Clarification from the agency

Open to current, permanent VA employees.

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The ACOS R&D conducts long-term strategic planning and develops Research Service objectives (goals), priorities and timelines, and monitors the effectiveness of the interactive system and procedures necessary to advance the research program in accordance with all principles, rules and regulations affecting research within the VA. Operational elements under ACOS R&D oversight include but are not limited to:

• Research project/protocol administration and compliance functions of the Research Projects Division, and the R&D Committee and its sub-committees;
• Staffing, budget/purchasing, and VA intramural funding pre- and post-award administration functions of the Research Operations Division;
• Research safety, space allocation, and security functions of the Research Safety and Space Program; - animal husbandry, welfare, and veterinary care functions of the Veterinary Medical Unit;

Within these broad areas of operational responsibility, conducts program assessments and prepares reports necessary to apprise facility, VISN, or national leadership and the R&D Committee on the current status of the program. Identifies problems and negotiates corrective action concerning programmatic issues, basic administrative processes, and fiscal management concerns. The ACOS R&D has oversight of the resolution to any problems that may arise within the Research Service.

Mentors and assists research investigators in preparing scientific proposals for VA intramural as well as extramural funding, advising on design aspects as needed to ensure feasibility within VHA regulations governing research, data security, and privacy. Advises research investigators on scientific and professional matters relating to VA Intramural Merit Review, Career Development, Research Career Scientist, and other intramural funding opportunities. Provides guidance and assists investigators with their proposals and applications. The position encourages VA investigators to apply to appropriate intramural funding mechanisms as well as external granting agencies, consults with the investigators in the preparation of their proposals, and serves as a liaison to ORD as needed on behalf of VA investigators seeking funds. Post-award, reviews and assesses the need for project modifications and provides guidance to principal investigators on submission of modifications, and reviews annual Merit Award and CDA progress reports, and advises/consults with principal investigators as needed on such reports.

Develops and/or reviews and approves policies and procedures for administration of the organization's research program. Develops Research Service objectives (goals), priorities and timelines. Approves research program development initiatives and collaborates with researchers, organizations, and universities to develop research projects that support VASDHS and VHA mission and objectives, and in doing this, strategically shapes the future of the VASDHS Research Program.

Participates in public speaking engagements related to research and development, meetings, and events. The position establishes and maintains good relations with various professional research groups, research organizations, accrediting agencies, volunteer worker groups, research news media, and the research community at large, as well as personal contacts with patients, human subjects, visitors, and individuals in the community. The position ensures effective integration of efforts/activities with other medical center operations, the overall national Research Enterprise of ORD, other federal agencies, and with community-based research agencies and activities. These involve local and state officials, community-based research groups, and health care scientists and providers, as well as research representatives of affiliated medical schools. The ACOS/R&D serves as the Facility Director's designated official for signing of all Confidential Disclosure Agreements and Material Transfer Agreements.

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00am - 4:30pm
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 000000
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Authorized for a highly qualified applicant relocating to the San Diego, CA commuting area.
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): May be Authorized for a highly qualified applicant relocating to the San Diego, CA commuting area.
Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job.
• All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA.
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
• Must be proficient in written and spoken English.
• 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.
• Must pass pre-employment physical examination.
• 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

Basic Requirements:

• United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.
• Licensure. Applicants must hold a full, current, and unrestricted license to practice psychology at the doctoral level in a State, Territory, or Commonwealth of the United States, or the District of Columbia. [Exception: Non-licensed applicants who otherwise meet the eligibility requirements may be given a temporary appointment as a "graduate psychologist" at the GS-11 or GS-12 grade under 38 U.S.C. 7405(c)(2)(B) not to exceed 2 years from date of employment on the condition that such a psychologist provide care only under the supervision of a psychologist who is licensed].
• Education. Applicant must have a doctoral degree in psychology from a graduate program in psychology accredited by the American Psychological Association (APA), the Psychological Clinical Science Accreditation System (PCSAS), or the Canadian Psychological Association (CPA) at the time the program was completed. The specialty area of the degree must be consistent with the assignment for which the applicants are to be employed. For the purpose of meeting this requirement, the term "specialty area" refers to the specific specialty areas recognized by the accrediting body and not to specific job duties that might require special skills. Currently, APA accredits doctoral programs in the specialty areas of clinical psychology, counseling psychology, school psychology, or combinations of two or more of those areas. PCSAS accredits doctoral programs in psychological clinical science. CPA accredits doctoral programs in clinical psychology, counseling psychology, clinical neuropsychology, and school psychology; OR Have a doctoral degree in any area of psychology and, in addition, successfully complete a re-specialization program (including documentation of an approved internship completed as part of the re-specialization program) meeting both of the following conditions:

The re-specialization program must be completed in an APA or a CPA accredited doctoral program; and

• The specialty in which the applicant is retrained must be consistent with the assignment for which the applicant is to be employed. OR
• Have a doctoral degree awarded between 1951 and 1978 from a regionally-accredited institution, with a dissertation primarily psychological in nature.

AND

• Internships. Applicants must have successfully completed a professional psychology internship training program that was accredited by APA or CPA at the time the program was completed and that is consistent with the assignment for which the applicant is to be employed OR
• New VHA psychology internship programs that are in the process of applying for APA accreditation are acceptable in fulfillment of the internship requirement, provided that such programs were sanctioned by the VHA Central Office Program Director for Psychology and the VHA Office of Academic Affiliations at the time that the individual was an intern OR
• VHA facilities that offered full-time, one-year pre-doctoral internships prior to PL 96-151 (pre-1979) are considered to be acceptable in fulfillment of the internship requirement OR
• Applicants who completed an internship that was not accredited by APA or CPA at the time the program was completed may be considered eligible for hire only if they are currently board certified by the American Board of Professional Psychology in a specialty area that is consistent with the assignment for which the applicant is to be employed OR
• Applicants who have a doctoral degree awarded between 1951 and 1978 from a regionally-accredited institution with a dissertation primarily psychological in nature may fulfill this internship requirement by having the equivalent of a one-year supervised internship experience in a site specifically acceptable to the candidate's doctoral program. If the internship experience is not noted on the applicant's official transcript, the applicant must provide a statement from the doctoral program verifying that the equivalent of a one-year supervised internship experience was completed in a site acceptable to the doctoral program.

Grade Determinations:

GS-15 Experience: At least four years of experience as a professional psychologist, with at least one year equivalent to the GS-14 level. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:

1. Ability to supervise and manage a large group of professional staff effectively.
2. Skill in interpersonal relationships, including conflict resolution and ability to work collaboratively with supervisors from other units.
3. Ability to accurately apply the qualification standards, assesses the potential of current and prospective employees, and promotes their professional development.
4. Ability to develop appropriate productivity standards for professional staff, often across multiple program lines.
5. Knowledge of the goals and objectives of the medical center and VISN and ability to communicate these to subordinates.

References: VA Handbook 5005/103, Part II, Appendix G18, Psychologist Qualification Standard GS-180 Veterans Health Administration.

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-15.

Physical Requirements: The position requires occasional, standing, crouching, carrying, stooping, kneeling, pushing and pulling less than 25 pounds. There may be frequent reaching and walking. As this is a sedentary position, it may require sitting for long periods. The incumbent will frequently communicate with staff and customers online, in person and through emails.

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, resume, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for 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; 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.

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.

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.