Science Researcher Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Summary
This is an interdisciplinary position, which means that the duties and responsibilities of the position relate to both the Research Psychologist and Social Science Researcher. Because of the interdisciplinary nature of this position, a person with the education and experience in either the 0180 or the 0101 field may be considered equally well qualified to do the work.
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Duties
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You will serve as a research psychologist/social science researcher in a division within the Office of Behavioral Safety Research. The Office has national responsibility for conducting behavioral research on road user factors to prevent crashes and strategies to reduce traffic-related deaths and injuries. You will manage applied research and evaluation of highway safety demonstration projects and explore the effectiveness of approaches to modify road user behavior to improve traffic safety.
The duties of the Research Psychologist/Social Science Researcher include:

• Formulating and Executing Research Plans: Participating with the Division Chief and staff to formulate and execute strategic, basic, and applied research and evaluation plans, which includes conceiving, planning, and defining the boundaries, phases, and scientific components of designated projects.
• Preparing Budgets and Briefings: Assisting the Division Chief in preparing and justifying multi-year plans and program budgets, as well as developing and preparing program briefings for both internal and external audiences.
• Evaluating Proposals: Participating in pre-award contract activities by serving on proposal evaluation committees to evaluate technical proposals, preparing comparative cost analyses and evaluation summaries, and critically reviewing whether the technical approach and cost can meet project objectives.
• Reviewing Contractor Reports: Critically reviewing and evaluating contractor's progress, interim, and final reports to assess the thoroughness of the scientific methods used, the appropriateness of the research design and statistical analyses, and the relevance of the conclusions.
• Conducting In-House Research: Planning and conducting in-house research projects when time constraints preclude using contract researchers, which typically involve tasks such as limited data collection, data analysis, and reviewing or surveying existing literature.

The ideal candidate should have strong academic credentials and experience as a research psychologist/social science researcher with solid experience in planning, designing, conducting and managing research or evaluation studies involving experimental psychology, social or human factors countermeasures or intervention programs. The candidate should also have strong experience in collecting, analyzing and/or synthesizing data from a variety of data sources and have experience using quantitative and qualitative analysis techniques in applied research or an evaluation project outside of an educational environment. An understanding of highway safety and/or public health issues, such as occupant protection, distracted or drowsy driving, alcohol- or drug-impaired driving, motorcyclist safety, pedestrian, bicyclist, or pupil transportation safety, speeding, and/or older and/or younger drivers, and experience working with Federal agencies, State and local governments, National organizations, research firms, public health officials, community groups and grassroots organizations would be helpful. The candidate should have strong organizational, analytical, interpersonal, and communications skills.
Requirements
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Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen and eligible for consideration.
• You must meet specialized experience to qualify.
• Required documents must be submitted by the closing date.
• Submit application and resume online by 11:59 PM EST on the closing date.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:
As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you may be required to serve a 1-year probationary 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 the 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, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

• SELECTIVE SERVICE: Males born after 12/31/1959 must be registered for the Selective Service.
• GOVERNMENT TRAVEL CARD: This position involves travel. A government contractor-issued travel card will be issued and must be retained for official business only.
• BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION: A background security investigation is required for all selected individuals. Appointment will be subject to the applicant's successful completion of the security investigation and favorable adjudication. Failure to meet these requirements will be grounds for termination.
• PROBATIONARY PERIOD: You must complete a one-year probationary period (unless already completed).
• TIME-IN-GRADE: Federal applicants must have served 52 weeks at the next lower grade in the competitive or excepted service in the executive branch to satisfy time-in-grade restrictions contained in 5 CFR 300, Subpart F.
• DEU REQUIREMENTS: Applicants selected under delegated examining procedures may be required to successfully complete a one-year probationary period (unless already completed).

NOTE: Multiple offices will be making selections based off availability of positions. This means you may be contacted by several different hiring managers for an interview.
Qualifications
To meet the minimum qualifications for this position, you must (1) meet the Education Requirement for the series, (2) provide a copy of transcripts for verification, AND (3) meet either the education or specialized experience requirements for the grade at which you are requesting consideration.
To qualify for the GS-11 on Experience, you must have at least one year of experience equal or equivalent to the GS-09 it must include:

• Experience with quantitative analysis techniques including evaluative research methods, sampling statistics, and/or economic analyses to apply these techniques.
• Experience conducting research and evaluation in experimental psychology or other social science, injury prevention, or traffic safety.
• Experience using one or more computer software packages that create spreadsheets, work with databases and perform statistical analyses.

To qualify for the GS-11 on Education alone, you must have:
2 years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a master's degree or have been awarded a master's or equivalent graduate degree. You can also qualify based on a combination of graduate education and experience. This must be fully supported by your resume and transcripts, provided with your application.
To qualify for the GS-12 on Experience, you must have at least one year of experience equal or equivalent to the GS-11 it must include:

• Experience independently coordinating, troubleshooting, and executing applied research or program evaluation studies within behavioral traffic safety, public health, injury prevention, or related social science fields.
• Experience navigating operational or institutional constraints, such as monitoring project resources, timelines, or contributing to technical requirements, to evaluate research plans or interventions.
• Experience preparing articles, program briefings, and other products to disseminate research and evaluation findings.

To qualify for the GS-12 on Education alone, you must have:
3 years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree or Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree.
You can also qualify based on a combination of higher level graduate education and experience. This must be fully supported by your resume and transcripts, provided with your application.
To qualify for the GS-13 on Experience, you must have at least one year of experience equal or equivalent to the GS-12 it must include:

• Experience in planning, designing, and managing research and evaluation studies in traffic safety or public health areas.

You cannot qualify on education at the GS-13 level; you must have experience.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES (KSAs): Your qualifications will be evaluated on the basis of your level of knowledge, skills, abilities and/or competencies in the following areas:

• Theory and Principles of Behavioral/Social Science: Demonstrated work experience in planning, designing, conducting and managing research or evaluation studies.
• Planning, Designing, and Managing Research: Knowledge and/or training in the theory and principles of behavior science, social science, experimental psychology (e.g., cognitive, developmental, social), human factors, injury control, and/or public health.
• Data Analysis and Statistics: Knowledge, experience, and/or training in data analysis, statistics or epidemiology, and computerized statistical analysis.
• Communication Skills: Demonstrated communication skills including experience in making presentations; critically analyzing reports and options; and writing reports, articles and summaries.

For all types of consideration, 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
For additional information about applying to Federal positions, please click on the following link: https://www.opm.gov/frequently-asked-questions/employment-faq/federal-hiring/how-do-i-apply-for-federal-jobs/
Students enrolled in a qualifying degree program can apply if the anticipated graduation date is within six months of closing date of the announcement. Graduation transcript must be received before start date.
Other applicants must meet all qualification requirements by the closing date of this announcement.
Education
PLEASE NOTE: All applicants must meet the education and experience requirements of at least one of the series AND the specialized experience of this vacancy in order to qualify.
In addition to the specialized experience requirements, applicants must fully meet the basic qualifications criteria of at least one of the following series.
To qualify for the 0180 (Research Psychologist) series, you must meet at least one of the following criteria:
Degree: Major or equivalent in psychology for all specializations except clinical psychology and counseling psychology. These two specializations have additional educational requirements, as stated below:

• Clinical psychology: For positions at grades GS-11 and above, satisfactory completion of all the requirements for the doctoral degree (Ph.D. or equivalent) directly related to full professional work in clinical psychology is required.
• Counseling psychology: For positions at grades GS-9 and above, satisfactory completion of 2 full academic years of graduate study directly related to professional work in counseling psychology, or satisfactory completion in an accredited educational institution of all the requirements for a master's degree directly related to counseling psychology is required.

To qualify for the 0101 (Social Science Researcher) series, you must meet at least one of the following criteria:

• 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.

TRANSCRIPTS are REQUIRED as there is a stated education requirement for the series. The transcripts need not be official, but must show that you meet the stated education requirements, including specific major or class requirements.
All applicants must meet the education and experience requirements of at least one of the series AND the specialized experience of this vacancy in order to qualify.
Additional information
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 f