Summary This position is located at Whiteriver Hospital with the incumbent serving as Chief of Optometry. The Chief of Optometry provides clinical services, consultation and guidance to other optometrists and develops, coordinates, and evaluates a comprehensive eye care program for the facility and oversees the same for the outlying clinic. In addition, the incumbent assures coordination and referral of care for patients with complex eye disease requiring services beyond the scope of WRSU. Responsibilities **This position is being announced concurrently under Delegated Examining Plan (DE) procedures. Please review vacancy announcement number IHS-25-PX-12681742-DE; for eligibility requirements. NOTE: Applicants must apply separately for each announcement in order to be considered.** Clinical Duties: Directs the full range of ocular testing and examinations from a clinical as well as an administrative point of view. Diagnosis of visual and ocular problems through external and internal physical evaluation of the eye and adnexa. Treats visual disorders through the prescription of corrective lenses and vision training and pharmacological means. Utilizes laboratory and radiology services to evaluate ophthalmic conditions. Administrative/Supervisory Duties: Plan, implement and direct the optometry eye care program. Develop and update policies and procedures for the effective and efficient management and operations of the optometry department. Develop specialty services and clinics per program directives and needs, i.e., low vision, contact lenses, elderly etc. Requirements Conditions of Employment Must pass pre-employment examination. Selectee may be subject to a probationary/trial period ESEP appointees typically serve a two year trial period U.S. Citizenship is required Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959 This is a designated position covered by Public Law 101-630, requiring contact or control over Indian children. Due to this requirement, the agency must ensure that persons hired for these positions have not been found guilty of or pleaded nolo contendere or guilty to certain crimes. A one-year supervisory/managerial probationary period may be required upon selection/placement. Confidential Financial Disclosure Form required. Adherence to the IHS Employee Immunization Policy, SGM 21-04, and the IHS Circular 2016-04 requiring Measles and Rubella, COVID-19, and seasonal influenza immunizations for staff working in Indian Health Service health care facilities OR an exemption request will need to be submitted. The selected individual is required to obtain and maintain medical staff clinical privileges, including any licensure requirements. If privileges are not obtained or maintained during employment, the employee will be subject to adverse actions, up to and including removal from Federal service. On-call hours or standby duty may be required. Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit www.dhs.gov/E-Verify/. You will need to set up direct deposit so we can pay you. Background Investigation: If you are selected for this vacancy, you must undergo a pre-employment fingerprint check and background investigation. Fingerprint results and background investigation documentation must be cleared prior to hire. After you begin your employment, your continued employment is contingent upon the outcome of a complete background investigation as determined by the sensitivity level of your position. The investigation must find that you are suitable for Federal employment in your position. If you are found not suitable, you will be terminated after you begin work. If you make a false statement in any part of your application, you may not be hired; you may be fired after you begin work; or subject to possible criminal charges. You may be subject to a credit check as a part of the background investigation process. Qualifications To qualify for this position, your resume must state sufficient experience and/or education, to perform the duties of the specific position for which you are applying. 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; social). You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer and part time experience. You must clearly identify the duties and responsibilities in each position held and the total number of hours per week. Individual Occupational Requirements: BASIC REQUIREMENT(S): Education: Applicants must have a Doctor of Optometry degree from an educational program that is accredited by the Accreditation Council on Optometric Education(external link) (ACOE) at the time the degree was obtained. Licensure: Applicants must have received a passing score on the National Board of Examiners in Optometry(external link) (NBEO) examinations and possess a current, full, and unrestricted license to practice optometry in a State, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, or a territory of the United States. In addition to the Basic Requirements, you must also meet the Minimum Qualifications stated below. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: Your resume must demonstrate at least one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-12 grade level in the Federal service obtained in either the private or public sector performing the following type of work and/or tasks: Oversee Optometry Program in its entirety; provide direct, comprehensive medical/optometric care to patients; provide supervision to Optometry staff by assigning work, evaluating work performance, interviewing candidates for positions and ensuring staff follow accreditation standards. Time In Grade Federal employees in the competitive service are also subject to the Time-In-Grade Requirements: Merit Promotion (status) candidates must have completed one year of service at the next lower grade level. Time-In-Grade provisions do not apply under the Excepted Service Examining Plan (ESEP). You must meet all qualification requirements within 30 days of the closing date of the announcement. 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. Only attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education may be credited. Applicants can verify accreditation at the following website: https://www.ed.gov/accreditation. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/. Additional Information Additional selection(s) of candidates may be possible within 240 days from the date the certificate of eligibles was issued for this announcement. Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. IHS may offer newly-appointed Federal employees credit for their directly related previous non-federal experience or active duty uniformed military service. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Recruitment and/or Relocation Incentives may be authorized and is subject to availability and service unit approval. If offered, you will be required to sign a one (1) year service agreement. Failure to fulfill the service agreement will result in repayment of the incentive. This position meets the criteria specified in pillar number one of the five pillars of the PHS Commissioned Corps. PHS Commissioned Officers interested in performing the duties of this position within the Commissioned Corps MUST apply online under the merit promotion announcement indicated above in order to receive consideration. For more information on PHS Commissioned Corps, visit the website at: https://www.usphs.gov/. The Indian Health Service (IHS), National Health Service Corps (NHSC), and the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) have student loan repayment programs for qualifying health disciplines. This is a competitive process separate from the hiring process. Opportunities for LRP are based on agency hiring priorities and availability of funds. For additional information please visit: For IHS - http://www.ihs.gov/loanrepayment/ For NHSC - https://nhsc.hrsa.gov/loanrepayment/ For HRSA Nurse Corps - https://bhw.hrsa.gov/loansscholarships/nursecorps