Demo

Health Science Specialist

Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System
Los Angeles, CA Other
POSTED ON 6/8/2026
AVAILABLE BEFORE 7/7/2026
The Animal Program Compliance Officer (APCO) position is in the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Veterans Health Administration (VHA), at the VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System (VAGLAHCS) Los Angeles, CA.

Qualifications:

BASIC EDUCATION REQUIREMENT - Applicants must possess a Bachelor's or graduate/higher level degree with 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 (external link) at the time the degree was obtained. (TRANSCRIPT REQUIRED)

ADDITIONAL QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS - In addition to meeting the above requirement, you must also meet the additional requirement as described below to qualify for this position.

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: Applicants must have at least one (1) year of specialized experience that equipped them with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of this position, and that is typically in or related to the work of this position. To be creditable, this experience must have been equivalent to at least the GS-11 level in the Federal service. Specialized experience includes: Experience working as an Animal Program Compliance Officer (APCO) within a medical research organization. Ensures that all laboratory areas with animal use and all vivarium areas are inspected semi annually by the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC), and that a monthly progress report on any deficiencies is presented to the IACUC. Reviews all animal research protocols before they are forwarded for review by the veterinary medical officer, and again after they are submitted for IACUC review. Provides a monthly report to the IACUC covering any compliance issues including updates on earlier noncompliance reports, the status of the semi-annual reviews, and other items of importance; A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. 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.

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/.

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; religions; 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.

Responsibilities:

***THIS IS NOT A VIRTUAL POSITION, YOU MUST LIVE WITHIN OR BE WILLING TO RELOCATE WITHIN A COMMUTABLE DISTANCE OF THE DUTY LOCATION***

staff, principal investigators, and research administration to maintain compliance with VA, NIH/OLAW, USDA, and AAALAC regulations, policies, and interpretations. This includes identifying, quantifying, and reporting problems in our animal care and use program and providing recommendations regarding attainment and maintenance of compliance with all relevant Federal, State, and local regulations. Acts decisively on issues of potential non-compliance, including working with the vivarium and administrative staff and the research group(s) affected. Supports principal investigators in preparing research protocols that are compliant with VA and PHS requirements.
Duties include, but may not be limited to the following:
  • Reviews all animal research protocols before they are forwarded for review by the veterinary medical officer, and again after they are submitted for IACUC review.
  • Serves as a non-voting member of the IACUC and attend all IACUC meetings
  • Provides a monthly report to the IACUC covering any compliance issues including updates on earlier noncompliance reports, the status of the semi-annual reviews, and other items of importance;
  • Assists the IACUC coordinator in presenting the on-line meeting and; works on maintaining / updating the IACUC SOP Library.
  • Ensure that all laboratory areas with animal use and all vivarium areas are inspected semi annually by the IACUC, and that a monthly progress report on any deficiencies is presented to the IACUC.
  • Prepare official semi-annual report forms for IACUC approval and submission to leadership, and arrange meetings with IACUC representatives to discuss the results of the semi-annual reports.
  • Provides technical assistance and support to Principal Investigators on the development and submission of animal research protocols and on responding to any changes the IACUC or other oversight committee's request.
  • Assists Principal Investigators in translating complex scientific concepts and experimental designs into lay language, and other matters such as ordering controlled substances, using IRBNet on-line submission system, etc.
  • Approve controlled substance orders by confirming the controlled substance is in the approved protocol, and maintain a spreadsheet of controlled substance orders and maintain copies of approved controlled substance order forms.
  • Performs other related duties as assigned.
Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00am - 4:30pm.
Recruitment & Relocation Incentives: Not authorized
Financial Disclosure Report: Not Required
Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not approved

NOTE: This is a TERM appointment not to exceed July 1rst 2030. 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.

Salary : $104,349

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