About this role
Job SummaryThe position is located within the Veterans Affairs Office of Research and Development and is located at the VA Boston Healthcare System (VA BHS).
QualificationsTo qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 09/08/2026. Time-In-Grade Requirement: Applicants who are current Federal employees and have held a GS grade any time in the past 52 weeks must also meet time-in-grade requirements by the closing date of this announcement. For a GS-09 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-07. The grade may have been in any occupation, but must have been held in the Federal service. An SF-50 that shows 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. Note: Time-In-Grade requirements also apply to former Federal employees applying for reinstatement as well as current employees applying for Veterans Employment Opportunities Act of 1998 (VEOA) appointment. Provide a copy of your last or most recent SF-50, "Notification of Personnel Action" to indicate your current federal status. You must also submit additional SF-50(s) to clearly demonstrate one year time-in-grade as required in the announcement. If the most recent SF-50 has an effective within the past year, it may not clearly demonstrate that you possess one year time-in-grade. In this instance, you must provide an additional SF-50 that clearly demonstrates one year time-in-grade. You may qualify based on your experience and/or education as described below: Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-08 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Specialized experience is defined as 1) Coordinate research operation and project onboarding. 2) Train staff and ensure compliance with research regulations. 3) Analyze data and prepare reports. 4) Report progress and issues to leadership. 5) Organize and manage research meetings. 6) Review data requests and support budget planning. OR, Individual Occupational Requirements - Education: You may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education, you must possess a bachelor's degree or higher in a field related to the medical field, health sciences, or allied sciences appropriate to the position. The degree must be from an educational institution accredited by a body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education(external link) at the time the degree was obtained. 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/.
Major DutiesThis is a bargaining unit position. Work Schedule: Work Schedule: Monday - Friday Compressed/Flexible: Yes Telework: This position may be authorized for telework. Telework eligibility will be discussed during the interview process. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Description/PD#: Health Science Specialist/PD00521-A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Approved Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not Authorized Major Duties: Organizes and coordinates several aspects of the research operations team including updating and adding to documents to Sharepoint. Start up and closure of local research sites and staff. Trains and provide guidance to site personnel. Analyzes research data and formulates research reports for operations team and leadership. Maintains accurate study records based on the Code of Federal Regulations and ICH Guidelines, and VA and MVP SOPs. Submits reports to the director or designee regarding progress and/or problems encountered in the conduct of research operations. Reviews and implements data access requests ensuring alignment with program and VA regulations. Develops and implements national email communications on behalf of the operations team and program leadership. Involved in the preparation and management of various meetings including scheduling, agendas, minutes, and presentations. Collecting research data included in current research study. These include performing literature searches and maintain bibliographic databases and require knowledge of multiple questionnaires, and a battery of psychosocial measures.RequirementsYou must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job To be considered for this position, you must complete all required steps in the process. In addition to the application and questionnaire, this position requires an online assessment. The online assessment measures critical general competencies required to perform the job. Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959 Physical Requirements: Work is typically performed in an adequately lighted and climate controlled office performance that could not otherwise be performed with accommodation or workplace adjustment. A pre-placement physical examination is not required. 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, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.