Summary The Administrative Officer is responsible for the overall 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. Responsibilities The Administrative Officer (AO) for Research Service is directly responsible to the Associate Chief of Staff (ACOS) for Research & Development (R&D) and through to the Chief of Staff for the oversight of the administration of the Research and Development programs at the John D. Dingell VA Medical Center. The John D. Dingell VAMC Research Program is a large, multifaceted investigator-initiated operation comprised of around 200 active projects funded by federal, private enterprise, non-profit, pharmaceutical sponsors, and academic sponsors. An average of 90 principal investigators, and approximately 250 individuals (VA salaried employees, WOC appointees, medical care staff, IPA's and trainees) are involved in the research, which includes biomedical laboratory, clinical, health services and rehabilitation fields. 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. The AO 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. The position provides expert guidance to prospective, new, and established investigators on all matters related to research initiation, implementation, management, and regulatory review requirements. The incumbent will be 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. The incumbent 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. He/she will institute mechanisms for both periodic and random monitoring of compliance with regulations. The incumbent will ensure appropriate representation and interface with the various review committees. He/she will also 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. He/she will review for adequacy for scientific merit and proposals which are inadequate will be returned to the originating investigator with appropriate comments for revision. He /she will 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. 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. He/she also has oversight responsibilities in such areas to ensure the eligibility status of investigators and annual reviews of the Merit Review Entry Program. During the review, he/she 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. Communication: Targeted dissemination of information on research funding opportunities to investigators and prospective investigators will be a responsibility. He/she will maintain communication with the Offices of R&D, VA Headquarters and the Services regarding matters pertaining to R&D. He/she is 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. This person is also 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. He/she develops and maintains liaison and coordination with Headquarter elements, Administrative Network and Medical Centers. Work Schedule: Monday- Friday; 08:00am -04:30pm. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Description/PD#: Administrative Officer- Research/PD93810-0 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Approved Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Requirements 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 You may be required to serve a probationary period Subject to background/security investigation Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP) Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details. Qualifications To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 12/04/2024. 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: Performing 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. Interpreting national directives and laws, developing, and implementing policies, defining administrative requirements, and providing advice to top management on related issues. Reviewing proposals for research funding and/ or special requests prior to their submission to the funding agencies. Reviewing budgetary requirements for personnel, equipment, and supply requirements. Establishing 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. Skills 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. Developing, implementing, and maintaining 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. Establishing and overseeing 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. You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position: Administration and Management Contracting/Procurement Financial Management Personnel and Human Resources Research and Technology Application 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/. Education There is no educational substitution at this grade level. 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 This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process. 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. Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act. VA Healthcare System Serving Ohio, Indiana and Michigan (VISN 10) advocates for a Whole Health System of care in each of the Medical Centers. This is an approach to healthcare that empowers and equips people to take charge of their health and well-being and live their lives to the fullest. As an employee operating in a Whole Health System of care, you will operate in a model with three core elements, seeking to create a personalized health plan for each Veteran. This is done in the context of healing relationships and healing environments and a connection back to the Veteran's community. This aligns with the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Mission Statement to Honor America's Veterans by providing exceptional health care that improves their health and well-being.