Health Scientist at Washington

JOB SUMMARY:

Become a part of the Department that touches the lives of every American!  At the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) you can give back to your community, state, and country by making a difference in the lives of Americans everywhere.  It is the principal agency for protecting the health of citizens.  Join HHS and help to make our world healthier, safer, and better for all Americans.

This position is located in the Office of Biomedical Advanced Research and Development (BARDA) with the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response (ASPR), Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), in Washington, DC.

 

This vacancy is also being announced concurrently with vacancy announcement HHS-ASPR-MP-12-695922 under merit promotion procedures.  Please review that announcement to see if you are eligible for consideration under merit promotion procedures.  NOTE:  Applicants must apply separately for each announcement in order to be considered.

Who May Apply:  Open to all United States Citizens.

PHS Commissioned Corps Officers interested in performing the duties of this position within the Commissioned Corps (not as a career/career-conditional employee) are encouraged to apply under the merit promotion announcement indicated above.

This announcement may be used to fill multiple positions in multiple locations.

KEY REQUIREMENTS

• U.S. Citizenship is required.
• Background investigation required.
• Must be able to obtain and maintain a secret security clearance

DUTIES:Back to top

 Incumbent manages a complex acquisition process by coordinating through functional areas providing technical oversight of the manufacturing, testing, clinical and non-clinical, regulatory, and qualify aspects of advanced development and acquisition programs; responds to scientific and technical developments; provides scientific and program management expertise in identifying, addressing, and coordinating biodefense research initiatives relevant to development of assigned vaccine, chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear threat or other medical countermeasures including, where pertinent, novel means for countermeasures; prepares pre-negotiation objectives, and other pertinent documents for the contract file necessary to ensure compliance with the Federal Acquisition Regulations; provides periodic and effective communication of procurement contract administration objectives, plans, and progress.

QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED:Back to top

In order to qualify for Health Scientist, GS-601-14, you must meet the BASIC QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS as listed below:

Have a degree/major study in an academic field related to the health sciences or allied sciences appropriate to the work of the position.

 

In addition to meeting the BASIC QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS,you must also meet the ADDITIONAL MINIMUM QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS as listed below:

 

Have one year of specialized experience at a level of difficulty and responsibility equivalent to the GS-13 grade level in the Federal service.  Specialized experience is that which is directly related to the position and which has equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) to successfully perform the duties of the position, coordinating an integrated systematic approach to the development and purchase of the necessary vaccines, drugs, therapies, and diagnostic tools for public health medical emergencies. These public health medical emergencies include chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear agents, pandemic influenza or other emerging infectious diseases.

 Foreign Education: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show that the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. For further information, visit: http://www.ed.gov/.

Conditions of Employment:

1. Security and Background Requirements: If not previously completed, a background security investigation will be required for all appointees. Appointment will be subject to the applicants successful completion of a background security investigation and favorable adjudication. Failure to successfully meet these requirements may be grounds for appropriate personnel action. In addition, if hired, a background security reinvestigation or supplemental investigation may be required at a later time. Applicants are also advised that all information concerning qualifications is subject to investigation. False representation may be grounds for non-consideration, non-selection and/or appropriate disciplinary action.

2. E-Verify: If you are selected for this position, the documentation that you present for purposes of completing the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Form I-9 will be verified through the DHS "E-Verify" System. Federal law requires DHS to use the E-Verify System to verify employment eligibility of all new hires, and as a condition of continued employment obligates the new hire to take affirmative steps to resolve any discrepancies identified by the system. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is an E-Verify Participant.

3. Direct Deposit: All Federal employees are required to have Federal salary payments made by direct deposit to a financial institution of their choosing.

4. All qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of the announcement.

5. Financial disclosure statement will be required.

6. One-year probationary period may be required.

7. Moving expenses may be authorized.

8. Bargaining Unit Position: No

9. Drug Screening Required: No

10. Recruitment Incentive may be authorized.

11. Relocation Incentive may be authorized.

12. Travel is Required: 20%-30%

 

HOW YOU WILL BE EVALUATED:

Once the application process is complete, a review of resume and supporting documentation will be made and compared against your responses to the assessment questionnaire to determine if you are qualified for this job.  If, after reviewing your resume and or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications and or experience, you may lose consideration for this position.  Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your eligibility.  Category rating procedures will be used to rate and rank candidates. The category assignment is a measure of the degree in which your background matches the competencies required for this position. Qualified candidates will be ranked into one of three categories: Best Qualified, Well Qualified or Qualified.

The Category Rating Process does not add veterans’ preference points but protects the rights of veterans by placing them ahead of non-preference eligibles within each category. Preference eligibles who meet the minimum qualification requirements and who have a compensable service-connected disability of at least 10 percent must be listed in the highest quality category (except in the case of scientific or professional positions at the GS-9 level or higher).

Your qualifications will be evaluated on the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities and other characteristics):

1.  Knowledge and skill in the development and regulatory approval of medical countermeasures.

2.  Knowledge of sciences, strategies and practices of public health emergencies.

3.  Knowledge of implementation of policies and procedures for emergency response activities.

4.  Skill in oral communication.

5.  Skill in written communication. 

Country: USA, State: Dist of Columbia, City: Washington, Company: Office of the Secretary of Health and Human Services.