Statistician (Health) in United States

Summary This position is located in Surveillance Military Environmental Exposure (SMEE), Health Outcomes Military Exposures, Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Washington DC. SMEE performs surveillance and operational research on large cohorts of Veterans who had unique exposures while in the military. This vacancy may be filled in Washington, DC or a location to be determined. Responsibilities This announcement will close on 12/20/2024; the first 50 applications received will receive first consideration. Applications received after the initial cut-off number will not receive consideration unless otherwise requested by management in increments of 50. Major duties include but are not limited to: Uses a variety of automated and manual processes to collect, maintain, and tabulate data and information for projects and studies being conducted by the Epidemiology Program. Searches VA and outside databases to obtain required information. Utilizes various analytic and statistical methodologies to evaluate, select, interpret, and validate data. Determines appropriate sampling or test procedures. Performs the full range of quantitative and qualitative analyses as needed. Carries out study procedures for projects that involve the applications, modifications, methods and practices required. Identifies the sample and shows methods and procedures used. Validates data, the results, and their interpretation, along with proposed recommendations, if required. Prepares written reports, answers questions, and makes suggestions and recommendations for inclusion in comprehensive reports on study findings. Records the results of analyses and methods. Abstracts relevant information from existing large-scale databases, such as the Agent Orange Registry, for the preparation of reports on Veterans’ health status. Work Schedule: Monday – Friday 08:00 AM – 04:30pm Telework: Available (applicant is required on site up to 50% of work schedule per pay period) Remote: This is not a remote position. Virtual: The employee may work at a VA facility or other VA-leased space other than the facility that is hiring the employee) and is authorized for telework up to 50%. Functional Statement #: 008900 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: 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. Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959. Must be proficient in written and spoken English. You may be required to serve a probationary period. Subject to background/security investigation. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) – See “Additional Information” below for details. Qualifications Individual Occupational Requirements (IOR): You may qualify based on Education or a Combination of Education & Experience. Education: Degree that included 15 semester hours in statistics (or in mathematics and statistics, provided at least 6 semester hours were in statistics), and 9 additional semester hours in one or more of the following: physical or biological sciences, medicine, education, or engineering; or in the social sciences including demography, history, economics, social welfare, geography, international relations, social or cultural anthropology, health sociology, political science, public administration, psychology, etc. Credit toward meeting statistical course requirements should be given for courses in which 50 percent of the course content appears to be statistical methods, e.g., courses that included studies in research methods in psychology or economics such as tests and measurements or business cycles, or courses in methods of processing mass statistical data such as tabulating methods or electronic data processing. OR, Combination of Education and Experience: courses as shown in above, plus appropriate experience or additional education. The experience should have included a full range of professional statistical work such as (a) sampling, (b) collecting, computing, and analyzing statistical data, and (c) applying statistical techniques such as measurement of central tendency, dispersion, skewness, sampling error, simple and multiple correlation, analysis of variance, and tests of significance. AND, GS-12 Specialized Experience Requirement: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-11 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: Knowledge of the principles, concepts, methods, and techniques of the specialization of the position to analyze, evaluate and provide expert advice and consultation. Knowledge of the agency’s missions, objectives, goals, and management practices to integrate these requirements with program evaluation activities. Ability to perform complex analytical studies and interpretation of results. Knowledge of statistical theories, methodologies in order to coordinate simultaneous projects and apply knowledge of a particular statistical specialty. Knowledge of organizational programs, terminology, procedures, and standards in order to perform the full scope of the investigative process from study and planning to execution to final reports. Ability to generate and develop new hypotheses and theories. Preferred Experience: Masters in statistics or epidemiology preferred, or bachelors in statistics or epidemiology with relevant experience. Experience using SQL and SAS to perform data management and analysis in very large datasets. Experience creating tables, graphs, charts, and infographics from analyzed data. Experience designing, implementing, and interpreting statistical analysis. Experience with both morbidity and mortality analyses including, but not limited to, regression analysis and survival analysis. Physical Requirements: The incumbent’s work requires some walking, standing, bending, and the carrying of light items. Education IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education. Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/. Additional Information During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status. VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority. Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process. 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.