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Detail Position Available at ORI (HHS Employees Only)

Reimbursable Detail Opportunity – Health Science Administrator, HHS/Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health (OASH), Office of the Research Integrity, (ORI) – NTE 120 days.  The position is located in Rockville, Maryland.
 
Commissioned Corps  O-6 or  GS-0601-14.  This is NOT a career-ladder opportunity.
 
INTRODUCTION
 
The ORI is seeking an individual to serve as a Health Science Administrator. This office is in need of an experienced researcher or research administrator to manage all aspects of cases of alleged research misconduct in clinical research and/or biomedical research studies. This is not a supervisory position. This position is open to qualified HHS federal staff ONLY currently eligible for a GS-14 and meeting the qualifications listed below.
 
The position resides in the Office of Research Integrity (ORI), Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health (OASH), Office of the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS). The ORI oversees and directs Public Health Service (PHS) research integrity activities on behalf of the Assistant Secretary for Health; evaluates and monitors research integrity operation activities, including case investigations and evaluation, institutional assurance programs, and prevention/education activities; and manages the resources to carry out these activities.  
 
The incumbent applies technical knowledge to develop overall plans to evaluate investigations into allegations of misconduct in scientific research, with emphasis in clinical and/or translational research.  The position strengthens the mechanisms for ensuring the integrity of the research process.  Through specific actions within the scope of work assignments incumbent ensures progress towards achieving enhanced program outcomes and administrative efficiencies. 
 
A temporary promotion to a GS-14 may be available for eligible and qualified candidates during this 120 day detail.
 
We anticipate this detail starting within 21 days of the closing of this posting. Multiple, concurrent details may be filled as a result of this posting.
 
Applications will be accepted until 11:59pm ET Tuesday, February 16, 2016.
 
Duties and Responsibilities:
 
The incumbent serves under the position description of Health Scientist Administrator/Scientist-Investigator in the Division of Investigative Oversight (DIO).
 
Overall, the incumbent:
  • Plans, directs, and conducts assessments of alleged research misconduct and oversight of institutional inquiries and investigations of such allegations. 
  • Advises DIO and ORI staff on the overall handling and analyses for allegations of research misconduct in many different fields of scientific study, with particular emphasis in clinical research and/or translational research and/or biomedical research.
  • Develops and maintains procedures and processes for obtaining, evaluating, and documenting evidence.
  • Reviews institutional investigative reports of research misconduct to ensure that the institutional analyses and processes are consistent with the PHS regulations at 42 C.F.R. Part 93, and also support any institutional findings or actions against the respondent, such as termination, retraction or correction of papers, among others.
  • Evaluates the evidence to support a PHS finding of research misconduct and recommends administrative actions against respondents to ORI, such as supervision or debarment; works with the Office of the General Counsel (OGC) to resolve cases; and follows each case through closure, which may include potential criminal charges or civil suits that may transpire.
  • Acts as a liaison and contact point for each case with institutional officials, including Research Integrity Officers (RIOs), Vice Presidents for Research, Provosts or University Presidents, outside ORI and OASH.
 
Additionally, the incumbent is responsible for:
 
Case Management 
  • Performs scientific and administrative reviews and analyses of allegations of research misconduct.  Conducts preliminary assessments of alleged research misconduct to determine if further action is needed.
  • Ensures that an accurate and complete record is established and maintained for evidence, activities, and DIO actions regarding each assigned case.
  • Works with the ORI staff to carry out these functions to completion.  
  • Reviews and oversees inquiries and investigations conducted by extramural institutions or PHS intramural institutions.
  • Develops and writes formal scientific reviews and recommendation documents; develops lines of questioning for misconduct cases to gather additional evidence; develops procedures for evaluating and documenting scientific evidence in investigations, including forensic analyses of scientific data.
  • Presents case analyses to a team of scientists and attorneys engaged in oversight of alleged research misconduct.
  • Works with DIO Director and OGC attorneys to ensure that DIO proposed findings of research misconduct are legally sustainable.
  • Works with ORI Director to resolve cases with appropriate findings.
  • Reviews reports of findings submitted by other staff for technical soundness.
  • Advises on the selection of consultants to ensure the complete and fair scientific evaluation of research misconduct cases. 
Collaborative/Consultative and Related Responsibilities:
  • Provides relevant information to extramural institutional officials regarding the PHS misconduct regulations.
  • Provides briefing to senior ORI, OASH staff and others, as required.
  • Responds to telephone calls and direct conversations from complainants, witnesses, respondents, and attorneys for respondents concerning research misconduct matters and the responsible conduct of science and makes a written record of these communications.
  • Receives specific new allegations from complainants, documents the allegations, provides the information to appropriate DIO staff, and makes an initial assessment of the applicability of the PHS misconduct regulations to complainant’s expressed concerns.  
  • Recommends referring responsibility for the investigation to other PHS components (OHRP, OMA, OLAW, FDA, OIG) or other government agencies, when appropriate.
  • Responds to requests to present oral information, seminars, or conferences to outside officials and organizations.  
  • Provides expert witness testimony to administrative tribunals, when necessary, to support findings of research misconduct.
  • Establishes and maintains effective collaborative and working relationships with other government agencies and academic and other research institutions and organizations to ensure proper reporting of research misconduct allegations to ORI. 
Required Qualifications:
  • This position requires applicants to meet a Basic Education Requirement in addition to at least one year of specialized experience in order to be found minimally qualified.  
    Degree: Successfully completed a full 4-year course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a bachelor's or higher degree with major study in an academic field related to the health sciences or allied sciences appropriate to the work of the position;
  • Extensive, professional scientific background that is normally obtained through progressive experience;
  • Documented excellence in oral and written communication skills;
  • Leadership qualities to advise senior institutional officials on investigative techniques, to handle institutional compliance issues relevant to the Federal regulations, and other matters arising in research misconduct proceedings;
  • Significant understanding of the PHS grant funding and review processes.
 
Documentation requirements:
  1. Resume or CV
  2. Current SF-50
  3. Letter of Endorsement/Evaluation Statement from Current Supervisor of Record – to be submitted upon selection
  4. OGE-450 Financial Disclosure Form – to be submitted upon selection
  5. Written approval from applicant’s current supervisor via required funding documents – to be submitted upon selection
 
Other Pertinent Information:
 
Travel Required: Minimal domestic
 
Transportation/Temp Relocation Expenses Paid: May be considered
 
Bargaining Unit Position:  No
 
Drug Screening Required: No
 
Security Clearance Required: Yes, MBI-5 Public Trust Clearance
 
EEO Policy Statement
 
The United States Government does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service, or other non-merit factor.
 
Beginning January 1, 2010, agencies must seek prior approval from OPM before they can appoint a current or recent political appointee to a competitive or non-political excepted service position at any level under the provisions of title 5, United States Code.  If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C, or Non-career SES employee in the executive branch, you MUST disclose that to the Human Resource Special Notes:  Persons with mental retardation, severe physical disabilities, or psychiatric disabilities, may be considered for hiring on a permanent, time-limited, or temporary basis without competing with other applicants provided they have proof of their disability from a licensed medical professional.
 
Interested candidates must submit their resume/CV and supporting documentation by email to NCR-OPHS@hhs.gov and SF-50’s via fax to (216) 802-1278, Attn: Debbie Konanec by 11:59pm ET Tuesday, February 16th (resumes/cvs. SF-50s, etc., will not be accepted after this date).  Any questions or concerns should be sent to the aforementioned mailbox.
 
Source URL: https://ori.hhs.gov/blog/detail-position-available-ori-hhs-employees-only