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Other Transactions Agreement Specialist

Department of Health and Human Services
National Institutes of Health
Multiple Institutes or Centers

Summary

Do you have experience with Other Transaction Agreements (OTA's)? If so, we have a position for you! The Office of Other Transactions Authority (OTA) is recruiting for Other Transactions Agreement Specialists who have experience with oversight of a complex award portfolio ensuring compliance with established administrative and financial policies and procedures.

Overview

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Accepting applications
Open & closing dates
04/10/2026 to 04/14/2026
Salary
$85,447 - $158,322 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 11 - 13
Location
Many vacancies in the following location:
Montgomery County, MD
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
13
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Other
Drug test
No
Position sensitivity and risk
Moderate Risk (MR)
Trust determination process
Financial disclosure
Yes
Bargaining unit status
No
Announcement number
NIH-SR-MP-26-12903945
Control number
863654300

This job is open to

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Clarification from the agency

You must be a current or former federal employee eligible to apply under merit promotion procedures or otherwise be eligible as a status applicant (e.g., Veterans Employment Opportunity Act) OR be an individual who is eligible through an OPM interchange agreement or for a non-competitive appointment. This job is also open to USPHS Commissioned Corps Officers and Call-To-Active Duty (CAD) Candidates.

Duties

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  • Participates in the planning and business management of the full range OT applications and existing awards for the assigned Institute/Center, including clinical trial networks, research consortia, or a program of comparable complexity.
  • Works cooperatively with the sponsoring program and others in the OTA Office in evaluating, negotiating, and executing the management aspects of OT applications and successfully resolving issues among the parties. Reviews applications and ascertains the allowability, allocability, reasonableness, and consistency of recommended direct costs, giving particular attention to Facilities & Administrative (F&A) cost rates and patient care rates, as applicable.
  • Performs post-award monitoring of OTs similar to those noted above as pre-award evaluation activities. Reviews requested changes and recommends approval those that are consistent with NIH and HHS policies and procedures, to support the OT Agreement Officer exercise of commitment authority to obligate funds.
  • Provides expert and authoritative advice, interpretation, and guidance on statutes, regulations, policies, and procedures as they relate to the award program in general and individual applications and proposals. Monitors awardee performance to ensure compliance with terms and conditions of agreements, negotiates with awardees to resolve problems of fund obligations, and determines what corrective action should be taken to ensure compliance.
  • Supports the development of policy initiatives in response to critical problems or as needed, determined by changing circumstances. Reviews proposed NIH and DHHS policies, determines their impact on OTA management operations, and recommends response. Identifies need for development of new, or revisions of existing policies and operating guidelines. Reviews and comments on proposed changes in rules or regulations, conducts special studies, and prepares special reports.
  • Serves as a technical authority and resource in communication and correspondence with awardees and federal staff.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • U.S. Citizenship requirement or proof of being a U.S. National must be met by closing date.
  • Employment is subject to the successful completion of a background investigation, verification of qualifications, completion of onboarding forms, submission of required documents, and any other job-related requirement before or after appointment.
  • Applicants must meet all qualifications requirements within thirty (30) calendar days of the closing date of this announcement, including time in grade.
  • Males born after December 31, 1959 must be registered with the Selective Service.
  • The National Institutes of Health participates in the USCIS Electronic Employment Eligibility Verification Program (E-Verify). E-Verify helps employers determine employment eligibility of new hires and the validity of their Social Security numbers.
  • The NIH maintains a tobacco free work environment and campus.
  • Must be able to perform the essential duties of the position, with or without reasonable accommodation.
  • Based on your appointment, a one or two-year trial/probationary period may be required. A decision regarding your continued employment with NIH will be made as you near the end of this period.
  • Financial disclosure OGE-450 is required annually.

Qualifications

You qualify at the GS-11 level, if you meet one of the following qualification requirements:A. completed a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree, or 3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree or an LL.M., if related; OR B. 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-09 level in the Federal service obtained in either the private or public sector, performing the following types of tasks: reviews applications for completeness and compliance with applicable policies and regulations; analyzes budgets and financial documentation to determine the allowability, allocability, and reasonableness of proposed costs; monitors awards to ensure compliance with Federal policies and requirements throughout the lifecycle of the agreement; coordinates with program and financial staff to identify and resolve administrative or financial issues; assists with the development and improvement of policies and procedures related to agreement management. OR C. a combination of post baccalaureate education and experience that meets 100% of the qualification requirements for this position.

You qualify at the GS-12 level, if you have 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-11 level in the Federal service obtained in either the private or public sector, performing the following types of tasks: evaluates applications for compliance with applicable policies and regulations and analyzes budgets and financial arrangements to ensure appropriate use of funds; establishes award terms and conditions and advises applicants and recipients on administrative and financial requirements; drafts modifications to agreements and oversees closeout actions to ensure proper completion of award requirements; tracks expenditures to ensure sound stewardship of funds and contributes to the development of policies and procedures related to agreement management.

You qualify at the GS-13 level, if you have 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-12 level in the Federal service obtained in either the private or public sector, performing the following types of tasks: manages a complex portfolio of Other Transaction (OT) agreements, independently evaluating and negotiating applications to ensure compliance with administrative, financial, and regulatory requirements; provides expert guidance to program officials and recipients and resolves complex or sensitive issues related to OT awards; assists in the review and drafting of agreements while ensuring sound business practices and program integrity; develops policies, procedures, and internal controls and leads special projects to strengthen the management and oversight of OT agreements and similar programs.

You will receive credit for all experience material to the position, including experience gained in religious, civic, welfare, service, and organizational activities, regardless of whether you received pay.

Do not copy and paste the duties or specialized experience from this announcement into your resume as that will not be considered a demonstration of your qualifications for this position.

We may verify or assess your qualifications at any time. Inflated or unsupported qualifications may affect your rating. Any misrepresentation or material omission of facts may be sufficient cause to end further consideration of your candidacy. Persons listed as knowing your past accomplishments or experience in your application may be contacted for verification purposes at any time. Verification may, but need not, begin before receiving an offer.

Preview application questionnaire before you apply: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12903945

Education

If you qualify based on education in lieu of specialized experience, you are strongly encouraged to submit a copy of your transcripts or a list of your courses including titles, credit hours completed and grades. Unofficial transcripts will be accepted in the application packages. Official transcripts will be required from all selectees prior to receiving an official offer. Click here for information on Foreign Education.

Additional information

  • This position is designated as a "non-emergency/teleworker" position and the selected candidate will be considered a "non-emergency/teleworker" employee. In the event of a closure, you must be available to telework or request leave.
  • If selected, you will be required to complete a Confidential Financial Disclosure Report, OGE Form 450 to determine if a conflict or an appearance of a conflict exists between your financial interest and your prospective position with the agency. This information is required annually. For information, visit the NIH Ethics website: https://ethics.od.nih.gov/fd.
  • PHS Commissioned Officers interested in performing the duties of this position within the Commissioned Corps should apply online to this announcement to receive consideration.
  • Visit Help Applying for helpful information on the application process.
  • If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be granted the opportunity to request a RA in your online application. Requests for RA for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for RA must be received prior to starting the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. Decisions on requests for RA are made on a case-by-case basis. If you meet the minimum qualifications of the position, after notification of the adjudication of your request, you will receive an email invitation to complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, based on your adjudication decision. You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments if you received the link after the close of the announcement. To determine if you need a RA, please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments here: https://help.usastaffing.gov/Apply/index.php?title=Reasonable_Accommodations_for_USA_Hire.
  • Must be able to perform the essential duties of the position, with or without reasonable accommodation.
  • Veterans' Preference only applies to Schedule A (disability appointment), HHS Reemployment Priority List (RPL) Eligibles, HHS Priority Reemployment List (PRL) Eligibles, and Veterans Recruitment Appointments (if applicable).
  • At the supervisor's discretion, this position may offer work schedule flexibilities: telework compressed schedules, flexible schedules.

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.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

You will be evaluated based on how well you meet the qualifications listed in this vacancy announcement. Your qualifications will be evaluated based on your application materials (e.g., resume, supporting documents), your responses on the application questionnaire, and your responses to all assessments required for this position. You will be assessed on the following competencies:

  • Attention to Detail
  • Customer Service
  • Flexibility
  • Influencing/Negotiating
  • Integrity/Honesty
  • Interpersonal Skills
  • Learning
  • Reading Comprehension
  • Reasoning
  • Self-Management
  • Stress Tolerance
  • Teamwork

Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application materials or application questionnaire may result in your removal from consideration. Cheating on an assessment may also result in your removal from consideration.

Additional selections may be made for similar positions across the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) 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 HHS. Clearance of CTAP/ICTAP will be applied for similar positions across HHS.

To be considered well qualified for the purposes of the Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP)and the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP), you must be able to satisfactorily perform the duties of the position upon entry and substantively exceed the basic qualifications by scoring at least 80 points on the assessment(s) and meet all eligibility, physical, medical, suitability, and all other requirements.

The position(s) advertised in this announcement are covered by the agency's Reemployment Priority List (RPL). RPL candidates will be rated, placed into one of the quality categories below, and referred to the hiring office, once veterans' preference is applied.
  • Qualified
  • Well Qualified
  • Best Qualified

National Institutes of Health

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, each with a specific research agenda, often focusing on particular diseases or body systems. NIH employs approximately 18,000 employees in varied occupations, all supporting research efforts that improve health and save lives. For more information on NIH's mission and goals, and its 27 Institutes and Centers, visit the NIH website.

Virtually explore the National Institutes of Health's (NIH) Bethesda campus, learn about scientific research, and get to know NIH community members who are working to help people live longer, healthier lives: https://www.nih.gov/virtual-tour/.

These positions are located in the Office of Other Transactions Authority (OTA), Office of Management (OM), National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), a part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), DHHS.

Additional institutes/centers may participate in this announcement. It is highly encouraged to apply even if your desired institute/center is not listed.

Agency contact information

Synthia Barnette
Email
BARNETTESD@mail.nih.gov
Address
National Institutes of Health
6701 Rockledge Drive
Bethesda, MD 20892
US

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