Program Specialist (Research and Development)

Summary

This position is located in the Office of Education and Research at the West Palm Beach VA Medical Center (WPBVAMC), a multi-mission healthcare system focused on patient care, teaching, and research. The Program Specialist is responsible for planning, developing and directing the complex administrative activities of medical research program. The administrative function impacts every phase of the research activity.

Duties

• The Office of Research is responsible for the development and maintenance of an organized and dynamic program of clinical and health systems research at WPBVAMC and is affiliates.
• Among the chief responsibilities of the office are compliance with federal laws and regulations, VA policies and procedures for the review, approval, management, oversight, and conduct of research, with particular attention to ethical behavior and protection of the rights of human subjects.
• The Program Specialist is responsible for writing, reviewing and updating policies and operating procedures which affect the research activities and for assuring the proper maintenance of required records and the submission of reports and related documents to appropriate supervisory organizations and individuals a local, VISN, and Central Office levels.
• They contribute to the initiative of the Medical Center to apply for, obtain, and maintain accreditation by research protection accreditation bodies.
• Additional Duties Include But Not Limited To: Develops both long and short-range policies and plans for the organization by coordinating the needs of the organization(s) for which accountable.
• Prepares collaborative agreements, correspondence and compilation of reports.
• Works with adjustments in allocations during the year, prepares or consults in preparation of periodic reports to local, state, and federal agencies.
• Prepares and documents short and long-range plans for the development of the Research Office.
• Complies with directives in preparing annual and cyclical planning documents.
• Obtains and consolidates planning information from subordinate units.
• Administers planning process and provides recommendations to the ACOS/E&R regarding possible need for revision of regulations and policies governing program activities.
• Establishes criteria for addressing unique or special situations.
• Monitors and analyze changes in mission goals, new legislation, and technological advances to assess the impact of these changes on work methods/procedures and to develop new systems which will address these changes.
• Assists the ACOS/E&R with the oversight and monitoring of research conducted by various schools, colleges, and universities that are affiliated with the WPBVAMC, as well as with research collaborators from other federal and state agencies and the private sector.
• Assists in the preparation and submission of filings with offices and agencies including but not limited to the Office of Research and Development (ORO), the Office of Research Oversight (ORO), the Office of Human Research Protections (OHRP) of the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS).
• Reviews all such documents prior to the obtaining the signatures of the ACOS/E&R, Chief of Staff, and the Medical Center Director.
• Has input into planning, developing, implementing, and evaluating of the WPBVAMC research program.
• Coordinates communications and joint initiatives between the Research Office, WPBVAMC staff, other academic affiliates, and community partners engaged in research.
• Assumes primary responsibility, under the supervision of the ACOS/E&R, for the preparation of documentation necessary for research program accreditation.
• Serves as the facility's liaison representative to designated affiliates and agencies as directed by the ACOS/E&R.
• Has input into all aspects of the research review, approval, and monitoring process.
• Establish and maintains working relationships with funding agencies, VA Central Office staff, Principal Investigators and their personnel, and collaborating academic and private sector participants in VA research.
• Meets with affiliates and collaborators to discuss policy, procedural, and budgetary issues related to cooperative research projects.
• Will recognize the need for new polices and bring such policies to the attention of the Associate Chief of Staff/Education and Research.
• Develops, evaluates, and modifies organizational structure and systems to achieve program goals.
• Participates in the analysis and interpretation of workload and other data used in resource planning.
• Principal liaison with the Miami VAHCS, VA Central IRB, and any other IRBs with which the facility has a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).
• Works with counterparts at external IRBs to assure that MOUs are appropriately developed and endorsed by VISN, VA Office of Research and Development and VA Office of Research Oversight.
• Responsible for the transmission of documents needed by these external IRBs for evaluation of research projects proposed by WPBVAMC staff and approved by WPBVAMC Research and Development Committee.
• Work Schedule: Monday through Friday, 8:00 am to 4:30 pm.
• Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
• Position Description/PD#: Program Specialist (Research and Development)/PD03113O Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized.
• Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Approved.
• Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized.

Requirements

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.

Education

There is no educational substitution at this grade level. 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/.

How You Will Be Evaluated

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE WILL NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Narrative responses are not required at this time. If you are referred for consideration, you may be asked to submit additional job related information, which may include, but not limited to; responses to the knowledge, skills and abilities; completion of a work sample, and/or contact for an interview.

Your resume and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your rating or consideration for employment. The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate’s abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position.

For more information on the “Who may apply” eligibility requirements, please refer to the OHRM Status Candidates and Other Candidate Definitions document. Placement Policy: The posting of this announcement does not obligate management to fill a vacancy or vacancies by promotion. The position may be filled by reassignment, change to lower grade, transfer, appointment, or reinstatement. Management may use any one or any combination of these methods to fill the position.

It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment. Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.

Required Documents

• To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes: Resume SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action The following documents are accepted, and may be required if applicable to your eligibility and/or qualifications for this position.
• Please make sure you have included other documents required for your application, such as a copy of your transcript (if using education to qualify), SF-50's (current/former Federal employees), documentation to support Veterans Preference claims, or ICTAP/CTAP documentation (for displaced Federal employees).
• You will not be contacted for additional information.
• Cover Letter Other (1) Professional Certification Resume Separation Notice (RIF) SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action Transcript SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action (if applicable for Time in Grade and/or Eligibility): Most recent SF-50 if you are a current or former Federal employee An SF-50 showing your time-in-grade eligibility must be submitted with your application materials.
• If the most recent SF-50 has an effective date within the past year, it may not clearly demonstrate you possess one-year time-in-grade, as required by the announcement.
• In this instance, you must provide an additional SF-50 that clearly demonstrates one-year time-in-grade Award 50's do not provide sufficient information and will not be accepted for the purpose of verifying time-in-grade.
• Examples of appropriate SF-50's include: Within grade increases at the highest grade held; or Promotions with an effective date more than one year old; or SF-50's at the highest grade held with an effective date more than one year old.
• Veterans' Preference: When applying for Federal Jobs, eligible Veterans should claim preference for 5pt (TP), 10pt (CP/CPS/XP), or for Sole Survivor Preference (SSP) in the questionnaire.
• You must provide a legible copy of your DD214(s) which shows dates and character of service (honorable, general, etc.).
• If you are currently serving on active duty and expect to be released or discharged within 120 days you must submit documentation related to your active duty service which reflects the dates of service, character of service (honorable, general, etc.), and dates of impending separation.
• Additionally, disabled veterans and others eligible for 10-point preference (such as widows or mothers of eligible Veterans) must also submit an SF-15 "Application for 10 Point Veteran Preference" with required proof as stated on the form.
• Documentation is required to award preference.
• For more information on Veterans' Preference, please visit Feds Hire Vets – Veterans – Job Seekers – Veterans' Preference.