The Office of Suicide Prevention functions under the overarching direction of the Executive Director of Suicide Prevention in the Office of the Assistant Under Secretary of Health for Clinical Services. The Suicide Prevention Program is focused upon the full implementation of VA's National Strategy for Preventing Veteran Suicide and the Department of Veterans Affairs and Department of Defense (VA/DoD) Clinical Practice Guideline for Assessment and Management of Patients at Risk for Suicide.

Duties

The first 50 applicants will receive first consideration. Additional applicants will be referred in increments of 50 at management's request. Duties include but are not limited to: Oversight of innovation, partnerships, and education programs to promote forward the execution of high-level enterprise-wide projects to support VA Suicide Prevention. Direct leadership for multiple national suicide prevention initiatives, including, but not limited to: developing new Suicide Prevention Special Projects and Demonstration Projects, evaluating and modifying the Suicide Prevention Now Initiative, Education, and Partnerships, and additional suicide prevention initiatives as identified by the Executive Director of Suicide Prevention, the Secretary of the VA, and/or congressional legislation. Participation in and leadership of assigned work groups and task forces developing national, regional, and local initiatives to integrate technical consultation initiatives with policy development, and coordination with other clinical and administrative areas as needed and / or directed by Executive leadership of Suicide Prevention. Direct supervision to several National Program Managers (GS-14), including Associate Director positions and multiple high-level executive support positions within Executive level teams within Suicide Prevention. Sets performance standards and serves as senior rater or rater for subordinate employees. Reviews and approves performance standards and evaluations. Ensures that an effective program is in place to identify training needs and developmental opportunities of the staff and that the needs are met in the proper timeframes. Plans and assigns work, sets priorities, advises employees on program goals and objectives, and makes decisions on work problems presented by subordinate staff. Oversight of national demonstration and special projects in advancing innovation to move forward the National Strategy for Preventing Veteran Suicide (2018) and White House Strategy for Reducing Military and Veteran Suicide (2021). Provides input and/or guidance on potential legislation as required or requested by the Executive Director for Suicide Prevention or Congressional partners or representatives. Plans and executes short-range and long-range (5+ years) programs and projects of national significance across multiple agencies. Responsible for collaboration with VA Innovation to identify potential areas for demonstration project development for suicide prevention Facilitates engagement and collaborates with Suicide Prevention Research and Program Evaluation and OMHSP Program Centers, and VA Research Centers to develop formal program evaluation processes and ensure the most advanced processes and systems are being used for suicide prevention. Provides oversight to Suicide Prevention partnerships team, collaborating with external and internal formal and informal partners to promote implementation of the National Strategy for Preventing Veteran Suicide, including Veterans Service Organizations, community non profit organizations, Department of Defense Suicide Prevention Office (DSPO), Department of Homeland Security, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), Centers for Disease Control (CDC), and other entities for Veteran suicide prevention. Works with Suicide Prevention leaders, VISN Chief Mental Health Officers and other national leaders, as appropriate, to collect and analyze data concerning the impact of assigned special projects, clinical activities, training initiatives and other programs of Congressional, White House, and VA Executive leadership focus. Develops new theories, concepts, principles, standards, and methods to advance suicide prevention services beyond current parameters. Studies and writes reports containing findings, proposals, and recommendations of major significance to Executive leadership that often serve as the basis for new administrative systems or suicide prevention programs Work Schedule: Mon - Fri, 0800-1630 Compressed/Flexible: May be available Telework: Available (applicant is required on site 50% of work schedule per pay period) Virtual: This is a virtual position. Position Description/PD#: Social Science Officer/PD223310

Requirements

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 09/09/2024. 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. Individual Occupational Requirements Degree: behavioral or social science; or related disciplines appropriate to the position. or Combination of education and experience that provided the applicant with knowledge of one or more of the behavioral or social sciences equivalent to a major in the field. 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. SELECTIVE PLACEMENT FACTOR (SCREEN-OUT) - A Selective Placement Factor (SPF) has been identified for this position. Selective Placement Factors (SPF) are a prerequisite to appointment and represent minimum requirements for the position. Applicants who do not meet the SPF are ineligible for further consideration. The SPF for this position is: Supervisory experience; experience in project management; oversight of programs to promote forward the execution of high-level enterprise-wide projects. 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: Expert knowledge of, understanding of and experience in utilizing professional expertise in developing and directing federal healthcare treatment programs, with demonstrated understanding and navigation of social science-related strategic priorities in order to integrate new programs into existing infrastructures; Mastery Knowledge of advanced management and organizational principles and practices, along with a comprehensive knowledge of planning, programming, and budgeting regulations, guidelines, and processes sufficient to expand and narrow the barriers of studies as needed; Expert ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing; negotiates complex issues, controversial subject-matters, and skill in maintaining good working relations; Skill in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with a variety of individuals and groups, some of whom have opposing views from the organization, and where the incumbent must defend the developed policy or point of view in the face of heavy criticism.. Preferred experience: Experience developing national training and education, recommending policy, programming and planning actions, and strategic guidance for a national initiative and experience translating new initiatives into educational resources and/or national programs or projects You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position: Leadership Managing Human Resources Organizational Awareness Planning and Evaluating Communications 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: Work is primarily sedentary. There is some walking, standing, bending, and carrying of light items such as books, papers, and files. 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

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/.

Contacts

• Address Office of Suicide Prevention, Veterans Crisis Line 810 Vermont Avenue NW Washington, DC 20420 US
• Name: VHA National Recruitment Center
• Phone: (844)456-5208
• Email: [email protected]