Summary
This position is located in the Research Safety and Animal Welfare (RSAW) Workgroup within the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Office of Research Oversight (ORO) and reports to the ORO Executive Director. The incumbent of this position is responsible for overall management, operations, and supervision of the RSAW Workgroup.
This job is open to
Clarification from the agency
* * * OPEN TO CURRENT/PERMANENT OFFICE OF RESEARCH OVERSIGHT (ORO) EMPLOYEES AND CTAP ELIGIBLE ONLY. * * * THIS IS NOT A REMOTE POSITION. THE INCUMBENT WILL BE REQUIRED TO WORK ON SITE 50% OF WORK SCHEDULE PER PAY PERIOD. * * *
Duties
Major Duties Include:
Supervising and providing management and subject matter leadership to Research Safety & Animal Welfare (RSAW) Workgroup professional staff to ensure the ORO mission, roles, and functions are fulfilled with regard to the integrity of research compliance, oversight, and assurance in VA research projects.
Providing oversight of the conduct of complex site reviews and investigations at VA medical facilities to evaluate for programmatic compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and policies governing the review, conduct, and oversight of VA laboratory and animal research.
Directing and managing the evaluation of highly technical and complex research study protocols for compliance with applicable Federal laws, regulations and policies governing research safety and animal welfare practices.
Overseeing and performing complex analyses of the requirements in, and intent of, laws, regulations, policies, and guidance pertaining to laboratory and animal research in order to ensure the validity of findings of noncompliance in frequently encountered situations where the requirements, or the applicability of the requirements, are vague or unclear.
Overseeing the process by which research facilities initiate written, systematic action plans to correct deficiencies and providing oversight of completion of these plans.· On behalf of the VA, collaborates and negotiates with other Federal departments and agencies on multi-jurisdictional research noncompliance matters, including identifying lead agency(ies) to conduct investigations into such matters.
Developing and implementing national (VHA-wide) policy and guidance to foster VA research program compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and policies governing the conduct of research.
Work Schedule: Monday- Friday, 8:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
Compressed/Flexible: Available
Telework: Available(applicant is required to report on site 50% of work schedule per pay period)
Virtual: The employee is required to work at a VA facility or other VA-leased space other than the facility that is hiring the employee and is authorized for telework up to 50%.
Remote: This is not a remote position.
Position Description/PD#: Supervisory Health Science Specialist /PD285940
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Approved
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
Financial Disclosure Report: Not Required
Requirements
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
- You may be required to serve a probationary period
- Subject to background/security investigation
- Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process
Qualifications
To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 07/08/2024.
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-15 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-14. 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 as described below:
Individual Occupational Requirement (IOR): An IOR is a basic requirement that must be met in order to qualify for entry into this job series, and it is something that can't be waived. The education must be accredited by an accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education at the time the degree was obtained. To qualify for the GS 0601 occupational series, applicants MUST possess the following:
- Bachelor's or graduate/higher level degree: major study in an academic field related to the medical field, health sciences or allied sciences appropriate to the work of the position. This degree must be from an educational program from an accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education(external link) at the time the degree was obtained. (TRANSCRIPTS REQUIRED)
AND
- Specialized Experience: In addition to the basic educational requirement listed above, you must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-14 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience must include at least one of the following: Developing and implementing policies applicable to research safety, laboratory security, and/or laboratory animal welfare across a research enterprise to ensure compliance with applicable regulations and institutional policies; and/or comprehensively directing all aspects of an animal welfare research program; and/or leading site reviews or a program to comprehensively evaluate research programs for compliance with regulations and policies pertaining to research safety, laboratory security, and/or laboratory animal welfare.
Quality Ranking Factors: A quality ranking factor (QRF) is a knowledge, skill, or ability (KSA) that could be expected to enhance performance in a position but is not essential for satisfactory performance and focus on the level of proficiency the applicant brings to the position. QRFs could be expected to result in superior performance on the job. Applicants who possess this QRF may be ranked above those who do not, but no applicant will be rated ineligible for failure to possess a QRF. The QRFs for this position are:
- An Advanced Degree (e.g., MS, PhD, or DVM) in a biological, biomedical, health science, veterinary medicine, or similar field.
- Experience directing the operations of an animal research facility and/or an employee health and safety program focused on personnel engaged in laboratory-based research.
- Experience leading animal welfare-focused evaluations and/or safety-focused evaluations and inspections of research programs.
- Experience leading and supervising a team, including establishing performance standards and evaluating performance.
You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position:
- Knowledge of the theories, principles, concepts, methodologies, and techniques of designing, conducting, and analyzing biomedical and/or clinical research.
- Knowledge of Federal laws, regulations and policy governing biological, chemical, and occupational safety in research.
- Knowledge of Federal laws, regulations, and policy governing animal research.
- Ability to plan, develop, and carry out vital programs in research compliance, oversight, and assurance related not only to specific problems, projects, programs, and functions, but also to systemic and programmatic functions at all levels of research compliance, oversight, and assurance throughout VHA.
- Leadership/Leadership Potential
- Analytical Capability
- Communication
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: The work is sedentary. Typically, the employee may sit comfortably to perform portions of the work. However, there is periodic walking, standing, bending, carrying of light items such as research records, instructional material, books, manuals, and laptop computer. No special physical demands are required to perform the work; however, travel forms a significant component of the program.
For more information on these qualification standards, please visit the United States Office of Personnel Management's website at https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/.
Education
A transcript must be submitted with your application.
Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.
Benefits
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Review our benefits
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
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.
Required Documents
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 use this checklist to 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. - Resume
- Separation Notice (RIF)
- 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
- 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.
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from
schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
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 07/08/2024 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12444035.
- 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. To verify your application is complete, log into your USA JOBS account, https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login, select the Application Status link and then select the more information link for this position. The Application page will display the status of your application, the documentation received and processed, and any correspondence the agency has sent related to this application. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process. To return to an incomplete application, log into your USA JOBS account and click Update Application in the vacancy announcement. You must re-select your resume and/or other documents from your USA JOBS account or your application will be incomplete.
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.
You may check the status of your application at any time by logging into your USA Jobs account and clicking on Applications. Information regarding your application status can be found in the USAJobs Help Center.
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.
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