Health Program Specialist

Summary

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is seeking to hire a few Health Program Specialists. You will have a key role in planning, coordinating, and evaluating research proposals for grant programs. You will attend meetings and committees to keep organizations informed of the latest advancements and allows them to participate in developing scientific initiatives.

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Duties

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• Serve as a subject matter expert and provide strategic scientific guidance.
• Lead analysis of program challenges and propose complex solutions.
• Oversee grant programs and present findings to senior leadership and stakeholders.
• Manage new product and service implementation in assigned research areas.
• Collaborate with internal and external partners to align initiatives with organizational goals.
• Lead contract administration efforts and represent programs at national or international meetings.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

• U.S. Citizenship requirement or proof of being a U.S. National must be met by closing date.
• Employment is subject to the successful completion of a background investigation, verification of qualifications, completion of onboarding forms, submission of required documents, and any other job-related requirement before or after appointment.
• Applicants must meet all qualifications requirements within thirty (30) calendar days of the closing date of this announcement, including time in grade.
• Males born after December 31, 1959 must be registered with the Selective Service.
• The National Institutes of Health participates in the USCIS Electronic Employment Eligibility Verification Program (E-Verify). E-Verify helps employers determine employment eligibility of new hires and the validity of their Social Security numbers.
• The NIH maintains a tobacco free work environment and campus.
• Must be able to perform the essential duties of the position, with or without reasonable accommodation.
• Based on your appointment, a one or two-year trial/probationary period may be required. A decision regarding your continued employment with NIH will be made as you near the end of this period.
• Position requires Education. Please submit transcripts.

Qualifications

Basic Requirements: In order to qualify for a Health Program Specialist, GS-0601, position you must possess a Bachelor's or graduate/higher level degree with a major study in an academic field related to the medical field, health sciences or allied sciences appropriate to the work of the position. This degree must be from an educational program from an accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education at the time the degree was obtained.

You qualify at the GS-11 level , if you meet one of the following qualification requirements:

You must demonstrate in your resume at least one (1) year of qualifying experience equivalent to at least the GS-09 level in the Federal service obtained in either the private or public sector, performing the following types of tasks: 1. Supported scientific program (e.g., research project, grant, contract, formal agreement) by reviewing administrative documents, maintaining tracking logs, and organizing data. 2. Responded to stakeholders on basic administrative/procedural requirements (e.g., deadlines, document submissions). AND 3. Drafted administrative materials to support scientific reports, presentations, or meetings, including gathering, analyzing, and formatting data; OR You must have have completed 3 years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree or, have a Ph.D. degree or equivalent doctoral degree in a related field; OR you have a combination of education and specialized experience that meets the qualification requirements for this position.

You qualify at the GS-12 level , if you meet one of the following qualification requirements:

You must demonstrate in your resume at least one (1) year of qualifying experience equivalent to at least the GS-11 level in the Federal service obtained in either the private or public sector, performing the following types of tasks: 1. Coordinated scientific program activities (e.g., research project, grant, contract, formal agreement) by managing timelines, monitoring performance and expenditures, or ensuring regulatory compliance. 2. Analyzed quantitative and qualitative data (e.g., research outputs, performance metrics) to evaluate scientific program effectiveness, identify issues, or inform data-driven recommendations. 3. Developed written materials and delivered presentations on scientific or program-related topics (e.g., research summaries, funding guidance) tailored to diverse audiences, such as researchers or administrative staff. AND 4. Advised scientific program stakeholders by interpreting and applying policies related to funding, regulatory requirements, or program operations.

You qualify at the GS-13 level , if you meet one of the following qualification requirements:

You must demonstrate in your resume at least one (1) year of qualifying experience equivalent to at least the GS-12 level in the Federal service obtained in either the private or public sector, performing the following types of tasks:1. Coordinated scientific program activities (e.g., research project, grant, contract, formal agreement) by planning initiatives, managing timelines, monitoring performance and expenditures, or ensuring regulatory compliance. 2. Analyzed quantitative and qualitative data from multiple sources (e.g., research outputs, performance metrics) to evaluate scientific program effectiveness, identify issues, or inform data-driven recommendations. 3. Developed written materials and delivered presentations on scientific or program-related topics (e.g., research summaries, funding guidance) tailored to diverse audiences, such as researchers, administrative staff, or leadership. 4. Advised scientific program stakeholders by interpreting and applying policies related to funding, regulatory requirements, or program operations. AND 5. Collaborated with internal and external stakeholders (e.g., researchers, organizational partners) to align program goals, resolve operational challenges, or advance shared scientific initiatives.

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:

Education

This position has an education requirement. You are strongly encouraged to submit a copy of your transcripts (or a list of your courses including titles, credit hours completed and grades). Unofficial transcripts will be accepted in the application package. Official transcripts will be required from all selectees prior to receiving an official offer. Click here for information on Foreign Education.

If you qualify based on education in lieu of specialized experience, you are strongly encouraged to submit a copy of your transcripts or a list of your courses including titles, credit hours completed and grades. Unofficial transcripts will be accepted in the application packages. Official transcripts will be required from all selectees prior to receiving an official offer. Click here for information on Foreign Education.

Additional 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.
• PHS Commissioned Officers interested in performing the duties of this position within the Commissioned Corps should apply online to this announcement to receive consideration.
• 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.
• At the supervisor's discretion, this position may offer work schedule flexibilities: telework, compressed schedules, flexible schedules.
• 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.
• A current federal government employee may receive a relocation incentive if moving from a different geographic location. Recipients will be determined on a case-by-case basis based on organizational need, specific case justification, and budget limitations.
• 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).

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.