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Statistician

Department of Veterans Affairs
Veterans Health Administration
This job announcement has closed

Summary

The primary duties for the position is to serve as a Statistician for multiple research and evaluation centers within the Corporal Michael J. Crescenz VA Medical Center.

Overview

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Job canceled
Open & closing dates
05/20/2022 to 06/09/2022
Salary
$86,706 to - $112,721 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 12
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
Philadelphia, PA
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
No
Travel Required
Not required
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Term - 4 Years
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
None
Job family (Series)
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Other
Drug test
No
Position sensitivity and risk
Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk
Trust determination process
Announcement number
CBSZ-11482325-22-JMZ
Control number
655820300

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Duties

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The incumbent serves as a senior data analyst in the Mental Illness Research Education and Clinical Center (MIRECC). The incumbent will manage and construct datasets, databases, and metrics and provide technical support for MIRECC projects and national mental health priorities. A typical dataset or database constructed for MIRECC projects can include hundreds of thousands of patients and dozens of variables. The duties of the data analyst include, but are not limited to:

  • Extract from VA administrative data sources (e.g., Corporate Data Warehouse, National Patient Care Databse, VistA Web, DSS, VA Vital status files, etc. ) in support of program projects.
  • Use statistical (e.g., SAS, R, SPSS) and database (e.g., MS Access, SQL) computer programs to construct and manage datasets relevant to program projects.
  • Develop, perform, validate, document, and reproduce statistical analyses, modeling, reporting, and analytic interpretations for a broad range of projects.
  • Determine and apply appropriate statistical methods and software applications to rigorously test hypotheses for multiple distinct and diverse research projects.
  • Analyze primary and secondary data to achieve project aims using advanced statistical methods and cutting-edge techniques.
  • Create and implement statistical analysis plans: Develop complex, sophisticated, accurate programs in software applications such as SAS or SQL.
  • Check validity of data and programs through use of frequencies, listings, summaries, and calculate meaningful data metrics (e.g., cost per day, average length of stay, or others as appropriate).
  • Conduct univariate and multivariate statistical data anylses. Conduct multivariate regression analyses using ordinary least squares, logistics and survival models.
  • Review analytical results for accuracy and completeness. Organize and summarize results using tabular or graphic representation as well as narrative descriptions.
  • Create programs capable of using VA administrative data to calculate performance on a wide variety of measures of program efficiency and effectiveness and display this data in an easily understood format (e.g., on a SQL Reporting Services dashboard).
  • Evaluate data resulting from the application of mathematical statistical tools, models, methods, and techniques.
  • Provide timely, responsive verbal and/or written information to customers. Customers include co-workers, front line clinicians, program managers, principal investigators, facility mental health leads, OMHSP Technical Assistance Specialists and VA Central Office executives and managers.
  • Provide specification and documentation of measures and the computer programs used to generate them. Contribute to support material designed to ensure ease of use and maximum utility of dashboards and other reports (e.g., directions for use, data dictionaries, FAQS).
  • Proofread and edit drafts of program materials (e.g. statistical reports, manuscripts for journal submissions) and make recommendations to senior staff regarding their clarity, organization, and layout.
  • Contribute to publications, proposals, presentations (e.g., PowerPoint slides and posters), reports and summaries that are forwarded to VA Central Office, the Office of Mental Health and Suicide Prevention (OMHSP), Congress funding agencies, and other professional organizations.

Work Schedule: Monday through Friday, 8:00am - 4:30pm
Telework: VA supports the use of telework as a way to help attract and retain talented individuals in public service, increase worker productivity, and better prepare the agency to operate during emergencies. This position may be authorized for telework. Telework eligibility will be discussed during the interview process.
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Position Description/PD#: Statistician/PD02041T
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job
  • Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
  • 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
  • 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

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 06/09/2022.

Time-In-Grade Requirement: Applicants who are current Federal employees and have held a GS grade any time in the past 52 weeks must also meet time-in-grade requirements by the closing date of this announcement. For a GS-12 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-11. The grade may have been in any occupation, but must have been held in the Federal service. An SF-50 that shows your time-in-grade eligibility must be submitted with your application materials. If the most recent SF-50 has an effective date within the past year, it may not clearly demonstrate you possess one-year time-in-grade, as required by the announcement. In this instance, you must provide an additional SF-50 that clearly demonstrates one-year time-in-grade. Note: Time-In-Grade requirements also apply to former Federal employees applying for reinstatement as well as current employees applying for Veterans Employment Opportunities Act of 1998 (VEOA) appointment.

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

  • Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-11 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: analyzing, interpreting, and communicating statistical results knowledge of statistics, statistical programming and study methodologies in order to arrive at sound conclusions, and provide significant and innovative recommendations for reports and for advancing research. OR,
  • Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have 3 years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree or Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree. OR,
  • Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level.
You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position:
  • Computers and Electronics
  • Data Management
  • Interpersonal Skills
  • Technical Competence
  • Writing


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.

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 essentially sedentary and is usually accomplished with routine computer equipment and office furniture. Travel may be required to other local offices, VHA facilities, or study sites to participate in site meetings or conferences, conduct data gathering or validation for special projects or to attend professional conferences or meetings.

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/.

Education

A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.

Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html.

Additional information

Receiving Service Credit or Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed.

Special Employment Consideration: VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply, including those eligible for hiring under 5 CFR 213.3102(u), Schedule A, Appointment of persons with disabilities [i.e., intellectual disabilities, severe physical disabilities, or psychiatric disabilities], and/or Disabled veterans with a compensable service-connected disability of 30% or more. Contact the Agency Contact for information on how to apply under this appointment authority via the Selective Placement Coordinator.

The Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) and Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) provide eligible displaced Federal/VA competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. To be qualified you must submit appropriate documentation (a copy of the agency notice, your most recent performance rating, and your most recent SF-50 noting current position, grade level, and duty location) and be found well-qualified for this vacancy. To be well-qualified: applicants must possess experience that exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors, and who are proficient in most of the required competencies of the job. Information about ICTAP and CTAP eligibility is on OPM's Career Transition Resources website at http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/employee-guide-to-career-transition/.

This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.

Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process.

If you are unable to apply online or need to fax a document you do not have in electronic form, view the following link for information regarding an Alternate Application.

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.

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.

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