The positions are located within the Medical Research Service, Institutional Review Board (IRB), at the at the Veterans Affairs (VA) Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System. The Program Specialist supports the VA's mission and strategic initiatives by ensuring that research programs utilizing human subjects adhere to standards and guidelines. The position provides administrative and technical support in Human Subjects Protection Program (HRPP) in General Medical Research.

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 is a TERM appointment (13 Months, Not to Exceed 4 years). Term appointments are non-status, nonpermanent appointments of limited duration (more than 1 year but not more than 4). 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 (up to the 4 year maximum). The appointment to a Term position does not confer eligibility for promotion or reassignment to other positions or the ability to be non-competitively converted to permanent employment. IRB Administration: Serves as the Institutional Review Board (IRB) Coordinator; Works closely with the Human Research Protection Program (HRPP) Administrator and Research and Development staff in the development of short- and long-range goals and objectives; Functions as the primary administrative and expert resource for the Institutional Review Board (IRB) which reviews all research protocols involving human subjects conducted by Veterans Affairs (VA) personnel. IRB Technician Review: Serves as the principal Human Research Protection Program (HRPP) technical/program point of contact on other collaborative research projects within the Research and Development Service; Ensures that appropriate guidance regarding interpretation of regulations, laws, and policies to researchers, staff and Research leadership is applied; Ensures that the Greater Los Angeles Veterans Affairs (VA) Medical Center is compliant with the terms its Federal wide Assurance (FWA) as well as with the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Office of Research and Development policies and procedures, federal regulations, and state and local laws related to the review of human research. Quality Assurance Monitoring: Perform quality assurance monitoring of research protocols and investigate matters of non-compliance; Implements corrective action(s) as needed in accordance with federal regulations, Veterans Health Administration (VHA) and Greater Los Angeles (GLA) Healthcare System regulations, Yale policies, and Institutional Review Board (IRB) policies and procedures; Performs other directly related duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Monday through Friday; 8:00a.m.- 4:30p.m. Recruitment & Relocation Incentives: Not authorized 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 AT THE GS-09 LEVEL YOU MUST MEET THE FOLLOWING CRITERIA: SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: At least one (1) full year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level (GS-7) in the Federal Service that has given you the particular knowledge, skills and abilities required to successfully perform the duties of a Program Specialist. Specialized experience includes: performing analytical, evaluative, and advisory work; managing and coordinating administrative services essential to the effective operation of a clinical research operation involving human subjects; preparing a variety of reports, forms, and correspondence; utilizing Microsoft Outlook, PowerPoint, Word, and Excel to accomplish administrative duties. NOTE: 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. ~OR~ EDUCATION: Successful completion of a master's degree or two (2) full years of graduate level education leading to such a degree in a related field of study that demonstrates your ability to perform the duties of this position. NOTE: If you select this option, you must submit a copy of your transcript (unofficial or official) with your application. Education cannot be credited without documentation. ~OR~ COMBINATION: Equivalent combinations of successfully completed graduate-level education (beyond the first 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). NOTE: Copies of transcripts must be submitted with your application materials. Education cannot be credited without documentation. ~AND~ 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: possess experience in managing and/or conducting human studies research projects and reviewing documents submitted to Institutional Review Boards (IRB) for adherence to federal regulations. (Application/resume materials must reflect this experience in detail to receive credit for this selective placement factor). You will be rated on the following Competencies as part of the assessment questionnaire for this position: ComplianceCritical ThinkingCustomer Service (Clerical/Technical)ResearchSelective Placement FactorTechnical 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: Typically, the employee sits comfortably to do the work; however, there may be some walking, standing, bending, carrying of light items, such as, papers and books. Incumbent walks to and from meetings. 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 Los Angeles ORD VISN 22 5730 Uplander Way Culver City, CA 90230 US
• Name: VHA National Recruitment Center
• Phone: (844)456-5208
• Email: [email protected]