The National Institutes of Health (NIH), a part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, is the largest biomedical research funding organization in the world. NIH is made up of 27 Institutes and Centers (ICs).
The Office of the Director (OD), in the NIH, is seeking exceptional candidates for the position of Director, NIH Ethics Office (NEO). This is a career Federal position in the Senior Executive Service. See "Duties" section for a list of the major responsibilities.
Summary
The National Institutes of Health (NIH), a part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, is the largest biomedical research funding organization in the world. NIH is made up of 27 Institutes and Centers (ICs).
The Office of the Director (OD), in the NIH, is seeking exceptional candidates for the position of Director, NIH Ethics Office (NEO). This is a career Federal position in the Senior Executive Service. See "Duties" section for a list of the major responsibilities.
Applications will be accepted from all qualified current Federal civil service employees. Current SES employees, SES reinstatement eligibles outside the civil service, and SES CDP graduates must apply to be considered for this position.
This position offers a unique and exciting opportunity to serve as a key member of the OD leadership team.
Reports to the NIH Principal Deputy Director, and is the senior advisor to the NIH Deputy Director of Management, who serves as the Deputy Ethics Counselor (DEC) for the NIH.
Provides agency-wide advisory services related to development/administration of NIH policies for implementing government and Departmental supplemental standards of ethical conduct, conflict of interest, and financial disclosure statutes/regulations.
Oversees and provides strategic direction of NIH activities relating to ethics laws and policies, oversight, risk management, and operational activities.
Participates in overseeing a rigorous program of quality control and risk management, including assessing the effectiveness of conflict of interest operations and the application of delegated authority to the 27 ICs and Office of the Director, NIH.
Provides briefings on politically sensitive issues and the analysis of such issues with potential solutions.
Ensures NIH activities instill the highest level of confidence from the public, Congressional staff, and other agencies.
Maintains effective system to identify staff subject to financial disclosure reqmts and review/track staff activities regarding outside activities/prohibited financial interests/ethics training/outside awards/gift acceptance, and other ethics issues.
Participates in managing and overseeing the development and execution of NIH policies, plans, and implementation strategies consistent with the NIH mission and Departmental and Presidential/White House initiatives.
Provides strategic advice on handling policy-sensitive issues and oversees the release of information for highly visible and publicized studies, projects, and events that receive intense scrutiny by the public, the media, and Congress.
Conducts outreach activities within the NIH community, the public, and targeted audiences that are directly affected by or interested in NIH ethics activities.
Provides recommendations on controversial or unprecedented matters, and carries out necessary negotiations with NIH ICs and outside organizations as appropriate.
Directs a staff of 35 FTEs and an approximate annual budget of $6.36M.
Position is subject to a background investigation.
This position requires completion of a public financial disclosure report.
Qualifications
Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution. Candidates will not be hired based on their race, sex, color, religion, or national origin.
To meet the minimum qualification requirements for this position, you must show that you possess the Executive Core Qualifications (ECQ) and Technical Qualifications (TQ) related to this position within your resume - NOT TO EXCEED 2 PAGES. Resumes over the 2-page limit, will not be reviewed beyond page 2 or may be disqualified. Your resume should include examples of experience, education, and accomplishments applicable to the qualification(s). If your resume does not reflect demonstrated evidence of these qualifications, you may not receive consideration for the position.
There is NO requirement to prepare a narrative statement specifically addressing the Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs) or the Technical Qualifications (TQs).
TECHNICAL QUALIFICATIONS (TQs): Your resume should demonstrate accomplishments that would satisfy the technical qualifications.
TQ 1: Executive-level experience providing leadership and supervision at all levels to develop, implement, and drive results with governmental ethics policies and procedures for a large, complex research organization, including training, policy development, and agency review functions that drive organizational transformation and compliance.
TQ 2: Extensive experience building coalitions through communicating complex agency matters clearly and concisely to diverse internal and external stakeholders, including top-level executive leadership.
EXECUTIVE CORE QUALIFICATIONS (ECQs):
In addition to the Technical Qualification requirements listed above, all new entrants into the Senior Executive Service (SES) under a career appointment will be assessed for executive competency against the following five mandatory ECQs. If your 2-page resume does not reflect demonstrated evidence of the ECQs and TQs, you may not receive further consideration for the position.
There are five ECQs:
ECQ 1: Commitment to the Rule of Law and the Principles of the American Founding - This core qualification requires a demonstrated knowledge of the American system of government, commitment to uphold the Constitution and the rule of law, and commitment to serve the American people.
ECQ 2: Driving Efficiency - This core qualification involves the demonstrated ability to strategically and efficiently manage resources, budget effectively, cut wasteful spending, and pursue efficiency through process and technological upgrades.
ECQ 3: Merit and Competence - This core qualification involves the demonstrated knowledge, ability and technical competence to effectively and reliably produce work that is of exceptional quality.
ECQ 4: Leading People - This core qualification involves the demonstrated ability to lead and inspire a group toward meeting the organization's vision, mission, and goals, and to drive a high-performance, high-accountability culture. This includes, when necessary, the ability to lead people through change and to hold individuals accountable.
ECQ 5: Achieving Results - This core qualification involves the demonstrated ability to achieve both individual and organizational results, and to align results to stated goals from superiors.
Note: If you are a member of the SES or have been certified through successful participation in an OPM approved SES Candidate Development Program (SESCDP), or have SES reinstatement eligibility, you do not need to respond to the ECQs. Instead, you should attach proof (e.g., SF-50, Certification by OPM's SES Qualifications Review Board (QRB)) of your eligibility for noncompetitive appointment to the SES.
Please DO NOT submit separate documents addressing the ECQs or TQs.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:
The Office of the Director, NIH seeks candidates who have a commitment to excellence and the energy, enthusiasm, and innovative thinking necessary to lead a dynamic and diverse organization.
All competitive candidates for SES positions with the Federal Government must demonstrate leadership experience indicative of senior executive level management capability. Applicants must meet the requirements for the GS-301 series as defined by the U.S. Office of Personnel Management Qualifications Standards Manual for General Schedule Positions which is available at: OPM Qualifications Standards GS-301 Website under Administrative and Management Positions and demonstrate in your two (2) page resume that you possess the Technical Qualifications (TQs) listed above. It is recommended that your resume emphasize levels of responsibility, scope and complexity of programs managed, and program accomplishments and results.
Candidates must possess experience at the senior level (GS-14/15 level or equivalent) in the job-specific Technical Qualifications (TQs). The TQs measure the technical expertise required by this position and must be addressed within your 2-page resume. It is recommended that corresponding TQs be annotated in parenthesis within your 2-page resume.
Political, Schedule C, Non-career SES Appointee*: In the last five years, based on the closing date of this announcement, have you been or are you currently an employee in the Executive Branch serving on a political, Schedule C, or Non-career SES appointment? If yes, and you are selected through this vacancy announcement, you may be required to obtain approval by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) prior to beginning employment. (Please confirm whether or not you have this experience within your 2-page resume)
*A political appointee is an appointment made by the President without confirmation by the Senate (5 CFR 213.3102(c)) OR an Assistant position to a top-level Federal official if filled by a person designated by the President as a White House Fellow (5 CFR 213.3102(z)). A Non-career SES appointee is approved by the White House and serves at the pleasure of the appointing official without time limitations. A Schedule C appointee occupies a position excepted from the competitive service by the President, or by the Director, OPM, because of the confidential or policy-determining nature of the position duties.
NOTE: IF SELECTED, a Structured Interview will be used to certify the candidate by an OPM Qualifications Review Board (QRB). If you are currently serving in a career SES appointment, are eligible for reinstatement into the SES, or have successfully completed an SES Candidate Development Program approved by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), you WILL NOT need to participate in a Structured Interview.
Education
This job does not have an education qualification requirement.
Additional information
NIH is located in Bethesda, MD; our campus is adjacent to downtown Bethesda, MD, at the Medical Center Metro station, and close to shops, walking trails, and restaurants.
Travel and Transportation expenses may be authorized in accordance with applicable Federal Travel Regulations governing the relocation of current Federal employees and new appointees.
HHS has a critical preparedness and response mission: HHS protects the American people from health threats, researches emerging diseases, and mobilizes public health programs with domestic and international partners. In support of this mission, HHS offers its employees the opportunity to volunteer to become Federal Civilian Detailees and contribute their unique skills through voluntary temporary assignments to humanitarian emergencies or Departmental priorities countering new and emerging health, safety, and security threats.
Standards of Conduct/Financial Disclosure: The National Institutes of Health inspires public confidence in our science by maintaining high ethical principles. NIH employees are subject to Federal government-wide regulations and statutes as well as agency-specific regulations described at the NIH Ethics website. We encourage you to review this information. The Ethics in Government Act, PL 95-521, also requires the applicant selected for this position to submit a Public Financial Disclosure Report, OGE-278, prior to assuming the SES position, annually, and upon termination of employment.
Financial Suitability: It is the policy of the government not to deny employment simply because an individual has been unemployed or has had financial difficulties that have arisen through no fault of the individual. Information about an individual's employment experience will be used only to determine the person's qualifications and to assess his or her relative level of knowledge, skills, and abilities. Although an individual's personal conduct may be relevant in any employment decision, including conduct during periods of unemployment or evidence of dishonesty in handling financial matters, financial difficulty that has arisen through no fault of the individual will generally not itself be the basis of an unfavorable suitability or fitness determination.
If you are a hearing impaired individual seeking assistance with the application process, you may contact the Human Resources Specialist listed in this announcement by phoning a relay operator at 711. For additional information see Maryland Relay.
Reasonable Accommodation Policy Statement: Federal agencies must provide reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities where appropriate. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process should contact the hiring agency directly, by emailing: EEOSC.Accommdations@hhs.gov Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis.
Selective Service: As a condition of employment, all male applicants born after December 31, 1959, must have registered for the selective service. If selected for this position, the applicant must sign a statement certifying his registration, or the applicant must demonstrate exempt status under the Selective Service Law.
Veteran's Preference: Does not apply to the SES.
Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.
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.
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.
We use a multi-step process to evaluate and refer applicants:
Minimum requirements: Your application must show that you meet all requirements, including the education and/or experience required for this position. You may be found 'not qualified' if you do not possess the minimum competencies required for the position. If your application is incomplete, we may rate you as ineligible.
Rating: A panel of Senior Executives will review your application and evaluate your qualification for this position based on the information in your application. Your application will be rated, based on the extent and quality of your experience, education, and training relevant to the duties of this position. Interviews will be at the discretion of the panel and/or selection official.
Referral: If you are among the top qualified candidates, your application will be referred to a selection official for consideration and possible interview.
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.
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.
To receive full consideration, each applicant must submit the MANDATORY documents in the format as designated.
Packages that do not include all of the required documents or meet format and length requirements will not be forwarded for consideration.
Document Formatting: Documents you submit must use a 12-point font with 1-inch margins, single-spaced. All documents (including the SF-50) MUST be submitted as PDF.
(Mandatory) RESUME: Two (2) page resume that contains your full name and contact information. Your resume should not exceed the two (2) page limit. Your application must describe your job-related qualifications pertinent to this position along with the dates (month/year) you performed these duties and job titles (include series and grade if a Federal job). The announcement number must be entered on the first page of your application. Separate TQ or ECQ narratives will not be accepted or considered. It is recommended that the corresponding TQs be annotated in parenthesis within your two (2) page resume.
(Mandatory) REFERENCES: Submit 4-5 professional references. Your provided references should include the following information: Current and/or former supervisor and a colleague. Include their title/organization, email addresses, and phone numbers where they can be reached. NOTE: By providing your references, you are granting permission for the search committee to contact and conduct references. References will be contacted at the discretion of the search committee. Off-list references may be contacted (references not provided on your list). Only references of referred candidates will be contacted.
(Mandatory, if applicable) Current civil service employees must submit a copy of their most recent (current calendar year) Notification of Personnel Action (SF-50) showing their position, title, series, grade, current salary, and eligibility. Please do not submit an award SF-50.
(Mandatory, if applicable) Current SES employees must submit a copy of your appointment SF-50 and your most recent (current calendar year) SF-50 showing your position, title, series, grade, current salary, and eligibility. Please do not submit an award SF-50.
(Mandatory, if applicable) Former SES employees with reinstatement eligibility must submit a copy of your last Notification of Personnel Action (SF-50), which clearly shows your position, title, series, grade, and eligibility. Please do not submit an award SF-50.
(Mandatory, if applicable) SES Candidate Development Program Graduates whose ECQs have been approved by OPM, must submit your certificate/documentation indicating OPM approval.
Failure to provide all the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may remove you from consideration.
NOTES: Please do not submit unsolicited material such as publications, personal endorsements, performance appraisals, award certificates, proof of Veterans' Preference, etc., as these items will not be included in the rating process and will be discarded. (Veterans' Preference does not apply to positions in the Senior Executive Service). All application materials are subject to the provisions of the DHHS Privacy Act and become the property of the Department of Health and Human Services. Any additional information needed will be requested prior to appointment.
FAXED APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.
This announcement is located on the NIH Home Page under "Executive Careers." Additional information regarding the NIH may be found at the NIH website.
NOTE: Failure to comply with the required application procedures may result in non-consideration of your application.
Applicants must submit application materials ELECTRONICALLY by 11:59 p.m. (ET) on the closing date of the announcement to the following email address: seniorre4@mail.nih.gov
National Institutes of Health
6701 Rockledge Drive
Bethesda, MD 20892
US
Next steps
See "How You Will Be Evaluated"
You will receive an email confirming receipt of your application. Applicants who are determined to be highly qualified by the Search Committee will be referred to the selecting official for further consideration and possible interview, at which time you will be contacted. All applicants will be notified of the outcome of their applications once a final selection is made.
Due to current hiring restrictions in place, selections will need DHHS approval before a final offer may be extended. Updates will be provided to help keep you informed throughout the process.
A one-year probationary period must be served by the individual selected if not currently or previously in the career Senior Executive Service.
Additional selections may be made for similar positions across the DHHS within the local commuting area(s) of the location identified in this announcement. By applying, you agree to have your application shared with interested selecting official(s) at DHHS. However, applicants are strongly encouraged to apply directly to the vacancy of interest and not rely on this possibility as a means of securing employment.
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
To receive full consideration, each applicant must submit the MANDATORY documents in the format as designated.
Packages that do not include all of the required documents or meet format and length requirements will not be forwarded for consideration.
Document Formatting: Documents you submit must use a 12-point font with 1-inch margins, single-spaced. All documents (including the SF-50) MUST be submitted as PDF.
(Mandatory) RESUME: Two (2) page resume that contains your full name and contact information. Your resume should not exceed the two (2) page limit. Your application must describe your job-related qualifications pertinent to this position along with the dates (month/year) you performed these duties and job titles (include series and grade if a Federal job). The announcement number must be entered on the first page of your application. Separate TQ or ECQ narratives will not be accepted or considered. It is recommended that the corresponding TQs be annotated in parenthesis within your two (2) page resume.
(Mandatory) REFERENCES: Submit 4-5 professional references. Your provided references should include the following information: Current and/or former supervisor and a colleague. Include their title/organization, email addresses, and phone numbers where they can be reached. NOTE: By providing your references, you are granting permission for the search committee to contact and conduct references. References will be contacted at the discretion of the search committee. Off-list references may be contacted (references not provided on your list). Only references of referred candidates will be contacted.
(Mandatory, if applicable) Current civil service employees must submit a copy of their most recent (current calendar year) Notification of Personnel Action (SF-50) showing their position, title, series, grade, current salary, and eligibility. Please do not submit an award SF-50.
(Mandatory, if applicable) Current SES employees must submit a copy of your appointment SF-50 and your most recent (current calendar year) SF-50 showing your position, title, series, grade, current salary, and eligibility. Please do not submit an award SF-50.
(Mandatory, if applicable) Former SES employees with reinstatement eligibility must submit a copy of your last Notification of Personnel Action (SF-50), which clearly shows your position, title, series, grade, and eligibility. Please do not submit an award SF-50.
(Mandatory, if applicable) SES Candidate Development Program Graduates whose ECQs have been approved by OPM, must submit your certificate/documentation indicating OPM approval.
Failure to provide all the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may remove you from consideration.
NOTES: Please do not submit unsolicited material such as publications, personal endorsements, performance appraisals, award certificates, proof of Veterans' Preference, etc., as these items will not be included in the rating process and will be discarded. (Veterans' Preference does not apply to positions in the Senior Executive Service). All application materials are subject to the provisions of the DHHS Privacy Act and become the property of the Department of Health and Human Services. Any additional information needed will be requested prior to appointment.
FAXED APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.
This announcement is located on the NIH Home Page under "Executive Careers." Additional information regarding the NIH may be found at the NIH website.
NOTE: Failure to comply with the required application procedures may result in non-consideration of your application.
Applicants must submit application materials ELECTRONICALLY by 11:59 p.m. (ET) on the closing date of the announcement to the following email address: seniorre4@mail.nih.gov
National Institutes of Health
6701 Rockledge Drive
Bethesda, MD 20892
US
Next steps
See "How You Will Be Evaluated"
You will receive an email confirming receipt of your application. Applicants who are determined to be highly qualified by the Search Committee will be referred to the selecting official for further consideration and possible interview, at which time you will be contacted. All applicants will be notified of the outcome of their applications once a final selection is made.
Due to current hiring restrictions in place, selections will need DHHS approval before a final offer may be extended. Updates will be provided to help keep you informed throughout the process.
A one-year probationary period must be served by the individual selected if not currently or previously in the career Senior Executive Service.
Additional selections may be made for similar positions across the DHHS within the local commuting area(s) of the location identified in this announcement. By applying, you agree to have your application shared with interested selecting official(s) at DHHS. However, applicants are strongly encouraged to apply directly to the vacancy of interest and not rely on this possibility as a means of securing employment.
Fair and transparent
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
