Summary This position is located in the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Veteran Health Administration (VHA), at the New Mexico VA Healthcare System in the Research service. The Primary purpose of the Program Assistant (IRB/IACUC Assistant) is to provide administrative and regulatory support to the Human Research Protections Program (HRPP) and the Animal Care and Use Programs (ACUP). The position is that of Research Subcommittees Coordinator in the Research Service under the Chief, Research Admin. Responsibilities Duties include but are not limited to: Conducts pre-reviews of submissions to the Research Committees Performs an administrative and regulatory review of all research proposals involving human subjects to ensure compliance with the regulations regarding human research, and involving animals in research Acts as a liaison in conjunction with the IRB Administrator between the Research Office, HRPPO and IRB committee members for matters related to the IRB at the NMVAHCS Maintains an online training manual for investigators and conducts classes on the manual for new investigators Reviews all reportable events, Adverse Events, protocol amendments, correspondence and study closures according to Research Office prior to review by the ACOS/Research, bringing items that require immediate response to the attention of the HRPPO, Chief, Research Administration and the ACOS/Research. Monitors research projects using CPRS GUI as directed by the Chief, Research Administration in conjunction with the Business Integrity and Compliance Officer (BCIO) and/or the Research Compliance Officer to assure compliance with regulations related to the use of human subjects in research . Reviews and processes submissions to the IACUC applying knowledge of the National Research Council Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals, PHS requirements and VA regulations, and coordinates the IACUC. Meets with investigators/ researchers to provide training, and guidance on their submissions. Ensures that procedures are current and up to date reflecting the current regulatory guidance documents and requirements. Cues the committee when additional determinations are required. Disseminates current or updated information relevant to procedural changes in the proper submission of protocols to investigators, the committees and relevant staff Work Schedule: Full Time, Monday thru Friday, 8:00AM to 4:30PM Compressed/Flexible: This position is not eligible for compress/flex schedule. Telework: This position may be authorized for Ad-hoc telework. Telework eligibility will be discussed during the interview process. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Description/PD#: Program Assistant (Analysis)/PD10902O Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not authorized. Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized. Requirements Conditions of Employment You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA. Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959 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 (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued dentification 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 or trial 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, 10/20/2025. 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-7 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-6. 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: In addition to meeting the time in grade, you must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-06 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: provide administrative and regulatory support to the Human Research Protections Program (HRPP) and the Animal Care and Use Programs (ACUP); performing research at this VA Medical Center including specialized duties regarding the research subcommittees such as the Research Safety Program, Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC), the Institutional Review Board (IRB) and Human Research Protections Program. You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position: Administration and Management Data Management Project Management Research Preferred Experienced: Working with or supporting both an Institutional Review Board (IRB) and Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC). They understand and practice the guidance/requirements as set forth by the IRB Common Rule and AAALAC requirements for conduct of animal research. This individual coordinates and develops committee rosters, agendas, actions, communications, minutes. The candidate has experience working with submission databases and running repots from a database. The individual has superior written and verbal communication skills to convey committee requirement to investigators, teach others and develop form polices and procedures. Selective Placement Factor: Research Committee experience. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Note: A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. Part-time experience will be credited on the basis of time actually spent in appropriate activities. Applicants wishing to receive credit for such experience must indicate clearly the nature of their duties and responsibilities in each position and the number of hours a week spent in such employment. Physical Requirements: The majority of work will be performed in the office setting with computer use. Some walking, standing, bending and carrying of light items such as books and files will be required. For more information on these qualification standards, please visit the United States Office of Personnel Management's website at https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/. Education There is no educational substitution at this grade level. Additional Information Receiving Service Credit or Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement. 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.