Summary The position provides administrative support for the Center Director and Associate Chief of Staff (ACOS) for Research and the Administrative Officer (AO) for Research at the Center for Healthcare Optimization and Implementation Research (CHOIR) at Bedford VA Health Care System, in Bedford, MA. Responsibilities THIS IS NOT A VIRTUAL POSITION, YOU MUST LIVE WITHIN OR BE WILLING TO RELOCATE WITHIN A COMMUTABLE DISTANCE OF THE DUTY LOCATION This position involves a multi-grade career ladder. The major duties listed below represent the full performance level of GS-11. At the GS-9 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. The position will serve by providing day-to-day guidance and counsel to investigators, research, and administrative staff on grants administration and compliance issues, working closely with the research Principal Investigators to assist in preparation and submission of such applications. Major duties include, but are not limited to: Manages critical pre-award and post award program. As the grants signing official, the position will be authorized to carry out critical activities and make unilateral decisions in assigned areas, including delegated institutional authority to approve and submit extramural funding applications for VA-sponsored research grants. Functions as an advisor and coordinator to principal investigators, their research staff, and new investigators with the diverse requirements and exact deadlines of the pre- and post-award programs. Provides guidance in budget preparation to ensure compliance with multiple VHA handbooks and directives. Serves as a Signing Official for eRA Commons, managing affiliations for investigators in eRA. Assures that all proposals are administratively and technically correct, include documentation to ensure the availability and approval of necessary resources (space, personnel, and equipment), the use of investigational drugs, the use of human and animal subjects, the use of biohazards, budgetary requirements, and the appropriateness of the requested funding level. Manages and oversees submission of Letters of Intent, Pre-Application Packages, and Intent to Submit as needed for the above extramural funding applications. Assists in obtaining necessary documents from collaborators and in assembling final grant packages, conducts the administrative review of packages prior to submission, making minor corrections as needed to ensure compliance with applicable RFA requirements, and reporting to investigators any major issues which require investigator or study team action to correct. Assists specific investigators in the development of new or revised applications for extramural funding. Independently collecting and analyzing data used to prepare and submit a variety of reports to the Center Director and AO for R&D, the facility R&D Committee, Medical Center Director, and Chief of Staff, VISN leadership, Office of R&D (ORD), Office of Research Oversight, and VA Central Office. Performs other duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00 am until 4:30 pm. Recruitment & Relocation Incentives: Not authorized Telework: This position may be authorized for 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 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 required does not inherently include any physical requirements essential for successful job performance that could not otherwise be performed with accommodation or workplace adjustment. A pre-placement physical examination is not required. 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 identification 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. 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, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest. Qualifications To meet the minimum qualifications for this position, you must meet one of the following: GS-9 SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE - One (1) full year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-7 grade level in federal service that equipped you with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of an Grants Management Specialist, and that is typically in or related to the work of this position. Specialized experience includes: providing support and/or assisting in the management of research grants in a research environment to include use of electronic grant submission systems. NOTE: 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. ~OR~ EDUCATION - Have successfully completed a master's or equivalent graduate degree, or 2 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree, or an LL.B. or J.D. in a field related to this position that demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of this position. NOTE: Transcripts must be submitted with application. Education cannot be credited without documentation. ~OR~ COMBINATION -Possess equivalent combinations of successfully completed graduate level education (in excess of the first year or 18 semester hours) and specialized experience to meet total experience requirements. NOTE: If using education combined with specialized experience to qualify, a copy of your transcript is required. GS-11 SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE - One (1) full year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-9 grade level in federal service that equipped you with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of an Grants Management Specialist, and that is typically in or related to the work of this position. Specialized experience includes having a comprehensive understanding and application of regulations, policies, and procedures for grants and cooperative agreements. It includes proficiency in reviewing budgets, performing financial analyses, adapting guidelines to project needs, interpreting dynamic policies, managing multiple projects, and utilizing administrative, analytical, and technology tools. Strong communication, technical writing, and interpersonal skills are essential for providing guidance and negotiating solutions. NOTE: 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. ~OR~ EDUCATION - Have successfully completed a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree, or 3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree, or an LL.M. in a field related to this position that demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of this position. NOTE: Transcripts must be submitted with application. Education cannot be credited without documentation. ~OR~ COMBINATION -possess equivalent combinations of successfully completed graduate level education (in excess of the first two years or 36 semester hours) and specialized experience to meet total experience requirements. NOTE: If using education combined with specialized experience to qualify, a copy of your transcript is required. ~AND~ 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: Do you have experience in preparing, reviewing, analyzing, and evaluating research grants with professional and other grant submission software and databases (i.e., eRA Commons or similar)? 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/. 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. 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 Reasonable Accommodation (RA) Requests: If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be granted the opportunity to request a RA in your online application. Requests for RA for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for RA must be received prior to starting the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. Decisions on requests for RA are made on a case-by-case basis. If you meet the minimum qualifications of the position, after notification of the adjudication of your request, you will receive an email invitation to complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, based on your adjudication decision. You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments if you received the link after the close of the announcement. To determine if you need a RA, please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments. 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. The Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) and Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) provide eligible displaced Federal competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. To be qualified you must submit appropriate documentation and be found well-qualified (have a final rating of 80 or more before any Veterans preference points) for this vacancy. Information about ICTAP and CTAP eligibility is on OPM's Career Transition Resources website at http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/employee-guide-to-career-transition/.
