Volunteer Social Science Research Assistant Jobs

Fort George G. Meade Complex, MD
Pay Plan: GG , Grade: 11/1 to 14/10
Open: 2026-08-05, Close: 2026-09-05

Job Posting: 1261076

As an Applied Social Scientist, you will work with other industrial/organizational (I/O) psychologists, strategic consultants, data scientists, and human capital professionals to oversee and develop initiatives focusing on talent acquisition, development, and retention. Applied Social Scientists use social science research methods to explore and address issues around organizational and program effectiveness. They develop solutions and provide data-informed recommendations to enhance the way NSA does business. Applied Social Scientists work across the NSA performing one or more of the following functions: pre-employment assessment and selection, development assessment, statistical and qualitative analysis of work, program evaluation, surveys and organizational effectiveness consultation.

• Occupational Analysis
• Personnel Assessment and Selection
• Program Design and Evaluation

• Collaborate with team members across the organization and develop strategic partnerships throughout the Agency to help achieve organizational goals.
• Contribute to the conceptualization, design, analysis, and presentation of applied research (applying appropriate quantitative and qualitative research techniques, data collection strategies, data analysis methods) to inform technical and leadership decisions.
• Keep abreast of industry and academic best practices, as well as new research in I/O, talent management, learning, and development and related fields.
• Provide organizational leadership with research-based recommendations, and input on organizational strategy.
• Synthesize complex findings and detailed research into executive summaries and presentations intended for managerial decisions and/or publication.
• Create dynamic, user-friendly visualizations of data.
• Provide high quality customer service to clients through superior technical work, consultative skills, and communication.
• Lead Human Capital projects through effective project management, external contract support or oversight, milestone tracking and deliverable validation.
• Leverage relevant tools such as MS Excel, MS Word, MS PowerPoint, statistical software (e.g., R), and data visualization software (e.g., Tableau).
• Present findings to technical and non-technical audiences.
• Perform workforce analyses that describe current states, predict future trends, and/or inform business decisions.

NSA has numerous excellent opportunities for Applied Social Scientists. NSA's Applied Social Scientists oversee and develop initiatives focusing on talent acquisition, development and retention. They also use social science research methods to explore and address issues around organizational and program effectiveness, develop solutions, and provide data informed recommendations to enhance the way NSA does business.

The qualifications listed are the minimum acceptable to be considered for the position. Degree must be in Organizational Development, I-O Psychology, Cognitive Psychology, Social Psychology, Educational Psychology, Applied Psychology, Sociology, Economics, or a related degree.

• Industrial and Organizational Psychology
• Applied Psychology
• Cognitive Psychology
• Social Psychology
• Educational Measurement
• Educational Psychology

Relevant experience must include one year of performing social science research and analysis in an experimental or applied setting. Relevant experience may also include application of social science research for example, development and validation of assessment or selection tools; development and administration of surveys; providing consultation on organizational effectiveness; conducting occupational analysis; designing or evaluating programs; reporting and interpreting data; coaching, consulting, training, or managing in organizational and workforce development; organizational behavior; human resources; designing workforce development solutions; or human factors engineering.

FULL PERFORMANCE: Entry is with a Master's degree plus 1 year of experience, or a Doctoral degree and no experience.

SENIOR: Entry is with a Master's degree plus 4 years of relevant experience, or a Doctoral degree plus 2 years of relevant experience.

These positions require a balance of research, consulting, and thought leadership in supporting NSA's talent management strategy. The ideal candidate will possess experience in personnel selection and assessment, job analysis, organizational effectiveness, or training/program evaluation. In addition, the ideal candidate will demonstrate exceptional skills in the areas of consulting, problem solving, data analysis, report writing, and client/project management skills. Attention to detail, self-motivation, flexibility, and resilience are critical and data visualization skills are a plus.

• Lead and conduct projects developing, validating, revising, and implementing pre-employment assessments (e.g., CAT assessments, structured interviews, cognitive and non-cognitive assessments, and knowledge tests, work samples, and simulations).
• Contribute to the design and execution of job analysis studies.
• Conduct EEO analyses for selection decisions involving the use of assessments in accordance with legal guidelines and professional standards.
• Manage data sets and perform statistical analyses (e.g., descriptive statistics, correlation, regression, IRT, Classical Test Theory, latent variable modeling, scaling, equating).
• Write detailed technical reports supporting the use and interpretation of pre-employment test scores.
• Develop innovative assessment implementation strategies to meet the needs of hiring partners.

• Lead the design and execution of large- and small-scale job analysis studies.
• Develop and maintain libraries of task, knowledge, and skill statements.
• Develop and maintain libraries of competencies and associated behavioral indicators.
• Lead the design and execution of competency modeling, assessment, and gap analysis efforts that inform employee development efforts and strategic workforce planning.
• Manage data sets and perform statistical analyses (e.g., descriptive statistics, correlation, interrater reliability, latent variable modeling, cluster analysis).
• Write detailed technical reports describing the methods and results from the job analysis or competency modeling processes.
• Develop innovative solutions to disseminate job analysis and competency results to stakeholders.

• Create processes for evaluating effectiveness of existing programs/training courses and standards for development of new programs or identify evidence-based opportunities for improvement.
• Research and identify best practices to inform program/training course improvement.
• Conduct workshops with stakeholders to design and develop specific measures of success aligned with program/training course purpose and goal.
• Collect program/training course-related data from surveys, interviews, and focus groups and analyze multi-source and longitudinal program-related data.
• Identify key themes/trends, deliver reports/briefs, consult with stakeholders, and support action planning to drive strategic, data-informed decisions about the Agency's recruitment, retention, and development programs/training courses.

Pay: Salary offers are based on candidates' education level and years of experience relevant to the position and also take into account information provided by the hiring manager/organization regarding the work level for the position.

Salary Range: $85,447 - $187,093 (Full Performance, Senior)

Salary range varies by location, work level, and relevant experience to the position.

• Training will be provided based on the selectee's needs and experience.

NSA offers a comprehensive benefits package.

This is a full-time position, Monday - Friday, with basic 8hr/day work requirement between 6:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. (flexible).

If selected for this position, you will be required to serve a two-year DCIPS trial period, unless you are a veterans' preference-eligible employee, in which case you are required to serve a one-year trial period. This trial period runs concurrently with your commitment to the position, if applicable. Before finalizing your appointment at the conclusion of your trial period, NSA will determine whether your continued employment advances the public interest. This decision will be based on factors such as your performance and conduct; the Agency's needs and interests; whether your continued employment would advance the Agency's organizational goals; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Upon completion of your trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest. If you do not receive certification for continued employment, you should receive written notice prior to the end of your trial period that your employment will be terminated and the effective date of such termination.

U.S. Citizenship is required for all applicants. NSA is an equal opportunity employer and abides by applicable employment laws and regulations. All applicants and employees are subject to random drug testing in accordance with Executive Order 12564. Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a security background investigation and polygraph. NSA is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified applicants with disabilities during the application and hiring process.

• Veterans' Preference: In accordance with the procedures provided in DoD Instruction 1400.25, Volume 2005, "DoD Civilian Personnel Management System: Defense Civilian Intelligence Personnel System Employment and Placement," NSA applies veterans' preference, as defined by Section 2108 of Title 5, U.S.C., to eligible candidates. If you are claiming veterans' preference, you are required to provide acceptable documentation of your preference eligibility upon application.
• Acceptable documentation includes: DD-214: "Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty", which shows dates of service and discharge under honorable conditions (Copy 4); OR- Certification of Service: A written document on letterhead from the appropriate branch of the armed forces that certifies the service member is expected to be discharged or released from active duty service in the armed forces under honorable conditions not later than 120 days after the date the certification is signed. The certification should include the military service dates, including the expected discharge or release date;
• Standard Form 15 (SF-15) Application for 10-point Veteran Preference (http://www.opm.gov/forms/pdf_fill/sf15.pdf).
• If you are claiming a service-connected disability of 30 percent or more, the documentation you provide must specifically demonstrate this level of disability;
• VA Letter of Disability (for 10pt and Sole Survivorship rating). You may obtain a letter from the Department of Veterans Affairs reflecting your level of disability for preference eligibility by visiting a VA Regional Office, contacting a VA call center, or online (https://www.ebenefits.va.gov/).