This position works in the Epidemiology Program (EP), Health Outcomes Military Exposures, (VA), at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), in Washington, DC. The primary purpose of this position is to perform a variety of functions, including conducting epidemiological research and health surveillance addressing Veterans, primarily those who have served in combat deployments or who use the VA medical facilities.

Duties

***THIS IS NOT A VIRTUAL POSITION, YOU MUST LIVE WITHIN OR BE WILLING TO RELOCATE WITHIN A COMMUTABLE DISTANCE OF THE DUTY LOCATION*** Major Duties: Creates and maintains unique databases to support research on Veterans health issues and promoting their use in collaboration with other interested researchers. Develops policies, procedures, and criteria for the administration of the VA's epidemiological research and surveillance program. Serves as senior advisor on research program development. Develops statements of goals, policies, priorities, and plans for the full range of research concerns for the program. Reviews project reports to assess investigators' compliance with research program guidelines. Consults with research elements within the organization, agency, academic community and/or private industry to develop research project opportunities that support VA mission objectives. Develops standards for collection and analysis of data and other information as needed to support the Epidemiology Program. Establishes and evaluates standards for screening and approval processes for the Epidemiology Program's research and surveillance program. Develops and coordinates implementation of research methods and design, standards, criteria, and guidelines for the scientific and technical activities of the program. Develops standards, provides scientific leadership, and evaluates research proposals and quality improvement initiatives. Ensures research and surveillance proposals meet standards for scientific review and protection of human subjects. Provides leadership to Epidemiology Program investigators as they develop project presentation, budget recommendations and resources allocations for proposed projects. Prepares in-depth background and management information for review by the research committee and senior leadership. Develops standards for Epidemiology Program practices to maintain records and implement other related VA policies as needed. Performs other related duties and a variety of administrative duties to maintain the integrity and security of specialized data and implementation of study designs. Work Schedule: Full Time, Compressed/Flexible Schedule 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. Recruitment & Relocation Incentives: Not authorized Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not approved

Requirements

Qualifications

SELECTIVE PLACEMENT FACTOR (SCREEN-OUT) - In addition to the meeting the Basic Requirement, this position includes a Selective Placement Factor (skill, knowledge, ability or other worker characteristic basic to - and essential for - satisfactory performance of the job). 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: Experience participating in scientific studies and surveys as well as conducting statistical analysis in an epidemiological research setting. AND MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: This position has a positive education requirement which must be met in order to qualify. The minimum education requirement is: A Bachelor's or graduate/higher level degree: major study in academic field related to the medical field, health sciences or allied sciences appropriate to the work of the position. This degree must be from an educational program from an accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education at the time the degree was obtained. SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: I have at least one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS 13) in the Federal Service that includes performing the following duties: Develops standards and methods for use of complex data routinely used in epidemiologic studies.; Communicates both orally and in writing making clear, convincing presentations while explaining and justifying recommendations.; Develops policies, procedures and criteria for the epidemiological research and surveillance program.; Develops methods and policies for analysis of clinical data.; Directs record maintenance and oversees development of project administrative and statistical reports. (Resume(s) must clearly support the duties and experience required for this position. We will not make assumptions regarding experience.) You will be rated on the following Competencies as part of the assessment questionnaire for this position: CommunicationsData ManagementLeadershipOrganizational AwarenessResearch 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. Typically, the employee may sit comfortably to perform portions of the work. However, there is periodic walking; standing; bending; carrying of light items such as medical records, food trays, instructional material, books, and manuals. No special physical demands are required to perform the work. 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 VHA Central Office - Patient Care Services 810 Vermont Avenue NW Washington, DC 20420 US
• Name: VHA National Recruitment Center
• Phone: (844)456-5208
• Email: [email protected]