- Position Title
- Health Scientist
- Agency
- Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health
- Announcement Number
- HHS-OASH-MP-24-12348156 Opens in new window
- Open Period
- Thursday, April 25, 2024 to Wednesday, May 8, 2024
For preview purposes only. To apply, please return to the USAJOBS announcement and click the Apply button.
Eligibilities
PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING ELIGIBILITY QUESTIONS CAREFULLY. YOUR RESPONSES WILL AFFECT YOUR CONSIDERATION FOR THIS POSITION.
The following questions address if you are eligible to apply to this job opportunity announcement through Merit Promotion procedures. You will only be considered under the options you have selected, so please choose carefully. If you respond that you do not meet any of the following criteria, you will not be considered for this position under this announcement. Please refer to the announcement for additional information. If you still have questions concerning your eligibility for consideration, you may reach out to the contact in the announcement prior to the announcement closing. You must submit a complete application by the close of the announcement to be considered.
The following questions address if you are eligible to apply to this job opportunity announcement through Merit Promotion procedures. You will only be considered under the options you have selected, so please choose carefully. If you respond that you do not meet any of the following criteria, you will not be considered for this position under this announcement. Please refer to the announcement for additional information. If you still have questions concerning your eligibility for consideration, you may reach out to the contact in the announcement prior to the announcement closing. You must submit a complete application by the close of the announcement to be considered.
1.
Do you claim Veterans’ Preference?
2.
Are you a veteran who separated from active duty under honorable conditions and you:
For more information, review USAJOBS Veterans resources. (https://www.usajobs.gov/Veterans)
- have a rating by the Department of Veterans Affairs showing a compensable service-connected disability of 30% or more OR
- retired from active military service with a service-connected disability rating of 30% or more
For more information, review USAJOBS Veterans resources. (https://www.usajobs.gov/Veterans)
3.
Are you a current or former federal employee displaced from the Department of Health and Human Services? If yes, confirm:
• You are located in the same local commuting area of the vacancy
• Your grade is equivalent to or above the grade level of the vacancy AND
• Your last performance rating of record is at least fully successful or the equivalent.
You will be required to submit supporting documentation to validate your claim of CTAP eligibility such as a Reduction in Force (RIF) separation notice or a Proposed Removal/Separation notice and a copy of your latest Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50. For more information, review the USAJOBS Resource Center page (https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/working-in-government/unique-hiring-paths/federal-employees/ctap/).
• You are located in the same local commuting area of the vacancy
• Your grade is equivalent to or above the grade level of the vacancy AND
• Your last performance rating of record is at least fully successful or the equivalent.
You will be required to submit supporting documentation to validate your claim of CTAP eligibility such as a Reduction in Force (RIF) separation notice or a Proposed Removal/Separation notice and a copy of your latest Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50. For more information, review the USAJOBS Resource Center page (https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/working-in-government/unique-hiring-paths/federal-employees/ctap/).
4.
Are you a spouse of an active duty member of the armed forces.
-OR-
Are you the spouse of a member of the Armed Forces who retired with a disability rating at the time of retirement of 100 percent or the spouse of a member of the Armed Forces who retired or separated from the Armed Forces and has a disability rating of 100 percent from the Department of Veterans Affairs?
-OR-
Are you the un-remarried widow or widower of a member of the Armed Forces killed while in active duty status?
For more information, review https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/working-in-government/unique-hiring-paths/military-spouses/ .
To verify your eligibility you may need to submit documentation verifying marriage (i.e. marriage certificate), the Application for 10-Point Veteran Preference, Standard Form 15 and all supporting documentation identified on that document (e.g., Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, DD-214 (copy indicating character of service) or other proof of service which includes character of service; death certificate and documentation identifying marital status at the time of death; disability letter from the Department of Veterans Affairs or Armed Service, etc.
-OR-
Are you the spouse of a member of the Armed Forces who retired with a disability rating at the time of retirement of 100 percent or the spouse of a member of the Armed Forces who retired or separated from the Armed Forces and has a disability rating of 100 percent from the Department of Veterans Affairs?
-OR-
Are you the un-remarried widow or widower of a member of the Armed Forces killed while in active duty status?
For more information, review https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/working-in-government/unique-hiring-paths/military-spouses/ .
To verify your eligibility you may need to submit documentation verifying marriage (i.e. marriage certificate), the Application for 10-Point Veteran Preference, Standard Form 15 and all supporting documentation identified on that document (e.g., Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, DD-214 (copy indicating character of service) or other proof of service which includes character of service; death certificate and documentation identifying marital status at the time of death; disability letter from the Department of Veterans Affairs or Armed Service, etc.
5.
Are you currently employed as a Federal civilian employee in the Competitive Service AND have you never held the full performance level of this position?
-- OR --
Were you formerly employed as a Federal civilian employee on a permanent competitive appointment or did you obtain career-conditional status (and are within 3 years of the date of separation or are a preference eligible) AND have you never held the full performance level of this position?
-- OR --
Are you currently employed as a civilian employee in the competitive service that holds a career or career-conditional position at a lower grade level than the position being announced?
To verify your eligibility as a current or former Federal civilian employee:
You must submit a copy of your SF-50: Notification of Personnel Action or equivalent personnel action form reflecting your permanent, competitive status.
Your SF-50 must reflect:
-- OR --
Were you formerly employed as a Federal civilian employee on a permanent competitive appointment or did you obtain career-conditional status (and are within 3 years of the date of separation or are a preference eligible) AND have you never held the full performance level of this position?
-- OR --
Are you currently employed as a civilian employee in the competitive service that holds a career or career-conditional position at a lower grade level than the position being announced?
To verify your eligibility as a current or former Federal civilian employee:
You must submit a copy of your SF-50: Notification of Personnel Action or equivalent personnel action form reflecting your permanent, competitive status.
Your SF-50 must reflect:
- career or career-conditional (Tenure field is 1 or 2); AND
- status in the competitive service (Position Occupied field is 1).
6.
Are you a current or former federal employee displaced from a position in a federal agency other than the agency hiring for this position?
If yes, confirm:
For more information, review the USAJOBS Resource Center. (https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/working-in-government/unique-hiring-paths/federal-employees/ictap/)
If yes, confirm:
- you are located in the same local commuting area of the vacancy
- your grade is equivalent to or below the grade level of the vacancy and
- your last performance rating of record is at least fully successful or the equivalent.
For more information, review the USAJOBS Resource Center. (https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/working-in-government/unique-hiring-paths/federal-employees/ictap/)
7.
Are you a current or former employee of a land management agency (Forest Service; Bureau of Land Management; National Park Service; Fish and Wildlife Service; Bureau of Indian Affairs; or Bureau of Reclamation) who:
- was originally hired to a time-limited position under a competitive appointment; AND,
- served one or more time-limited appointments at a land management agency for a period totaling more than 24 months without a break in service of two or more years; AND,
- performed at an acceptable level of service during each period of service; AND,
- if no longer employed by the land management agency, have been separated for no more than two years, and departed that position in good standing.
8.
Are you currently employed as a Federal civilian employee in the Competitive Service at the same grade level as this position or higher with the same or higher promotion potential?
To verify your eligibility as a current Federal civilian employee, you must submit a copy of your latest Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50 (SF-50) or equivalent personnel action form reflecting your permanent, competitive status.
Are you a former Federal employee who previously held a career or career-conditional position in the competitive service with equal or higher promotion potential as the position being announced?
To verify your eligibility as a former Federal civilian employee, you must submit a copy of your separation Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50 (SF-50) or equivalent personnel action form reflecting your permanent, competitive status.
Are you a former Federal employee who previously held a career or career-conditional position in the competitive service, separated from the Federal Government over a year ago, and your last performance rating on record as a Federal employee was at least Fully Successful (or equivalent)?
To verify your eligibility as a former Federal civilian employee, you must submit a copy of your separation Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50 (SF-50) or equivalent personnel action form reflecting your permanent, competitive status AND your last Federal performance appraisal plan.
Your SF-50 (or equivalent personnel action form) must reflect:
To verify your eligibility as a current Federal civilian employee, you must submit a copy of your latest Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50 (SF-50) or equivalent personnel action form reflecting your permanent, competitive status.
- career or career-conditional (Tenure field is 1 or 2); AND
- status in the competitive service (Position Occupied field is 1).
Are you a former Federal employee who previously held a career or career-conditional position in the competitive service with equal or higher promotion potential as the position being announced?
To verify your eligibility as a former Federal civilian employee, you must submit a copy of your separation Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50 (SF-50) or equivalent personnel action form reflecting your permanent, competitive status.
- career or career-conditional (Tenure field is 1 or 2); AND
- status in the competitive service (Position Occupied field is 1).
Are you a former Federal employee who previously held a career or career-conditional position in the competitive service, separated from the Federal Government over a year ago, and your last performance rating on record as a Federal employee was at least Fully Successful (or equivalent)?
To verify your eligibility as a former Federal civilian employee, you must submit a copy of your separation Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50 (SF-50) or equivalent personnel action form reflecting your permanent, competitive status AND your last Federal performance appraisal plan.
Your SF-50 (or equivalent personnel action form) must reflect:
- career or career-conditional (Tenure field is 1 or 2); AND,
- your status is in the competitive service (Position Occupied field is 1).
- Rating of Fully Successful (or equivalent)
9.
Do you meet one of the following Non-Competitive Merit Promotion Eligibilities:
Individuals eligible under other non-competitive appointment authorities such as: Certain Military Spouses, Peace Corps/VISTA, excepted service employees who are eligible under an Interchange Agreement, Foreign Service Employees, Certain Former Overseas Employees, Boren Fellows, Former White House staff, etc. Note: You must submit documentation to support any eligibilities for which you wish to be considered.
Individuals eligible under other non-competitive appointment authorities such as: Certain Military Spouses, Peace Corps/VISTA, excepted service employees who are eligible under an Interchange Agreement, Foreign Service Employees, Certain Former Overseas Employees, Boren Fellows, Former White House staff, etc. Note: You must submit documentation to support any eligibilities for which you wish to be considered.
10.
Do you have a severe physical, psychiatric or mental disability that qualifies you for Schedule A Disability appointments?
If eligible, provide proof of disability with appropriate medical documentation, i.e., a letter signed by a licensed medical professional or licensed vocational rehabilitation specialist stating your condition and restrictions.
For more information, review USAJOBS Individuals with Disabilities resources. (https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/working-in-government/unique-hiring-paths/individuals-with-disabilities/)
If eligible, provide proof of disability with appropriate medical documentation, i.e., a letter signed by a licensed medical professional or licensed vocational rehabilitation specialist stating your condition and restrictions.
For more information, review USAJOBS Individuals with Disabilities resources. (https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/working-in-government/unique-hiring-paths/individuals-with-disabilities/)
11.
Are you a current United States Public Health Service Commissioned Corps Officer or a United States Public Health Service Commissioned Corps Officer candidate?
If yes:
If yes:
- For current active duty USPHS Commissioned Corps officers, submit a copy of your most recent personnel orders.
- For USPHS Commissioned Corps candidates, submit documentation from the Division of Commissioned Corps Personnel and Readiness (DCCPR) stating you have successfully completed the professional boarding process.
12.
Are you a veteran whose latest discharge was under honorable conditions and you:
• served three or more years of continuous active duty service in the military (NOTE: if released shortly before completing a 3-year tour, you are considered to meet the eligibility)? OR
• are entitled to veterans' preference?
If eligible, submit a copy of your latest Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, DD-214 (copy indicating character of service) or other proof of your service which includes character of service. For more information, review USAJOBS Veterans resources.
• served three or more years of continuous active duty service in the military (NOTE: if released shortly before completing a 3-year tour, you are considered to meet the eligibility)? OR
• are entitled to veterans' preference?
If eligible, submit a copy of your latest Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, DD-214 (copy indicating character of service) or other proof of your service which includes character of service. For more information, review USAJOBS Veterans resources.
Preferences
1.
Select the lowest grade you are willing to accept for this position.
2.
In the last five years, based on the closing date of this announcement, have you served or are you currently serving as an Executive Branch political, Schedule C, or Non-career SES appointee? You can find out if you have held one of these appointment types by looking at your Standard Form 50s in your Electronic Official Personnel Folder (eOPF), in Section 5 where the legal authorities are listed.
- 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 Schedule C appointee occupies a position excepted from the competitive service by the President, or by the Director of OPM, because of the confidential or policy-determining nature of the position duties (5 CFR 213.3301 and 5 CFR 213.3302).
- A Non-career SES appointee is approved by the White House and serves at the pleasure of the appointing official without time limitations (5 CFR 317 Subpart F).
3.
Are you an HHS employee in a Bargaining Unit (such as the National Treasury Employees Union)?
Assessment 1
1.
Select one statement from the choices below that demonstrate how you meet the Basic Requirement for the Health Scientist, GS-0601 series option. (You must submit your transcripts to verify your education).
Select “Yes” or “No” to the following question(s).
2.
GS 12: Do you have at least one year of specialized experience, equivalent in difficulty and complexity to the GS-11 grade level or higher in the Federal service that includes 3 of the 4 listed duties:
Conducting biomedical research;
Conducting experimental laboratory techniques;
Developing and/or writing formal scientific reports, reviews and/or recommendation documents;
Providing briefings to senior staff and/or others related to biomedical research?
Conducting biomedical research;
Conducting experimental laboratory techniques;
Developing and/or writing formal scientific reports, reviews and/or recommendation documents;
Providing briefings to senior staff and/or others related to biomedical research?
3.
GS 13: Do you have at least one year of specialized experience, equivalent in difficulty and complexity to the GS-12 grade level or higher in the Federal service that includes 3 of the 4 listed duties:
Conducting basic, translational, and/or clinical research;
Conducting experimental laboratory methodologies, including computational, technological, and mathematical approaches;
Writing and organizing data in figures for manuscripts submitted for publication in peer-reviewed journals and grant proposals in biomedical
research;
Analyzing, evaluating, and interpreting data and information for dissemination to the biomedical research community, senior
staff, and the public?
Conducting basic, translational, and/or clinical research;
Conducting experimental laboratory methodologies, including computational, technological, and mathematical approaches;
Writing and organizing data in figures for manuscripts submitted for publication in peer-reviewed journals and grant proposals in biomedical
research;
Analyzing, evaluating, and interpreting data and information for dissemination to the biomedical research community, senior
staff, and the public?
Select the one statement that most accurately describes your training and experience carrying out each task using the scale provided.
4.
Utilize data analytic tools to analyze or extract relevant information from large data sets, such as the formulation of computational approaches and applications.
5.
Utilize data science tools to process and analyze data, perform calculations, or to automate tasks or functions, such as devising algorithms.
6.
Prepare components of manuscripts submitted to peer-reviewed journals in biomedical or related research.
7.
Prepare formal scientific review and recommendation documents, associated with the evaluation of methods, results or other aspects of scientific research.
8.
Develop procedures for evaluating and documenting scientific data and evidence, including forensic analyses.
9.
Translate and communicate complex or technical information about experimental data results or biomedical research to non-scientific audiences.
10.
Participate in basic, translational, and/or clinical research.
11.
Conduct experiments and collect and interpret scientific data to develop and test hypotheses.
12.
Apply technical knowledge for subsequent scientific review or research purposes.
13.
Establishes and maintains effective collaborative and working relationships with other scientists in the research community.
14.
Utilize various experimental methodologies and laboratory techniques for biomedical research.
15.
Prepare components of proposals submitted to funding agencies and organizations for biomedical research support.
16.
Review and summarize scientific literature and data for a variety of reporting purposes.
17.
Develop and prepare scientific material for use in conferences, workshops, or meetings.
18.
Develop and prepare scientific material for senior management, advocacy groups, or research organizations.
19.
Review and recommend standard laboratory practices, processes, and protocols for obtaining, evaluating, and documenting data for research purposes.
20.
Prepare components of manuscripts submitted to peer-reviewed journals in biomedical or related research.
21.
Prepare formal scientific review and recommendation documents, associated with the evaluation of methods, results or other aspects of scientific research.