructuring, provision of readers and interpreters, or adjusted work schedules.

For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.

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.

Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.

To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:

• Resume
• SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action
• Transcript

The following documents are accepted, and may be required if applicable to your eligibility and/or qualifications for this position. Please make sure you have included other documents required for your application, such as a copy of your transcript (if using education to qualify), SF-50's (current/former Federal employees), documentation to support Veterans Preference claims, or ICTAP/CTAP documentation (for displaced Federal employees). You will not be contacted for additional information.

• Cover Letter
• DD-214/ Statement of Service
• Disability Letter (VA)
• Resume
• Separation Notice (RIF)
• SF-15
• SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action
• Transcript

SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action (if applicable for Time in Grade and/or Eligibility):

• Most recent SF-50 if you are a current or former Federal employee
• AND
• An SF-50 showing your time-in-grade eligibility must be submitted with your application materials. If the most recent SF-50 has an effective date within the past year, it may not clearly demonstrate you possess one-year time-in-grade, as required by the announcement. In this instance, you must provide an additional SF-50 that clearly demonstrates one-year time-in-grade
• Award 50's do not provide sufficient information and will not be accepted for the purpose of verifying time-in-grade.
• Examples of appropriate SF-50's include:
  • Within grade increases at the highest grade held; or
  • Promotions with an effective date more than one year old; or
  • SF-50's at the highest grade held with an effective date more than one year old.

Veterans' Preference: When applying for Federal Jobs, eligible Veterans should claim preference for 5pt (TP), 10pt (CP/CPS/XP), or for Sole Survivor Preference (SSP) in the questionnaire. You must provide a legible copy of your DD214(s) which shows dates and character of service (honorable, general, etc.). If you are currently serving on active duty and expect to be released or discharged within 120 days you must submit documentation related to your active duty service which reflects the dates of service, character of service (honorable, general, etc.), and dates of impending separation. Additionally, disabled veterans and others eligible for 10-point preference (such as widows or mothers of eligible Veterans) must also submit an SF-15 "Application for 10 Point Veteran Preference" with required proof as stated on the form. Documentation is required to award preference. For more information on Veterans' Preference, please visit Feds Hire Vets - Veterans - Job Seekers - Veterans' Preference.

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