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Political Science Graduate Jobs in Reston, VA (NOW HIRING)

... political science, or related field. * 5-9 years of research experience, with at least 3-5 years of specialized survey research and analysis experience expected. Often includes significant graduate ...

Research Fellow

Washington, DC · On-site +1

$32.50/hr

Requirements: * Bachelor's degree in international relations, political science, economics ... S. * $25 per hour for undergraduate students * $32.50 per hour for graduate students * Flexible ...

... Political Science, Library Science, Engineering, Mathematics, or a related field. * 7+ years of ... Be a credentialed graduate of an accredited federal or DoD CI training academy (e.g., FBI Academy)

Executive Director

Washington, DC · On-site

$100K - $125K/yr

Those mentors then provide general advice concerning graduate school applications, peer review publications, and the prospects of a career in academia. GSIDI currently focuses on political science ...

Fall Intern: Office of the President

Washington, DC · On-site

$17 - $22/hr

The ideal candidate will have an exceptional academic background in history, political science ... About AEI Internships AEI internships offer a unique opportunity for undergraduates, graduate ...

Research Fellow

Washington, DC · On-site

$32.50/hr

Requirements: * Bachelor's degree in international relations, political science, economics ... S. * $25 per hour for undergraduate students * $32.50 per hour for graduate students * Flexible ...

Showing results 21-40

Political Science Graduate information

See Reston, VA salary details

$25.5K

$50.3K

$82.2K

How much do political science graduate jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 15, 2026, the average yearly pay for political science graduate in Reston, VA is $50,344.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $40,100.00 and $54,100.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a political science graduate?

Political science graduates are individuals who have completed a degree in political science, a field that studies government systems, political behavior, public policies, and international relations. They develop strong analytical, research, and communication skills, which are valuable in a wide range of careers. Political science graduates often pursue roles in government, public administration, policy analysis, international organizations, journalism, or continue their education in law or graduate school.

What types of entry-level roles are commonly available to political science graduates, and how can I determine which path best suits my interests?

Political science graduates often find entry-level opportunities in government agencies, non-profit organizations, public policy research, political campaigns, and consulting firms. To determine which path aligns with your interests, consider the aspects of your studies you enjoyed most—such as policy analysis, research, or community engagement—and seek internships or informational interviews in those areas. Many graduates start as research assistants, legislative aides, or policy analysts, gaining valuable experience and networking opportunities that can lead to more specialized roles. Exploring a variety of roles early on can help you identify the work environment and responsibilities that suit you best.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a political science graduate, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Political Science Graduate, you need strong analytical thinking, research abilities, and a solid understanding of political systems, often backed by a bachelor's degree in political science or related fields. Familiarity with data analysis tools, statistical software (such as SPSS or Stata), and policy research platforms is commonly expected. Outstanding written and verbal communication, critical thinking, and adaptability are essential soft skills for engaging with complex issues and diverse audiences. These skills and qualifications are crucial for effectively analyzing policies, communicating findings, and contributing to informed decision-making in governmental, nonprofit, or private sector roles.

What is the difference between Political Science Graduate vs Policy Analyst?

AspectPolitical Science GraduatePolicy Analyst
Required CredentialsBachelor's degree in Political Science or related fieldBachelor's or master's degree in Political Science, Public Policy, or related field
Work EnvironmentGovernment agencies, NGOs, research institutions, think tanksGovernment departments, think tanks, consulting firms, advocacy groups
Employer & Industry UsageUsed across public sector, non-profits, research organizationsPrimarily in policy development, analysis, and advocacy roles
Common Search & ComparisonYesYes

While a Political Science Graduate typically holds a bachelor's degree and works in various public sector or research settings, a Policy Analyst often has additional training or experience in policy analysis and works specifically on developing and evaluating policies. Both roles share similar educational backgrounds and work environments, but Policy Analysts usually focus more on policy formulation and impact assessment.

What can I do with a master's degree in political science?

A political science graduate with a master's degree can pursue careers in government, policy analysis, public administration, or international relations. These roles often require strong research, analytical, and communication skills, and may involve working in offices, think tanks, or NGOs.

What job is best for political science graduates?

Political science graduates often pursue careers as policy analysts, government relations specialists, legislative assistants, or public affairs managers. These roles typically require strong research, communication, and analytical skills, and may involve working in government agencies, non-profit organizations, or political consulting firms.

What kind of career can I get with a political science graduate?

A political science graduate can pursue careers in government, public policy, political analysis, lobbying, international relations, or non-profit organizations. These roles often require strong research, communication, and analytical skills, and may involve working with data, policy development, or advocacy efforts.

What are popular job titles related to Political Science Graduate jobs in Reston, VA?

For Political Science Graduate jobs in Reston, VA, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Political Science Graduate jobs in Reston, VA look for?

The top searched job categories for Political Science Graduate jobs in Reston, VA are:

What cities near Reston, VA are hiring for Political Science Graduate jobs?

Cities near Reston, VA with the most Political Science Graduate job openings:

Infographic showing various Political Science Graduate job openings in Reston, VA as of September 2026, with employment types broken down into 42% Full Time, and 58% Part Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $50,344 per year, or $24.2 per hour.

Supervisory Interdisciplinary (Social Science Analyst / Statisti with Security Clearance

Alexandria, VA • On-site

Department of Defense
Public Administration • 10K+ employees

Other

Posted 3 days ago

New


U.S. Department Of Defense rating

7.9

Company rating: 7.9 out of 10

Based on 540 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz


Job description

Duties As a Social Science Analyst (0101), Statistician (1530), or Psychologist (0180), at the GS-14 some of your typical work assignments may include: * Oversees and serves as an authoritative subject matter expert on a highly complex portfolio of research and analysis regarding military personnel policies (e.g., readiness, organizational climate, sexual assault, retention) to support the Department of War (DoW). * Apply and supervise staff application of advanced social science analytic techniques across studies, translating highly technical reports into actionable, strategically sound information to inform decision making for General Officers and SES officials. * Formulate long-term division goals, objectives, and budget plans while providing oversight of the division's multi-million dollar contracting portfolios and functioning as a Technical Point of Contact (TPOC) in coordination with the Contracting Officer's Representative (COR). * Supervises a team of senior professional staff (GS-13 base), using project management skills to engage in workload prioritization, staff development, tracking milestones, and evaluating performance. * Expert knowledge and experience in survey design and writing specifications, documentation, technical reports, methodology reports, and research reports for DoW leadership and military audiences. Requirements Conditions of employment * Must be a U.S. Citizen * Occasional Travel * Work Schedule: Full-time * Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective Service * Suitable for Federal employment, determined by a background investigation * May be required to successfully complete a probationary period * Overtime: Occasionally * Tour of Duty: Flexible * Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized * Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA): Exempt * Financial Disclosure: Required * Telework Eligibility: This position is telework eligible Qualifications You may qualify at the GS -14 , if you fulfill the following qualifications: A. One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-13 grade level in the Federal service as listed below: * Expert knowledge of designing, collecting, and overseeing multiple complex large-scale probability-based sample surveys. * Expertise in military personnel topics (e.g., readiness, organizational climate, sexual assault, retention, military spouse employment) is preferred. * Expert experience in applying and presenting (orally and in writing) social science methodologies, theories, and analytic techniques (such as statistics, psychology, and social sciences) to synthesize complex analytical findings for senior leadership. This position requires graduate-level statistical training, including 9 semester hours in statistics at the graduate level. * Expert knowledge of advanced social/statistical methods, techniques, and practices; and expert knowledge of analytic techniques (descriptive, inferential, univariate, regression, and other multivariate) commonly used in behavioral science research to analyze data from large-scale, probability-based sample surveys to determine attitudes and opinions. * Proficiency in budget formulation, execution, and contract management, including tracking multi-million-dollar portfolios, justifying budget requirements, and serving as a Technical Point of Contact (TPOC) supporting the Contracting Officer's Representative (COR). COR training is preferred. In addition to meeting qualifications, your application package must reflect the applicable experience to meet the Individual Occupational Requirements for the 0101/0180/1530, series as listed below: B. If you are applying for the Social Science 0101 series, you must have the following. * 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. C. If you are applying for the Psychology 0180 series, you must have the following: * Degree: major or equivalent in psychology for all specializations except clinical psychology and counseling psychology. D. If you are applying for the Statistics 1530 series , you must have the following: * Degree: that included 15 semester hours in statistics (or in mathematics and statistics, provided at least 6 semester hours were in statistics), and 9 additional semester hours in one or more of the following: physical or biological sciences, medicine, education, or engineering; or in the social sciences including demography, history, economics, social welfare, geography, international relations, social or cultural anthropology, health sociology, political science, public administration, psychology, etc. Credit toward meeting statistical course requirements should be given for courses in which 50 percent of the course content appears to be statistical methods, e.g., courses that included studies in research methods in psychology or economics such as tests and measurements or business cycles, or courses in methods of processing mass statistical data such as tabulating methods or electronic data processing. * OR * Combination of education and experience -- courses as shown in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education. The experience should have included a full range of professional statistical work such as (a) sampling, (b) collecting, computing, and analyzing statistical data, and (c) applying statistical techniques such as measurement of central tendency, dispersion, skewness, sampling error, simple and multiple correlation, analysis of variance, and tests of significance. 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. Education Substitution of education may not be used in lieu of specialized experience for this grade level. 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: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show that the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. For further information, visit: Additional 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: All applicants must meet qualifications and eligibility criteria by the closing date of the announcement. Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered or exempt from Selective Service (see )

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