Supervisory Research Health Scientist

Summary

The Supervisory Research Health Scientist serves as Associate Director for Research (AD/R), Geriatric Research, Education, and Clinical Center (GRECC), South Texas Veterans Health Care System (STVHCS), responsible for and manages all research programs developed within GRECC having a regional and national impact on improvement of health and health care for older Veterans, as well as international impact on treatments and research related to aging non-Veterans. Duty Location San Antonio, TX.

Duties

THIS IS NOT A VIRTUAL POSITION, YOU MUST LIVE WITHIN OR BE WILLING TO RELOCATE WITHIN A COMMUTABLE DISTANCE OF THE DUTY LOCATION Duties include, but are not limited to the following: Supervising and managing research health scientist and basic laboratory program staff personnel, equipment lifecycle protocols, and overall operational requirements for six (6) assigned wet laboratories. Developing new methods, approaches, and procedures for active grant-funded research projects, including translational biomarker discovery using human biospecimens, molecular profiling, and disease models; these include both clinical and translational studies. Participating in qualitative data collection and analysis and serving as a Principal Investigator (PI) for a currently funded research program. Evaluating results of research and assessing potential impact on facility practice and policy. Performing complex analytical tasks and interpreting results leading to a successful research program. Administering all aspects for funded research to include complete execution of assigned project grant salary resources, multi-year and multi-source budgeting, development and management of Institutional Review (IRB) protocols for human-subjects and biospecimen-based studies. Performing work which affects the management and operation of effective and efficient projects and activities, including the continuation of approved ongoing research programs, initiation for new research, and/or the termination of disapproved research programs. Preparing and submitting grant proposals for funding for research projects and field studies. Developing and delivering presentations, providing and justifying recommendations for responsible area(s), assigned staff, specific programs and/or project areas. Hearing and resolving group grievances and employee complaints, mentoring, guiding and resolving minor disciplinary issues. Performing all other related duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Full Time, Monday - Friday 8:00am - 4:30pm Recruitment & Relocation Incentives: Not authorized Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not approved Telework: This position may be authorized for Ad hoc telework. Ad hoc is defined as occasional, non-recurring telework. Telework eligibility will be discussed during the interview process. Requirements

You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job To be considered for this position, you must complete all required steps in the process. In addition to the application and questionnaire, this position requires an online assessment. The online assessment measures critical general competencies required to perform the job. Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959 Physical Requirements: The work required does not inherently include any physical requirements essential for successful job performance that could not otherwise be performed with accommodation or workplace adjustment. A pre-placement physical examination is not required. 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) - See "Required Documents" below for details. As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary 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, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest. Qualifications

This position includes two Selective Placement Factors (skill, knowledge, ability or other worker characteristic basic to - and essential for - satisfactory performance of the job). Selective Placements Factors are a prerequisite to appointment and represent minimum requirements for a position. Applicants who do not meet it are ineligible for further consideration. The selective placement factors for this position are: Ability to independently design, conduct, and disseminate externally funded translational research on immune and inflammatory mechanisms of aging and their contribution to age-associated chronic disease. Investigate complement and anaphylatoxin signaling, immune senescence and inflammaging and the inflammatory consequences of complement-mediated barrier disruption in the context of cardiopulmonary fibrosis and related age-associated vulnerability, evidenced by a sustained record of peer-reviewed publications and research funding. Experience leading diverse, multidisciplinary geriatric research teams at all staff levels through collaboration, mentorship, and effective project management to produce rigorous, productive aging-focused research outcomes. Lead competitively funded project teams drawing on funding mechanisms available through the National Institutes of Health (NIH), Department of Defense (DoD), foundations, and/or public and private sponsors, and mentoring research staff and trainees within an interdisciplinary research environment. In addition to meeting the Selective Placement Factors above, you must also meet the following: BASIC EDUCATION REQUIREMENT: Bachelor's or graduate/higher level degree: 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 at the time the degree was obtained. NOTE: Transcripts must be submitted with application. Education cannot be credited without documentation. AND SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: Applicants must possess one (1) full year of specialized experience, equivalent to the next lowered grade level (GS-13) in Federal service, that equipped you with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities needed to successfully perform the duties of the Supervisory Research Health Scientist position. Specialized experience includes providing direction and guidance regarding aging, infection, and autoimmunity research centered on advanced complement and anaphylatoxin signaling, immune dysregulation, and complement-mediated inflammation, with emphasis on how these mechanisms shape susceptibility to cardiopulmonary fibrosis, leading an active grant-funded project team, ensuring effective and productive research study efforts across collaborating disciplines including immunology, pulmonology, cardiology, geriatrics, rheumatology, infectious diseases, pathology, and computational biology. Developing new methods, approaches, and procedures for active grant-funded research projects, including translational biomarker discovery using human biospecimens, molecular profiling, and disease models; these include both clinical and translational studies. Providing clinical research program experience that includes developing project design and implementation within the field of aging, clinical data management, and resource management, preparing and submitting grant proposals for funding for research projects and field studies. Supervising, directing overall personnel management activities, administering all aspects for funded research to include complete execution of assigned project grant salary resources, multi-year and multi-source budgeting, pursues funding opportunities through National Institutes of Health (NIH), Department of Defense, foundations, and public/private sector grant approval, and development and management of Institutional Review Board (IRB) protocols for human-subjects and biospecimen-based studies. NOTE: Experience must be fully documented on your resume and must include job title, duties, month and year start/end dates AND hour worked per week. Physical Demands: The work is sedentary. The incumbent will require being able to stand, bend, walk, read, write and carry light load items (e.g. policy and committee meeting binders, books, research glassware, chemicals, and specimens), sit at a desk, operate a computer and laboratory equipment, travel to regional or international meetings, and frequent use of both hands. Aversions to research laboratory and clinical environments (or related allergies) are incompatible with the position (e.g. problems with noise, vibrations, temperature, odors, safety precaution/equipment, or managed chemical, biological or radiological risks). 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

IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education. There is no educational substitution at this GS-14 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/. How You Will Be Evaluated

Your qualifications will be evaluated based on your application materials (e.g., resume, supporting documents), your responses on the application questionnaire, and your responses to all assessments required for this position. You will be assessed on the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics): Your experience must be fully documented on your resume and must include job title, duties, month and year start/end dates AND hours worked per week. 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. IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE WILL NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application materials or application questionnaire may result in your removal from consideration. Cheating on the online assessment may also result in your removal from consideration. Candidates who apply under "All U.S. Citizens" announcements will be rated and ranked using Category Rating procedures. Qualified candidates will be assigned to a quality category. The categories are defined as follows: Best Qualified - Applicants possessing the type and quality of experience that substantially exceeds the minimum qualifications Very Highly Qualified - Applicants possessing the type and quality of experience that exceeds, to a very considerable extent, the minimum qualifications Highly Qualified - Applicants possessing the type and quality of experience that exceeds, to a considerable extent, the minimum qualifications Well Qualified - Applicants possessing the type and quality of experience that marginally exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position and who demonstrate average proficiency in most of the critical competencies Qualified - Applicants possessing the type and quality of experience that meets the minimum qualifications Application of Veterans' Preference: Category rating and selection procedures place those with veteran's preference above non-preference eligibles within each category. Preference eligible applicants that meet the eligibility and qualification requirements and who have a compensable service-connected disability of at least 10 percent are listed in the highest quality category (except when the position being filled is scientific or professional at the GS-09 grade level or higher). 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. Other Information

Reasonable Accommodation (RA) Requests: If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be granted the opportunity to request a RA in your online application. Requests for RA for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for RA must be received prior to starting the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. Decisions on requests for RA are made on a case-by-case basis. If you meet the minimum qualifications of the position, after notification of the adjudication of your request, you will receive an email invitation to complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, based on your adjudication decision. You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments if you received the link after the close of the announcement. To determine if you need a RA, please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments. 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. 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. The Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) and Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) provide eligible displaced Federal competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. To be qualified you must submit appropriate documentation and be found well-qualified (have a final rating of 80 or more before any Veterans preference points) for this vacancy. Information about ICTAP and CTAP eligibility is on OPM's Career Transition Resources website at http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/employee-guide-to-career-transition/.