Serves as the Research Compliance Officer (RCO) for the Research and Development Program. Position is responsible for developing, implementing, maintaining, and providing leadership, strategic direction and oversight of compliance Research Programs and major areas of regulatory compliance relevant to the VA Research and Development Program are the Protection of Human Subjects in Research, the operation of the animal care and use program, and research safety and security.

Duties

Reviews guidance to develop Standard Operating Procedures that outline research compliance program operations. Prepares and submits research audit findings reports to researchers and presents findings at research review committee meetings. Conduct compliance audits and provide compliance training to study teams as indicated based on the audit findings. Participates in the planning and delivery of educational and informational research workshops/seminars for the purpose of informing, educating, and stimulating others concerning safe and compliant conduct of research. Acts as a compliance resource for researchers during pre- and post-approval process of their research projects to ensure adherence to compliance requirements. Acts as a resource during review and discussion of research proposals submitted from staff investigators, and reviewed by research review committees. Provides training to study teams with regard to IT systems used to enter project data to ensure compliance. Monitors quality of data and procedures and assures that human research subjects' rights are protected. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 8:00am-4:30pm, subject to change based on the needs of the facility. 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#: Program Specialist - Research Compliance Officer/PD075970 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Approved Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

Requirements

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 12/09/2024. 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-12 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-11. 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. You may qualify based on your experience and/or education trying you as described below: Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-11 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to. Progressively responsible analytical or administrative, or clinical management or research experience in the health care field. Working in an operating health care facility or a higher organizational echelon with advisory or directional authority over such facilities. Creating close working relationship with facility managers, researchers, and analysis and/or coordination of administrative, clinical, research compliance or other service activities. Using the Missions, organizations, programs, and requirements of health care delivery systems; to include accreditation of research programs, regulations, and standards of various regulatory and research groups; and Government-wide, agency, and facility systems. Skilled in the various administrative areas such as budget, personnel, and procurement. You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position: Project ManagementResearchTeaching OthersTeamwork 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 mainly sedentary. Traveling off station to other sites of care or various meetings is necessary and working overtime and odd hours, to include weekends may be necessary. There may be some walking (i.e., compliance rounds with Safety Officer of research laboratories), standing, bending, carrying of light items, such as instructional material, manuals, papers and books. 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

There is no educational substitution at this grade level.

Contacts

• Address New Orleans VA Medical Center 2400 Canal Street New Orleans, LA 70119 US
• Name: Kathy Carroll
• Phone: 813-503-7921
• Email: [email protected]