Summary This position is located under the Research and Development Service Line at the Edward Hines, Jr. VA Hospital, in Hines, Illinois. The primary purpose of the position is to function as the primary procedural, administrative, and expert resource for the Institutional Review Board (IRB) & plan and carry out all activities pertaining to the administration of the Human Studies Subcommittee (HSS) for Edward Hines and J. A. Lovell Federal Health Care Center (FHCC). Responsibilities THIS IS NOT A VIRTUAL POSITION, YOU MUST LIVE WITHIN OR BE WILLING TO RELOCATE WITHIN A COMMUTABLE DISTANCE OF THE DUTY LOCATION Oversees and implements IRB business, including policies and procedures related to the protection of the rights and welfare of human subjects, and compliance with all regulations, policies, and guidelines applicable to research involving human subjects in research; Applies detailed and disparate regulations, policies, and procedures to ensure IRB, institutional, and investigator compliance as well as the protection of human subjects; Performs pre-IRB committee analysis of all HSS research proposals which involves a comprehensive review of the protocol; Attends the monthly committee meetings and serves as a subject matter expert to provide technical support and advice to the HSS/IRB committee regarding complex regulations; Develops meeting agendas and maintains confidentiality of committee records; Composes detailed correspondence to investigators to ensure that all concerns, rationale, and technical questions of the committee are quickly, concisely and intelligibly communicated; Provides consultation to investigators regarding regulation, policies and procedures governing the participation of human subjects in research to facilitate the review and approval of their applications; Assists investigators with meeting requirements of external review bodies including regulatory officials who audit research at the medical center and outpatient clinic; Identifies and recruits external committee consultants, auditors, and other experts who are generally faculty at a University affiliate; Maintains updated knowledge of federal regulations regarding research involving human subjects, including data security; Provides educational sessions for investigators, administrators, and other research support personnel to increase awareness of human subject concerns; Performs other directly related duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Monday through Friday, 8:00AM - 4:30PM Recruitment & Relocation Incentives: Not authorized Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Approved Financial Disclosure Report: Not Required Telework: VA supports the use of telework as a way to help attract and retain talented individuals in public service, increase worker productivity, and better prepare the agency to operate during emergencies. This position may be authorized for telework. Telework eligibility will be discussed during the interview process. 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) Qualifications This position includes a Selective Placement Factor (skill, knowledge, ability or other worker characteristic basic to - and essential for - satisfactory performance of the job). Selective Placement 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 Factor for this position is: Do you have experience in reviewing and processing human subject research IRB protocols and regulatory submissions? NOTE: Your experience must be clearly documented in your resume to receive credit. AND In addition to meeting the Selective Placement Factor, to qualify for this position, you must meet one of the following: Specialized Experience: At least one (1) full year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level (GS-9) in the Federal Service that has given you the particular knowledge, skills and abilities required to successfully perform the duties of this position. Specialized experience includes performing analytical, evaluative, and advisory work; managing and coordinating administrative services essential to the effective operation of a clinical research operation involving human subjects; preparing a variety of reports, forms, and correspondence; utilizing Microsoft Outlook, PowerPoint, Word, and Excel to accomplish administrative duties; providing guidance regarding regulations, policies and procedures governing the participation of human subject research. NOTE: Applicants wishing to receive credit for such experience must clearly indicate the nature of their duties and responsibilities in each position and the number of hours a week spent in such employment. OR Education: Successfully completed a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree or three (3) full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree that demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities to do the work of this position. Education must have been obtained in an accredited college or university. NOTE: If you select this option, you must submit a copy of your transcript (unofficial or official) with your application. Education cannot be credited without documentation. OR Combination: Equivalent combinations of successfully completed graduate-level education (beyond the second year) and specialized experience, as described above, which meet the total experience requirements for this grade level. The education portion must have provided the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of this position (as described above). Education must have been obtained in an accredited college or university. NOTE: If you select this option, you must submit a copy of your transcript (unofficial or official) with your application. Education cannot be credited without documentation. You will be rated on the following Competencies as part of the assessment questionnaire for this position: Communications Research Standards IMPORTANT: A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. All experience listed on your resume must include the month and year start/end dates. 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. 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. Physical Requirements: The work requires mobility and relative physical effort may be required. Manual dexterity is required in operation of personal computer and other office equipment. 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. 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: Recognition of Foreign Qualifications | International Affairs Office (ed.gov). 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. Special Employment Consideration: VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply, including those eligible for hiring under 5 CFR 213.3102(u), Schedule A, Appointment of persons with disabilities (i.e., intellectual disabilities, severe physical disabilities, or psychiatric disabilities), and/or disabled veterans with a compensable service-connected disability of 30% or more. For more information on how to apply using this appointment authority via the Selective Placement Coordinator within the office, contact the facility Human Resources Department at (708) 202-8387. 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 85 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/. 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.