Technology Transfer Specialist

Full Job Description

The position is located at the Ralph H.

Johnson VA Medical Center in the Office of the Associate Chief of Staff for Research, who is responsible for managing and directing the research business operations in the VAMC in accordance with VHA Directive 1200.02(1).

In addition to working with the Office of the Associate Chief of Staff for Research, the specialist will work closely with the Technology Transfer Program, Office of Research and Development.

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 03/02/2026.

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-13 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-12. 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 as described below: Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-12 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization.

Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: Serving as negotiator on matters relating to licensing VA patents; negotiate business terms, including financial terms (royalties), and discusses the license agreement's language with an interested party, and work closely with VA OGC to execute agreements; Developing and implementing business strategies for the licensing of patents, including identifying prospective licensees, the valuation of patents, the development of business terms, and the negotiation of patent licenses; and Proposing and assisting in the development of TTP policy and prepares and disseminates operating procedures and guidelines for VHA staff on matters related to the areas of responsibility assigned to TTP; You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position: Negotiation Strategic Thinking Written Communication Planning and Evaluating 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; religions; 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. Note: A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week.

Part-time experience will be credited on the basis of time actually spent in appropriate activities.

Applicants wishing to receive credit for such experience must indicate clearly the nature of their duties and responsibilities in each position and the number of hours a week spent in such employment.

Physical Requirements: The work involves mostly office posture, entailing long periods of sitting in one position, intense concentration, and job-related pressure to meet critical legal deadlines.

The position's work, while primarily sedentary, requires some walking, standing, bending, and carrying of items such as papers, books, and files, but normally places few physical demands on the incumbent.

The position also includes the occasionally physical ability to meet with scientists and other staff, including travel to and from VA medical center and prospective licensees.

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/.

Major Duties:

The Technology Transfer Specialist will initially serve in a developmental assignment to allow the individual to gain the knowledge, skills, and abilities required to perform the full range of duties described in the target position description.

Major duties include but are not limited to: Develops, proposes, and implements innovative business and commercial development strategies for licensing and partnerships of technology and inventions made by VA employees.

Coaches and guides VA employees to identify potentially patentable inventions.

Develops and implements business strategies for the licensing of patents, including identifying prospective licensees, the valuation of patents, the development of business terms, and the negotiation of patent licenses.

Provides advice, guidance, and assistance to ORD on such things as the development and management of intellectual property; registration and management of patents, terms and negotiation of licensing and collaborative agreements, management and administration of royalties; transfer of research materials and other related matters.

Serves as the focal point within ORD for the implementation of pertinent legislation, rules, and regulations, and the administration of activities relating to collaborative agreements, inventions, patents, royalties, and associated matters.

Proposes and assists in the development of TTP policy and prepares and disseminates operating procedures and guidelines for VHA staff on matters related to the areas of responsibility assigned to TTP; Reviews and analyzes collaborative agreements to ensure that they are following applicable ORD, VHA, and VA policy and procedures, and federal laws.

Prepares or coordinates the preparation of regular and special reports on matters falling within the purview of TTP, including an annual report to Congress.

Serves as liaison with individuals, committees, and organizations within and outside federal government interested or involved in matters relating to TTP. In addition to the Ralph H.

Johnson Health Care System, Charleston, SC, the incumbent will be responsible for providing technology transfer support for the Columbia VA Health Care System, South Carolina.

Occasional travel is expected to Washington, DC, conferences, or other locations deemed essential by the Director or team lead. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Telework: This position may be authorized for telework. Telework eligibility will be discussed during the interview process. Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Position Description/PD#: Technology Transfer Specialist/PD10469o