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Position Title
Health Scientist Administrator (Program Officer & Scientific Review Officer)
Agency
National Institutes of Health
Announcement Number
NIH-GR-MP-23-11768885 Opens in new window
Open Period
Wednesday, January 18, 2023 to Friday, January 27, 2023
For preview purposes only. To apply, please return to the USAJOBS announcement and click the Apply button.
Eligibilities
1. Do you claim Veterans’ Preference? (limit characters)
2. Are you a 30% or more disabled veteran? If so, you may be eligible to be considered for a noncompetitive temporary appointment.  Under this eligibility, you may be converted to a permanent position, but conversion is not guaranteed.
 
To be eligible, you must:
  1. Be a disabled veteran rated by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) as having a compensable service-connected disability of 30 percent or more; OR, be a disabled veteran who retired from active military service with a disability rating of 30 percent or more. 
  2. Submit the appropriate documentation listed in the SF-15: 1) A. Documentation of Service and Separation (e.g., DD-214); AND, 2) C. Documentation of Compensable Service-Connected Disability (10% or more) (e.g., VA Letter). Submission of the SF-15 is not required.  This documentation must be submitted with your application package, before the announcement closes. 
  3. Select "Yes" to this eligibility question. 
Based on the above, are you eligible, and do you wish to be considered for, a noncompetitive temporary appointment as a 30% disabled veteran?
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3. Are you the spouse of a member of the Armed Forces OR the un-remarried widow or widower of a member of the Armed Forces killed while in active duty status or who is 100% disabled due to a service-connected injury?
If so, you may be eligible to be considered for a noncompetitive appointment.

Visit our NIH Jobs page for more information on eligibility and required documentation: https://hr.nih.gov/jobs/announcement-links/appointment-certain-military-spouses-eligibility

Based on the above and the referenced web page, are you eligible, and do you wish to be considered for, a noncompetitive appointment as a military spouse? If so, you must select "Yes" and provide the required documents with your application package, before the announcement closes.
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4. Have you been laid off or received a letter stating that you will be laid off from the Department of Health and Human Services? If so, you may be entitled to selection priority under the under the Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP). 
 
You must submit the following documents with your application: Note: Your proof of eligibility MUST show the position, grade level and duty location of the position from which you were (or will be) separated and your full performance level or career ladder.  To ensure you fulfil this requirement, submit an SF-50 (Notification of a Personnel Action) that contains this information along with your proof of CTAP eligibility.  

Visit our CTAP page for more information on eligibility and required documentation. 

Based on the above and the referenced web page, are you eligible for CTAP? If so, you must select "Yes" and provide the required documents with your application package, before the announcement closes.
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5. Are you currently an officer in the Public Health Service Commissioned Corps and are you interested in staying in the Corps if selected? If so, you may be considered for this position as a Commissioned Corps member.  If selected as a Commissioned Corps member you must meet all requirements of the Corps, which will differ from the requirements listed in the vacancy announcement.
 
To be eligible, you must submit an official document or letter from the Public Health Service verifying you are currently in, or have been accepted to, the Commissioned Corps.
 
Based on the above, are you eligible, and do you wish to be considered for, a Commissioned Corps appointment? If so, you must select "Yes" and provide the required documents with your application package, before the announcement closes.
 
Notes: 
  • Not all positions are appropriate for the Commissioned Corps and it is at the supervisor's discretion to fill a position through the Corps.  Visit the Corps website for more information: https://www.usphs.gov/profession/.
  • If you do not wish to be considered for this position through a civilian appointment, please inform the individual listed in the "Agency contact information" section of the announcement.  You will be required to resign or retire from the Corps if you wish you enter a civilian appointment.
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6. Do you currently work at the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)? If so, you may be eligible to apply to this vacancy announcement.
 
To be eligible, you must:
  1. Be a current permanent HHS employee on a career or career-conditional appointment in the competitive service. If you are unsure of your eligibility, access eOPF and open your latest Notification of Personnel Action (SF-50):  Block 24 -Tenure must be "1 - Permanent" or "2 - Conditional" AND Block 34 - Position Occupied must be "1 -Competitive Service."  If you are still unsure of your eligibility, contact the individual listed in the vacancy announcement for assistance.  
  2. Submit a copy of your most recent Notification of Personnel Action (SF-50) with your application package, before the announcement closes.  You can obtain a copy from eOPF.  
  3. Select "Yes" to this eligibility question. 
Based on the above, are you eligible to apply as an HHS Employee?  If you work at HHS, select "Yes", submit the required documentation, and we will make the determination for you.
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7. Are you currently overseas with a family member who is employed with the federal government and are you moving back to the United States? If so, you may be eligible to be considered for a noncompetitive appointment.

Visit our NIH Jobs page for more information on eligibility and required documentation: https://hr.nih.gov/jobs/announcement-links/appointment-certain-family-members-overseas-employees-eligibility

Based on the above and the referenced web page, are you eligible, and do you wish to be considered for, a noncompetitive appointment as a family member of an overseas employee? If so, you must select "Yes" and provide the required documents with your application package, before the announcement closes.
 
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8. Are you a current or former Foreign Service officer or employee? If so, you may be eligible to be considered for a noncompetitive appointment.

Visit our NIH Jobs page for more information on eligibility and required documentation: https://hr.nih.gov/jobs/announcement-links/appointment-certain-foreign-service-employees-eligibility

Based on the above and the referenced web page, are you eligible, and do you wish to be considered for, a noncompetitive appointment as a current or former Foreign Service officer or employee? If so, you must select "Yes" and provide the required documents with your application package, before the announcement closes.
 
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9. Have you been laid off or received a letter stating that you will be laid off from federal employment, or have your disability payments from your previous federal employment stopped? If so, you may be entitled to selection priority under the under the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) or Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP). 

You must submit the following documents with your application: Note: Your proof of eligibility MUST show the position, grade level and duty location of the position from which you were (or will be) separated and your full performance level or career ladder.  To ensure you fulfil this requirement, submit an SF-50 (Notification of a Personnel Action) that contains this information along with your proof of ICTAP or CTAP eligibility.  

Visit our ICTAP or CTAP pages for more information on eligibility and required documentation. 

Based on the above and the referenced web pages, are you eligible for ICTAP or CTAP?  If so, you must select "Yes" and provide the required documents with your application package, before the announcement closes.
 
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10. Are you a current or former Land Management or Base Facilities agency employee who worked in a term or temporary job? If so, you may be eligible to apply.
 
Visit our NIH Jobs pages for more information on eligibility and required documentation:
Land Management - https://jobs.nih.gov/announcement-links/LMWFA.htm  
Base Facilities Management - https://hr.nih.gov/jobs/announcement-links/appointment-certain-base-facilities-management-employees-eligibility

Based on the above and the referenced web page, are you eligible to apply? If so, you must select "Yes" and provide the required documents with your application package, before the announcement closes.

 
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11. Do you currently work at the National Institutes of Health (NIH)? If so, you may be eligible to apply to this vacancy announcement.
 
To be eligible, you must:
  1. Be a current permanent NIH employee on a career or career-conditional appointment in the competitive service. If you are unsure of your eligibility, access eOPF and open your latest Notification of Personnel Action (SF-50):  Block 24 -Tenure must be "1 - Permanent" or "2 - Conditional" AND Block 34 - Position Occupied must be "1 -Competitive Service."  If you are still unsure of your eligibility, contact the individual listed in the vacancy announcement for assistance.  
  2. Submit a copy of your most recent Notification of Personnel Action (SF-50) with your application package, before the announcement closes.  You can obtain a copy from eOPF.  
  3. Select "Yes" to this eligibility question. 
Based on the above, are you eligible to apply as an NIH Employee?  If you work at NIH, select "Yes", submit the required documentation, and we will make the determination for you.
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12. Are you a current or former federal government employee AND have you competed for a position at the same grade level (or equivalent) as this position or higher with the same or higher promotion potential (or equivalent)? If so, you may be eligible to be considered for a noncompetitive appointment.
 
To be eligible, you must:
  1. Be a current or former permanent federal employee and have served in a career or career-conditional appointment in the competitive service. If you are unsure of your eligibility, access your eOPF and open your latest or prior Notification of Personnel Actions (SF-50):  Block 24 -Tenure must be "1 - Permanent" or "2 - Conditional" AND Block 34 - Position Occupied must be "1 -Competitive Service."  
  2. Submit a copy of your Notification of Personnel Action (SF-50) showing the highest grade and promotion potential you have obtained and proof you have served in a career or career-conditional appointment in the competitive service, with your application package, before the announcement closes.  You can obtain a copy from eOPF if you are a current HHS employee.  
  3. Select "Yes" to this eligibility question.
Visit USAJOBS's for more information on eligibility.  If you separated from Federal Government employment, you may obtain a copy of your SF-50 via the Federal Records Center, National Archives and Records Administration
 
Based on the above, are you eligible to apply as a non-competitive or reinstatement eligible?   
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13. Do you work for an excepted service agency that has an interchange agreement with OPM or are you otherwise eligible for a competitive service appointment through an authority not regulated by OPM? If so, you may be eligible to be considered for a noncompetitive appointment.

Visit our NIH Jobs page for more information on eligibility and required documentation: https://hr.nih.gov/jobs/announcement-links/opm-interchange-agreement-and-other-miscellaneous-authorities-eligibility

Based on the above and the referenced web page, are you eligible, and do you wish to be considered for, a noncompetitive appointment under this mechanism? If so, you must select "Yes" and provide the required documents with your application package, before the announcement closes.
 
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14. Are you a former Peace Corps volunteer or a current or former Peace Corps staff member? If so, you may be eligible to be considered for a noncompetitive appointment.

Visit our NIH Jobs page for more information on eligibility and required documentation: https://hr.nih.gov/jobs/announcement-links/appointment-peace-corps-or-americorps-vista-staff-members-eligibility

Based on the above and the referenced web page, are you eligible, and do you wish to be considered for, a noncompetitive appointment as a former Peace Corps volunteer or a current or former Peace Corps staff member? If so, you must select "Yes" and provide the required documents with your application package, before the announcement closes.
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15. Are you an individual with a documented intellectual, severe physical, or psychiatric disability that substantially limits one or more major life activities? If so, you may be eligible for employment through a Schedule A appointment.
 
In order to be eligible, documentation of the disability is required. Documentation of eligibility for employment under Schedule A can be obtained from a licensed medical professional (e.g., a physician or other medical professional certified by a state, the District of Columbia, or a U.S. territory to practice medicine); a licensed vocational rehabilitation specialist (i.e., state or private); or any Federal agency, state agency, or agency of the District of Columbia or a U.S. territory that issues or provides disability benefits. The letter must be printed on the official letterhead of a medical professional and must include a signature or it is invalid. Please visit OPM's website for sample letters. Learn more about Schedule A eligibility.
 
Applying under "Schedule A" can be an expedited way to get a Federal job, but it is only one of many options that may be available. You will still have to compete with other eligible applicants and meet all requirements of the position including the ability to perform the essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodations.
 
Based on the above, are you eligible, and do you wish to be considered for, a Schedule A appointment? If so, you must select "Yes" and provide the required documents with your application package, before the announcement closes.
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16. Are you a current or former federal government employee?  If so, you may be eligible to be considered as a status applicant/reinstatement eligible for this position.  
 
To be eligible, you must:
  1. Be a current or former permanent federal employee and have served in a career or career-conditional appointment in the competitive service. If you are unsure of your eligibility, access your eOPF and open your latest or prior Notification of Personnel Actions (SF-50):  Block 24 -Tenure must be "1 - Permanent" or "2 - Conditional" AND Block 34 - Position Occupied must be "1 -Competitive Service."  
  2. Submit a copy of your Notification of Personnel Action (SF-50) showing the highest grade and promotion potential you have obtained and proof you have served in a career or career-conditional appointment in the competitive service, with your application package, before the announcement closes.  You can obtain a copy from eOPF if you are a current HHS employee.  
  3. Select "Yes" to this eligibility question.
Visit USAJOBS's for more information on eligibility.  If you separated from Federal Government employment, you may obtain a copy of your SF-50 via the Federal Records Center, National Archives and Records Administration
 
Based on the above, are you eligible to apply as a status applicant/reinstatement eligible?   
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17. Are you eligible for veterans' preference or have you separated from the armed forces after three or more years of continuous active service? If so, you may be eligible as a status applicant through the Veterans Employment Opportunities Act (VEOA).
 
To be eligible, you must:
  1. Be a preference eligible, OR be a veteran separated from the armed forces after three or more years of continuous active service performed under honorable conditions. Veterans released shortly before completing a three-year tour are eligible. 
  2. Submit verifying documentation (DD-214, VA Disability Letter, etc.): Reference Standard Form 15 (SF-15) for required documentation for 10 point preference eligibles. Submission of SF-15 is not required, unless you have derived preference (XP) as described in questions 7, 8, or 9 on the SF-15. In those cases, you must submit a completed SF-15 and the required documentation. For 5 point preference eligibles and all other members of the armed forces, you must submit your DD-214 (if separated) or any written documentation from the armed forces that certifies you are expected to be discharged or released from active duty service in the armed forces under honorable conditions not later than 120 days after the date the certification is submitted with your application package. 
  3. Select "Yes" to this eligibility question. 
Based on the above, are you eligible to apply as a status applicant through the Veterans Employment Opportunities Act (VEOA)?
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Preferences
IMPORTANT INSTRUCTIONS FOR LOCATION PREFERENCE:

Thank you for your interest in this position at the National Institutes of Health. For the following location preference question, please ensure to select all options for which you would like to be considered. It is imperative that the location preference you select is correct since changes cannot be made once the announcement closes.

Remote Work: If you would like to be considered for remote work only, please only select "Location Negotiable" or "All-NIH Locations".

On-Site: If you would like to be considered for on-site work only, please only select the duty stations you are willing to report to on-site.

Combination: If you would like to be considered for multiple options, please select all that are applicable.
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1. Select the location(s) you want to be considered for. You must choose at least one location. (limit characters)
2. Select the specialties you want to be considered for. You must choose at least one specialty. (limit characters)
Other
1. Political, Schedule C, Non-career SES Appointee: In the last five years, based on the closing date of this announcement, have you been or are you currently an employee in the Executive Branch serving on a political, Schedule C, or Non-career SES appointment? If yes, and you are selected through this vacancy announcement, you may be required to obtain approval by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) prior to beginning employment.

A political appointee is an appointment made by the President without confirmation by the Senate (5 CFR 213.3102(c)) OR an Assistant position to a top-level Federal official if filled by a person designated by the President as a White House Fellow (5 CFR 213.3102(z)). A Non-career SES appointee is approved by the White House and serves at the pleasure of the appointing official without time limitations. A Schedule C appointee occupies a position excepted from the competitive service by the President, or by the Director, OPM, because of the confidential or policy-determining nature of the position duties.
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2. Almost all male U.S. citizens and male immigrants, who are 18 through 25, are required to register with Selective Service. Federal law and regulations require covered civil service employees to register before appointment. For more information, visit the Selective Service website to determine if you are required to register: https://www.sss.gov/Registration-Info/Who-Registration

What is your Selective Service Registration Status?
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Assessment 1
Thank you for your interest in the Health Scientist Administrator (Program Officer) and the Health Scientist Administrator (Scientific Review Officer), GS-0601-15, position at our agency. For each task in the following group, choose the statement from the list below that best describes your experience, training, or ability. For the purposes of this assessment, an expert is a person, through education and experience, who has a comprehensive and authoritative knowledge of or skill in a particular area.

For the purposes of this questionnaire, "Extramural" is defined as an organizational component of research in support of biomedical and behavioral research and research training by scientists located at universities, research institutions, and medical centers across the United States and abroad. Extramural research is research supported by NIH through a grant, contract, or cooperative agreement. "Intramural" is defined as an organizational component of research which is conducted by federally employed scientists within its laboratories on or near the NIH campus and in the NIH research hospital. The intramural program is the sum of all the research projects carried out by NIH investigators and trainees in NIH facilities to develop scientific and professional skills that will enable them to become leaders in the biomedical research community.
 
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1. Choose the one answer that best describes how you meet the basic education requirements for a Health Scientist Administrator (Program Officer) and the Health Scientist Administrator (Scientific Review Officer), as described in the Qualifications Section of the Vacancy Announcement. (limit characters)
2. Health Scientist Administrator experience requirement at all grades: Do you have one-year of independent research experience, which involved the planning, organizing, and conducting of biomedical behavioral health, or health-related research; and one-year of program administration in these fields? This experience must have provided you with an understanding of the history, interests, internal dynamics, and relationships of organizations in which health research is conducted. This experience may have been gained as a principal investigator of a grant or contract or may otherwise have been gained through active involvement in initiating research projects, developing protocols, conducting studies, documenting findings, interpreting results in a published report (journal), supervising staff, and managing the budget. Qualifying experience must have been performed for 1-year on a full-time basis. Part-time work will be prorated accordingly. (limit characters)
3. To verify the previous question, please list the independent research and program administration you believe is qualifying. This experience must also be included and indicated as such on your resume. If you have not conducted any independent research or program administration, then type "N/A." (limit characters)
4. Select the response that best reflects the highest level of education you have attained. (limit characters)
5. In addition to meeting the basic requirements, applicants must possess at least one year of professional experience that demonstrates the management of large and diverse research programs having national or international collaborations, scope, and impact. Managerial experience in organizational and program development includes having responsibility for the development of plans for the resolution of major organizational and operational problems and issues, and allocating funds among competing programs. Individuals should be recognized as distinguished scientists with major research experience and accomplishments, be members of prestigious national professional organizations or societies, and have published extensively in referred journals. Applicants should have served as an organization's representative on permanent and ad-hoc committees established to evaluate research issues, and they should have experience that included management of extramural activities to include program planning, evaluation, and review assessment, and monitoring of major basic, clinical and/or applied research supported by the agency, company, or organization and which are of national or international scope and impact. Applicants should have published extensively in leading scientific journals. Qualifying professional experience may be obtained in one of the following environments; please select the response that best reflects your experience. (limit characters)
6. To verify your experience, please list the position(s) you believe meet the qualification requirements as described in the previous question. The position(s) you list below must also be included on your resume and your resume must thoroughly describe how your skills and experiences align to the criteria defined in the previous question. Additionally, we must be able to determine you have held the position(s) you believe are qualifying for a total of at least 52 weeks on a full-time basis. Part-time work will be prorated accordingly. If you submit an academic curriculum vitae or a resume that does not provide a detailed description of your job duties, related skills, and responsibilities including any supervisory/managerial responsibilities (if applicable), you will most likely be rated ineligible. If you do not believe you meet the experience requirements as described in the previous question, then type "N/A."
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7. Please indicate your area(s) of scientific expertise.
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8. Please list the major field of study for the highest level of education you have attained.
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For each item, select the one response that most accurately describes your current level of experience and capability using the scale below. (limit characters)
9. Analyze trends and discoveries to assess the adequacy of research being conducted and proposed.
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10. Establish criteria and standards for research proposal review panels.
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11. Provide guidance and interpret regulations and funding policies regarding biomedical, behavioral health, or health-related research.
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12. Manage the development of organizational policies in response to changes in levels of funding or legislative/program changes.
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13. Manage research fund distribution amongst competing interests within an organization.
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14. Propose comprehensive and cohesive research plans outlining the direction and long-term goals to be accomplished.
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15. Evaluate the technical and scientific merit of grant applications and proposals requesting grant or contract funding.
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16. Write reports, evaluations, summary statements, or correspondences as a part of the peer review process.
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17. Manage the development of organizational or research group policies in response to changes in levels of funding or legislative/program changes.
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18. To verify your level of experience for the previous five (5) questions, please list the name, email address, and phone number of someone who we can contact to get more information. Please note that we may contact this person at any time during the application or selection process. The person you list does not need to be your current supervisor. You must provide us with a justification if you cannot provide us with someone's contact information. If you do not have any experience performing the tasks in the previous four (4) questions, then type "N/A."
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For each item, select the one response that most accurately describes your current level of experience and capability using the scale below. (limit characters)
19. Deliver persuasive and informational presentations to key stakeholders and senior management on program operations.
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20. Write major components of position papers on policy or critical scientific issues related to biomedical, behavioral health, or health-related research.
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21. Explain policies and procedures to scientific staff in federal agencies, private companies, or academia.
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22. Provide advice to government agencies, private firms, or other organizations regarding biomedical, behavioral health, clinical, or health-related research.
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23. Review and provide feedback to employees on research-related work products before finalization.
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24. Articulate an organization's goals, objectives, and vision to staff using innovative and novel methods.
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25. Coordinate the work of multiple research or project teams working on different assignments at the same time.
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26. Direct and coordinate activities of personnel engaged in collecting, documenting, analyzing, and publishing scientific or health-related research.
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27. Analyze operations to determine areas of potential cost reduction, improvement, productivity, or policy changes.
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28. As an applicant for federal employment you are required to provide accurate, complete, and honest information. All applicants are treated fairly and equally, so it is important you know what is required of you. You must read this question, then certify your application. You will be disqualified from consideration for this position if you do not answer this question or do not certify your application. All of the information you provide may be verified by a review of the work experience and/or education as shown in your application forms, by checking references, and through other means, such as the interview process. This verification could occur at any stage of the application process. Any exaggeration of your experience, false statements, or attempts to conceal information may be grounds for rating you ineligible, not hiring you, or for firing you after you begin work.

By responding "yes" to this question, I declare and affirm that I have read and fully understand that: 1) Any misrepresentation or material omission of facts on this assessment questionnaire or in any other materials I submit in support of my candidacy (including but not limited to the application), or in any oral statements I may make during the selection process shall be sufficient cause to end further consideration of my candidacy; 2) Persons listed as having knowledge of my past accomplishments or experiences on this assessment questionnaire or anywhere on my application may be contacted for verification purposes at any time; 3) An offer of employment is contingent on successful completion of the entire employment selection process, including the receipt and review of references, satisfactory to the National Institutes of Health; 4) This verification may, but need not, begin prior to my receiving an offer; 5) I will be evaluated only on the information submitted; and, 6) Not following the information and instructions contained in the vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating, or me not being considered for certain eligibilities, preferences, grade-levels, specialties, and other areas of the announcement that require me to provide information.
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