The Associate Chief of Staff for Research & Development (ACOS/R&D) is an Executive Career Field position established within the Office of the Chief of Staff. The principal duty of the ACOS/R&D is to function as the Chief of the Research Service and to take responsibility for the administration of the VA San Diego Health Care System research program.

Duties

The ACOS R&D conducts long-term strategic planning and develops Research Service objectives (goals), priorities and timelines, and monitors the effectiveness of the interactive system and procedures necessary to advance the research program in accordance with all principles, rules and regulations affecting research within the VA. Operational elements under ACOS R&D oversight include but are not limited to: Research project/protocol administration and compliance functions of the Research Projects Division, and the R&D Committee and its sub-committees; Staffing, budget/purchasing, and VA intramural funding pre- and post-award administration functions of the Research Operations Division; Research safety, space allocation, and security functions of the Research Safety and Space Program; - animal husbandry, welfare, and veterinary care functions of the Veterinary Medical Unit; Within these broad areas of operational responsibility, conducts program assessments and prepares reports necessary to apprise facility, VISN, or national leadership and the R&D Committee on the current status of the program. Identifies problems and negotiates corrective action concerning programmatic issues, basic administrative processes, and fiscal management concerns. The ACOS R&D has oversight of the resolution to any problems that may arise within the Research Service. Mentors and assists research investigators in preparing scientific proposals for VA intramural as well as extramural funding, advising on design aspects as needed to ensure feasibility within VHA regulations governing research, data security, and privacy. Advises research investigators on scientific and professional matters relating to VA Intramural Merit Review, Career Development, Research Career Scientist, and other intramural funding opportunities. Provides guidance and assists investigators with their proposals and applications. The position encourages VA investigators to apply to appropriate intramural funding mechanisms as well as external granting agencies, consults with the investigators in the preparation of their proposals, and serves as a liaison to ORD as needed on behalf of VA investigators seeking funds. Post-award, reviews and assesses the need for project modifications and provides guidance to principal investigators on submission of modifications, and reviews annual Merit Award and CDA progress reports, and advises/consults with principal investigators as needed on such reports. Develops and/or reviews and approves policies and procedures for administration of the organization's research program. Develops Research Service objectives (goals), priorities and timelines. Approves research program development initiatives and collaborates with researchers, organizations, and universities to develop research projects that support VASDHS and VHA mission and objectives, and in doing this, strategically shapes the future of the VASDHS Research Program. Participates in public speaking engagements related to research and development, meetings, and events. The position establishes and maintains good relations with various professional research groups, research organizations, accrediting agencies, volunteer worker groups, research news media, and the research community at large, as well as personal contacts with patients, human subjects, visitors, and individuals in the community. The position ensures effective integration of efforts/activities with other medical center operations, the overall national Research Enterprise of ORD, other federal agencies, and with community-based research agencies and activities. These involve local and state officials, community-based research groups, and health care scientists and providers, as well as research representatives of affiliated medical schools. The ACOS/R&D serves as the Facility Director's designated official for signing of all Confidential Disclosure Agreements and Material Transfer Agreements. Work Schedule: Monday - 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#: Health Science Officer (Associate Chief Of Staff Research)/PD094650 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: May Be Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 11/28/2023. 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-15 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-14. 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 as described below: Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-14 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: independent research program planning, development and evaluation, and resource management, formulates goals and objectives of a research program; experience with all administrative and budgetary operations of a Research Service, administrative supervisor within a large medical research or academic program, researcher/investigator as evidence by publication within clinical science and health services, managing intramural and extramural research funding, interpreting and applying guidelines, assessing program effectiveness, and directing program resources. Preferred Experience: Experience in administering a Research Program. Experience in administering extensive Research budget. Experience in planning, developing and directing complex scientific and administrative data. Supervisory experience with employees and research investigators. Experience in compliance with all mandated research policies You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position: ComplianceFinancial ManagementPlanning and EvaluatingResearchStrategic Thinking 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: Physical Demands The work is sedentary. Typically, the employee may sit comfortably to perform portions of work, however there are times when he/she will need to visit work locations throughout the VASDHS main hospital, other buildings on the VASDHS and affiliate University campuses. The position must be able to travel to attend meetings and is eligible for occasional telework when it benefits the accomplishment of the research mission. 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

There is no educational substitution at this grade level.

Contacts

• Address San Diego VA Medical Center 3350 La Jolla Village Drive San Diego, CA 92161 US
• Name: Jamie Palazzolo
• Phone: 5628268000 X4660
• Email: [email protected]