Embark on a Rewarding Career as a Health System Specialist (Research Committee Manager) at VA Palo Alto

Clinical research is the lifeblood of medical innovation, driving new treatments, diagnostics, and patient care philosophies. At the heart of this research ecosystem sits compliance—the crucial framework that ensures all scientific discovery is conducted ethically, safely, and in strict alignment with legal guidelines. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), specifically the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Palo Alto Health Care System, is looking for a dedicated professional to step into the role of Health System Specialist (Research Committee Manager).

This GS-11 position represents a remarkable opportunity for healthcare administrators, compliance professionals, and researchers to transition into high-impact civil service. Operating in the Office of Research and Development, the selected individual will lead crucial oversight bodies, manage research protocol databases, and act as a pivotal advisor to institutional review boards.

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About the Agency: Serving Those Who Served

The Department of Veterans Affairs is guided by President Lincoln’s profound promise: "To care for those who have served in our nation's military and for their families, caregivers, and survivors." This mission is carried out daily through VHA's core values, collectively known as "I CARE": Integrity, Commitment, Advocacy, Respect, and Excellence.

The VA Palo Alto Health Care System is a premier research and clinical institution, serving as a hub of academic and medical breakthrough in Northern California. By joining this organization, you become part of a world-class team that values compassion, continuous learning, and state-of-the-art clinical investigations. It is a work environment where administrative professionals directly contribute to cutting-edge medical achievements designed to improve the physical and mental well-being of America's veterans.

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Understanding the Role & Responsibilities

As a Health System Specialist specializing in Research Committee Management, you are the operational and regulatory backbone of the research department. This is not a passive administrative role; it requires sharp analytical abilities, high-level communication skills, and an in-depth understanding of complex statutory requirements.

Core Job Duties

• Regulatory Committee Oversight: Direct and manage the protocol review process for multiple institutional committees. You will ensure that research agendas, meetings, and official reviews conform strictly to federal and state statutes.
• Quality Assurance and Auditing: Conduct rigorous, comprehensive reviews of research studies proposed by local investigators. This involves analyzing methodologies to guarantee compliance with safety standards and ethical rules for both human and animal research.
• Policy Implementation: Interpret complex, evolving medical research policies. You will exercise independent discretion to draft, update, and implement local standard operating procedures (SOPs) based on changing federal mandates.
• Database and System Administration: Maintain and customize local computer databases designed to track active and pending research protocols. You will ensure data integrity to provide real-time updates on high-visibility studies.
• Consultative Guidance: Serve as a subject matter expert and advisor to committee members, primary investigators, and senior leadership, answering complex regulatory questions and proposing compliance strategies.

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Qualification Requirements

To be considered for this GS-11 position, you must meet either the specialized experience requirements, educational benchmarks, or a proportional combination of both. Additionally, you must fulfill the specific Individual Occupational Requirement (IOR) defined for the 0671 Occupational Series.

Specialized Experience

You must possess at least one full year (12 months) of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-09 level in federal service. This experience must clearly demonstrate your ability to execute tasks such as:

• Reviewing and approving clinical or scientific research protocols.
• Formulating, advising on, or enforcing research compliance guidelines.
• Preparing documentation for external review agencies or accreditation bodies.
• Actively working with human and/or animal subject research rules.

Educational Substitutions

If you do not possess the necessary GS-09 equivalent experience, you can qualify based on your academic background. Acceptable education includes:

• A Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral-level degree.
• Three (3) full academic years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree.
• An LL.M. degree, provided the curriculum is directly related to healthcare compliance or administration.

The 0671 Series Individual Occupational Requirement (IOR)

Because this is classified under the 0671 Health System Specialist series, you must meet one of the following:

1. A major study in hospital administration, public health administration, or related fields (such as business or public administration containing specific coursework in healthcare management).
2. Progressively responsible clinical, analytical, or administrative experience in the healthcare sector, demonstrating a close working relationship with facility managers and deep knowledge of healthcare delivery networks, administrative systems (budgeting, personnel), and credentialing requirements.

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Qualification Path Comparison

Selecting the correct qualification path is vital to securing a referral from human resources. Refer to the table below to see how your credentials align:

Qualification Pathway	Experience Required	Education Required	Key Documentation to Submit
Experience-Based	1 Year (GS-09 equivalent) in research administration or compliance	Not required, but helpful	Detailed resume showcasing duties and hours worked per week
Education-Based	None	Ph.D., LL.M., or 3 years of progressive graduate study	Complete, official or unofficial academic transcripts
Combination Track	Less than 1 year	Graduate study beyond a Master’s degree (e.g., 2+ years of doctoral study)	Resume and detailed transcripts outlining credit hours

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Salary, Benefits, and Work Schedule

This position offers a highly competitive compensation package along with the security and consistency of a federal career.

• Salary Range: $93,358 to $121,371 per year (GS-11 grade level, factoring in local Palo Alto market adjustments).
• Work Schedule: Full-time, Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Compressed schedules are not authorized.
• Telework Eligibility: Ad hoc telework (occasional, non-recurring) may be approved based on operational needs and management discretion.
• Location: Candidates will report to a designated VA-owned or leased physical workspace in Palo Alto, California, under current Return to Office (RTO) guidelines.

Beyond basic salary, VHA employees enjoy exceptional benefits, including the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) pension, matching contributions of up to 5% in the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP), comprehensive health and life insurance options, and flexible spending accounts. Additionally, selected candidates may request prior non-federal service credit to increase their rate of annual leave accrual.

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Step-by-Step Application Guide

Navigating the federal hiring process requires precise attention to detail. Follow these steps to submit a complete and competitive application package:

1. Review and Edit Your Resume: Ensure your resume highlights your specialized compliance experience. It must be legible, clearly outline your weekly hours worked, and show exact starting and ending dates (Month/Year) for every position.
2. Gather Support Documents: Collect your transcripts, professional certifications, any applicable veterans' preference records (DD-214, SF-15), and—most importantly—your SF-50s proving your GS-09 time-in-grade eligibility if you are a current or former federal employee.
3. Apply via USAJOBS: Log in to your USAJOBS account, upload your documents, and complete the preliminary occupational questionnaire.
4. Take the USA Hire Assessments: After submitting your initial application, you will receive a unique link to complete the USA Hire online assessments. These measure core cognitive and interpersonal competencies. Ensure you have 3 quiet hours set aside to complete them.

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Crucial Tips for Applicants

• The Two-Page Resume Rule: Beginning September 27, 2025, federal agencies enforce a strict maximum page limit of two pages for resumes. If your resume is longer than two pages, you will be deemed immediately ineligible. Keep your language punchy, direct, and focused on core competencies.
• Format Matters: Save your resume as a standard PDF. Avoid PDF portfolios or complex column structures. A clean, single-column document using standard fonts (such as Arial, Calibri, or Helvetica) ensures that automated parsing systems read your experience accurately.
• Prove Your Time-in-Grade: Current or former federal employees must submit an SF-50 that proves 52 weeks of continuous service at the GS-09 level. Award SF-50s do not contain this structural information and will result in disqualification.
• Review Your USA Hire Link: The USA Hire assessment notification is sent via email immediately after application submission. It must be completed by the stated deadline, or your application will be marked incomplete.

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What are the main competencies evaluated during the process?

Candidates are graded on attention to detail, customer service, stress tolerance, self-management, ethical integrity, and logical reasoning.

Are relocation or recruitment incentives available?

No. Relocation, recruitment incentives, and Permanent Change of Station (PCS) expenses are not authorized for this recruitment effort.

What is the probationary period for this job?

New appointees must successfully serve a one-year probationary period to evaluate their performance, conduct, and alignment with organizational goals.

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The Research Committee Manager position at the VA Palo Alto Health Care System represents a career-defining opportunity for a meticulous, mission-driven administrator. By maintaining the compliance framework of the research service, you ensure that medical trials and scientific inquiries progress smoothly, safely, and ethically. If you possess the required analytical acumen, administrative experience, and a deep-seated respect for our nation's veterans, do not miss the chance to submit your application by August 18, 2026.