Duties

ABOUT THE POSITION
The Senior Statistical Advisor for Influenza and Emerging Infectious Disease Threats performs the following duties:

Develops the statistical aspects of BARDA programs for influenza and emerging infectious disease (IEID) threats, which includes serving as an expert consultant and advisor to top-level subject matter experts and agency officials on statistical segments of health or human services projects;

Provides technical advice to peers and senior managers within and outside of organization on statistical methods and techniques;

Provides technical consultation and leadership on complex statistical studies, such as adaptive designs, master protocols, Bayesian modelling and monitoring;

Develops scientific and programmatic development and procurement strategies;

Provides statistical training, upon request, for statisticians and nonstatisticians on statistical methods, tests, and data interpretation;

Provides direction and guidance to research publications, abstracts, manuscripts, and grants or contracts;

Mentors the technical and professional development of junior staff;

Serves as the BARDA statistical lead on national and interagency working groups to align programmatic strategies;

Represents BARDA at scientific, professional, and intergovernmental meetings and working groups both domestic and international;

Directs the statistical design and development strategies of medical countermeasures for new or emerging IEID threats;

Identifies specific statistical research areas that merit investigation, develops new hypotheses and approaches for studies, and evaluates the feasibility of such endeavors;

Develops innovative approaches to study designs and statistical analyses, and to meet study objectives;

Advises management on the selection of an appropriate study design, statistical analysis, and interpretation of study results;

Represents program staff in providing statistical justification for operational decisions to leadership in BARDA and HHS;

Reviews and evaluates product development program plans from preclinical studies through Phase 3 clinical evaluations;

Provides assessment to risk management program, quantitative risk analysis matrix, and technical assessment of the various risk associated with the project;

Provides advanced statistical analysis of Advanced Research and Development (R&D) data, gap analysis, and critical evaluation of whitepapers and proposals for new medical countermeasure projects;

Works with the Biostatistics Branch Chief, DCD Director, IEID Division Director, BARDA Director and the ASPR to prepare information requested by the Congress, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), other HHS Staff Divisions and other Federal agencies.

PROGRAM MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITY

Applies expert knowledge of Federal programs, regulations, statutes, policies, and directives which govern programs in the public health emergency preparedness arena relevant to the areas of BARDA focus.

Demonstrates in-depth knowledge of the priorities, goals, and objectives of BARDA leadership and the Administration for designated areas of responsibility.

Demonstrates statistical expert ability to conceptualize and define issues and provide innovative solutions during planning sessions and in emergency situations.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY (EEO) RESPONSIBILITY

Demonstrates high integrity and adheres to the highest ethical standards of public service.

Uses effective business practices including balanced measures of results and values, and invests in each employee; emphasizes empowerment, effective performance, and two-way communication.

Serves as a role model for leadership by encouraging teamwork and a collaborative approach.

Furthers the goals of EEO by taking positive steps to assure the accomplishment of affirmative action objectives and by adhering to nondiscriminatory employee practices in regard to race, color, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, age or handicap.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

• U.S. Citizenship required
• Males born after December 31, 1959 must be registered or exempt from Selective Service - http://www.sss.gov
• Suitable for federal employment
• Appointment will be subject to the applicant's successful completion of a Secret security investigation and favorable adjudication. All information concerning qualifications is subject to investigation.
• Documentation that you present for purposes of completing the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Form I-9 will be verified through the DHS "E-Verify" System.
• All Federal employees are required to have Federal salary payments made by direct deposit to a financial institution of their choice.
• All qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of the announcement.
• Financial disclosure statement required

Qualifications

In addition to the educational requirements. we are looking for:

Clear demonstration that the applicant possesses the scope and quality of experience sufficient to effectively carry out the above-described responsibilities.

The candidate must have a minimum of three years of specialized experience in or closely related to statistical methods, analyses, assessments, and design from government and/or industry in the advanced development of medical countermeasures. Additionally, at least 1 year of this experience must have been in planning and executing difficult programs of national significance or planning and executing specialized medical countermeasure programs that show outstanding attainments.

Expert-level experience managing and successfully advancing multiple highly technical and scientific portfolios including:

• Developing scientific research programs for advanced development of medical countermeasures;
• Providing advanced statistical assessments and guidance on scientific programs;
• Reviewing and evaluating product development program plans from preclinical studies through Phase 4 clinical evaluations;
• Analyzing a wide range of advanced research and development related data, gap analyses, and the development and critical evaluation of whitepapers and proposals for innovative medical countermeasure projects; and,
• Expert oral and written communication skills to represent the DCD Biostatistics Branch Chief in top-level discussions to provides expert assistance and advice to senior management on critical portfolio concepts, goals, strategies, and initiatives.

Education

Degree: Mathematics, statistics, or actuarial science. The degree must be in a major field of study (at least at the baccalaureate level) that is appropriate for the position.

or

Combination of education and experience: Courses equivalent to a major, as shown above, plus appropriate experience or additional education.
Documenting 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.

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; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to gain employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. If such experience is on a part-time basis, you must provide the average number of hours worked per week as well as the beginning and ending dates of the experience so it can be fully credited.

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE WILL NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Qualifications are based on breadth/level of experience. In addition to describing duties performed, applicants must provide the exact dates of each period of employment (from MM/YY to MM/YY) and the number of hours worked per week if part time. As qualification determinations cannot be made when resumes do not include the required information, failure to provide this information may result in disqualification. Applicants are encouraged to use the USAJOBS Resume Builder to develop their federal resume.

Additional information

HS has a critical preparedness and response mission: HHS protects the American people from health threats, researches emerging diseases, and mobilizes public health programs with domestic and international partners. In support of this mission, HHS offers its employees the opportunity to volunteer to become Federal Civilian Detailees and contribute their unique skills through voluntary temporary assignments to humanitarian emergencies or Departmental priorities countering new and emerging health, safety, and security threats.

Confidential Financial Disclosure Report (OGE-450 form) is required. The Ethics Reform Act of 1989, Executive Order 12674, and 5 C.F.R. Part 2634, Subpart I, require individuals who are assigned to certain designated positions in the Executive Branch of the Federal Government, to file an annual Confidential Financial Disclosure Report (OGE-450 Form). Please be advised that you will receive an OGE-450 form and it is required that you complete and return this form. A formal official job offer cannot be extended until you have submitted this form and been cleared by AHRQ's ethics officials. As an AHRQ employee, you will also be required to file an annual Confidential Financial Disclosure Report (OGE-450). In addition, you may be required to: (1) divest of certain financial interests, or (2) maintain certain financial interests below the de minimis levels of: (1) $15,000 (individual stock) and (2) $50,000 (stocks or sector-specific mutual/exchange traded fund combined). 5 C.F.R. 2640.202

Security and Background Requirements If not previously completed, a background security investigation will be required for all appointees .

Equal Opportunity Employment Equality is held as one of the most important values at HHS. Selection for this, and any other position, will be based solely on merit. HHS does not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, political affiliation, marital status, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, age or membership or non-membership in an employee organization, or any other non-merit factors. If applying online poses a hardship to you, you may submit your application by contacting Adrienne Anderson

Reasonable Accommodation Policy Statement Federal agencies must provide reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities where appropriate. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process should contact: Adrienne Anderson. Requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis.

Selective Service As a condition of employment, all male applicants born after December 31, 1959, must have registered for the selective service. If selected for this position, the applicant must sign a statement certifying his registration, or the applicant must demonstrate exempt status under the Selective Service Law.

Beginning January 1, 2010, agencies must seek prior approval from OPM before they can appoint a current or recent political appointee to a competitive or non-political excepted service position at any level under the provisions of title 5, United States Code. If you are currently or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C, or Non-career SES employee in the executive branch, you MUST disclose that to the Human Resources Office.