Summary These positions are located within the Medical Research Service, Institutional Review Board (IRB), at the at the Veterans Affairs (VA) Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System.

The Program Specialist supports the VA's mission and strategic initiatives by ensuring that research programs utilizing human subjects adhere to standards and guidelines.

The position provides administrative and technical support in Human Subjects Protection Program (HRPP) in General Medical Research.

Responsibilities THIS IS NOT A VIRTUAL POSITION, YOU MUST LIVE WITHIN OR BE WILLING TO RELOCATE WITHIN A COMMUTABLE DISTANCE OF THE DUTY LOCATION NOTE : This is a TERM appointment (13 Months, Not to Exceed 4 years).

Term appointments are non-status, nonpermanent appointments of limited duration (more than 1 year but not more than 4). Term employees are eligible to earn leave and generally have the same benefits as permanent employees including health and life insurance, within-grade increases and Federal Employees Retirement System and Thrift Savings Plan coverage.

Term appointments may be extended without further competition (up to the 4 year maximum). The appointment to a Term position does not confer eligibility for promotion or reassignment to other positions or the ability to be non-competitively converted to permanent employment.

• IRB Administration : Serves as the Institutional Review Board (IRB) Coordinator; Works closely with the Human Research Protection Program (HRPP) Administrator and Research and Development staff in the development of short- and long-range goals and objectives;
• Functions as the primary administrative and expert resource for the IRB which reviews all research protocols involving human subjects conducted by VA personnel;
• IRB Technician Review : Serves as the principal HRPP technical / program point of contact on other collaborative research projects within the Research and Development Service;
• Ensures that appropriate guidance regarding interpretation of regulations, laws, and policies to researchers, staff and Research leadership is applied;
• Ensures that the Greater Los Angeles VA Medical Center is compliant with the terms its Federal wide Assurance (FWA) as well as with the VHA Office of Research and Development policies and procedures, federal regulations, and state and local laws related to the review of human research;
• Quality Assurance Monitoring : Perform quality assurance monitoring of research protocols and investigate matters of non-compliance;
• Implements corrective action(s) as needed in accordance with federal regulations, VHA and GLA regulations, Yale policies, and IRB policies and procedures;

Performs other directly related duties as assigned. Work Schedule : Monday through Friday, 8 : 00am - 4 : 30pm Recruitment & Relocation Incentives : Not authorized Financial Disclosure Report : Not Required 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 Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12 / 31 / 1959 You may be required to serve a probationary period Subject to background / security investigation Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP) Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details.

Qualifications TO QUALIFY FOR THIS POSITION AT THE GS-09 LEVEL YOU MUST MEET THE FOLLOWING CRITERIA : SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE : At least one (1) full year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level (GS-7) in the Federal Service that has given you the particular knowledge, skills and abilities required to successfully perform the duties of a Program Specialist.

Specialized experience includes : performing analytical, evaluative, and advisory work; managing and coordinating administrative services essential to the effective operation of a clinical research operation involving human subjects;

preparing a variety of reports, forms, and correspondence; utilizing Microsoft Outlook, PowerPoint, Word, and Excel to accomplish administrative duties.

NOTE : Applicants wishing to receive credit for such experience must indicate clearly the nature of their duties and responsibilities in each position and the number of hours a week spent in such employment.

OR EDUCATION : Successful completion of a master's degree or two (2) full years of graduate level education leading to such a degree in a related field of study that demonstrates your ability to perform the duties of this position.

NOTE : If you select this option, you must submit a copy of your transcript (unofficial or official) with your application.

Education cannot be credited without documentation. OR COMBINATION : Equivalent combinations of successfully completed graduate-level education (beyond the first year) and specialized experience, as described above, which meet the total experience requirements for this grade level.

The education portion must have provided the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of this position (as described above).

NOTE : Copies of transcripts must be submitted with your application materials. Education cannot be credited without documentation.

You will be rated on the following Competencies as part of the assessment questionnaire for this position : Compliance Critical Thinking Customer Service (Clerical / Technical) Research IMPORTANT : A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week.

All experience listed on your resume must include the month and year start / end dates. Part-time experience will be credited on the basis of time actually spent in appropriate activities.

Applicants wishing to receive credit for such experience must indicate clearly the nature of their duties and responsibilities in each position and the number of hours a week spent in such employment.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.

g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment.

You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Physical Requirements : Typically, the employee sits comfortably to do the work;

however, there may be some walking, standing, bending, carrying of light items, such as, papers and books. Incumbent walks to and from meetings.

For more information on these qualification standards, please visit the United States Office of Personnel Management's website at 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 : 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.

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.

Special Employment Consideration : VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply, including those eligible for hiring under 5 CFR 213.

3102(u), Schedule A, Appointment of persons with disabilities (i.e., intellectual disabilities, severe physical disabilities, or psychiatric disabilities), and / or disabled veterans with a compensable service-connected disability of 30% or more.

For more information on how to apply using this appointment authority via the Selective Placement Coordinator within the office, contact the facility Human Resources Department at (310) 478-3711.

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 85 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 This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.

Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.

e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date.

The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process.

If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement.

Last updated : 2024-03-01