Social and Behavioral Scientist Administrator (Program Officer)

Summary

Join one of the 24 Institutes and Centers within the NIH that awards extramural grants! Extramural grants account for approximately 80 percent of NIH's budget and are awarded to investigators at more than 2,500 universities, medical schools, and other research organizations around the world. To learn more about the grants process, types of grant programs, and the peer review process, visit: Office of Extramural Research.

Duties

As a Social and Behavioral Scientist Administrator (Program Officer), you will take on a challenging, rewarding role with a direct opportunity to advance the mission of the NIH through providing advice in program planning, solicitation, and evaluation to perform day-to-day administrative functions related to research grants and interagency agreements supporting research projects in your assigned area. To learn more about the grants process, types of grant programs, and the peer review process, visit the website for the Office of Extramural Research: https://grants.nih.gov/grants/oer.htm These positions are located in the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), National Institutes of Health (NIH), within multiple Institutes/Centers or the Office of the Director. Providing technical leadership and guidance in a major subject-matter area while coordinating the review activities of the Office of Extramural Research Grants Review Committee and Special Emphasis Panels. Evaluating the availability and level of resources that can be applied to program area needs and stimulating interest in projects and special activities through communication with the social science community. Identifying opportunities and problem areas, research gaps and relevant program needs and making recommendations to the Branch Chief. Organizing and conducting discussions with social science and/or behavioral researchers concerning an overall agenda for the assigned program area. Providing suggested recommendations concerning program direction, priorities and funding levels for areas of responsibility. Performing scientific and administrative reviews and analyzing of applications/proposals from a programmatic viewpoint. Preparing information for and attending advisory/review committee/panel meetings and responds to issues and concerns about specific applications/proposals pertaining to assigned program area. Consulting with and advising grantees/contractors during preparation of applications/proposals and provides guidance on program issues. Collaborating with other Branch and Division staff and NIH staff offices, as required. Organizing and conducting workshops, conferences, symposia or similar activities to foster the aims of the Branch and the Division. Visiting universities, research institutions, commercial organizations, other Government agencies, and public and private organizations. Facilitating communication and collaborative efforts with other Institute components, other ICs, and other DHHS agencies in assigned area of responsibility.

Qualifications

BASIC REQUIREMENTS: Applicants must meet the requirements described in paragraphs A, B or C below: A. have a bachelor's or graduate/higher level degree in the behavioral or social sciences, or related disciplines appropriate to this position. OR B. have a combination of education and experience that provided you with the knowledge of one or more of the behavioral or social sciences equivalent to a major in the field. OR C. have four years of appropriate experience demonstrating that you have acquired knowledge of one or more of the behavioral or social sciences equivalent to a major in the field. AND ADDITIONAL POSITION REQUIREMENT: Applicants must meet the following requirement: GS-12: In addition to the education requirements, to qualify at the GS-12 level, you must have 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-11 as described below. (1) Authored a patent, scientific publication, or scientific report summarizing analyses and findings. (2) Shared research through posters or oral presentations at scientific events (e.g., conferences, conventions). (3) Designed, conducted, analyzed/interpreted data, and documented findings. GS-13: In addition to the education requirements, to qualify at the GS-13 level, you must have 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-12 as described below. (1) Authored multiple patents, scientific publications in peer-reviewed journals, or scientific reports summarizing analyses and findings. (2) Presented at scientific events (e.g., conferences, conventions), engaging in discussions with scientists to share insights, respond to questions, or exchange ideas that advance research. (3) Monitored progress on a research project by coordinating resources and managing timelines. (4) Initiated development and submission of research plans, funding opportunities, proposals, or applications. (5) Evaluated research applications, proposals, or other material (e.g., reports) based on scientific and technical merit. GS-14: In addition to the education requirements, to qualify at the GS-14 level, you must have 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-13 as described below. (1) Published as primary or corresponding (i.e., communicates with editors) author in peer-reviewed journal articles, book chapters, patents, or scientific reports summarizing analyses and findings. (2) Served as the lead presenter at scientific events (e.g., conferences, conventions) to advise on progress and emerging scientific direction. (3) Oversaw research projects by coordinating resources and managing timelines. (4) Conceptualized, initiated, and implemented scientific initiatives to enhance research efforts (e.g., multidisciplinary or cross-departmental collaboration). (5) Evaluated research applications, proposals, or other material (e.g., reports) for compliance, relevance, and scientific/technical merit. You will receive credit for all experience material to the position, including experience gained in religious, civic, welfare, service, and organizational activities, regardless of whether you received pay. Do not copy and paste the duties or specialized experience from this announcement into your resume as that will not be considered a demonstration of your qualifications for this position. We may verify or assess your qualifications at any time. Inflated or unsupported qualifications may affect your rating. Any misrepresentation or material omission of facts may be sufficient cause to end further consideration of your candidacy. Persons listed as knowing your past accomplishments or experience in your application may be contacted for verification purposes at any time. Verification may, but need not, begin before receiving an offer. Preview application questionnaire before you apply: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13105845

Evaluations

You will be evaluated based on how well you meet the qualifications listed in this vacancy announcement. 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: Attention to Detail Customer Service Decision Making Flexibility Influencing/Negotiating Integrity/Honesty Interpersonal Skills Learning Reading Comprehension Reasoning Self-Management Stress Tolerance Teamwork Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application materials or application questionnaire may result in your removal from consideration. Cheating on an assessment may also result in your removal from consideration. The position(s) advertised in this announcement are covered by the agency's Reemployment Priority List (RPL). RPL candidates will be rated, placed into one of the quality categories below, and referred to the hiring office, once veterans' preference is applied. Qualified Well Qualified Best Qualified Additional selections may be made for similar positions across the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) within the local commuting area(s) of the location identified in this announcement. By applying, you agree to have your application shared with interested selecting official(s) at HHS. Clearance of CTAP/ICTAP will be applied for similar positions across HHS. To be considered well qualified for the purposes of the Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) and the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP), you must be able to satisfactorily perform the duties of the position upon entry and substantively exceed the basic qualifications by scoring at least 80 points on the assessment(s) and meet all eligibility, physical, medical, suitability, and all other requirements.

How to apply Please read the entire announcement and all the instructions before you begin an application. To apply and be considered for this position, you must complete and submit all required questionnaires, assessments, and required documentation as specified in the How to Apply and Required Documents sections. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on the closing date of the announcement to receive consideration. The application process is as follows: Click Apply Online button. Follow the prompts to select your resume and/or other supporting documents to be included with your application package. See the "Required Documents" section for any additional forms and/or supplemental materials required. Read all Eligibility questions and respond accordingly to any Eligibility you wish to claim. You will only be considered for those Eligibility questions (Veteran, Schedule A, etc.) you respond in the affirmative to, regardless of what documentation you submit. We cannot assume you intended to respond differently to a question based on other information in your application package. Complete the application questionnaire. Applicants are asked all questions regardless of their consideration preferences. We will only consider you for the grades, series, locations, specialties, and other considerations that you self-identify as being qualified for or interested in. Preview application questionnaire before you apply: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13105845 After submitting an online application, you will be notified whether or not you are required to take additional online assessments through the USA Hire Competency Based Assessment system. This message will be delivered to you via email notification. The email may be routed to your "Spam" or "Junk" folder. If you are required to complete any USA Hire Assessments, you will be notified after submitting your application. The notification will be provided in your application submission screen and via email. The notification will include your unique assessment access link to the USA Hire system and the completion deadline. Additionally, in USAJOBS you can click "Track this application" to return to your assessment completion notice. Access USA Hire using your unique assessment link. Access is granted through your USAJOBS login credentials. Review all instructions prior to beginning your assessments. You will have the opportunity to request a testing accommodation before beginning the assessments should you have a disability covered under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended. Set aside about 2 hours to take the USA Hire assessments; however, most applicants complete the assessments in less time. If you need to stop the assessments and continue later, you can re-use your unique assessment link. Your responses to the USA Hire Assessments will be reused for one year (in most cases) from the date you complete an assessment. If future applications you submit require completion of the same assessments, your responses will be automatically reused. Verify all required documentation is included in your application package, review your responses to the application questionnaire for accuracy, and then submit your application. Visit the USA Hire Applicant Resource Center for practice assessments and assessment preparation resources at https://support-usahire.opm.gov/hc/en-us. In addition to the required documents, we encourage you to submit a cover letter, copy of your transcripts, and any applicable certifications or licenses. Even though this information is not required at the time of application, we may request this information later. We cannot assume responsibility or grant extensions for personal issues (e.g., troubles navigating the application process, loss of internet, not understanding a question) when applying to our announcements. For technical difficulties, contact HR Systems Support between 8:00 AM and 4:30 PM ET Monday through Friday at hrss@nih.gov. For reasonable accommodations not related to USA Hire, please contact Global Jobs at globaljobs@mail.nih.gov . Requests for reasonable accommodations must be made before the announcement closing date. Visit our site for information on NIH's EEO program, Reasonable accommodation procedures, laws, policy statements, and the operation of the EEO complaint process.

Other information This position is designated as a "non-emergency/teleworker" position and the selected candidate will be considered a "non-emergency/teleworker" employee. In the event of a closure, you must be available to telework or request leave. NIH may repay certain outstanding Federally insured student loans to facilitate the recruitment and retention of highly qualified people. Recipients will be determined on a case-by-case basis based on organizational need, specific case justification, and budget limitations. A newly appointed or reappointed employee may receive service credit for prior work experience or active-duty uniformed service that otherwise would not be creditable for the purpose of determining his or her annual leave accrual rate. All creditable service must be directly related to the duties of the position being filled and decisions to allow for such credit must be finalized prior to the selectee's entrance on duty. Recipients will be determined on a case-by-case basis based on organizational need, specific case justification, and budget limitations. A newly appointed or reappointed individual may receive a recruitment incentive. Recipients will be determined on a case-by-case basis based on organizational need, specific case justification, and budget limitations. At the supervisor's discretion, this position may offer work schedule flexibilities: telework compressed schedules, flexible schedules. Visit Help Applying for helpful information on the application process. Military Spouses selected from this announcement will remain in their current duty location (i.e., the official duty station of the military service member. 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 here: Reasonable Accommodation Information. Veterans' Preference only applies to Schedule A (disability appointment), HHS Reemployment Priority List (RPL) Eligibles, HHS Priority Reemployment List (PRL) Eligibles, and Veterans Recruitment Appointments (if applicable).