Clarification from the agency

Recent Graduates and all US citizens

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Major duties include but not limited to:

Recruitment & Retention

Under the supervision of the investigator or senior level staff, ensures participant recruitment and retention goals are met as required by the funding agency and approved protocol. Makes telephone calls and email contacts to potential research participants. Schedules appointments and follow-upsessions. Coordinates with other research staff to optimize use of research space and make efficient use of time. Maintains tracking spreadsheets of recruitment and enrollment metrics. When recruitment and/or retention is falling beneath the target goal, the incumbent is expected to be resourceful and draw on the experiences of other project coordinators on similar VA studies to identify ways to enhance recruitment (e.g., novel sources of advertisement) and/or retention (e.g., personal telephone calls or letters).

Data Collection/Conducting Study Procedures

After receiving appropriate training, conducts consenting procedures with study participants. Explains all procedures to research participants. Explains the tasks required of participants, and monitors participants' performance and attention during study procedures. Establishes and maintains effectiverapport with research participants and provides an appropriate, non-threatening setting for optimal performance. Under the supervision of the investigator, provides sensitive communication with participants with disabilities and adapts procedures in a manner to meet any special problems or needs related to these disabilities.Sets up and maintains research equipment and testing measures. Keeps track of supplies and reports if any equipment or measurement tool needs to be repaired or replaced.Under the supervision of the investigator or senior level staff, conducts study procedures, including but not limited to administering tests, questionnaires, and structured interviews, attaching EEG electrodes, and monitoring neuroimaging scans. May assist investigator in completing behavior rating scales, conducting behavior modification, or administering neuromodulatory treatments in accordance with clearly defined procedures.Observes all phases of study to ensure data is collected in accordance with approved protocol and that participants are following instructions. Documents any deviations from protocol and reports them to the principal investigator.

Assessment & Scoring

Administers and scores a wide variety of psychological and electrophysiological tests, assessments and structured interviews to research participants under the supervision of a Psychologist or Principal Investigator, including but not limited to tests of mental health, neuropsychological function,intelligence, social cognition, and memory. Analyzes data using one or more statistical software packages. Adheres to all regulations, rules and laws regarding psychological assessment and practices.

Data Entry & Storage

Codes, transcribes, records, and stores data in spreadsheets, databases, or secure online portals according to approved study protocols. Ensures all data entry is accurate. Stores physical data in appropriate cabinets or storage facilities and maintains file management system. Creates backup filesand under the supervision of the investigator or senior level staff initiates the transfer of data to other sites in accordance with approved study protocols. Documents data entry and storage procedures and generates routine data reports to supervisor and research oversight committees.

Administrative Support

Writes, duplicates and distributes letters, memos, agendas, forms, certificates, and reports for the Psychologist, Principal Investigator, or Supervisor. Conducts literature reviews to assist investigators with study proposals or grant applications.Attends research team meetings, recruitment events, and conference calls. Records meeting minutes, maintains tracking logs, and schedules follow-up actions, as needed.Performs other duties as assigned.

Work Schedule: Monday through Friday, 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Position Description/PD#: Psychology Technician/PD0538TARelocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
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
• Subject to background/security investigation
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP)

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider:

• your performance and conduct;
• the needs and interests of the agency;
• whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
• whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.

Upon completion of your probationary period or trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

Qualifications

THIS IS A TEMPORARY POSITION, NOT TO EXCEED 4 YEARS.

NOTE: Any permanent employee may apply for this position. However, if selected, incumbent will be converted to a temporary status. Upon conversion to temporary status, employee has no guarantee of returning to a permanent position and is placed in the second area of consideration for permanent positions posted within the bargaining unit. If temporary funding is terminated, or at the expiration of the appointment, employee may be terminated.

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 08/11/2026.

Individual Occupational Requirements:

Specialized Experience (for positions at GS-4 and above)Experience that involved the observation of and assistance in the application of techniques relating to behavior, capacities, traits, interests, and activities of either humans or, under laboratory conditions, animals. Experience may have been gained in connection with a program of research or direct services in psychology that gave a practical understanding of some of the principles, methods, and techniques of psychology needed to assist professional psychologists.
OR
Education and Training

For GS-5: Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study leading to a bachelor's degree with major study or at least 24 semester hours in any combination of subjects in psychology, sociology, or other approved social/biological sciences.

For GS-06 / GS-07 (and higher): Requires progressively higher levels of specialized technical experience assisting professional psychologists (such as scoring specific neuropsychological tests, collecting research data, or conducting behavior modification support), plus required undergraduate coursework


DUTIES: Performs one or more of a variety of technical tasks in a program of research or other professional services in psychology. Performance of these tasks requires a practical understanding of some of the general principles, theories, methods and techniques of psychology in order to carry out duties which are performed under the supervision of a professional psychologist. These duties may include one or more of the following: (1) assist in research as in systematic collection of psychology research data, recording and collecting of data, preparing tabular or graphic presentation of data, in accordance with a predetermined research plan; (2) assist counseling psychologist in contacting potential employers for purpose of making vocational placement, providing follow-up consultation, administering and scoring of interest, achievement and aptitude tests, securing work history and other relevant vocational information; (3) assist neuropsychologist in administering and scoring of selected tests of a neuropsychology battery in accordance with clearly defined procedures; (4) assist psychologists in completing behavior rating scales or in conducting behavior modification.

Requirements: You may qualify based on your experience and/or education as described below:

Education: Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with a major in an appropriate social or biological science, which included or was supplemented by 12 semester hours in psychology.

You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position:

• Data Collection/Documentation
• Research
• Analysis and Problem Solving
• Data Management

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.

SPF/Preferred Experience: Must have presented a scientific poster and/or have a bachelor's degree in psychology, counseling, neurology, biology, social work, or related field.

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.

Physical Requirements: The work is primarily sedentary. Typically, the employee may sit comfortably to perform portions of the work. However, there is periodic walking; standing; bending; and carrying of light items such as medical records, lab supplies, instructional material, books and manuals (<30 lbs). No special physical demands are required to perform the work.

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/.

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.

Narrative responses are not required at this time. If you are referred for consideration, you may be asked to submit additional job related information, which may include, but not limited to; responses to the knowledge, skills and abilities; completion of a work sample, and/or contact for an interview. Your resume and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your rating or consideration for employment.

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.

For more information on the "Who may apply" eligibility requirements, please refer to the OHRM Status Candidates and Other Candidate Definitions document.

Placement Policy: The posting of this announcement does not obligate management to fill a vacancy or vacancies by promotion. The position may be filled by reassignment, change to lower grade, transfer, appointment, or reinstatement. Management may use any one or any combination of these methods to fill the 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.