Supervisory Research Scientist (Project Manager)

Summary This position is for a Supervisory Social Scientist within the Office of Data Analytics (JD), Office of Inspector General (OIG), U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT). The incumbent will serve as a senior program manager and first-line supervisor, leading a team of economists, statisticians, and data scientists in the execution of complex, short- and long-term analytical projects. Responsibilities The Supervisory Research Scientist is responsible for the strategic management and oversight of the team's project portfolio, from initial concept development to the delivery of final reports and analytical tools. This role requires a leader with a strong background in a quantitative social science field (e.g., economics, political science, sociology, public policy) and demonstrated experience managing the full lifecycle of complex research or evaluation projects. The incumbent will not only manage projects but also provide intellectual leadership, guiding the team in framing research questions, selecting appropriate methodologies, and interpreting findings. They will act as the primary interface between the technical team and its customers, including investigators, auditors, and OIG operational support. The primary aim of the role is in translating mission needs into actionable project plans and communicating complex analytical results in clear, compelling terms. Key responsibilities include: Project and Portfolio Management: Oversee a portfolio of concurrent analytical projects, ensuring they are properly scoped, staffed, and executed to meet deadlines and quality standards. Implement and manage project management systems to track progress, identify risks, and allocate resources effectively. Methodological Oversight: Provide expert guidance on research design, quantitative analysis, and causal inference. Review and approve analytical plans to ensure they are methodologically sound, statistically robust, and aligned with project objectives. Stakeholder Engagement and Communication: Serve as the primary point of contact for stakeholders, translating their requirements into technical specifications that are both decision-relevant and methodologically sound. Presenting analytical findings and their limitations to non-technical audiences, including senior leadership. Team Leadership and Supervision: As a first-line supervisor, manage a team of quantitative experts, including assigning work, evaluating performance, mentoring staff, and fostering a collaborative and innovative work environment. Contract and Resource Management: Serve as COR for contracts supporting the team's mission, manage budget formulation and execution, and coordinate staff professional development. Contribute to the OIG's strategic planning, identify high-value opportunities for new analytical work and ensure compliance with data privacy, security and use requirements. Requirements Conditions of Employment Must be a U.S. Citizen. Submit application and resume online by 11:59 P.M. EST on the closing date. This position is subject to a background investigation. Relocation is not authorized. Drug Screening is required. Qualifications All documents must be received and eligibility requirements must be met by the closing date of the announcement. Your resume must be well documented with the specialized experience, otherwise you may be deemed ineligible. To meet the minimum qualifications for this position, you must meet the SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE qualifications and the BASIC EDUCATION REQUIREMENT for the grade(s) at which you are requesting consideration. Applicants must meet qualifications and time-in-grade requirements by the closing date of this vacancy announcement. Quality Ranking Factor: Mastery of an advanced mathematical, statistical, or quantitative social science discipline combined with a deep understanding of advanced statistical, econometric, or causal inference methods. A Ph.D. in a highly quantitative field (e.g., Economics, Statistics, Data Science or any suitable degree that relates to the position) is strongly preferred. SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE For GS-15: At least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-14 level in the Federal service performing (obtained in either the public or private sectors) listed below: Managing a large portfolio of concurrent, high-complexity analytical or data science projects, including establishing project management systems, resolving competing priorities and resource constraints, and ensuring rigorous delivery of products suitable for federal oversight, litigation support, or congressional reporting. Serving as a senior methodological authority for a team or program, reviewing and approving the analytical approaches of economists, statisticians, or data scientists, resolving novel methodological challenges, and ensuring work products meet the highest standards of scientific rigor and reproducibility. Exercising first-line supervisory authority over a multidisciplinary team of quantitative professionals, including performance management, workload distribution, and building team capacity through mentoring and professional development. Serving as a primary liaison between a specialized analytical team and senior leadership, oversight bodies, or external partners; shaping research agendas collaboratively while maintaining methodological independence, and communicating complex findings and their limitations to executive-level audiences. Contributing to strategic planning and interagency partnership development to expand an agency's evidence-building capabilities, including managing contracts or external research partnerships, reviewing and approving the technical and methodological approaches of contractor or external research teams, evaluating deliverable quality, and ensuring compliance with data privacy, security, and ethical data use requirements. Competencies: Your resume will be evaluated on the following competencies in addition to the specialized experience as stated above: Research Portfolio Management: Plans, directs, and monitors a portfolio of concurrent advanced analytical and data science projects to ensure rigorous, timely delivery in support of oversight priorities. Supervisory Leadership and Staff Development: Builds and sustains a high-performing multidisciplinary team through performance management, mentoring, and strategic workload allocation to develop organizational capacity. Quantitative Research and Methodological Oversight: Provides expert guidance on research design, statistical modeling, causal inference, and machine learning to ensure all analytical products meet the highest standards of scientific rigor and reproducibility. Stakeholder Engagement and Technical Communication: Translates complex analytical methods, findings, and limitations into clear, decision-relevant language for senior leaders, investigators, auditors, and other non-technical audiences to drive informed decision-making. Strategic Resource and Contract Management: Manages contracts, budgets, and interagency partnerships and contributes to strategic planning to sustain and expand the team's evidence-building capabilities. Preferred Qualifications: A Ph.D. in a highly quantitative field (e.g., Economics, Statistics, Data Science or any suitable degree that relates to the position) is strongly preferred. Background in auditing, law enforcement/criminal justice, or prior experience in an Inspector General office preferred. Strong skills in contract management and budgeting with an accompanying COR certification (levels 2 or 3) strongly preferred. Education Basic Education Requirement 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 which may also include data science, economics or other related degrees. OR Combination of education and experience: Courses equivalent to a major field of study as shown in paragraph A above, plus additional education or appropriate experience. Transcripts Verifying Basic Education Requirement - You must submit unofficial or official transcripts verifying you meet the Basic Education Requirement. Ensure that the degree awarded and confer date are clearly stated on the transcript(s). You must provide documentation or proof that your degree(s) is from a school accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the Secretary, U.S. Department of Education, or that your education meets the other provisions outlined in the OPM Operating Manual. If you completed your education outside of the U.S., you must provide proof its equivalent to accredited U.S. education programs. Special Instructions for Foreign Education: Qualifying education from colleges and universities in foreign countries must be evaluated in terms of equivalency to that acquired in U.S. colleges and universities. Applicants educated in whole or in part in foreign countries must submit sufficient evidence, including transcripts, to an accredited private organization for an equivalency evaluation of course work and degree. You must provide a copy of the letter containing the results of the equivalency evaluation with a course by course listing along with your application. Failure to provide such documentation when requested will result in lost consideration. Learn more about education and training requirements. The link (s) below contain a list of accredited organizations that specialize in interpreting of foreign education credentials: Members – NACES https://naces.org/members/ Credential Evaluation Services - AICE - Association of International Credential Evaluators. Inc. https://aice-eval.org/members/ Additional Information THIS ANNOUNCEMENT MAY BE USED TO FILL ADDITIONAL LIKE VACANCIES IN THE ANNOUNCED DUTY LOCATION. Relocation expenses will not be paid. Best qualified candidates will be responsible for arranging and paying for their own travel expenses in conjunction with any required interviews, unless they are already employed by the Office of Inspector General at the U. S. Department of Transportation. The Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs Act prohibits the Department of Transportation and its Operating Administrations from requesting an applicant's criminal history record before that individual receives a conditional offer of employment. In accordance with 5 U.S. Code § 9202(c) and 5 C.F.R § 920.201 certain positions are exempt from the provisions of the Fair Chance to Compete Act. Applicants who believe they have been subjected to a violation of the Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs Act, may submit a written complaint to the Department of Transportation by email at, [email protected]