SOCIAL SCIENCE ANALYST

Summary

This position is part of the Defense Human Resources Activity. The incumbent serves as Social Science Analyst responsible for executing the professional and technical work of the organization. The mission of the organization involves major aspects of key research and development programs and has substantial effect on national defense issues and new technology areas. Programs generally involve substantial fiscal responsibility (e.g., management of multimillion-dollar efforts).

Duties

As a SOCIAL SCIENCE ANALYST at the GS-0101-13 some of your typical work assignments may include: Conducts front-end and practitioner-centered occupational analyses: Plans, designs, and executes comprehensive front-end analyses, cognitive task analyses, and practitioner-centered occupational studies to systematically identify organizational performance gaps and target-population requirements. Translates complex qualitative and quantitative task data into empirical knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics (KSAOs) and validated competency models to directly inform evidence-based learning objectives and curriculum frameworks. Conducts mixed-methods social science research and psychometrics: Conceptualizes, executes, and oversees applied mixed-methods social science research to support human relations workforce development across the Department. Formulates rigorous experimental designs, develops and psychometrically validates measurement instruments, and applies advanced inferential and multivariate statistical modeling to laboratory and field data. Training Effectiveness, Program Evaluation Science & Performance Measurement: Designs, validates, and directs comprehensive, multi-tiered training and program evaluation architectures to measure instructional effectiveness, learner competency attainment, and operational transfer of learning. Develops formative and summative assessment plans, psychometrically sound rubrics, and data-collection protocols, integrating longitudinal evaluation finding with front-end occupational baselines to drive data-informed curriculum and programmatic refinements. Behavioral Science Technical Advisory, Evidence Synthesis & Policy Translation: Locates, critically appraises, and synthesizes multidisciplinary social, behavioral, and organizational science literature and requisite policy to serve as a principal technical authority on human relations workforce performance. Project Planning, Technical Direction & Scientific Quality Assurance: Plans, coordinates, and provides technical project direction for multidisciplinary research and evaluation efforts, establishing milestones resource allocations, and scientific protocols compliant with Departmental priorities and research ethics standards. Conducts rigorous peer reviews and quality assurance evaluations of technical reports, briefs, and peer-reviewed manuscripts prepared by project teams and external collaborators to ensure methodological soundness and adherence to scientific publication standards. Manages, transforms, and analyzes large-scale defense personnel, survey, and educational datasets: Leverages advanced analytical environments and relational databases using Structured Query Language (SQL), R, and Python to extract, clean, manipulate, and model complex longitudinal datasets. Utilizes enterprise analytical workspaces to build reproducible data pipelines, monitor workforce metrics, and merge heterogeneous demographic, training, and operational data. Prepares and completes comprehensive professional written reports documenting data, results, and findings to include the reliability and validity of results in final technical reports. Prepares and provides briefings which includes initial research approach, research effort, and results that have implications for DEOMI and the Department of War. Qualifications

You may qualify at the GS-13, if you fulfill the following qualifications: One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-12 grade level in the Federal service: Conducting complex social and behavioral science research in support of human performance, training, education, curriculum development, evaluation, organizational effectiveness, or human relations programs by planning and directing studies; identifying researchable problems; preparing research plans and technical documentation; and producing findings that inform program, policy, or operational decisions. Applying advanced mixed-methods research techniques, including designing valid and reliable data collection instruments, collecting and analyzing laboratory and field data, conducting qualitative and quantitative analyses, and using descriptive, inferential, psychometric, and other advanced statistical methods to evaluate hypotheses, interpret results, and ensure methodological rigor. Developing, validating, or applying competency models, performance measures, forecasting models, test and measurement approaches, or other analytic frameworks to assess knowledge, skills, and abilities gaps, support workforce or learner assessments, and improve organizational or instructional outcomes. Translating research and assessment findings into evidence-based recommendations for training, curriculum, evaluation, or organizational improvement by conducting front-end analyses, cognitive task analyses, learner population assessments, or related needs assessments, and communicating actionable solutions to leaders, stakeholders, and multidisciplinary teams. Advised professional staff, leaders, or cross-functional teams on the application of social science, mathematical, and statistical theories and methods to solve complex problems, evaluate program effectiveness, and support mission-related research, development, or instructional systems design efforts. 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, 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. In addition to meeting qualifications, your application package must reflect the applicable experience to meet the Individual Occupational Requirements for the 0101 series: Degree: behavioral or social science; or related disciplines appropriate to the position. OR Combination of education and experience that provided the applicant with knowledge of one or more of the behavioral or social sciences equivalent to a major in the field. OR Four years of appropriate experience that demonstrated that the applicant has acquired knowledge of one or more of the behavioral or social sciences equivalent to a major in the field. *NOTE: Failure to provide transcripts may result in you being rated ineligible for this position.

Education

ARE YOU USING YOUR EDUCATION TO SATISFY THE INDIVIDUAL OCCUPATIONAL REQUIREMENT? You MUST provide transcripts or other documentation to support your educational claims. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable at time of application. All materials must be submitted by the closing date of the announcement. GRADUATE EDUCATION: One academic year of graduate education is considered to be the number of credits hours that your graduate school has determined to represent one academic year of full-time study. Such study may have been performed on a full-time or part-time basis. If you cannot obtain your graduate school's definition of one year of graduate study, 18 semester hours (or 27 quarter hours) should be considered as satisfying the requirement for one year of full-time graduate study. FOREIGN EDUCATION may be qualifying if a private organization specializing in interpreting foreign education programs has deemed the foreign education equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program or a U.S. accredited college or university has given full credit for the foreign courses. Unofficial transcripts from U.S. Department of Education accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions listing your name, the name of the school, the date and degree awarded, and the list of classes and credits earned are acceptable for the application process. If selected, official transcripts are required before a firm job offer is made. A photocopy of your degree/diploma is not acceptable. When relying on foreign education, submit transcripts and a copy of the equivalency evaluation results letter with a course-by-course listing. Documents must be in English or include an English translation. The hiring employer for this position does not evaluate degrees from foreign colleges or universities. For further information, visit: Foreign Education How You Will Be Evaluated

We will review your resume and supporting documents, to ensure you meet the basic qualification requirements. We will evaluate each applicant who meets the minimum qualifications on the information provided and evaluate your relevant work experiences as it relates to fundamental competencies, identified below, required for this position. Competencies: Attention to Detail Flexibility Integrity/Honesty Interpersonal Skills Learning Reading Comprehension Self-Management Stress Tolerance Teamwork If you meet the minimum qualifications of this position, you may be presented with instructions on how to access the USA Hire Assessment. This additional online assessment is required and must be completed within 48 hours following the close of this announcement unless you have requested Reasonable Accommodation for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. Your results will be kept on record for one year when applying for future jobs that require the same USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. A list of qualified applicants will be created and sent to the selecting official. All applicants reviewed and/or referred will receive a notification letter. Based on the results of this evaluation, you will be placed in one of the following quality categories: Best Qualified: This highest category will be used for those candidates who possess the type and quality of experience that substantially exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position, including any selective placement factors and/or appropriate quality ranking factor(s), as determined by the job analysis. Highly Qualified: This higher category will be used for those candidates who possess the type and quality of experience that exceed the minimum qualifications of the position, including any selective placement factors and/or appropriate quality ranking factor(s) as determined by the job analysis. Qualified: This lowest category will be used for those candidates that meet the minimum qualifications of the position, including all selective placement factors and appropriate quality ranking factor(s) and are proficient in some, but not all, of the requirements of the position. Candidates may require extensive training and/or orientation in order to satisfactorily perform the duties of the position. https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/hiring-information/competitive-hiring/#url=Category-Rating Names of the candidates in the Best Qualified category will be sent first to the hiring manager for employment consideration. Applicants in other categories will be referred in accordance with category rating procedures. Veterans Preference: If you are entitled to veterans preference, you should indicate the type of veterans' preference you are claiming on your resume. Your veterans' preference entitlement will be verified by the employing agency. If you are entitled to veterans' preference and qualified for the position, your name will be placed above non-preference candidates on a list sent to the hiring manager for employment consideration. Qualified veterans' preference eligible with a service-connected disability of 10% or more will be listed at the top of the highest quality category depending on the position and grade level of the job. For information on entitlement see Feds Hire Vets - Job Seekers - Veterans. Other Information

Re-employed Annuitant: This position does not meet criteria for re-employed annuitant. The DoD criteria for hiring Re-employed Annuitants can be found at: https://www.esd.whs.mil/Portals/54/Documents/DD/issuances/140025/140025_vol300.PDF?ver=LQ7feWw-8-5DI2tceUpmgA%3d%3d All applicants must meet qualifications and eligibility criteria by the closing date of the announcement. Interagency Career Transition Assistance Programs (ICTAP eligibility): This program applies to employees who have been involuntarily separated from a Federal service position within the competitive service or Federal service employees whose positions have been deemed surplus or no longer needed. To receive selection priority for this position, you must: 1) meet ICTAP eligibility criteria; 2) be rated well-qualified for the position; Well qualified is defined as possessing the type and quality of experience that exceeds the positions minimum qualifications. and 3) submit the appropriate documentation to support your ICTAP eligibility. For more information: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/employee-guide-to-career-transition/ Military Spouse Preference: If you are entitled to military spouse preference, in order to receive this preference you must choose the spousal eligibility in your application package referencing MSP Military Spouse Preference. Your preference entitlement will be verified by the employing agency. If you are claiming military spouse preference and qualified for the position, your name will be placed below preference eligible veteran candidates and above non-preference candidates on a list sent to the hiring manager for employment consideration. To claim Military Spouse Preference (MSP) please complete the Military Spouse PPP Self-Certification Checklist, save the document and attach it to your application package. Priority Placement Program (PPP) DoD Retained Grade Preference (RGP): In order to receive this preference, you must choose to apply using the "Priority Placement Program, DoD Retained Grade Preference (RGP)" eligibility. If you are claiming RGP and are determined to be Well Qualified (score of 85 or above) for the position, you will be referred to the hiring manager as a priority applicant. Information and required documentation for claiming MSP may be found at the General Applicant Information and Definitions link below. To be eligible as a RGP, you must submit the following supporting documents with your application package: a signed Retained Grade PPP Self-Certification Checklist (DD3145-1 (whs.mil)); a copy of your Notification of Personnel Action (SF-50) effecting the placement in retained grade status; or a copy of the notification letter you received regarding the RIF or classification downgrade. This position is subject to an initial drug screening, and random testing thereafter. A negative drug test result must be received by HR within 30 calendar days after the EOD (i.e., start date). The selectee's inability successfully pass; or refusal to conduct the test may result in: 1) the tentative or FJO being withdrawn during the recruitment process; or 2) subsequently being removed from Federal service for failure to meet a condition of employment. You may be required to sign a "Drug Test Statement of Understanding" if you are selected for this position.