Health Program Specialist

Summary

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is seeking to hire a few Health Program Specialists. You will have a key role in planning, coordinating, and evaluating research proposals for grant programs. You will attend meetings and committees to keep organizations informed of the latest advancements and allows them to participate in developing scientific initiatives.

Duties

• Serve as a subject matter expert and provide strategic scientific guidance. Lead analysis of program challenges and propose complex solutions. Oversee grant programs and present findings to senior leadership and stakeholders. Manage new product and service implementation in assigned research areas. Collaborate with internal and external partners to align initiatives with organizational goals. Lead contract administration efforts and represent programs at national or international meetings.

Qualifications

Basic Requirements: In order to qualify for a Health Program Specialist, GS-0601, position you must possess a Bachelor's or graduate/higher level degree with a 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 at the time the degree was obtained. You qualify at the GS-11 level, if you meet one of the following qualification requirements: You must demonstrate in your resume at least one (1) year of qualifying experience equivalent to at least the GS-09 level in the Federal service obtained in either the private or public sector, performing the following types of tasks: 1. Supported scientific program (e.g., research project, grant, contract, formal agreement) by reviewing administrative documents, maintaining tracking logs, and organizing data. 2. Responded to stakeholders on basic administrative/procedural requirements (e.g., deadlines, document submissions). AND 3. Drafted administrative materials to support scientific reports, presentations, or meetings, including gathering, analyzing, and formatting data; OR You must have have completed 3 years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree or, have a Ph.D. degree or equivalent doctoral degree in a related field; OR you have a combination of education and specialized experience that meets the qualification requirements for this position. You qualify at the GS-12 level, if you meet one of the following qualification requirements: You must demonstrate in your resume at least one (1) year of qualifying experience equivalent to at least the GS-11 level in the Federal service obtained in either the private or public sector, performing the following types of tasks: 1. Coordinated scientific program activities (e.g., research project, grant, contract, formal agreement) by managing timelines, monitoring performance and expenditures, or ensuring regulatory compliance. 2. Analyzed quantitative and qualitative data (e.g., research outputs, performance metrics) to evaluate scientific program effectiveness, identify issues, or inform data-driven recommendations. 3. Developed written materials and delivered presentations on scientific or program-related topics (e.g., research summaries, funding guidance) tailored to diverse audiences, such as researchers or administrative staff. AND 4. Advised scientific program stakeholders by interpreting and applying policies related to funding, regulatory requirements, or program operations. You qualify at the GS-13 level, if you meet one of the following qualification requirements: You must demonstrate in your resume at least one (1) year of qualifying experience equivalent to at least the GS-12 level in the Federal service obtained in either the private or public sector, performing the following types of tasks:1. Coordinated scientific program activities (e.g., research project, grant, contract, formal agreement) by planning initiatives, managing timelines, monitoring performance and expenditures, or ensuring regulatory compliance. 2. Analyzed quantitative and qualitative data from multiple sources (e.g., research outputs, performance metrics) to evaluate scientific program effectiveness, identify issues, or inform data-driven recommendations. 3. Developed written materials and delivered presentations on scientific or program-related topics (e.g., research summaries, funding guidance) tailored to diverse audiences, such as researchers, administrative staff, or leadership. 4. Advised scientific program stakeholders by interpreting and applying policies related to funding, regulatory requirements, or program operations. AND 5. Collaborated with internal and external stakeholders (e.g., researchers, organizational partners) to align program goals, resolve operational challenges, or advance shared scientific initiatives. You will receive credit for all experience material to the position, including experience gained in religious, civic, welfare, service, and organizational activities, regardless of whether you received pay. Do not copy and paste the duties or specialized experience from this announcement into your resume as that will not be considered a demonstration of your qualifications for this position. We may verify or assess your qualifications at any time. Inflated or unsupported qualifications may affect your rating. Any misrepresentation or material omission of facts may be sufficient cause to end further consideration of your candidacy. Persons listed as knowing your past accomplishments or experience in your application may be contacted for verification purposes at any time. Verification may, but need not, begin before receiving an offer. Preview application questionnaire before you apply: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13033958

Education

This position has an education requirement. You are strongly encouraged to submit a copy of your transcripts (or a list of your courses including titles, credit hours completed and grades). Unofficial transcripts will be accepted in the application package. Official transcripts will be required from all selectees prior to receiving an official offer. Click here for information on Foreign Education. If you qualify based on education in lieu of specialized experience, you are strongly encouraged to submit a copy of your transcripts or a list of your courses including titles, credit hours completed and grades. Unofficial transcripts will be accepted in the application packages. Official transcripts will be required from all selectees prior to receiving an official offer. Click here for information on Foreign Education.

How to apply

This announcement accepts applications during the open period of Thursday, September 10, 2026 through Monday, September 14, 2026; unless the applicant cut-off (200 applications) is reached. This announcement will close at 11:59 PM Eastern Time (ET) on September 14th, 2026, or on the day the 200th application is received, whichever comes first. A complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM ET on the closing day of the announcement to receive consideration. Early submission of your application is highly encouraged. Please read the entire announcement and all the instructions before you begin an application. To apply and be considered for this position, you must complete and submit all required questionnaires, assessments, and required documentation as specified in the How to Apply and Required Documents sections. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on the closing date of the announcement to receive consideration. The application process is as follows: Click Apply Online button. Follow the prompts to select your resume and/or other supporting documents to be included with your application package. See the "Required Documents" section for any additional forms and/or supplemental materials required. Read all Eligibility questions and respond accordingly to any Eligibility you wish to claim. You will only be considered for those Eligibility questions (Veteran, Schedule A, etc.) you respond in the affirmative to, regardless of what documentation you submit. We cannot assume you intended to respond differently to a question based on other information in your application package. Complete the application questionnaire. Applicants are asked all questions regardless of their consideration preferences. We will only consider you for the grades, series, locations, specialties, and other considerations that you self-identify as being qualified for or interested in. Preview application questionnaire before you apply: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13033958 After submitting an online application, you will be notified whether or not you are required to take additional online assessments through the USA Hire Competency Based Assessment system. This message will be delivered to you via email notification. The email may be routed to your "Spam" or "Junk" folder. If you are required to complete any USA Hire Assessments, you will be notified after submitting your application. The notification will be provided in your application submission screen and via email. The notification will include your unique assessment access link to the USA Hire system and the completion deadline. Additionally, in USAJOBS you can click "Track this application" to return to your assessment completion notice. Access USA Hire using your unique assessment link. Access is granted through your USAJOBS login credentials. Review all instructions prior to beginning your assessments. You will have the opportunity to request a testing accommodation before beginning the assessments should you have a disability covered under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended. Set aside about 2 hours to take the USA Hire assessments; however, most applicants complete the assessments in less time. If you need to stop the assessments and continue later, you can re-use your unique assessment link. Your responses to the USA Hire Assessments will be reused for one year (in most cases) from the date you complete an assessment. If future applications you submit require completion of the same assessments, your responses will be automatically reused. Verify all required documentation is included in your application package, review your responses to the application questionnaire for accuracy, and then submit your application. Visit the USA Hire Applicant Resource Center for practice assessments and assessment preparation resources at https://support-usahire.opm.gov/hc/en-us. In addition to the required documents, we encourage you to submit a cover letter, copy of your transcripts, and any applicable certifications or licenses. Even though this information is not required at the time of application, we may request this information later. We cannot assume responsibility or grant extensions for personal issues (e.g., troubles navigating the application process, loss of internet, not understanding a question) when applying to our announcements. For technical difficulties, contact HR Systems Support between 8:00 AM and 4:30 PM ET Monday through Friday at [email protected]. For reasonable accommodations not related to USA Hire, please contact Global Jobs at [email protected] . Requests for reasonable accommodations must be made before the announcement closing date. Visit our site for information on NIH's EEO program, Reasonable accommodation procedures, laws, policy statements, and the operation of the EEO complaint process.