Summary This position is in the Program Evaluation and Resource Center (PERC), under the supervision of the Director. PERC is one of the evaluation centers funded by the Office of Mental Health (OMH) and Office of Suicide Prevention (OSP). PERC conducts systemwide evaluations of VA treatment methods, services, and programs for mental health, substance use disorders (SUD), and suicide prevention and monitors them for quality and availability. 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: Creating and maintaining large databases using Structured Querying Language (SQL) Server and SQL Server Management Studio. Programming in Python and using software for job automation and version control. Developing and maintaining decision support tools and/or metrics for evaluation and quality improvement. Widely disseminating data and findings from large health care databases using SQL Server Reporting Services (SSRS), Power BI, or similar reporting tools. Using statistical software such as R to perform a wide range of analyses such as predictive modeling. Contributing to and maintaining transparent and reusable data architecture appropriate for large and complex programs and datasets. Managing large, complex health care system level databases that require knowledge of health care coding systems. Employing advanced data visualization techniques that help users or readers understand the significance of data. Understanding ETL (Extract, Transform, Load) processes for automated data migration and transformation. Planning, prioritizing, and independently executing complex, high-profile program evaluation and quality improvement projects that meet requested time frames. Evaluating situations with conflicting technical requirements and deciding what approach or method is best suited to generate the required outcome. Resolving unusual and highly technical problems with large, complex databases using methodologically sound approaches. Documenting existing processes and events that occur during query design and development to ensure operational continuity. Developing and updating proposals to meet program requirements and resolve problems, evaluating technological developments and alternative proposals, and anticipating major problems or future needs. Monitoring progress toward project goals and deadlines while providing technical assistance to staff assigned to projects. Responding effectively to ad hoc queries by providing timely and accurate data, analytic plans, and analyses. Presenting and communicating insights or findings from data to others, including to non-technical audiences. Integrating stakeholder viewpoints and perspectives into the analysis and interpretation of health care system data. 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 Telework: VA supports the use of telework as a way to help attract and retain talented individuals in public service, increase worker productivity, and better prepare the agency to operate during emergencies. 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 is primarily sedentary and requires only occasional travel. Almost all of the work is performed in offices at the VA Palo Alto Health Care System or in a typical virtual office setting. Occasionally, work may be conducted at other locations if the incumbent is on travel. 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-13 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~ SELECTIVE PLACEMENT FACTOR: Selective Placement Factors (SPF) are a prerequisite to appointment and represent minimum requirements for the position. Applicants who do not meet the SPF are ineligible for further consideration. This experience must be supported by your resume to be creditable. The Selective Placement Factor for this position is: Experience creating, maintaining, and conducting complex analyses on relational databases using, at minimum, Structured Querying Language (SQL) and Python. ~AND~ SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: You must possess one (1) year of specialized experience, equivalent to the next lower level in Federal service, that equipped you with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities needed to successfully perform the duties of the Health Science Specialist position. Specialized experience includes creating and refining highly complex system-level databases; planning and executing complex, high-profile program evaluation and Quality Improvement (QI) projects relying on elements of statistics, database programming, clinical informatics, and data systems architecture; utilizing advanced data visualization techniques to help customers understand the significance of data; presenting and communicating insights or findings from data to stakeholders. (THIS EXPERIENCE MUST BE SUPPORTED BY YOUR RESUME TO BE CREDITABLE.) 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. There is no educational substitution at this grade level. 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/.
