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Health Science Specialist

Department of Veterans Affairs
Veterans Health Administration
This job announcement has closed

Summary

This position is located at the West Haven Cooperative Studies Program Coordinating Center (WH-CSPCC) at the VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, CT.

Overview

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Job canceled
Open & closing dates
06/03/2022 to 06/09/2022
Salary
$63,609 to - $100,044 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 9 - 11
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
West Haven, CT
1 vacancy
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Travel Required
Occasional travel - You may be expected to travel for this position.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
11
Job family (Series)
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Other
Drug test
No
Announcement number
CARZ-11520458-22-FG
Control number
657868300

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Duties

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***THIS IS NOT A VIRTUAL POSITION, YOU MUST LIVE WITHIN OR BE WILLING TO RELOCATE WITHIN A COMMUTABLE DISTANCE OF THE DUTY LOCATION***

This position involves a multi-grade career ladder. The major duties listed below represent the full performance level of GS-11. At the GS-9 grade level, the employee performs assignments of a more limited scope and with less independence. You will progressively acquire the background necessary to perform at the full performance level of GS-11. Promotion is at the discretion of the supervisor and is contingent upon satisfactory performance, availability of higher level work, and availability of funds.

Major Duties:
Study Coordination: 20%

  • Prepare Study Operations Manual (SOM) for an assigned study
  • Serve as the day-to-day primary liaison and coordinator for study communication, information sharing and dissemination between Study Chair/Co-Chair office(s)
  • Facilitate, participate and coordinate data quality site visits
  • Assist in writing and preparing study progress reports, study newsletters, etc.
Data Management: 60%
  • Collaborate with Study Biostatistician, Study Chair/Co-Chairs, clinical investigators, consultants in development of case report forms
  • Manage routine and special data processing activities
  • Serve as primary person responsible for internal quality control and monitoring study data
  • Assist in development and implementation of computer programs for the retrieval, review and analysis of data
  • Implements planned data analysis and report generation, as needed
Study Administration: 20%
  • Develop and present data management practices and data quality procedures
  • Assist in preparing meeting agendas and minutes
  • Train and mentor new or junior staff regarding CSP SOP's, etc.
  • Develop, review, and updates Center-specific Work Instructions (WI's)

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday - 8:00AM - 4:30PM

Recruitment & Relocation Incentives: Not authorized

Telework: VA supports the use of telework as a way to help attract and retain talented individuals in public service, increase worker productivity, and better prepare the agency to operate during emergencies. This position may be authorized for telework. Telework eligibility will be discussed during the interview process.

Financial Disclosure Report: Not Required

Requirements

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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
  • Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP)
  • Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details.

Qualifications

There is a Basic Education Requirement for this position - Please refer to the Qualifications section of this vacancy announcement for detailed information. NOTE: Transcripts (unofficial or official) must be submitted with your application materials. Education cannot be credited without documentation.

PLUS
For this Health Science Specialist - GS-9 position
At this grade level you will serve in a developmental capacity as a Health Science Specialist, and the functions will be similar to those at the full performance level of this position. However, during the developmental assignment, full performance range and level of selected functions will not be completely delegated until orientation and training has been completed, and you demonstrate the knowledge, skills and abilities necessary to accomplish the work at the full performance level. The supervisor will provide instructions and/or training in performance of assigned duties. The advancement to the full performance level will be recommended only after it has been determined that you meet all regulatory and statutory requirements.

EXPERIENCE: Possess at least one (1) full year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level (GS-7) in the Federal service that has given me the particular knowledge, skills and abilities required to successfully perform the duties of a Health Science Specialist, and that is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled. Specialized experience includes assisting in monitoring the performance of the study participating medical centers; assists in the development of case report forms, assists in developing and presenting data management practices and data quality procedures; assists the study team in the preparation of materials. At this level, work may have been performed under direct supervision. NOTE: Experience must be fully documented on your resume and must include job title, duties, month and year start/end dates AND hours worked per week. 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.
OR
EDUCATION SUBSTITUTION:
Possess successfully completed two (2) years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a master's degree or master's or equivalent graduate degree that provided the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of the Health Science Specialist position. NOTE: Transcripts (unofficial or official) must be submitted with your application materials. Education cannot be credited without documentation.
OR
COMBINATION OF EDUCATION SUBSTITUTION AND EXPERIENCE.
Possess the appropriate combination of successfully completed graduate level education (beyond the first year) and specialized experience, as described above, which may be used to meet total experience requirements for this grade level. The education portion must include graduate courses that provided the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of the Health Science Specialist position. NOTE: Transcripts (unofficial or official) must be submitted with your application materials. Education cannot be credited without documentation.

For this Health Science Specialist - GS-11 position:
EXPERIENCE: Possess at least one (1) full year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level (GS-9) in the Federal service that has given me the particular knowledge, skills and abilities required to successfully perform the duties of a Health Science Specialist, and that is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled. Specialized experience includes independently monitoring the performance of the study participating medical centers, participates in ongoing meetings and communications with fellow research coordinators, develops, reviews, and updates Center-specific Work Instructions related to study administration and data management, develops and presents data management practices and data quality procedures to study participating medical center personnel and serves as the day-to-day primary liaison and coordinator for study communication, information sharing and dissemination between the Study Chair/ Co-Chairs office(s), clinical investigators, study site personnel and Coordinating Center staff. NOTE: Experience must be fully documented on your resume and must include job title, duties, month and year start/end dates AND hours worked per week. 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.
OR
EDUCATION SUBSTITUTION:

Possess successfully completed three (3) years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree or Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree that provided the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of the Supervisory Health Science Health Science position. NOTE: Transcripts (unofficial or official) must be submitted with your application materials. Education cannot be credited without documentation.
OR
COMBINATION OF EDUCATION SUBSTITUTION AND EXPERIENCE:
Possess the appropriate combination of successfully completed graduate level education (beyond the second year) and specialized experience, as described above, which may be used to meet total experience requirements for this grade level. The education portion must include graduate courses that provided the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of the Health Science Specialist position. 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 as part of the assessment questionnaire for this position:

  • Analysis and Problem Solving
  • Computer Skills
  • Customer Service
  • Data Management
  • Research
  • Teamwork


IMPORTANT: A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. All experience listed on your resume must include the month and year start/end dates. 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.

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, 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.

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


IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.

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: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html.

Additional information

Physical Requirements: The work is primarily sedentary (sitting at desk/computer), although some slight physical effort may be required. Driving off station or official travel orders may be required occasionally to attend meetings, receive training to maintain knowledge, perform data quality checks, and to participate int he training of study personnel. The work is performed in an office or similar setting involving everyday risks or discomforts which require normal safety precautions. The work area is adequately lighted, heated and ventilated.

Receiving Service Credit for Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed.

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. For more information on how to apply using this appointment authority via the Selective Placement Coordinator within the office, contact the facility Human Resources Department at (203) 932-5711.

The Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) and Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) provide eligible displaced Federal competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. To be qualified you must submit appropriate documentation and be found well-qualified (have a final rating of 85 or more before any Veterans preference points) for this vacancy. 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/.

This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.

Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process.

If you are unable to apply online or need to fax a document you do not have in electronic form, view the following link for information regarding an Alternate Application.

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. If your resume does not support your questionnaire answers, we will not allow credit for your response(s).

Your responses to the assessment questionnaire will be reviewed along with the information provided in your resume and supporting documentation to determine if you are qualified for the position. If, after reviewing your resume and/or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications and or experience, your rating may be lowered and/or you may lose consideration for this position. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your eligibility.

Candidates who apply under All U.S. Citizens announcements will be rated and ranked using Category Rating procedures. Qualified candidates will be assigned to a quality category. The categories are defined as follows:

  • Best qualified - applicants possessing experience that substantially exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors, and who are highly proficient in all requirements of the job and can perform effectively in the position;
  • Highly qualified - applicants possessing experience that exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors, and who are proficient in most of the requirements of the job;
  • Well qualified - applicants possessing experience that meets the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors, and who are proficient in some, but not all, of the requirements of the job; and
  • Qualified - applicants possessing experience and/or education that meets the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors.
Application of Veterans' Preference: Category rating and selection procedures place those with veteran's preference above non-preference eligibles within each category. Preference eligible applicants that meet the eligibility and qualification requirements and who have a compensable service-connected disability of at least 10 percent are listed in the highest quality category (except when the position being filled is scientific or professional at the GS-09 grade level or higher).

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.

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