Program Analyst

Summary

This position functions as a Program Analyst for Research and Development Service (R&D) at the VA St Louis Healthcare System (VASTLHCS). This position is responsible for planning, analyzing, evaluating, and coordinating scientific research program activities in support of organizational research programs. The position provides advisory services related to program operations, budget execution, grants management coordination, policy implementation, and strategic planning for research initiatives.

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Duties

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Major duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to the following: Review/Analysis:

• Reviews studies prior to committee to identify trends and errors to facilitate expedited processing.
• Develops reporting procedures, sampling techniques, and measurements at various points in the business cycle associated with Research Program.
• Evaluates research program activities and develops recommendations for process improvements, policy implementation, and operational enhancements.
• duties include the development, implementation and monitoring functions associated with all areas of compliance.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Training:

• Designs studies, training programs and organizational strategies for identifying opportunities to improve customer service, process quality and compliance in accordance with the current research regulations.
• Develops training materials, presentations and information packages for the research program as mandated by federal regulatory bodies.
• Prepares and delivers annual training for investigators involved in Human Studies (MD's, PHD's Clinicians and Nurses).
• Works with the TMS Administrator on specific training that is required for each research position.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Committee Participation:

• Represents the medical center at national committee meetings and at local area Research Development Committee (RDC), IRB, Subcommittee on Research Safe (SRS) coordinator meetings.
• Maintains contact with field coordinators within the Office for Protection from Research Risks (OPRR) and the FDA to confirm the intent and application of research regulations.
• Acts as procedural, administrative and expert resource for the Research Development Committee (RDC), IRB, Subcommittee on Research Safe (SRS) which review all research projects involving human subjects.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

File Maintenance:

• Prepares meeting agendas, assigns reviews, prepares and distributes meeting packets.
• Evaluates responses from investigators and requests additional information as necessary to address committee concerns.
• Oversees issuance of approval notice to investigators.
• Manages storage of all submitted and approved Standard of Operations (SOP's) and SOP Addendums in a data storage file.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Work Schedule: Full-Time, Permanent | Monday - Friday 07:30am - 04:00pm CT

Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Position Description/PD#: Program Analyst/ PD105060

Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized

Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Approved

Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

• 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, 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)

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period or 2-year trial 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 period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 10/14/2026.

Time-In-Grade Requirement : Applicants who are current Federal employees and have held a GS grade any time in the past 52 weeks must also meet time-in-grade requirements by the closing date of this announcement. For a GS-11 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-9. The grade may have been in any occupation, but must have been held in the Federal service. An SF-50 that shows your time-in-grade eligibility must be submitted with your application materials. If the most recent SF-50 has an effective date within the past year, it may not clearly demonstrate you possess one-year time-in-grade, as required by the announcement. In this instance, you must provide an additional SF-50 that clearly demonstrates one-year time-in-grade. Note: Time-In-Grade requirements also apply to former Federal employees applying for reinstatement as well as current employees applying for Veterans Employment Opportunities Act of 1998 (VEOA) appointment.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-9 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: Conducting analytical program operations, administrative processes, and program performance to improve efficiency and effectiveness; Evaluating Program activities and developing recommendations for process improvements, policy implementation or operational enhancements; Tracking and assigning training to personnel; Collect, review and validate data from multiple sources, monitoring large volume of documents for accuracy to prevent erroneous transactions; Prepares and delivers annual training for staff; Prepares reports, briefings, correspondence and presentations for leadership regarding program status, research metrics and operational performance; Reconcile study listings for personnel to maintain compliance; Prepares meeting agendas and assigns reviews; Evaluates responses from investigators and requests additional information as necessary in order to address concerns. 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. OR, 3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree. OR, LL.M., if related. 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 graduate level education required for the next lower grade (GS-9). If you have some qualifying education and some qualifying experience, but don't fully meet either requirement on its own, you may be able to combine them. Only graduate education in excess of two years (36 semester hours or equivalent) can be used in this calculation. Experience must be reflected in your resume, and transcripts are required.

1. Divide your qualifying graduate semester hours beyond the first 36 by 18. That gives you your education percentage.
2. Divide your months of qualifying experience by 12. That gives you your experience percentage.
3. Add the two together. If the total is 100% or more, you qualify.

Note: Note that only graduate education in excess of the amount required for the next lower grade level can be combined with the appropriate level of experience to qualify applicants for positions at grade GS-11. For example, if a school's requirement for 1 year of graduate study is 18 semester hours, only graduate education beyond the first 36 semester hours or 54 quarter hours can be combined with GS-9 level experience to qualify for a GS-11 level position. Thus, 18 semester hours of graduate education and 12 months of GS-9 level experience cannot be combined to qualify for a GS-11 position.

Preferred Experience: Knowledge of generally accepted auditing standards and procedures for conducting, compliance, efficiency, and program results audits. Ability to use systematic methods to plan, execute, and report on organizational operations.

For more information on these qualification standards, please visit the United States Office of Personnel Management's website at

Physical Requirements and Work Environment: The work is primarily sedentary. Some walking, standing, carrying light items, and use of office equipment may be required. The work is performed in a typical office environment with adequate lighting, heating, and ventilation. Telework may be authorized in accordance with agency policy.

NOTE: Participation in the seasonal influenza program is a condition of employment and a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). It is a requirement that all HCP to receive annual seasonal influenza vaccination or obtain an exemption for medical or religious reasons. Wearing a face mask is required when an exemption to the influenza vaccination has been granted. HCP in violation of this directive may face disciplinary action up to and including removal from federal service. HCP are individuals who, during the influenza season, work in VHA locations or who come into contact with VA patients or other HCP as part of their duties. VHA locations include, but are not limited to, VA hospitals and associated clinics, community living centers (CLCs), community-based outpatient clinics (CBOCs), domiciliary units, Vet centers and VA-leased medical facilities. HCP include all VA licensed and unlicensed, clinical and administrative, remote and onsite, paid and without compensation, full- and part-time employees, intermittent employees, fee basis employees, VA contractors, researchers, volunteers and health professions trainees (HPTs) who are expected to perform any or all of their work at these facilities. HPTs may be paid or unpaid and include residents, interns, fellows and students. HCP also includes VHA personnel providing home-based care to Veterans and drivers and other personnel whose duties put them in contact with patients outside VA medical facilities.

Education

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: 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:

Additional information

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.

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.

This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.

The Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) and Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) provide eligible displaced VA competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. To be qualified you must submit appropriate documentation (a copy of the agency notice, your most recent performance rating, and your most recent SF-50 noting current position, grade level, and duty location) and be found well-qualified for this vacancy. To be well-qualified: applicants must possess experience that exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors, and who are proficient in most of the required competencies of the job. Information about ICTAP and CTAP eligibility is on OPM's Career Transition Resources website at

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

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A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

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Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.