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Summary These positions are located within the Greater Los Angeles VA Healthcare System (West Long Angeles and Sepulveda) Medical Research Service in Los Angeles, CA. Research programs are spread over two campuses to support one of the largest and most diverse research enterprises within the VA. The Staff Assistant provides support, public outreach and administrative assistance to ensure the successful management of a research project funded and supervised by the Principal Investigator. Responsibilities ***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 (1 year and 1 day, not-to-exceed 09/30/2027). 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 Major duties include but are not limited to: Provides outreach and communication coordination; Assists the Principle Investigator in outreach, presentations, and press releases highlighting the success and goals of the supporting programs; Serves as the key liaison for communication among the researchers, committees and the Principle Investigator and troubleshoots and/or optimizes access to facilitate and achieve study goals; Reviews current materials already developed in research e.g., SOP documents, brochures, presentations and all research program (human, biosafety, radiation safety and animal) forms relevant to research programs; Frequently meets with research investigators to obtain their perspective of their needs and how the current materials meet the needs for access to the research facility; and maintain any researcher's guides, SOPs, and forms that are available to investigators at other VAs or other academic institutions for potential adaptation and/or revision of currently used research forms; Develops an external "communication plan" that includes outreach strategies for recruitment, overarching principles of research programs to be communicated and identifies the best method of communication; Manages all administrative activities related to the support of the research program; Interfaces with the service level Communications lead, IT staff, and University affiliates to publicize all accomplishments (such as funded/submitted grants, published manuscripts and scientific presentations), the purchase of new equipment, and availability of the facilities and resources that are available to researchers; Communicates and assists funded scientists on administrative tasks to conduct research utilizing the imaging core; Assists, coordinates and participates in meetings, conference calls, committee meetings, and scientific meetings pertaining to the administrative functioning of the research program; Schedules and moderates weekly meetings, teleconference calls, and email communications to apprise the Principle Investigator of new developments or problems and work to trouble shoot solutions to implement, establish now/ongoing project priorities, and prepare goal related outcomes; Maintains office and research supplies inventory by arranging purchases through facility approved vendors when needed; Creates data entry systems using Microsoft Excel and enter equipment utilization (such as research equipment hours used) data with a high degree of accuracy; Creates and maintains notes of all meetings, communications with research and committee staff meetings relating to the research program and updating of all SOPs to ensure thorough and uniform documentation within the system; Utilizes Microsoft PowerPoint, Excel, Word, and Publisher to create presentations, advertisements, assessments, and publications related to the function and activities of the research program; Assists with the budgeting and financial management of the Principal Investigator's research project; and Performs other related duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Monday through Friday, 8:00am to 4:30pm Recruitment & Relocation Incentives: Not authorized Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Approved Requirements Conditions of Employment You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959 You may be required to serve a probationary period Subject to background/security investigation Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP) Qualifications To qualify for the GS-9 level, you must meet one of the following requirements: Specialized Experience: You must have 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 Staff Assistant - Research and that is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled. Specialized experience includes coordinating and providing administrative support of clinical research projects and programs; interpreting and analyzing data; identifying and analyzing problems; utilizing Microsoft Office and other computer programs to create online meetings, prepare presentation materials, manuals, forms and electronic databases; and communicating and working with individuals with varied backgrounds. Applicants must have strong oral and written communication skills. 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. 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 progressively higher-level graduate 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 include graduate courses that demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of this position. NOTE: If you select this option, you must submit a copy of your transcript with your application. Education cannot be credited without documentation. You will be rated on the following Competencies as part of the assessment questionnaire for this position: Administration and Management Financial Management Research 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 performed in an office environment and requires alternating periods of walking and sedentary work. Manual dexterity is required for operating office equipment. Typing/computer operation may involve long periods of hand and wrist movement. Occasional light lifting and carrying for delivery of supplies and documents. 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). Additional Information This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement. Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.