Summary This position is located at the Clement J. Zablocki VA Medical Center, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, in the Research Service, Administrative Office. The employee serves as a central point of contact for all research investigators at the facility, providing authoritative explanation of submissions of protocols and the required forms for the Subcommittee on Animal Studies (SAS) and the Subcommittee on Research Safety (SRS), administrative functions and coordinates submission/revisions with Committees. Responsibilities THIS IS NOT A VIRTUAL POSITION, YOU MUST LIVE WITHIN OR BE WILLING TO RELOCATE WITHIN A COMMUTABLE DISTANCE OF THE DUTY LOCATION Duties will include, but may not be limited to the following: Maintains daily operational procedures for the efficient processing of research proposals involving the use of animal subjects and the use of hazardous biological or chemicals in medical research. Functions include proper and effective receipt, logging, outing, tracking, inquiry, evaluation, review, action and response regarding research submissions and related business. S/he reviews annual continuation requests for accuracy and completeness, processes administrative approvals for protocols when appropriate, and assists the subcommittees in decision-making. S/he coordinates the unexpected/incident reporting process, the semi- annual inspections and will be responsible for writing subcommittee internal and external reports. Importantly, the candidate will provide a communication link between the SAS and SRS to ensure timely and complementary submission and review of related protocols. This individual is the institutional expert on regulatory requirements regarding animal use and care and is expected to provide advice and guidance regarding regulatory and policy requirements in conducting the animal care and use program. Performs pre-committee analysis of research ACORP and Safety Survey forms, including identifying problems and issues in the forms, contacting the investigator and requesting additions or corrections to the forms to the most complete level possible before submission for committee review. Analyzes and interprets government regulations, agency policies and handbooks and other guidance documents in the areas of research animal use and welfare and the safety of personnel engaged in research. Applies extensive knowledge of regulations, policies and guidelines to review and analyze completed research submissions in order to determine the most expeditious processing mechanism for the application. Attends SAS and SRS meeting(s) and writes detailed meeting summaries regarding ethical and animal welfare issues analyzed by committee and documents the final determinations of the subcommittees. Oversees committee-meeting schedules to ensure the presence of a quorum. Develops meeting agendas and maintains confidentiality of committee records. Assists in the development and delivery of training programs for investigators and staff, and the preparation SAS and SRS reports and documentation requested by local administration. Acts as a liaison between investigators and the committee to facilitate the most expeditious, accurate and complete responses from the committee. Coordinates with the Radiation Safety Committee, Biosafety Subcommittee, IACUC at other institutions, etc., in order to verify the approval status of animal studies research proposals and obtain information vital for committee review. Exercises judgment in support of the review process, while adhering to regulations, so that the continuity of research activities or the submission of approvals to funding agencies is assured. Assists investigators in the preparation of their applications and in responding to the concerns of the committee. Secures accurate information for investigators who call with inquiries about their research proposals. Assists in negotiating compromises between the committee and investigators in accordance with regulations, mandates of the committee, and the needs of the investigators. Assists, coordinates, compiles, and organizes the application for institutional animal research accreditation process (AAALAC, ORO). Assists Research Service staff, when needed, with the daily functions of the administrative office. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 8:00am-4:30pm Recruitment & Relocation Incentives: Not authorized Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not approved Telework: This position may be authorized for telework as determined by agency policy. 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 qualify for this Program Specialist GS-9 grade level, applicant(s) must meet at least one of the following minimum qualification requirements. SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: Requires one full year of specialized experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled. To be creditable, specialized experience must have been equivalent to at least the next lower grade level (GS-7) in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Specialized experience includes maintaining daily operational procedures for the efficient processing of research proposals involving the use of animal subjects and the use of hazardous biological or chemicals in medical research; applying extensive knowledge of regulations, policies, and guidelines to review and analyze completed research submissions in order to determine the most expeditious processing mechanism for the applications; assisting, coordinating, compiling, and organizing the application for institutional animal research accreditation process (AAALAC, ORO); management of complex information regulations which ensures the compliance of all research investigators in order to obtain approval through various committees of all research and development; experience working in an environment of scientific discipline of animal research, including its methods and procedures; maintaining a sophisticated computer database (HELIX) with large amounts of data which must be accessible for continuing review and compliance review activities; experience with computer procedures and applications, including word processing, spreadsheets, and databases. -OR- SUBSTITUTION OF EDUCATION FOR EXPERIENCE (TRANSCRIPT REQUIRED): 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 LL.B. or J.D., if related. -OR- COMBINATION OF EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE (TRANSCRIPT REQUIRED): Equivalent combinations of successfully completed graduate education (in excess of one year) and specialized experience may be used to meet total qualification requirements. 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 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/.
