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Summary The official title of this position is Health Systems Specialist. The employee will serve as the Research IRB Analyst for the Research and Development (R&D) Service at the VA Medical Center in Portland, OR. 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 (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. This position involves a multi-grade career ladder. The major duties listed below represent the full performance level of GS-11. At the GS-09 grade level, you will perform assignments of a more limited scope and with less independence. You will progressively acquire the background necessary to perform at the full performance level of GS-11. Promotion is at the discretion of the supervisor and is contingent upon satisfactory performance, availability of higher level work, and availability of funds. MAJOR DUTIES: Manages regulatory committees and provides subject matter expertise regarding the underlying regulations in ensuring compliance in research; Provides high level analytical and procedural support of projects in a comprehensive research setting; Provides day-to­day support for the VA Research Program; Works independently, in conformance with established practices and prescribed procedures and makes recommendation to update established practices and procedures when indicated; Performs a variety of complex tasks related to the approval and maintenance of research projects including necessary regulatory approvals, decisions, submissions that are tied to protocol execution, data reporting and management; Requires knowledge of the full scope of activities required to conduct single and multisite research in the areas of human subject protection, biosafety, Institutional Review Boards (IRB), Institutional Animal Care and Use Committees (IACUC), and R&D Committees through regulatory and policy compliance; Approves research and must be able to interpret, analyze, and use discretion to implement and devise a wide range of research policies; Performs related duties as required. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8:00am to 4:30pm Recruitment & Relocation Incentives: Not authorized Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not approved Telework: This position may be authorized for ad hoc telework. Telework eligibility will be discussed during the interview process. 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 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) As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Upon completion of your probationary period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest. Qualifications GS-09 Minimum Qualifications Specialized Experience: One year (52 weeks) of specialized experience at or equivalent to the GS-07 level in the Federal service (or equivalent non-federal) that is directly related to the work of the position, and that has equipped the applicant with the knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) to perform the duties of this position. Specialized Experience: Progressively responsible analytical, administrative, clinical management or supervisory experience in the health care field that involved a close working relationship with facility managers, and analysis and/or coordination of administrative, clinical, or other service activities, and provided knowledge of the following: (1) Missions, organizations, programs, and requirements of health care delivery systems; (2) Regulations and standards of various regulatory and credentialing groups; and (3) Government-wide, agency, and facility systems and requirements in various administrative areas such as budget, personnel, and procurement. In addition, to qualify at the GS-09 level, you must also have experience ensuring compliance with processes, policies, and regulatory and ethical standards for health research. This experience must be detailed in your resume to receive credit. OR Education Substitution: Master's degree or equivalent graduate degree (or 2 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree) with the major in hospital administration, public health administration, or a related field such as business or public administration that included coursework in health care administration. (Transcripts required by the closing date.) OR Combination: A combination of specialized experience and graduate education as described above may be used to meet the total requirement, so long as the total computed percentage equals 100% of the requirement (e.g., six months of qualifying specialized experience and 9 semester hours of qualifying graduate-level education). Only graduate education in excess of a bachelor's degree may be credited. GS-11 Minimum Qualifications Specialized Experience: One year (52 weeks) of specialized experience at or equivalent to the GS-09 level in the Federal service (or equivalent non-federal) that is directly related to the work of the position, and that has equipped the applicant with the KSAs to perform GS-11 duties. Specialized Experience: Progressively responsible analytical, administrative, clinical management or supervisory experience in the health care field that involved a close working relationship with facility managers, and analysis and/or coordination of administrative, clinical, or other service activities, and provided knowledge of the following: (1) Missions, organizations, programs, and requirements of health care delivery systems; (2) Regulations and standards of various regulatory and credentialing groups; and (3) Government-wide, agency, and facility systems and requirements in various administrative areas such as budget, personnel, and procurement. In addition, to qualify at the GS-11 level, you must also have experience with Institutional Review Board (IRB) processes, policies, and regulatory and ethical standards for human subjects research. This experience must be detailed in your resume to receive credit. OR Education Substitution: Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree (or 3 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree) with the major in hospital administration, public health administration, or a related field such as business or public administration that included coursework in health care administration. (Transcripts required by the closing date.) OR Combination: A combination of graduate education beyond the master's level and specialized experience as described above may be used to meet the total requirement, so long as the total computed percentage equals 100% of the requirement (e.g., six months of qualifying specialized experience and 9 semester hours of qualifying graduate-level education beyond the master's level). 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: Experience with Institutional Review Board (IRB) processes, policies, and regulatory and ethical standards for human subjects research. This includes experience preparing, submitting, reviewing, or managing IRB protocols, ensuring regulatory compliance, and applying principles of human subjects protection in accordance with federal regulations (e.g., 45 CFR 46, the Common Rule). A Quality Ranking Factor has been requested by the facility to help determine which of the basically qualified applicants are likely to be better qualified for a position. Quality Ranking Factors are skills, knowledge, abilities, or other worker characteristics which could be expected to result in superior performance on the job. Quality ranking factors will not be used for screening, but may be used as ranking criteria. Applicants with higher proficiency levels may rank above those with lower proficiency levels on a quality ranking factor. The Quality Ranking Factor for this position is: Familiarity with IRB software systems such as VA Innovation and Research Review System (VAIRRS) and IRBNet and have experience in coordinating with researchers, compliance officers, or regulatory bodies. You will be rated on the following Competencies as part of the assessment questionnaire for this position: Administration and Management Critical Thinking Project Management Quality Ranking Factor 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 sedentary, although some slight physical effort may be required. Work is typically performed in an adequately lighted and climate-controlled office. May require occasional travel. 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 Note: Per "Executive Order 14251: Exclusions from Federal Labor-Management Relations Programs", this position is no longer eligible for bargaining unit participation. 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.