This position is located within the Research Service of the VA Medical Center in White River Junction, Vermont. The primary responsibility of this position are supervision of the Veterinary Medical Unit (VMU) operations and staff, and coordination of the Institutional Care and Use Committee (IACUC) and of the Subcommittee on Research Safety and Security (SRSS).

Duties

***THIS IS NOT A VIRTUAL POSITION, YOU MUST LIVE WITHIN OR BE WILLING TO RELOCATE WITHIN A COMMUTABLE DISTANCE OF THE DUTY LOCATION*** NOTE: This position involves a multi-grade career ladder. The major duties listed below represent the full performance level of GS-12. At the GS-11 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-12. Promotion is at the discretion of the supervisor and is contingent upon satisfactory performance, availability of higher level work, and availability of funds. Program Administration Oversees and manages the IACUC and SRSS programs and their activities; Ensures projects are reviewed and all outstanding issues related to project management are resolved in a timely manner; Advises on issues relative to carrying out the institution's research activities involving the use of animals and safety procedures for investigative purposes; Serves as the accreditation facility liaison and is responsible for the preparation of accreditation applications and maintenance of standard operating procedures, institutional forms and committee operations; Serves as a liaison to the Institutional Review Board for human subjects research involving safety components Ensures animal research is reviewed, approved, and conducted in accordance with appropriate Federal, State and agency specific regulations, guidelines and appropriate accreditation standards; Educates the investigative community of local and external policies and procedures with regards to research involving animal subjects; Develops data capture and reporting procedures to track progress of program management initiatives; Quality and Compliance Ensures and maintains the Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC) registration with the National Institutes of Health Office of Science Policy; Ensures quality provisions and accreditation standards are planned, developed, and implemented to identify, prevent, and correct unsatisfactory conditions and elements; Analyzes and evaluates each research project to ensure compliance with Federal and State regulations; Takes a leadership role in ensuring the facility's animal research subject protection program has high quality and integrity in compliance with Federal, State and VA guidelines; Develops programs, policies, and procedures to ensure quality provisions are planned, developed, and implemented to identify, prevent, and correct unsatisfactory conditions and elements; Tailors quality program management strategies and techniques to fit the operations, culture and interests of the investigators and staff. Monitors quality assurance program implementation and indicators designed to prevent erroneous transactions and ineffective work practices; Designs monitoring activities evaluates outcomes and implements measurable plans for improvement; Conducts quality improvement activities, special projects, or studies: Supervisory Duties Oversees preclinical laboratory and animal facilities; Ensures the proper training of staff and their compliance with standard operating procedures; Ensures compliance of all facility procedures with established industry standards, regulatory and accrediting agency requirements; Assists with annual renewal of contracts for veterinary and animal husbandry services and acts as contracting officer's representative (COR); Develops staffing plan based on demand for animal care and special core needs; Develops work plans to be accomplished by staff, sets, and adjusts short term priorities, and prepares schedules for completion of work; Gives advice, counsel, or instruction to employees on both work and administrative matters; Develops performance standards; Serves as an advisor to personnel on appropriate Good Laboratory Practices (GLP); Performs other directly related duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Monday through Friday, 8:00am - 4:30pm Recruitment & Relocation Incentives: Not authorized Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Approved Financial Disclosure Report: Not Required 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.

Requirements

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, all applicants must meet the following basic requirement: Degree: Possess a bachelor's degree (or higher) in animal science, dairy science, poultry science; or a related discipline or field of animal science that included at least 30 semester hours in the basic biological and agricultural sciences, and 20 semester hours in animal science. For animal scientist positions, at least 10 of the required 20 semester hours in animal science must have been in courses dealing with the breeding, feeding, production, and management of livestock, and the care and preparation of their products*. Education must have been obtained at an accredited college or university. NOTE: You must submit a copy of your transcript (unofficial or official) with your application. Education cannot be credited without documentation. Please ensure that your transcripts show that a degree was conferred. Display copies of degrees or course listings do not provide the information needed. ~OR~ Combination of Education and Experience: Possess a combination of education and experience with courses equivalent to a major in the basic biological and agricultural sciences, including a minimum of 20 semester hours in appropriate animal science subjects, as described above, plus appropriate experience or additional education. For animal scientist positions, at least 10 of the required 20 semester hours in animal science must have been in courses dealing with the breeding, feeding, production, and management of livestock, and the care and preparation of their products*. Education must have been obtained at an accredited. college or university. NOTE: You must submit a copy of your transcript (unofficial or official) with your application. Education cannot be credited without documentation. Experience must be fully documented in your resume. * Course work in animal science includes those subjects dealing with the specific kinds and classes of livestock, e.g., cattle, swine, sheep, or fur bearers, their breeding and development, nutrition, management, and utilization; and the qualities and uses of their products, e.g., meat, wool, or leather. Note regarding Graduate Education: To be qualifying, graduate study must have been in animal, dairy, or poultry science; or in a specialized subject-matter area of science directly related to these sciences, such as feeds and feeding or nutrition, breeding, and development, physiology, or genetics, where the curriculum or pattern of training placed major emphasis on one of the recognized specialized subject-matter areas of animal science. ~AND~ In addition to meeting the basic requirement above, all applicants must meet one of the following minimum qualification requirements: For the GS-11 Grade Level: Specialized Experience: 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 equipped you with the knowledge, skills and abilities necessary to perform the duties of this position. Qualifying experience includes applying knowledge of animal science/animal husbandry to manage animal services for a laboratory research facility; performs work related to animal care and management, conducting policy and guideline reviews, and serving in an advisory capacity regarding research activities involving the use of animals and safety procedures for investigative purposes; ensuring compliance with appropriate laws and regulations; performing analytical studies and interpretation of results to coordinate the evaluation of a facility's research programs/policies and to recommend improvements. NOTE: Applicants wishing to receive credit for such experience must clearly indicate the nature of their duties and responsibilities in each position. ~OR~ Education: Successfully completed three (3) years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree in animal science or a related discipline or field of animal science that is directly related to the work and provided the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of this position. Education must have been obtained at an accredited college or university. NOTE: Copies of transcripts are required at the time of application. Education cannot be credited without documentation. ~OR~ Combination: Equivalent combinations of successfully completed graduate-level education (beyond the second year) and specialized experience, as described above, which meet the total experience requirements for this grade level. The education portion must have provided the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of this position (as described above). Education must have been obtained at an accredited college or university. NOTE: Copies of transcripts must be submitted with your application materials. Education cannot be credited without documentation. For the GS-12 Grade Level: Specialized Experience: At least one (1) full year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level (GS-11) in the Federal service that has equipped you with the knowledge, skills and abilities necessary to perform the duties of this position. Qualifying experience includes applying knowledge of animal science/animal husbandry to manage animal services for a laboratory research facility; performs work related to animal care and management, conducting policy and guideline reviews, and serving in an advisory capacity regarding research activities involving the use of animals and safety procedures for investigative purposes; ensuring compliance with appropriate laws and regulations; performing analytical studies and interpretation of results to coordinate the evaluation of a facility's research programs/policies and to recommend improvements. At this level applicants should have sufficient experience and skill to train research investigators and staff in the handling of animals during procedures and promoting well-being of research animals. Applicants must have lead experience or has led a team on projects or special initiatives. NOTE: Applicants wishing to receive credit for such experience must clearly indicate the nature of their duties and responsibilities in each position. You will be rated on the following Competencies as part of the assessment questionnaire for this position: Administration and ManagementAnimal HusbandryContracting/ProcurementManages and Organizes InformationTechnical Competence 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, although some physical effort may be 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/.

Education

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

There is no educational substitution at the GS-12 grade level.

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 White River Junction ORD VISN 1 215 North Main St. White River Junction, VT 05009 US
• Name: VHA National Recruitment Center
• Phone: (844)456-5208
• Email: [email protected]