Health Science Specialist

Veterans Affairs$80K — $100K *
Healthcare
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • 5-7 years of experience in health systems research or a related field.
  • Experience managing scientific review processes and panels.
  • Proficiency in data analysis and evaluation methodologies.
  • Strong writing skills for technical documentation and reports.
  • Familiarity with eRA Commons and research reporting requirements.
  • Ability to conduct detailed analysis of organizational functions.

Responsibilities

  • Initiate and oversee the review process for QUERI field programs.
  • Manage reviews and documentation within eRA Commons.
  • Monitor regular reporting and compliance with ORD requirements.
  • Coordinate and analyze special projects for effective oversight.
  • Conduct detailed organizational analyses using various analytical tools.
  • Interpret data results and create statistical reports and graphs.
  • Apply business process improvement strategies to enhance project efficiency.

Benefits

  • Comprehensive benefits package for federal employees.
  • Access to federal health care and retirement options.
  • Potential for flexible work schedules, including telework.
  • Opportunities for professional development and training.
  • Participation in seasonal influenza vaccination programs.
Full Job Description
Summary

This position is within the Quality Enhancement Research Initiative (QUERI), Health Systems Research (HSR), Office of Research and Development (ORD), at the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Headquarters in Washington, D.C., and reports to the Director, QUERI, for both scientific and administrative activities related to all functions of his/her office.

**Physical work location to be determined upon selection.**

Duties

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**Physical work location to be determined upon selection.**

MAJOR DUTIES:


  • Initiates the review process and recruits and assigns reviewers for Quality Enhancement Research Initiative (QUERI) field program.
  • Manages the review process using eRA Commons and scientific review panels.
  • Monitors and completes regular reporting requirements including Office of Research and
  • Development (ORD) documentation requirements.
  • Responsible for coordinating, analyzing, documenting, and providing oversight to assigned
  • special projects.
  • Conducts detailed analyses of organizational functions and processes using various analytical tools to measure and evaluate data.
  • Interprets results from studies and develops statistical and narrative reports and graphs.
  • Analyzes data from a wide variety of sources using state-of-the-art analytic techniques.
  • Responsible for managing QUERI performance management.
  • Assesses data and determines the most effective and efficient method and approach to meet management needs and/or requirements.
  • Writes and edits technical and guidance documents based on research and analyses, including solicitations.
  • Applies business process re-engineering concepts and methods to identify opportunities for improvements.
  • Evaluates and monitors progress on completion of intermediate deliverables and deadlines. Conceives and writes reports as needed.


Work Schedule: Mon-Fri, 8am to 4:30pm

Compressed/Flexible: May be Authorized

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/PD021120

Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized

Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized

Requirements

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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
  • 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 or trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 07/29/2026.

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-13 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-12. 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.

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-12 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Specialized Experience is experience that has equipped the applicant with the particular competencies/knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position and is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled.


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.

Note: 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.

Physical Requirements: The work is primarily sedentary with occasional walking, standing, and handling and carrying of items such as paper and books, and data input. Travel may be required .

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/.

Education

There is no educational substitution at this grade level.

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: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. 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. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.

Additional information

Receiving Service Credit for Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. 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.

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

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.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

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.

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