Health Science Officer
What you'd do
This position is located in the Office of Research and Development (ORD), Veterans Heath Administration (VHA), Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Central Office in D.C. This Position provides scientific direction for the Brain, Behavioral and Mental Health Broad Portfolio (BBMH) with the focus on improving mental and behavioral health and advancing mental health care within the VA for our nation's Veterans by conducting high priority VA research in post-traumatic stress disorder and depression.
Major duties
This is not a unit position. This is a non-bargaining unit position. The initial application review cut-off for this job announcement is 50 applications. The first 50 applications received will be considered first. Applications received after the initial cut-off number (50 applications) may not receive consideration unless otherwise requested by management. If management requests additional certificates, applicants will continue to be reviewed in groups of 50 in the order they applied. Note: Submitting multiple applications will change the order in which your application is reviewed. VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package: VA Total Rewards Work Schedule: Full-Time Mon-Fri 8:00am - 4:30pm Compressed/Flexible Schedule: Not Available Telework: Adhoc. Duty Location Status: Will work from a VA owned or leased space Position Description Title/PD#: Health Science Officer/ PD028120Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not Required Physical Demands: The work is sedentary. No special physical demands are required to perform the work. Supervisory Probationary Statement: Applicants selected for this position may be required to serve a one-year supervisory probationary period. Failure to successfully complete the supervisory probationary period will result in the employee being reassigned to a position in the agency of no lower grade and pay than the one the employee left to accept the supervisory or managerial position. Major Duties: Formulates and ensures Portfolio strategic objectives and continued appropriateness and timely communication of changes to policies, procedures, and guidelines for direction and control of the Portfolio's programs and activities, including determining when major programs should be initiated, terminated or revised. Identify, justify, and implement action to improve operational efficiency such as identifying needed equipment or changes in procedures. Directs the analysis, conduct and assessment of the Portfolio's programs to ensure that compliance with applicable regulations, consistent and accurate documentation and reporting, and to identify deficiencies or opportunities for improvement. Ensures development of action plans to address identified needs. Ensures fiduciary accountability for Portfolio's funds, including overseeing the management for the Portfolio's budget and project funding, enduring that appropriate internal control systems are in place, and preparing budget. Develop research agendas, requests for proposals (solicitations), and Service-directed programs in targeted areas. Manages scientific program management and ensure appropriate and unbiased peer review of all Portfolio proposals and program activities, including review by external experts' consultations and coordination with concerned stakeholders Identify areas where VA has special needs or unique opportunities and assesses the potential of VA ORD to contribute. Direct the portfolio and represent the Agency in contacts with non-VA organizations having interest and/or activities in the general area of the portfolio.
What you need to qualify
To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 08/12/2026. 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-15 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-14. 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. 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. 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. Basic Requirements: This section covers the basic requirements for this vacancy. For positions at the GS-15 grade level, applicants may qualify by meeting or exceeding the minimum proficiency level established for each of the required competencies, in addition to meeting the minimum qualification requirement as demonstrated through the assessment of skills identified through the agency's job analysis. Applicants must meet the requirements of the competency-based qualification standard to be fully qualified. NOTE: The basic requirements MUST be substantiated in your resume. Failure to provide the required information will render your application ineligible for consideration. For GS-15 positions, individuals must meet or exceed the minimum proficiency level established for each of the nine competencies listed below. The employing agency is responsible for identifying the specific level of proficiency required for each competency at each grade level based on the requirements of the position being filled. Attention to Detail- Is thorough when performing work and conscientious about attending to detail. Customer Service- Works with clients and customers (that is, any individuals who use or receive the services or products that your work unit produces, including the general public, individuals who work in the agency, other agencies, or organizations outside the Government) to assess their needs, provide information or assistance, resolve their problems, or satisfy their expectations; knows about available products and services; is committed to providing quality products and services. Decision Making- Makes sound, well-informed, and objective decisions; perceives the impact and implications of decisions; commits to action, even in uncertain situations, to accomplish organizational goals; causes change. Information Management- Identifies a need for and knows where or how to gather information; organizes and maintains information or information management systems. Interpersonal Skills- Shows understanding, friendliness, courtesy, tact, empathy, concern, and politeness to others; develops and maintains effective relationships with others; may include effectively dealing with individuals who are difficult, hostile, or distressed; relates well to people from varied backgrounds and different situations. Oral Communication - Expresses information (for example, ideas or facts) to individuals or groups effectively, taking into account the audience and nature of the information (for example, technical, sensitive, controversial); makes clear and convincing oral presentations; listens to others, attends to nonverbal cues, and responds appropriately. Problem Solving - Identifies problems; determines accuracy and relevance of information; uses sound judgment to generate and evaluate alternatives, and to make recommendations. Teamwork- Encourages and facilitates cooperation, pride, trust, and group identity; fosters commitment and team spirit; works with others to achieve goals. Technical Competence- Uses knowledge that is acquired through formal training or on-the-job experience to perform one's job; works with, understands, and evaluates technical information related to the job; advises others on technical issues. NOTE: Evidence of claimed competence must be substantiated in your resume and upload copies of applicable certifications, licensures, registrations, etc, as supporting documentation.
Before you apply
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