The Office of Research and Development is seeking a full-time Social Science Program Specialist to serve as a Research Assistant at the VA Connecticut Healthcare System in West Haven, Connecticut.

Duties

NOTE: This is a TERM appointment (not-to-exceed 1 year and 1 day. Term appointments are non-status, nonpermanent appointments of limited duration. Term employees are eligible to earn leave and generally have the same benefits as permanent employees including health and life insurance, within-grade increases and Federal Employees Retirement System and Thrift Savings Plan coverage. Term appointments may be extended without further competition. Major Duties: The Social Science Program Specialist functions as a Research Assistant participating in VA funded research studies aimed at improving the care provided to Veterans with serious mental health and/or related comorbid conditions. The position employs scientific, organizational, interpersonal skills, and an understanding of the basic principles of scientific investigation and in-depth understanding of the study protocols to make difficult decisions independently. The incumbent maintains integrity and confidentiality of data, private health information and personal identifying information. Typical duties include, but are not limited to: Managing study participant processing and flow from initial recruitment, study participant screening, informed consent (if required) and enrollment, follow-up assessments, and reimbursements. Serves as the focal point for interactions among the research participants enrolled in the project(s). Manage and organize data files, data processing, analysis activities, and the organization of research data collection forms. Prepares and maintains paper and/or electronic Institutional Review Board (IRB) submissions and documentation, and other required regulatory documentation. Performs a range of scheduling activities, specifically scheduling patient screening interviews, various assessment activities, outpatient treatment. appointments, follow-up evaluation appointments and so forth. Conducts surveys using standardized survey instruments or specific assessment tools detailed in the study protocol(s), and/or qualitative interviews or focus groups. Reviews and verifies research data ensuring appropriate data tracking, storage and security procedures are in place. Work Schedule: Monday through Friday, 8:00am to 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#: Social Science Program Specialist/PD51511A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized. Financial Disclosure Report: Not required.

Requirements

Qualifications

SELECTIVE PLACEMENT FACTOR: A selective placement factor is a particular qualification required in order to successfully perform the duties of the position, which could not be learned readily during the normal period of orientation to the position. Applicants who do not meet it are ineligible for further consideration. The Selective Placement Factor required for this position is: experience interacting with research subjects that are part of research projects. Evidence of this selective placement factor must be found in your resume in order for you to be considered. -AND- INDIVIDUAL OCCUPATIONAL REQUIREMENTS: Education - Degree in behavioral or social science; or related disciplines appropriate to the position. (TRANSCRIPT REQUIRED) or, Combination of education and experience that provided the applicant with knowledge of one or more of the behavioral sciences equivalent to a major in the field. (TRANSCRIPT REQUIRED) or, Four years of appropriate experience that demonstrated that the applicant has acquired knowledge of one or more of the behavioral or social sciences equivalent to a major in the field.-AND- GRADE DETERMINATION: If the Selective Placement Factor and Individual Occupational Requirements are met, 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-5) in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: recruiting, screening, and managing research study participants; interacting with psychiatric veteran patient populations and utilizing correct safety procedures for handling inappropriate behaviors (i.e., intoxication); gathering data for analysis and entering same into computerized data sets per established protocols and procedures..or, Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have at least one year of one (1) full year of graduate education (or 18 semester hours) that included courses directly related to the work of a Social Science Program Coordinator, such as behavioral or social sciences or related disciplines, appropriate to this position that provided the competencies/knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work or BS degree with superior academic achievement (top 1/3 of class, GPA 3.0 or higher, or election to membership in a national scholastic honor society) in behavioral or social science, or related disciplines appropriate to this position. ((Transcripts are required.)) or, Combination of education/experience: Equivalent combination of specialized experience and related graduate-level education, as described above, which meets the total experience requirements for this grade level. (NOTE: Your experience must be documented in your resume and transcripts are required.) You will be rated on the following Competencies as part of the assessment questionnaire for this position: CommunicationsData ManagementProject ManagementResearchSelf-Management 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: Work is typically performed in an adequately lighted and climate-controlled office or research setting. Occasionally, work may be conducted at other offices (e.g., affiliated universities or the office of program participating in research project). 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: Recognition of Foreign Qualifications | International Affairs Office (ed.gov).

Contacts

• Address West Haven ORD VISN 1 950 Campbell Avenue West Haven, CT 06516-2770 US
• Name: VHA National Recruitment Center
• Phone: (844)456-5208
• Email: [email protected]