Health Science Specialist

Summary The Health Science Specialist (Human Research Protection Program Coordinator) serves as an institutional contact person for human research protection, located in White River Junction, VT. Learn more about this agency Duties ***THIS IS NOT A VIRTUAL POSITION, YOU MUST LIVE WITHIN OR BE WILLING TO RELOCATE WITHIN A COMMUTABLE DISTANCE OF THE DUTY LOCATION*** This position involves a multi-grade career ladder. The major duties listed below represent the full performance level of GS-11. At the GS-09 grade level, you will perform assignments of a more limited scope and with less independence. You will progressively acquire the background necessary to perform at the full performance level of GS-11. Promotion is at the discretion of the supervisor and is contingent upon satisfactory performance, availability of higher-level work, and availability of funds. Duties include but are not limited to: Serves as an institutional contact for human research protection Coordinates the general administration, planning, and oversight of management of the Human Research Protection Program (HRPP). Ensures implementation and maintains records of the WRJ VA Research Community offering training which includes a review of basic guidelines, federal regulations and ethical issues as well as the process for getting IRB approval for research studies. Serves as a liaison for research related issues of compliance, monitoring all areas of human protection compliance in accordance with the "Common Rule". Assists investigators and research staff with individual projects acting as a consultant on study design and regulatory compliance. Evaluates projects directing screening, advisory, and approval processes for human subjects research. Manages the evaluation review for approved projects including ad-hoc review while ensuring the expert reviewer selection meets facility standards. Establishes goals, objectives and policies/procedures to develop measures the program needs to meet to be considered successful. Assesses Research programs, identifying problems, suggesting corrective actions, and reporting findings as necessary for successful program continuity. The specialist drafts correspondence to researchers to provide expert advice on policy matters, process issues, and procedural problems. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8:00-4:30pm Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not approved Telework: This position may be authorized for telework. Telework eligibility will be discussed during the interview process. Requirements Conditions of employment You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job To be considered for this position, you must complete all required steps in the process. In addition to the application and questionnaire, this position requires an online assessment. The online assessment measures critical general competencies required to perform the job. Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959 Physical Requirements: The work required does not inherently include any physical requirements essential for successful job performance that could not otherwise be performed with accommodation or workplace adjustment. A pre-placement physical examination is not required. 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 dentification 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) - See "Required Documents" below for details. As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary 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, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest. Qualifications BASIC EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENT: A bachelor's or graduate/higher level degree with a major study in an academic field related to the medical field, health sciences, or allied sciences that is appropriate to the work of this position. This degree must be from an educational program from an accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education at the time the degree was obtained. Transcripts required. AND MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS GS-09: One year of specialized experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of this position, and that is typically in or related to the position. To be creditable, specialized experience must have been equivalent to at least the GS-07 grade level in Federal service. Specialized experience includes: Experience working closely with researchers, research committees, and study participants as a lead coordinator; experience following regulatory guidelines in the performance of duties; and experience overseeing day to day tasks related to clinical research projects (such as organizing/analyzing data from various sources). (Resume(s) must clearly document this experience to be creditable. We will not make assumptions regarding experience.) -OR- EDUCATION: A master's degree, equivalent graduate degree, or 2 years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree with a major study in an academic field related to the medical field, health sciences, or allied sciences that is appropriate to the work of this position. One year of full-time graduate education is considered to be the number of credit hours that the school attended has determined to represent 1 year of full-time study. If that number cannot be obtained from the school, 18 semester hours should be considered an academic year of graduate study. Part-time graduate education is creditable in accordance with its relationship to a year of full-time study at the school attended. Transcripts required. -OR- COMBINATION: A combination of specialized experience and progressively higher-level graduate education as described for the GS-09 that demonstrates the ability to perform the duties of this position. Your experience must be detailed in your resume and transcripts required. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS GS-11: One year of specialized experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of this position, and that is typically in or related to the position. To be creditable, specialized experience must have been equivalent to at least the GS-09 grade level in Federal service. Specialized experience includes: Experience independently reviewing or preparing regulatory paperwork submitted to institutional review boards (IRBs) under the supervision of an investigator or a committee director/chair; experience overseeing all matters related to human research protections for multiple research projects or a program; and working knowledge of human subject federal regulations and how they pertain to clinical research. (Resume(s) must clearly document this experience to be creditable. We will not make assumptions regarding experience.) -OR- EDUCATION: A Ph.D., equivalent doctoral degree, or 3 years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree with a major study in an academic field related to the medical field, health sciences, or allied sciences that is appropriate to the work of this position. One year of full-time graduate education is considered to be the number of credit hours that the school attended has determined to represent 1 year of full-time study. If that number cannot be obtained from the school, 18 semester hours should be considered an academic year of graduate study. Part-time graduate education is creditable in accordance with its relationship to a year of full-time study at the school attended. Transcripts required. -OR- COMBINATION: A combination of specialized experience and progressively higher-level graduate education as described for the GS-11 that demonstrates the ability to perform the duties of this position. Your experience must be detailed in your resume and transcripts required. 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/. 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. Education IMPORTANT: 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: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/. Additional information Reasonable Accommodation (RA) Requests: 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. Receiving Service Credit for 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. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act. The Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) and Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) provide eligible displaced Federal competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. To be qualified you must submit appropriate documentation and be found well-qualified (have a final rating of 80 or more before any Veterans preference points) for this vacancy. 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/. Expand Hide  additional information 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. Benefits 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. Review our 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.