This position is located within the Epidemiology Program (EP), Health Outcomes Military Exposures at the Department of Veterans Affairs 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 POSITION IS A VIRTUAL POSITION. THE EMPLOYEE MAY WORK AT A VA FACILITY OR OTHER VA-LEASED SPACE OTHER THAN THE FACILITY THAT IS HIRING THE EMPLOYEE*** 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; Reviews project reports to assess investigators' compliance with research program guidelines; Develops standards for collection and analysis of data and other information as needed to support the Epidemiology Program; Ensures the integrity and security of specialized data and implementation of study designs; Develops statements of goals, policies, priorities, and plans for the full range of research concerns for the program; Serves as senior advisor on research program development; Consults with research elements within the organization, agency, academic community and/or private industry to develop research project opportunities that support VA mission objectives; Establishes and evaluates standards for screening and approval processes for the Epidemiology Program's research and surveillance program; Creates and maintains unique databases to support research on Veterans health issues and promoting their use in collaboration with other interested researchers; Ensures research and surveillance proposals meet standards for scientific review and protection of human subjects; Performs other duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Full Time, Monday through Friday, 8:00am - 4:30pm Recruitment & Relocation Incentives: Not authorized Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Approved 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

Selective Placement Factor: 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 SPF for this position is: Experience participating in scientific studies and surveys as well as conducting statistical analysis in an epidemiological research setting. ~AND~ To qualify for this position all applicants must meet the following: Basic Education Requirement: Bachelor's degree (or higher) from an accredited college or university in a major study in an academic field related to the medical field, health sciences or allied sciences appropriate to the work of this Health Science Specialist - Epidemiology 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. NOTE: Transcripts must be submitted with your application to receive consideration. Education cannot be credited without documentation. ~AND~ Specialized Experience: At least one (1) full year of specialized experience that equipped me with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of this Health Science Specialist - Epidemiology position, and that is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled. To be creditable, specialized experience must have been equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-13) in the Federal service. Specialized Experience includes: analyzing, evaluating unique/complex data, and providing advice and consultation regarding epidemiologic studies/research; communicating both orally and in writing making clear, convincing presentations while explaining and justifying recommendations; developing policies, procedures and criteria for the epidemiological research and surveillance program; developing methods and policies for analysis of clinical data; directing record maintenance and overseeing development of project administrative and statistical reports. NOTE: Applicants wishing to receive credit for such experience must clearly indicate the nature of their duties and responsibilities in each position and the number of hours a week spent in such employment. 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 to determine if you meet the basic education requirement. Please ensure that your transcripts show that a degree was conferred. Display copies of degrees or course listings do not provide the information

There is no educational substitution at this 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 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]