Health Science Specialist

This position is assigned to the Office of Research Oversight (ORO) in the Veterans Health Administration (VHA). ORO reports directly to the Under Secretary for Health (USH) and is the primary office for advising the USH on matters related to assurance and compliance with VA and other Federal requirements for the protection of human research subjects, laboratory animal welfare, research safety and laboratory security, research information security, and research misconduct.

Major Duties Include: Monitors and evaluates VA medical facility and VISN responses to allegations of research misconduct Conducts procedural reviews of research misconduct cases referred for an Investigation to assess and ensure compliance with applicable VA policies and procedures. Serves as subject matter expert on VA and VHA policies pertaining to investigation of research misconduct and Interacts with personnel at VA facilities to clarify issues and provide advice and technical assistance. Collects and analyzes historical and real-time data on the disposition of allegations of research misconduct involving VA research. Tracks appointments of VA medical facility Research Integrity Officers (RIOs), maintains an updated RIO contact list, and provides information to RIOs as necessary. Develops and implements a training program, as needed, for VA medical facility RIOs on VA and VHA policies applicable to the investigation of allegations of research misconduct. Prepares oral briefings and written briefing materials on VA research misconduct cases for VHA senior leadership and others. Ensures presentations and products (reports, seminars, trainings, exit briefings, memoranda, forms and checklists for the VA research field, etc.) are professional, factually accurate, clear, logically organized, balanced and objective in tone, and grammatically correct. Develops/implements new and/or improved strategies for compliance oversight. Provides analysis of VHA facility compliance with Federal and VA policies pertaining to research misconduct, and analysis of complex research data sets and results associated with research misconduct cases. Establishes ORO Research Misconduct program goals and identifies results demonstrating effectiveness; making programmatic and policy interpretation; leading and holding primary responsibility for ORO research misconduct program; and representing VA on inter-agency committees/groups. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 8:00 am - 4:30 pm Virtual: This position may be authorized for Virtual Work. Virtual Work eligibility is for current VA employees that are already subject to the return to the in-person work mandate in their current position. Definition of Virtual Work: Employee works outside of original hiring duty station at a VA-owned or leased space. Return to Office (RTO): RTO mandates are in effect and selectees will be required to report to in-person work unless they are approved for an exception or an exemption. Any approval for an RTO exception, exemption, or extension will happen after a tentative job offer, but before a final job offer. Position Description/PD#: Health Science Specialist/PD015450 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Approved Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

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 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) 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.

A transcript must be submitted with your application. 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/.