Health Science Specialist - Epidemiology

The Health Science Specialist position is located in the Epidemiology Program (EP), Health Outcomes Military Exposures (HOME) in Washington DC.

***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 but not limited to: Develops standards for collection and analysis of data and other information as needed to support the Epidemiology Program. Reviews project reports to assess investigators compliance with research program guidelines. Develops statements of goals, policies, priorities, and plans for the full range of research concerns for the program.

Develops and coordinates implementation of research methods and design, standards, criteria, and guidelines for the scientific and technical activities of the program. Develops standards, provides scientific leadership, and evaluates research proposals and quality improvement initiatives. Performs a variety of administrative duties to maintain the integrity and security of specialized data and implementation of study designs.

Serves as senior advisor on research program development. Consults with research elements within the organization, agency, academic community and/or private industry to develop research project opportunities that support VA mission objectives. Establishes and evaluates standards for screening and approval processes for the Epidemiology Program's research and surveillance program. Identifies problems requiring corrective action including consideration of the research activities and project management.

Conducts studies, analyzes data, and presents results through presentations and/or publications. Prepares estimates of resources required to deliver programs at various levels. Develops strategies to meet short, medium and long range goals for the program. Creates and maintains unique databases to support research on Veterans health issues and promoting their use in collaboration with other interested researchers. Ensures research and surveillance proposals meet standards for scientific review and protection of human subjects.

Performs other duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Full time, Compressed/Flexible Schedule, will be discussed during the interview process. Recruitment & Relocation Incentives: Not authorized Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not approved Telework: This position may be authorized for Ad hoc telework. Ad hoc is defined as occasional, non-recurring telework. Telework eligibility will be discussed during the interview process.

Basic Education Requirement (Transcript Required)

Bachelor's or graduate/higher level degree: major study in an academic field related to the medical field, health sciences or allied sciences appropriate to the work of the position. This degree must be from an educational program from an accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education at the time the degree was obtained. NOTE: A transcript is required at the time of application and must show date degree conferred.

Education cannot be credited without documentation. 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: Designing, implementing, overseeing and participating in scientific studies and surveys; conducting statistical analyses in an epidemiologic research setting.

In addition to the Basic Education Requirements and Selective Placement Factors (SPF), applicants must meet the specialized experience listed below.

Specialized Experience

One (1) full year of specialized experience that equipped you with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of this Health Science Specialist 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 the next lower grade level (GS-13) in the Federal service. Specialized Experience includes: applying advanced principles and methodologies of epidemiology, public health, statistics, or health services research to plan, implement, and evaluate complex research and surveillance programs; providing scientific and technical leadership in the development and evaluation of research methodologies, study protocols, and analytical approaches; developing and implementing policies, procedures, and standards governing scientific research and program operations; evaluating research programs for scientific quality, regulatory compliance, and operational effectiveness; and providing strategic recommendations and scientific findings to senior leadership.

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/.