Health System Specialist

The Research Committee Manager position is vital within the ORD and the facilities where research programs are conducted. Research Program Managers provide the link between Veterans and highly innovative projects. Duties and responsibilities include but are not limited to:

R&D IRB IACUC SRS CIRB IBC and/or HRPP Program Administration

• Oversees and manages these programs and their activities including preparation of committee and reviewer materials with appropriate documentation ensuring projects are reviewed by appropriate personnel and ensuring all outstanding issues related to project management are resolved in a timely manner.
• Serves in an advisory capacity to the R&D Leadership research investigators research committee members and research committee Chairs and others on issues relative to carrying out the institutions research activities involving the use of humans animals and safety procedures for investigative purposes.
• Serves as the accreditation Facility Liaison.
• Oversees the protocol review process of multiple programs and committees ensuring projects are reviewed by appropriate personnel including the Information System and Security Officer (ISSO) and Privacy Officer (PO) and issues related to project management are resolved.
• Develops and maintains a pre-review program that will coincide with the IRB IACUC SRS IBC CIRB and/or R&D Committee review of all research involving human subjects animal subjects basic laboratory science and the human research protection program.
• Develops and manages required annual and semi-annual reviews of the assigned programs.
• Stays informed on guidelines relating to security and safety in the conduct of research and advises Research and Safety leadership as needed.
• Educates the investigative community of local and external policies and procedures with regards to research involving animal and human subjects.
• Develops reporting procedures sampling techniques and measurements at various points in the research committee process and research programs to identify problem areas or inherent weaknesses in work processes procedures information systems and content.

Quality and Compliance

• Responsible for maintaining the federal-wide assurance with the Office of Human Research Protection and ensuring IRBs are appropriately constituted and registered.
• Responsible for maintaining the IBC registration with the National Institutes of Health Office of Science Policy and ensuring IBC is appropriately constituted and registered.
• Responsible for maintaining the programs accreditation process for the Association for the Assessment and Accreditation for Laboratory Animal Care International (AAALAC).
• Analyzes and evaluates each research project to ensure compliance with Federal and State regulations including but not limited to VA FDA OHRP (Office of Human Research Protection) ORO and other applicable regulatory and procedural requirements.
• Develops programs policies and procedures within the Research.
• Monitors quality assurance program implementation and indicators designed to prevent erroneous transactions and ineffective work practices and to verify adherence to quality assurance plans and requirements.
• Responsible for alerting investigators of deficiencies found within their submissions and educating them as to the steps required to correct the deficiencies.

Administrative Oversight

• Assumes responsibility in preparing for all external reviews.
• Research and/or analyzes problems administrative issues or program requirements as they relate to animal human subject or safety research and the research review process.
• Initiates or reviews correspondence for all research.
• Oversees and refines customized networked computerized databases to allow for timely tracking of research projects.
• Serves as the electronic records system administrator for the Research Office.

Work Schedule: Monday- Friday 8am- 4:30pm
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Position Description/PD#: Health System Specialist/PD99586S
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not approved

• 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 ( Effective May 7 2025 drivers 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 during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public 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 period your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification in writing that your continued employment advances the public interest.

To qualify for this position applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement 09/10/2026.

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-09 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include but are not limited to: Progressively responsible analytical or administrative or clinical management or supervisory experience in the health care field. This work may have been performed in an operating health care facility or a higher organizational echelon with advisory or directional authority over such facilities. Work must have involved a close working relationship with facility managers and analysis and/or coordination of administrative clinical or other service activities and provided knowledge of the following: (a) Missions organizations programs and requirements of health care delivery systems; (b) Regulations and standards of various regulatory and credentialing groups; (c) Government-wide agency and facility systems and requirements in various administrative areas such as budget personnel and procurement; and knowledge of cognitive engineering human factors engineering human-computer interaction or related fields. OR
• Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree three (3) full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.M. in the related field of the position to be filled (i.e. hospital administration public health administration or related fields such as business or public administration with course work in health care administration). The education portion must include courses that demonstrate the knowledge skills and abilities necessary to do the work of this position. Education must have been obtained in an accredited college or university. NOTE: Copies of transcripts must be submitted with your application materials. Education cannot be credited without documentation. OR
• Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have an combination of specialized experience and education beyond a masters degree.

For more information on these qualification standards please visit the United States Office of Personnel Managements website at

Required Experience:

IC