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The Deputy Executive Director (DED) reports directly to the ORO Executive Director (ED), who by statute (38 U.S.C. § 7307), reports directly to the Under Secretary for Health. The DED holds extensive authority in accordance with broad direction from the ORO ED to develop, interpret, and enforce VA policy related to research compliance, subject only to review by the ORO ED, the Under Secretary for Health and the Office of General Counsel. The DED's authority includes development and execution of ORO's national program of oversight relative to compliance by VHA research facilities and programs with VA and other Federal requirements for the protection of human research subjects, laboratory animal welfare, research safety and security, research information security, and research misconduct. The DED's authority relates not only to specific problems, projects, programs, and functions, but also to systemic and programmatic functions at all levels of research compliance and assurance throughout VHA. These functions are essential to the missions of VA and VHA and affect many thousands of Veterans and VA employees on a continuing and long- term basis.

The DED Title 38 senior executive uses extensive leadership skills, communication skills, biomedical and/or health care knowledge, health care ethics expertise, and knowledge of VA and national health care policy to advise, support and collaborate with the senior executives in VHA. S/he implements and oversees programs, policies, and activities that are national in scope and that influence the overall organizational mission and strategy. S/he initiates, designs and completes high visibility national projects to advance VHA's goals.

The ORO DED reports directly to the ORO ED, and acts on behalf of the ED when the ED is on travel or leave or otherwise delegates the execution of particular decisions or actions to the DED, in support of the following functions:

• Advises the Under Secretary for Health (USH) on matters related to research compliance; exercises compliance oversight relative to Federal and VA requirements for the conduct of research; and holds authority to halt VA human subjects research activities where warranted.
• Advises the USH on research oversight and compliance related to human subject protections, laboratory animal welfare, research laboratory safety and security, research information security, and research misconduct.
• Develops, implements, and evaluates operational policies and procedures to assess VHA research facility and program office compliance with the laws, regulations, and policies governing the conduct of research in the areas described above.
• Develops procedures for investigating allegations of non-compliance with the laws, regulations, and policies governing research in the areas described above; reviews allegations of non-compliance; conducts routine and for-cause reviews and issues relevant findings; and develops requirements for remedial action as warranted.
• Oversees inquiries and investigations of alleged research misconduct.

Conditions of employment

• Must be a U.S. citizen
• Suitable for Federal employment, determined by a background investigation
• Designated and/or random drug testing may be required
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
• 4-Year 7306 appointment with potential for re-appointment (not guaranteed)
• Proficient in written and spoken English.

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 01/02/2025.

In order to qualify for this position you must meet the following:

BASIC REQUIREMENTS FOR HEALTH SCIENCE OFFICER:

• U.S. Citizen
• Successful completion of a master's degree or higher in course of study from an accredited college or university with a major study in an academic field related to healthcare such as Bioethics, Healthcare Ethics, Health Science, Psychology, Social Work, Nursing, or other healthcare related fields.

DEMONSTRATED LEADERSHIP EXPERIENCE:

Applicants must possess extensive leadership experience in the health care arena sufficient to qualify for the equivalent of a senior executive equivalent position within the Federal service. In addition, the incumbent is broadly acquainted with clinical treatment modalities, administrative and clinical support systems and is knowledgeable about multifaceted health care delivery systems.

In addition to basic requirements, the following technical and executive core qualifications are required for this position. Typically, these qualifications would be gained through education, experience and training which reflect progressive development and achievement in responsible management/executive level assignments in health care at a national or Network level, equivalent positions in a hospital/network/regional office or allied medical care facility, or executive positions in an academic institution. An individual's total experience and education must demonstrate the ability to perform the duties of the position. If you are currently a federal employee, this type of experience is typically found at positions at the GS-15 level and above.

To meet the minimum qualifications, applicants must possess all of the necessary requirements for this position, you MUST SHOW in your RESUME that you possess the five Mandatory Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs) and Technical Qualification(s) outlined below. Eligibility will be based on clear and concise accomplishments that emphasize your level of responsibilities, scope and complexity of programs managed, program accomplishments (with results), policy initiatives and level of contacts.

Applicants can obtain a sample resume along with additional information regarding the Executive Core Qualifications on the Internet at http://www.opm.gov/ses/recruitment/qualify.asp.

A. EXECUTIVE CORE QUALIFICATIONS:

• ECQ 1. LEADING CHANGE: Ability to bring about strategic change, both within and outside the organization, to meet organizational goals. Inherent to this ECQ is the ability to establish an organizational vision and to implement it in a continuously changing environment.
• ECQ 2. LEADING PEOPLE: Ability to lead people toward meeting the organization's vision, mission, and goals. Inherent to this ECQ is the ability to provide an inclusive workplace that fosters the development of others, facilitates cooperation and teamwork, and supports constructive resolution of conflicts.
• ECQ 3. RESULTS DRIVEN: Ability to meet organizational goals and customer expectations. Inherent to this ECQ is the ability to make decisions that produce high-quality results by applying technical knowledge, analyzing problems, and calculating risks.
• ECQ 4. BUSINESS ACUMEN: Ability to manage human, financial, and information resources strategically. Applicants may focus on resource management, with particular emphasis on financial management (budget).
• ECQ 5. BUILDING COALITIONS: Ability to build coalitions internally and with other Federal agencies, State and local governments, nonprofit and private sector organizations, foreign governments, or international organizations to achieve common goals. Applicants may demonstrate that they have external contacts as well as internal interactions.

B. TECHNICAL QUALIFICATIONS (TQ):

• Demonstrated leadership experience in administering and managing biomedical research programs and/or research oversight programs.

Preferred Experience:

- PhD in biomedical or behavioral research or related field.
- Experience designing, securing support for, conducting, and reporting the results of biomedical or clinical research as a principal investigator in a healthcare setting, academic institution, or Federal agency (NOT including conducting research to fulfill degree requirements).
- Experience developing and/or interpreting research-related laws, regulations, and policies at the institutional / enterprise level.

Physical Requirements: Most of the work performance is at a desk, in an office setting. The incumbent often carries books and papers to and from meetings and conferences. It is highly likely that the incumbent may have to travel between office buildings for meetings, which will involve going outside during various elements of weather.

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 is clear and specific. We will not make assumptions regarding your experience. Your resume and/or supporting documentation will be verified; errors or omissions may affect your rating or consideration for employment. Please follow all instructions carefully.

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.

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.

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.

VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority.