This Program Specialist position is in West Haven, CT and works for the facility Research Compliance Officer and acts on his/her behalf during absences. The incumbent evaluates compliance with federal and VA requirements for the conduct of research in the following areas: the protection of human research subjects, laboratory animal welfare, and research safety and security.

Duties

***THIS IS NOT A VIRTUAL POSITION, YOU MUST LIVE WITHIN OR BE WILLING TO RELOCATE WITHIN A COMMUTABLE DISTANCE OF THE DUTY LOCATION*** Prepares audit reports by collecting, analyzing, and summarizing information; Identifies and makes recommendations, corrective actions, to prevent further non-compliance; Develops Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for VACHS Research Compliance program in conjunction with the RCO; Maintains Audit Programs (audit plan, schedule, checklists for auditing) according to applicable statutory & regulatory requirements; Audits new and existing procedures for compliance based on standard requirements and audit history The incumbent spends majority of his/her time performing ongoing research monitoring and auditing (routine and "for cause") to promote compliance, reduce violations of regulations and standards, identify unsatisfactory trends and conditions, and correct factors that may contribute to non-compliance; Reviews must be consistent with VHA research monitoring and auditing requirements and require the ability to conduct in-depth review and analysis of research, and training records relevant to the assigned areas of responsibility; Reviews project reports to assess investigators' compliance with research program guidelines; Conducts research program assessments and prepares reports necessary to program continuity and reporting. Identifies problems and negotiates corrective action concerning programmatic issues; Monitors and evaluates multiple or broad research program content; Provides information on Center Research related activities for and keeps the RCO advised on any compliance requirements related to those activities; Reviews and audits research-related documents, e.g., protocol, informed consent form(s), data collection tools etc., to ensure human subjects protection, animal welfare, and research laboratory safety and security; And all other duties. Work Schedule: Monday through Friday from 8:00am - 4:30pm Recruitment & Relocation Incentives: Not authorized Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not approved 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. Financial Disclosure Report: Not Required

Requirements

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, you must meet the following requirements. This position includes a Selective Placement Factor (skill, knowledge, ability or other worker characteristic basic to - and essential for - satisfactory performance of the job). Selective Placement Factors are a prerequisite to appointment and represent minimum requirements for a position. Applicants who do not meet it are ineligible for further consideration. The Selective Placement Factor for this position is: "You must have demonstrated experience with the processes and procedures associated with the approval of human subject research, laboratory animal welfare and research safety and security. Candidates must have demonstrated experience in evaluating, developing and coordinating the implementation of new or modified legislation and national policies." ~AND~ MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS FOR GS-11: SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: Possess at least one (1) full year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level (GS-9) in the Federal Service that has given me the particular knowledge, skills and abilities required to successfully perform the duties of a Program Specialist, and that is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled. Specialized experience includes performing administrative project management and administrative data quality control for assigned research projects evaluating research project operations and coordinating, monitoring and managing outcomes-based research and analysis, preparing project statistical reports, writing new policies/procedures, and conducting audits of research study records for compliance with research and regulatory regulations. NOTE: Your experience must be fully documented in your resume and must include job title, duties, month and year start/end dates AND hours worked per week. ~OR~ EDUCATION SUBSTITUTION: Possess the successfully completed Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree or 3 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.M., if related, from an accredited college or university. Such education must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of the position. NOTE: Transcripts Required. ~OR~ COMBINATION OF EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE: Possess the equivalent combinations of successfully completed graduate level education (beyond the second year) and specialized experience, as described above, which may be used to meet total experience requirements for this grade level. The education portion must include graduate courses that demonstrate the knowledge, skills and abilities necessary to do the work of the position. NOTE: Transcripts Required. You will be rated on the following Competencies as part of the assessment questionnaire for this position: Attention to DetailCommunicationsComplianceDecision MakingFlexibility IMPORTANT: A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. All experience listed on your resume must include the month and year start/end dates. 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. 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; religious; 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. Physical Requirements: The work is primarily sedentary but may require walking to other services and lifting and carrying of records and supplies. Travel may be required for attendance at meetings or professional development. 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

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: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html.

Contacts

• Address West Haven VA Medical Center 950 Campbell Avenue West Haven, CT 06516 US
• Name: VHA National Recruitment Center
• Phone: (844)456-5208
• Email: [email protected]