Health Scientist

Duties As an Health Scientist you will: Serve as a recognized agency authority or consultant for health programs and conducts scientific research to develop a national system(s) to monitor public health capacity and performance overseas.Identify and analyze public health issues and their impact on scientific operations that are critical to the public health community at large.Analyze epidemiologic investigation data utilizing new methodologies or existing techniques that have been extensively revised.Conduct major statistical studies or continuing projects that represent an important segment of the center's primary investigative program.Collaborate on projects/studies and coordinate efforts, as appropriate, with other program staff, other CDC Centers, other federal agencies, state, local and international health agencies, and private and non-private organizations.Requirements Conditions of EmploymentDue to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC's) process enhancement to use Shared Certificates throughout the Agency and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), some of the requirements below may differ:US Citizenship is required.Males born after December 31, 1959 must be registered or exempt from Selective Service (see ).May be subject to a Background/Investigation.May be required to obtain a Secret or Top-Secret Clearance. CDC participates in the USCIS Electronic Employment Eligibility Verification Program (E-Verify). If selected, CDC will determine your employment eligibility using your social security number.Direct deposit is required.One-year probationary period may be required.Time in grade (TIG) must be met within 30 days of the closing date of the announcement.Code 4 Supervisory positions may be filled using this announcement.This position may be subject to the OGE Financial Disclosure requirements of the Ethics in Government Act of 1978 (P.L. 95-521). CDC inspires public confidence in its trust responsibilities and mission by maintaining high ethical principles. If selected, you may be required to complete a Confidential Financial Disclosure Report (OGE Form 450) to determine if a conflict or an appearance of a conflict exists between your financial interest and your prospective position with the agency. If identified, this will be an annual requirement.In accordance with Executive Order 12564 of September 14, 1986, The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is A Drug-Free Federal Workplace. This position may require a Drug Test and be subject to Random Drug Testing. The position may require the submission of a urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment and be subject to reasonable suspicion and post-accident drug testing upon hiring. If required to submit to urinalysis, the appointment to the position will be contingent upon a negative test result. Qualifications All qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of the announcement.Basic Qualifications: Bachelor's or graduate/higher level degree: major study in an academic field related to the medical field, health sciences or allied sciences appropriate to the work of the position. This degree must be from an educational program from an accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education (external link) at the time the degree was obtained.In addition to meeting the basic qualification requirements, applicants must meet the specialized experience as stated below:Minimum Qualifications:GS-13: Applicants must possess at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-12 grade level in the Federal Service. Specialized experience is experience which is directly related to the position which has equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities (KSAs) to successfully perform the duties of the position to include experience planning, conducting, and analyzing scientific studies or surveys related to public health programs.GS-14: Applicants must possess at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-13 grade level in the Federal Service. Specialized experience is experience which is directly related to the position which has equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities (KSAs) to successfully perform the duties of the position to include experience providing scientific leadership in formulating, developing, implementing and evaluating scientific studies or surveys related to public health programs.CTAP/ICTAP must meet all of the requirements outlined in the qualification section of this announcement in order to be considered "well qualified". 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; religious; 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.Documenting Federal Experience: In accordance with Office of Personnel Management policy, federal employees are assumed to have gained experience by performing duties and responsibilities appropriate for their official series and grade level as described in their position description. Experience that would not normally be part of the employee's position is creditable, however, when documented by satisfactory evidence, such as a signed memorandum from the employee's supervisor or an SF-50 or SF-52 documenting an official detail or other official assignment. The documentation must indicate whether the duties were performed full time or, if part time, the percentage of times the other duties were performed. It is expected that this documentation is included in the employee's official personnel record. In order to receive credit for experience in your resume that is not within the official series and grade level of your official position, you must provide a copy of the appropriate documentation of such experience as indicated above. Education A copy of your transcripts or equivalent documentation is required for positions with an education requirement, or if you are qualifying based on education or a combination of education and experience. An official transcript will be required if you are selected. A college or university degree generally must be from an accredited (or pre-accredited) college or university recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. For a list of schools which meet these criteria, please refer to Department of Education Accreditation page.FOREIGN EDUCATION: Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the requirements. You must show proof the education credentials have been deemed to be at least equivalent to that gained in conventional U.S. education program. It is your responsibility to provide such evidence when applying. For more information, visit . Additional informationInitial assignment may be to a designated domestic location until all overseas credentials and requirements have been completed. This may include remote work or telework options, and/or flexible work scheduling. Selectees will temporarily remain in a different location, whether domestic or international, from the specific advertised position location while completing the required training, security and medical clearances. Once cleared, the selectee will relocate to the overseas location for up to but Not to Exceed (NTE) two to three years/HHS tours for a max of 6 consecutive years in one designated location as determined by the selecting official. Any extensions beyond the max years will be approved by the HHS Office of Global Affairs for the max of 10 years. Note: There is a max of 4 years on a single term appointment. Incentives may include: Recruitment and/or relocation incentives may be authorized.Annual Leave for non-federal service may be authorized.Travel and transportation expenses for Temporary Duty Assignments (TDY) may be paid.PCS Expenses are authorized, subject to the terms of the Joint Travel Regulation (JTR). Overseas Assignments: Immunizations are required and will be administered by the CDC before relocating overseas.Selectee will need to obtain security and medical clearances before being cleared to report to the overseas duty station. Continued employment will be subject to submission of all documentation necessary to obtain the medical and security clearances (including documentation for any accompanying dependents), within thirty (30) business days and obtaining the security clearance within six (6) months of the initial appointment. Please note the inability to secure the clearances necessary for overseas duty will result in termination of the appointment to the position.Entitled to comparability pay once deployed to overseas location.Eligible for special pay allowances per location (e.g., post differential, housing, relocation, etc.).Citizens or permanent residents of the host country are not eligible to be considered.Important Note for Applicants Outside of CDC: Other current permanent status HHS or other agency employees will be hired on a term appointment. There are no statutory return rights. Subsequent employment for CDC positions must be through the appropriate competitive process or special employment program hiring authorities.You will be required to sign a Statement of Understanding.Additional information on living and traveling abroad may be found at Help A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits. Review our benefitsEligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.How You Will Be EvaluatedYou will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.Additional selections may be made for similar positions across the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) within the local commuting area(s) of the location identified in this announcement. By applying, you agree to have your application shared with interested selecting official(s) at HHS. Clearance of CTAP/ICTAP will be applied for similar positions across HHS. The utilization of shared certificates within multiple Centers of the Center of Disease Control and Prevention and the ATSDR may be used from this vacancy announcement. Once the application process is complete, a review of the resume and supporting documentation will be made and compared against your responses to the assessment questionnaire to determine if you are qualified for this job. If, after reviewing your resume and/or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications and/or experience, you may lose consideration for this position. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your eligibility. Your qualifications will be evaluated and rated on the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics):Ability to conduct scientific studies using innovative methodologies and technologiesAbility to provide direction and guidance for scientific studies.Skill in oral communication.Skill in written communication. The Federal government, as the largest employer in the Nation, can and should show the way towards achieving drug-free workplaces through programs designed to offer drug users a helping hand, and at the same time demonstrating to drug users and potential drug users that drugs will not be tolerated in the Federal workplace if declared a drug-testing position. The use of illegal drugs, on or off duty, by Federal employees is inconsistent not only with the law-abiding behavior expected of all citizens, but also with the special trust placed in such employees as servants of the public.