Summary The Director of Health Service Innovation is a Health Science Specialist position established within the Office of the Associate Chief of Staff (ACOS) for Research. In collaboration with, and under the guidance of the ACOS, the Director of Health Service Innovation formulates the goals and objectives of the research program for the Dallas Veterans Affairs Medical Center (VAMC) and the broader VA North Texas Healthcare System (VANTHCS) of which it is a part. Responsibilities The incumbent is responsible for initiating policies, procedures, and organizational structures necessary to achieve stipulated goals broadly related to building a health services and implementation research program both locally and regionally. Develops and/or reviews and approves policies and procedures for administration of the organization's research focused on health services and implementation science. Develops related health services and implementation research objectives (goals), priorities and timelines. Responsible for compliance with both VISN- and VACO-mandated research policies, related to data sharing, research related information security, health service research, and database research, including those issued by the Office of Research and Development (ORD) and the Office of Research Oversight (ORO) which includes accreditation of the Human Research Protection Program. Continuously monitors new and revised legislation, VHA Directives and mandates from other agencies (OSHA, FDA, the JC, OIG, etc.) related to data sharing, research related information security, health service research, and database research related to health services research. Monitors the procedures necessary to advance health services and implementation research in accordance with all principles, rules and regulations affecting research within the VA. Conducts assessments and prepares reports regarding the status of health services and implementation research projects necessary to appraise the ACOS and R&D Committee of current status. Assists the ACOS with reviews of research proposals related to topics in health services and implementation research prior to their submission through the R&D Committee and its Sub-committees, whether they are to be funded by VA or a non-VA source. Serves as an interface between Research Service and investigators pursuing health services and implementation research, VANTHCS support services, VACO (including ORO and ORD), VISN, and the local non-profit Research Foundation. Incumbent supervises the VANTHCS Health Services Research Unit. Perform assignments at the highest level of investigative independence involving complex research programs and/or multi-site/center trials. Conduct analysis of issues of importance to VA health care programs relevant to hospital, ambulatory, and/or long-term care to share research findings and innovations that can be implemented into routine practice to improve healthcare delivery. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00am-4:30pm Telework: This position may be authorized for ad-hoc telework. Telework eligibility will be discussed during the interview process. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Description/PD#: Supervisory Health Science Specialist/PD338110 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Approved Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized 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 or 2-year trial 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 or trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest. Qualifications To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 04/14/2026. 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-14 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-13. 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. Individual Occupational Requirements (IOR) - must be satisfied to be considered for the position. Bachelor's or graduate/higher level degree: Major study in an academic field related to the medical field, health sciences or allied sciences appropriate to the work of the position. In addition to the IOR above you may qualify based on your experience as described below: Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-13 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: analyzes, evaluates and provides expert advice and consultation to other health scientists and physicians involved in health services and implementation research; applying research and healthcare knowledge to the development of new and creative methods, approaches, or procedures in research projects or studies; complex analytical skills to perform analysis or interpret results of research; monitor the evaluation of programs and recommend improvements; manage and lead a variety of staff at all grade and education levels; knowledge of the theories, principles, concepts and methodologies of an academic discipline related to the medical field, health sciences or allied sciences. You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position: Research Compliance Technical Competence Administration Management 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: The work is sedentary. Typically, the employee may sit comfortably to perform portions of the work, however there is periodic walking to and from the Research building to the main hospital and clinics; standing; bending; carrying of light items such as files, binders, books, etc. 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 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/. Note: If your school has changed names, or is no longer in existence, you must provide this information with your application. 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. 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.
