Summary This position is located in the Research Office at the Minneapolis VA Medical Center. The Minneapolis VAMC Research Service is one of the largest research programs within VHA. It oversees all aspects of approximately 500 research projects conducted at the Minneapolis VAMC including animal, laboratory and clinical research conducted by nearly 200 investigators and approximately 800 research personnel (including VA-paid and WOC employees). 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 8/14/2029). 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 noncompetitively converted to permanent employment. Major Duties: The position acts as a liaison between the Research Office and research personnel, contractors, and administrative offices outside the Research Service. Provides technical direction and consultation for all VA research proposals submitted by investigators and provides critical input on format/requirements for proposal submissions. Monitors and assists investigators in the assembly of research proposals to meet a wide variety of institutional and national deadlines. Provides strategies and advice on VA rules and policies; supports investigators, administrators, and other supervisors in preparation of position descriptions; prepares advertising/recruiting for open positions; identifies appointment options, and processes hiring paperwork. Advises employees and supervisors on personnel issues such as scheduling, leave administration, overtime, mandatory training, credentialing requirements for new employees, etc. Supervises the timekeeping function and ensures timekeeper enters time properly and timely. Approves leave requests and certify timecards. Ensures proper identification of performance elements/standards, consistency in ratings across supervisors, and timeliness in completion of reviews. Ensures administrative support work is performed and develops processes for work performed and ensures work is carried out accurately and timely. Performs other related duties as assigned. Work Schedule: M-F (8am - 4:30pm) Recruitment & Relocation Incentives: Not authorized Requirements Conditions of Employment You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job To be considered for this position, you must complete all required steps in the process. In addition to the application and questionnaire, this position requires an online assessment. The online assessment measures critical general competencies required to perform the job. Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959 Physical Requirements: The work is primarily sedentary and requires long periods of concentrated mental effort although interruptions will always occur. This requires the ability to mentally keep on track with an effort which breaking to address a request. Some lifting and carrying of light items such as records and files is necessary. The incumbent uses a computer and standard office equipment to complete tasks. 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) - See "Required Documents" below for details. Qualifications For GS-7: Superior Academic Achievement at the GS-7 level: (SAA) at the baccalaureate level in the coursework detailed above is fully qualifying. Applicants who wish to apply under this provision must submit proof from their educational institution that they meet one of the criteria listed below. To qualify for SAA, applicants must have completed all the requirements for a bachelor's degree in a curriculum that is qualifying for the position to be filled and meet one of the following: Rank in the upper one-third of your class in the college, university or major subdivision. A grade-point average of "B" (a GPA of 2.95 or higher out of a possible 4.0) for all completed undergraduate courses, or those completed in the last two years of undergraduate study. A grade point average of "B+" (a GPA of 3.45 or higher out of a possible 4.0) for all courses in your major field of study, or those courses in your major completed in the last two years of undergraduate study. Membership in a national honor society (other than freshman honor societies) recognized by the Association of College Honor Societies. For a list of recognized honor societies please visit http://www.achsnatl.org/quick_link.asp. (TRANSCRIPTS REQUIRED) For more information regarding SAA please visit http://www.opm.gov/qualifications/SEC-II/s2-e5.asp#e4f. OR Graduate Education: Possess at least one full year of graduate level study or possess a master's or higher degree in a field that provided the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of this position. (TRANSCRIPTS REQUIRED) OR Specialized Experience: Possess at least one year of work understanding of the theory and principles of management and organization including administrative practices and procedures common to organizations; maintaining and updating technical files, reports, computer files, and confidential records for Research Service; using computer software programs (Excel, MS Word, Outlook, etc.) to format and maintain databases etc. and equivalent to GS-5 grade level in Federal service. OR Combining Education and Experience: Possess an equivalent combination of graduate education and experience to meet the total experience requirements for the GS-7 grade level. NOTE: To calculate the combination of education and experience, determine the amount of experience you have as a percentage for the grade level. Then determine the amount of education you have as a percentage for the grade level. Add the two percentages; the total percentage must equal at least 100% to qualify for the grade level. (TRANSCRIPTS REQUIRED) For GS-9 Specialized Experience: Possess at least one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level of (GS-7) in Federal service. Specialized experience is understanding of the theory and principles of management and organization including administrative practices and procedures common to organizations; maintaining and updating technical files, reports, computer files, and confidential records for Research Service; using computer software programs (Excel, MS Word, Outlook, etc.) to format and maintain databases etc. OR Graduate Education: Possess a master's or equivalent graduate degree or 2 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.B. or J.D., if related. Such an education must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work. One year of full-time graduate education is considered to be the number of credit hours that the school attended has determined to represent 1 year of full-time study. If that information cannot be obtained from the school, 18 semester hours should be considered as satisfying the 1 year of full-time study requirement. (TRANSCRIPTS REQUIRED) OR Combining Education and Experience: Possess a combination of successfully completed post-high school education and experience may be used to meet total qualification requirements for the grade levels. To be computed by first determining the total qualifying experience as a percentage of the experience required for the grade level; then determining the education as a percentage of the education required for the grade level; and then adding the two percentages. The total percentages must equal at least 100 percent to qualify for the grade level. Only graduate education in excess of the amount required for the next lower grade level may be used to qualify applicants for positions at grade GS-9. (TRANSCRIPTS REQUIRED) 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: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/. Additional Information Receiving Service Credit for Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. 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.
