Summary The Health Science Specialist position established within the Office of the Associate Chief of Staff (ACOS) for Research. The position formulates the goals and objectives of the research program for the Dallas VA Medical Center and the broader VA North Texas Healthcare System. The position 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. Responsibilities THIS IS NOT A VIRTUAL POSITION, YOU MUST LIVE WITHIN OR BE WILLING TO RELOCATE WITHIN A COMMUTABLE DISTANCE OF THE DUTY LOCATION Major duties and responsibilities include: Developing/reviewing/approving policies and procedures for administration of the organization's research focused on health services and implementation science. Responsible for compliance related to data sharing, research related information security, health service research, and database research. Continuously monitoring new and revised legislation, VHA Directives and mandates from other agencies related to data sharing, research related information security, health service research, and database research related to health services research. Monitoring the procedures necessary to advance health services and implementation research in accordance with all principles, rules and regulations affecting research within the VA. Conducting assessments and preparing reports regarding the status of health services and implementation research projects. Identifying problems and negotiating corrective action concerning programmatic issues, basic administrative processes, and financial management concerns related to health services and implementation research. Directly supervises scientist investigators, statisticians, database managers, research coordinators, and research staff who are conducting health services and implementation research. Assisting 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. Evaluating the science and justification of scientific research projects proposals. Mentoring/assisting research investigators in preparing proposals related to topics in health services and implementation research. Consulting with PIs and investigators and serves as a resource for scientific and technical issues. Serving as a point of contact for all VA Merit submissions focused on public health, healthcare delivery, health services, health disparities, implementation science, learning healthcare systems, and other broad healthcare system-focused submissions. Planning work to be accomplished by subordinates, setting and adjusting short-term priorities, and preparing schedules for completion of work. Developing new methods, approaches, or procedures in the conduction of research projects or clinical studies to improve best practices in healthcare, including the implementation of evidence-based practices, while contributing to the body of knowledge in Implementation Science. Administering projects and activities as an investigator connected with a health services research center, including IRB submissions and assisting with center oversight activities (e.g., contributing to annual reports) to provide information for oversight and to ensure quality of research products. Collecting and analyzing diverse data through individual and group interview, observations, surveys, and/or other fieldwork techniques using a mix of qualitative and quantitative methodological skills. Performing as a Primary Investigator (PI) on grants related health sciences, including implementation, communication, public health, etc. to develop interventions and improve access to healthcare. Performing other duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Monday-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 To be considered for this position, you must complete all required steps in the process. This position requires the application, assessment, and questionnaire to be fully completed. The assessment measures critical general competencies required to perform the 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 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 IN ORDER TO QUALIFY FOR THIS POSITION AT THE GS-14 LEVEL YOU MUST MEET THE FOLLOWING: BASIC EDUCATION REQUIREMENT: You must possess a bachelor's or higher-level degree that includes a major field of study or specific course requirements related to the medical field, health sciences or allied sciences appropriate to the work of this position? This degree must be from an education program from an accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education at the time the degree was obtained. (COPY OF TRANSCRIPTS ARE REQUIRED AT TIME OF APPLICATION) ~AND~ SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: You must possess one (1) year of specialized experience, equivalent to the next lowered level in Federal service, that equipped you with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities needed to successfully perform the duties of the Supervisor Health Science Specialist position. Specialized experience includes directly supervising scientist investigators, statisticians, database managers, research coordinators, and research staff who are conducting health services and implementation research; evaluating the science and justification of scientific research projects proposals; performing as a Primary or Principal Investigator (PI) on grants related health sciences, including implementation, communication, public health, etc. to develop interventions and improve access to healthcare. (THIS EXPERIENCE MUST BE SUPPORTED BY YOUR RESUME TO BE CREDITABLE.) Your qualifications will be evaluated based on your application materials (e.g., resume, supporting documents), your responses on the application questionnaire, and your responses to all assessments required for this position. You will be assessed on the following Competencies for this position: Conflict Management Influencing/Negotiating Manages Resources Partnering Planning and Evaluating Supervisory Situational Judgment Test. Applicants will be required to complete a Supervisory Situational Judgment Test (SSJT) as part of the assessment process for this position. The SSJT evaluates judgment and decision-making skills that align with relevant competencies, organizational values, and best practices. Assessment results may be used as part of the evaluation, ranking and referral process. This is not a timed test, however, the assessment is expected to take approximately 45 minutes or less to complete. The assessment for this application does not include a cut score for a minimum level of required proficiency in these critical general competencies. However, you must answer each item in the assessment. 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 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 There is no educational substitution at this grade level. 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.
