Investigative Psychology Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Summary
The Psychology Technician's primary purpose is to support one or more ongoing research projects at the CoE. The Psychology Technician is responsible for many key duties related to the successful operation of research studies including participant recruitment and retention, data collection, equipment maintenance, assessment and scoring of tests, data entry, data storage, conducting reviews of research literature, and administrative support to principal investigators. **Recent Grads Only***
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Duties
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Major duties include but not limited to:
Recruitment & Retention
Under the supervision of the investigator or senior level staff, ensures participant recruitment and retention goals are met as required by the funding agency and approved protocol. Makes telephone calls and email contacts to potential research participants. Schedules appointments and follow-upsessions. Coordinates with other research staff to optimize use of research space and make efficient use of time. Maintains tracking spreadsheets of recruitment and enrollment metrics. When recruitment and/or retention is falling beneath the target goal, the incumbent is expected to be resourceful and draw on the experiences of other project coordinators on similar VA studies to identify ways to enhance recruitment (e.g., novel sources of advertisement) and/or retention (e.g., personal telephone calls or letters).
Data Collection/Conducting Study Procedures
After receiving appropriate training, conducts consenting procedures with study participants. Explains all procedures to research participants. Explains the tasks required of participants, and monitors participants' performance and attention during study procedures. Establishes and maintains effectiverapport with research participants and provides an appropriate, non-threatening setting for optimal performance. Under the supervision of the investigator, provides sensitive communication with participants with disabilities and adapts procedures in a manner to meet any special problems or needs related to these disabilities.Sets up and maintains research equipment and testing measures. Keeps track of supplies and reports if any equipment or measurement tool needs to be repaired or replaced.Under the supervision of the investigator or senior level staff, conducts study procedures, including but not limited to administering tests, questionnaires, and structured interviews, attaching EEG electrodes, and monitoring neuroimaging scans. May assist investigator in completing behavior rating scales, conducting behavior modification, or administering neuromodulatory treatments in accordance with clearly defined procedures.Observes all phases of study to ensure data is collected in accordance with approved protocol and that participants are following instructions. Documents any deviations from protocol and reports them to the principal investigator.
Assessment & Scoring
Administers and scores a wide variety of psychological and electrophysiological tests, assessments and structured interviews to research participants under the supervision of a Psychologist or Principal Investigator, including but not limited to tests of mental health, neuropsychological function,intelligence, social cognition, and memory. Analyzes data using one or more statistical software packages. Adheres to all regulations, rules and laws regarding psychological assessment and practices.
Data Entry & Storage
Codes, transcribes, records, and stores data in spreadsheets, databases, or secure online portals according to approved study protocols. Ensures all data entry is accurate. Stores physical data in appropriate cabinets or storage facilities and maintains file management system. Creates backup filesand under the supervision of the investigator or senior level staff initiates the transfer of data to other sites in accordance with approved study protocols. Documents data entry and storage procedures and generates routine data reports to supervisor and research oversight committees.
Administrative Support
Writes, duplicates and distributes letters, memos, agendas, forms, certificates, and reports for the Psychologist, Principal Investigator, or Supervisor. Conducts literature reviews to assist investigators with study proposals or grant applications.Attends research team meetings, recruitment events, and conference calls. Records meeting minutes, maintains tracking logs, and schedules follow-up actions, as needed.Performs other duties as assigned.
Work Schedule: Monday through Friday, 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Position Description/PD#: Psychology Technician/PD0538TA and PD00806TARelocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
Financial Disclosure Report: Not Required
Requirements
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Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job
• All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA.
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
• Subject to background/security investigation
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP)

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider:

• your performance and conduct;
• the needs and interests of the agency;
• whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
• whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.

Upon completion of your probationary period or trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.
Qualifications
THIS IS A TEMPORARY POSITION, NOT TO EXCEED 4 YEARS.
NOTE: Any permanent employee may apply for this position. However, if selected, incumbent will be converted to a temporary status. Upon conversion to temporary status, employee has no guarantee of returning to a permanent position and is placed in the second area of consideration for permanent positions posted within the bargaining unit. If temporary funding is terminated, or at the expiration of the appointment, employee may be terminated.
To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 8/18/2026.
Individual Occupational Requirements:
Specialized Experience (for positions at GS-4 and above)Experience that involved the observation of and assistance in the application of techniques relating to behavior, capacities, traits, interests, and activities of either humans or, under laboratory conditions, animals. Experience may have been gained in connection with a program of research or direct services in psychology that gave a practical understanding of some of the principles, methods, and techniques of psychology needed to assist professional psychologists.
OR
Education and Training
For GS-5: Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study leading to a bachelor's degree with major study or at least 24 semester hours in any combination of subjects in psychology, sociology, or other approved social/biological sciences.
For GS-06 / GS-07 (and higher): Requires progressively higher levels of specialized technical experience assisting professional psychologists (such as scoring specific neuropsychological tests, collecting research data, or conducting behavior modification support), plus required undergraduate coursework
DUTIES: Performs one or more of a variety of technical tasks in a program of research or other professional services in psychology. Performance of these tasks requires a practical understanding of some of the general principles, theories, methods and techniques of psychology in order to carry out duties which are performed under the supervision of a professional psychologist. These duties may include one or more of the following: (1) assist in research as in systematic collection of psychology research data, recording and collecting of data, preparing tabular or graphic presentation of data, in accordance with a predetermined research plan; (2) assist counseling psychologist in contacting potential employers for purpose of making vocational placement, providing follow-up consultation, administering and scoring of interest, achievement and aptitude tests, securing work history and other relevant vocational information; (3) assist neuropsychologist in administering and scoring of selected tests of a neuropsychology battery in accordance with clearly defined procedures; (4) assist psychologists in completing behavior rating scales or in conducting behavior modification.
Requirements: You may qualify based on your experience and/or education as described below:
Education: Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with a major in an appropriate social or biological science, which included or was supplemented by 12 semester hours in psychology.
You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position:

• Data Collection/Documentation
• Research
• Analysis and Problem Solving
• Data Management

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.
SPF/Preferred Experience: Must have presented a scientific poster and/or have a bachelor's degree in psychology, counseling, neurology, biology, social work, or related field.
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 is primarily sedentary. Typically, the employee may sit comfortably to perform portions of the work. However, there is periodic walking; standing; bending; and carrying of light items such as medical records, lab supplies, instructional material, books and manuals (
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/.
Education
There is no educational substitution at this grade level.
A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.
Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.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
Receiving Service Credit for Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: 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. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed.
This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.
If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement.
Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.
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Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United