Administrative management of the Research Service. This may include interpreting national directives and laws, developing and implementing policies, defining administrative requirements, and providing advice to top management on related issues. The Administrative Officer reviews, analyzes, and implements all policies and regulations that affect and/or govern research operations.
To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 06/20/2025. 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-12 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-11. 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 as described below: Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-11 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: Perform various Human Resources/personnel management duties related to recruitment, counseling, conflict management, disciplinary actions, and/or awards; Identify and recommend methods of improving processes and procedures; budgeting and financial management for the organization that includes budget formulation, justification, execution, and financial reporting; Interpret national directives and laws, developing, and implementing policies, defining administrative requirements, and providing advice to top management on related issues; Review proposals for research funding and/ or special requests prior to their submission to the funding agencies; Review budgetary requirements for personnel, equipment, and supply requirements; Establish systems for data collection and report compilation and directing and overseeing preparation of those reports and creating one- time reports required by different program or agency leaders; Skill to plan, organize, and direct team study work and to negotiate effectively with management to accept and implement recommendations where the proposals involve substantial agency resources or require extensive changes in established Research & Development (R&D) procedures; Develop, implement, and maintain an effective means of research program review and evaluation to ensure compliance with policies and directives. Expert knowledge regarding regulations governing use of human subjects, animal subjects, radioisotopes, chemical hazards, biohazards, waste disposal and other safety matters in medical research; Establish and oversee procedures for the receipt, review and follow-up on requisitions for purchases from Federal and other special funds. Exercising contracting authority and drafting and/ or reviewing contract proposals and agreements to assure accurate budgetary, personnel and administrative arrangements. 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, although some slight physical effort may be required (e.g., ambulation, but no heavy lifting or exertion). Travel is required on occasion, such as for annual conferences and affiliate site visits. Inherent to the work are numerous deadlines and problem-solving challenges. The ability of the position to make rapid decisions and to prioritize or triage goals under time and workload pressures is essential. 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 duties and responsibilities include but are not limited to the following: Science and Information: The position works with principal investigators in developing and processing research funding proposals to ensure compliance with regulations and procedures necessary for adequate review by higher authority in the funding approval process. Reviews principal investigators' proposals for research funding and/or special requests prior to their submission to the VA Office of R&D (ORD) or other agencies. Provides expert guidance to prospective, new, and established investigators on all matters related to research initiation, implementation, management, and regulatory review requirements. Responsible for developing and maintaining systems to manage the oversight and the coordination of investigations into issues of project management which include appropriate committee reviews, research committee management, liaison with committees such the Institutional Review Boards and Institutional Animal Committee, Biosafety and Conflict of Interest. Leads the program into ensuring compliance in the, but not limited to the following areas: a) human research - patient informed consent; b) scientific misconduct; c) conflict of interest; d) safety of laboratory and animal care personnel; e) hazardous materials; and f) animal care and safety. Institutes mechanisms for both periodic and random monitoring of compliance with regulations. Ensure appropriate representation and interface with the various review committees. Describe mechanisms for assessing and measuring outcomes of the various reviews. The incumbent will be responsible for the review of all proposals submitted for VA funding. Review for adequacy for scientific merit and proposals which are inadequate will be returned to the originating investigator with appropriate comments for revision. Assist the investigators in the following ways to produce the proposals for submission: Identify other investigators, collaborators, or consultants within the medical center and the Network with needed expertise, skills or resources that might be shared. Prepare and review budgetary requirements for personnel, equipment, and supply requirements. Review letters of intent and research proposals to ensure program relevance and conformance with published guidelines. Oversight responsibilities in such areas to ensure the eligibility status of investigators and annual reviews of the Merit Review Entry Program. During the review, must ensure that R&D funds are administered according to policy that non-VA funds are appropriately spent on approved R&D activities and that VERA funds are used for the intended purposes. Function as a contracting representative for the service. Assist with onboarding new staff. Assist with purchasing supplies. Communication: Targeted dissemination of information on research funding opportunities to investigators and prospective investigators will be a responsibility. Maintain communication with the Offices of R&D, VA Headquarters and the Services regarding matters pertaining to R&D. Responsible for preparing and submitting communication, reports and correspondence under his/her purview for the administration of the R&D programs. This includes reports requested by authorized personnel in Headquarters and the Network Director. Responsible for the oversight of the submission to the R&D Communications Office for publications or other public information and of the appropriate acknowledgements in publications. Develops and maintains liaison and coordination with Headquarter elements, Administrative Network and Medical Centers. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 8:00 am - 4:30 pm Telework: This position may be authorized for ADHOC telework (occasional, episodic, or short-term) per Agency policy. Telework eligibility will be discussed during the interview process. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Description/PD#: Administrative Officer/PD938100 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not approved Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized