Duties

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The Director of the National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities (NCBDDD), provides executive leadership, strategic direction, and scientific oversight for a broad portfolio of national public health programs focused on preventing birth defects, advances research on developmental disabilities, and improves the health and well-being of people living with disabilities. Leads the planning, development, implementation, and evaluation of scientific research, surveillance, prevention, communication, and public health programs; establishes organizational priorities; ensures scientific integrity and operational excellence; and advances evidence-based policies and programs that support CDC and HHS strategic objectives.

The Director provides executive oversight for organizational operations, including strategic planning, human capital management, budget and resource allocation, program evaluation, and workforce development. Serves as a senior advisor to CDC leadership and as a nationally recognized expert on birth defects and developmental disabilities, representing the agency before federal, state, local, and international public health organizations, academic institutions, professional associations, and other stakeholders. Provides scientific leadership and consultation, fosters collaborative partnerships, and guides research, policy, and public health initiatives that strengthen the nation's capacity to improve outcomes for individuals with birth defects, developmental disabilities, and disabilities across the lifespan.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

• Security and Background: If not previously completed, a background security investigation will be required. Appointment will be subject to successful completion of a background security investigation and favorable adjudication.
• E-Verify: Documentation presented for purposes of completing the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Form I-9 will be verified through the DHS "E-Verify" System.
• Direct Deposit: All Federal employees are required to have Federal salary payments made by direct deposit to a financial institution of their choosing.
• All qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of the announcement.
• A 2-year trial period may be required.
• Travel, transportation, and moving expenses may be paid.
• Drug Screening is required.

Qualifications

Current federal employees must be at or equivalent to the GS-14 grade level or above to be considered for this position.

Current active-duty PHS officers must have served or be serving in an O6 billet/position to be considered for this position.

Basic Qualifications for RF-0601:

Applicants must possess a degree with a 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. In addition to the basic qualifications requirement, a Ph.D., M.D., or equivalent degree in an academic field related to the medical field, health sciences or allied sciences appropriate to the work of the position is required.

Additional Requirements:

In addition to meeting the Basic Requirements, applicants must also possess the technical qualifications described below. Applicants whose experience does not clearly demonstrate these qualifications will be deemed Not Qualified (NQ).

Typically, experience of this nature is gained at or above the GS-14 grade level in the Federal service or its equivalent with state or local government, the private sector, or nongovernmental organizations.

Candidates do not need to provide narrative responses. However, the technical qualifications must be reflected within the candidate's two-page resume.

Technical Qualifications

1. Demonstrated expertise in leading and advancing scientific research, surveillance, prevention, and public health programs related to birth defects, developmental disabilities, blood disorders, disability and health, maternal and child health, or related population health issues.
2. Demonstrated ability to provide executive leadership, strategic direction, and operational oversight of large, multidisciplinary public health organizations responsible for scientific programs, workforce management, resource stewardship, stakeholder engagement, and organizational performance.
3. Experience to deal effectively with high-level government officials, foreign ministries of health, scientific and academic communities, national and international medical and health-related organizations, diverse community and non-governmental groups, U.S. and global media, and the international public at large.
4. Demonstrated ability to lead people toward meeting the organization's vision, mission, and goals. Inherent to this qualification is the ability to provide an inclusive workplace that fosters the development of others, facilities cooperation and teamwork, and supports constructive resolution of conflicts.
5. Demonstrated ability to meet organizational goals and customer expectations. Inherent to this qualification is the ability to make decisions that produce high-quality results by applying technical knowledge, analyzing problems, and calculating risks.
6. Demonstrated ability to manage human, financial, and information resources strategically.

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.

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE WILL NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Qualifications are based on breadth/level of experience. In addition to describing duties performed, applicants must provide the exact dates of each period of employment (from MM/YY to MM/YY) and the number of hours worked per week if part time. As qualification determinations cannot be made when resumes do not include the required information, failure to provide this information may result in disqualification. Applicants are encouraged to use the USAJOBS Resume Builder to develop their federal resume.

Current or Former Political Appointees: Agencies must seek prior approval from the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) before they can appoint a current or recent political appointee to a competitive or non-political excepted service position at any level under the provisions of title 5, United States Code. If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C, or Non-career SES employee in the executive branch, you MUST disclose that to the Human Resources Office. Failure to disclose this information could result in disciplinary action including removal from Federal Service. Current or Former Political Appointees: Submit SF-50.

Education

This position has a positive education requirement. Applicants are strongly encouraged to submit transcripts or a list of applicable courses with their application package. This also applies to status applicants who are applying to a position in a different occupational series than they are currently or were previously appointed. Applicants who do not submit their transcripts (or list of applicable course work) will be evaluated based on the information provided in their application package (and/or resume) along with their responses to a self-certification question asking if they meet the basic qualifications listed in the vacancy announcement. Those deemed tentatively qualified will be referred for consideration. If selected, applicants will be required to provide an official transcript prior to the final job offer. If the official transcript does not support the educational requirements of the position, the applicant will be considered ineligible for the position.

College or university degree generally must be from an accredited (or pre-accredited) college or university recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. For a list of schools which meet these criteria, please refer to Department of Education Accreditation page.

FOREIGN EDUCATION: Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the requirements. You must show proof the education credentials have been deemed to be at least equivalent to that gained in conventional U.S. education program. It is your responsibility to provide such evidence when applying. For more information, visit https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.

Additional information

This position is located in the National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities (NCBDDD), within the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in Atlanta, Georgia. The executive level compensation package is commensurate with qualifications and experience and may result in a higher salary than reflected above.

Benefits

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A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

Review our benefits

Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.