Program Analyst

Summary

This position functions as a Program Analyst for Research and Development Service (R&D) at the VA St Louis Healthcare System (VASTLHCS). This position is responsible for planning, analyzing, evaluating, and coordinating scientific research program activities in support of organizational research programs. The position provides advisory services related to program operations, budget execution, grants management coordination, policy implementation, and strategic planning for research initiatives.

Duties

Major duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to the following:Review/Analysis: Reviews studies prior to committee to identify trends and errors to facilitate expedited processing. Develops reporting procedures, sampling techniques, and measurements at various points in the business cycle associated with Research Program. Evaluates research program activities and develops recommendations for process improvements, policy implementation, and operational enhancements. duties include the development, implementation and monitoring functions associated with all areas of compliance. Performs other related duties as assigned. Training: Designs studies, training programs and organizational strategies for identifying opportunities to improve customer service, process quality and compliance in accordance with the current research regulations. Develops training materials, presentations and information packages for the research program as mandated by federal regulatory bodies. Prepares and delivers annual training for investigators involved in Human Studies (MD's, PHD's Clinicians and Nurses). Works with the TMS Administrator on specific training that is required for each research position. Performs other related duties as assigned. Committee Participation: Represents the medical center at national committee meetings and at local area Research Development Committee (RDC), IRB, Subcommittee on Research Safe (SRS) coordinator meetings. Maintains contact with field coordinators within the Office for Protection from Research Risks (OPRR) and the FDA to confirm the intent and application of research regulations. Acts as procedural, administrative and expert resource for the Research Development Committee (RDC), IRB, Subcommittee on Research Safe (SRS) which review all research projects involving human subjects. Performs other related duties as assigned. File Maintenance: Prepares meeting agendas, assigns reviews, prepares and distributes meeting packets. Evaluates responses from investigators and requests additional information as necessary to address committee concerns. Oversees issuance of approval notice to investigators. Manages storage of all submitted and approved Standard of Operations (SOP's) and SOP Addendums in a data storage file. Performs other related duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Full-Time, Permanent | Monday - Friday 07:30am - 04:00pm CT Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Description/PD#: Program Analyst/PD105060 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Approved Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 10/14/2026. Time-In-Grade Requirement: Applicants who are current Federal employees and have held a GS grade any time in the past 52 weeks must also meet time-in-grade requirements by the closing date of this announcement. For a GS-11 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-9. The grade may have been in any occupation, but must have been held in the Federal service. An SF-50 that shows your time-in-grade eligibility must be submitted with your application materials. If the most recent SF-50 has an effective date within the past year, it may not clearly demonstrate you possess one-year time-in-grade, as required by the announcement. In this instance, you must provide an additional SF-50 that clearly demonstrates one-year time-in-grade. Note: Time-In-Grade requirements also apply to former Federal employees applying for reinstatement as well as current employees applying for Veterans Employment Opportunities Act of 1998 (VEOA) appointment.You may qualify based on your experience and/or education as described below: Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-9 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: Conducting analytical program operations, administrative processes, and program performance to improve efficiency and effectiveness; Evaluating Program activities and developing recommendations for process improvements, policy implementation or operational enhancements; Tracking and assigning training to personnel; Collect, review and validate data from multiple sources, monitoring large volume of documents for accuracy to prevent erroneous transactions; Prepares and delivers annual training for staff; Prepares reports, briefings, correspondence and presentations for leadership regarding program status, research metrics and operational performance; Reconcile study listings for personnel to maintain compliance; Prepares meeting agendas and assigns reviews; Evaluates responses from investigators and requests additional information as necessary in order to address concerns. OR, Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree. OR, 3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree. OR, LL.M., if related. OR, Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have an combination of specialized experience and education beyond graduate level education required for the next lower grade (GS-9). If you have some qualifying education and some qualifying experience, but don't fully meet either requirement on its own, you may be able to combine them. Only graduate education in excess of two years (36 semester hours or equivalent) can be used in this calculation. Experience must be reflected in your resume, and transcripts are required. Divide your qualifying graduate semester hours beyond the first 36 by 18. That gives you your education percentage. Divide your months of qualifying experience by 12. That gives you your experience percentage. Add the two together. If the total is 100% or more, you qualify. Note: Note that only graduate education in excess of the amount required for the next lower grade level can be combined with the appropriate level of experience to qualify applicants for positions at grade GS-11. For example, if a school's requirement for 1 year of graduate study is 18 semester hours, only graduate education beyond the first 36 semester hours or 54 quarter hours can be combined with GS-9 level experience to qualify for a GS-11 level position. Thus, 18 semester hours of graduate education and 12 months of GS-9 level experience cannot be combined to qualify for a GS-11 position. Preferred Experience: Knowledge of generally accepted auditing standards and procedures for conducting, compliance, efficiency, and program results audits. Ability to use systematic methods to plan, execute, and report on organizational operations. For more information on these qualification standards, please visit the United States Office of Personnel Management's website at https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/. Physical Requirements and Work Environment: The work is primarily sedentary. Some walking, standing, carrying light items, and use of office equipment may be required. The work is performed in a typical office environment with adequate lighting, heating, and venti