Social Science Research Specialist

To be considered qualified for this position you must meet the following qualification requirements for the respective grade level in which you are applying. Applicants must demonstrate that they meet the Basic Requirements AND Minimum Qualification requirements as listed below: BASIC REQUIREMENTS: Degree: behavioral or social science; or related disciplines appropriate to the position. (Transcripts required) 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. (Transcripts required) 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. IN ADDITION TO MEETING THE BASIC REQUIREMENTS ABOVE, YOU MUST ALSO MEET THE FOLLOWING MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: GS-09: You qualify for the GS-09 level (starting salary $68,405) if you possess one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-07 level performing duties such as: performing routine tasks, assignments and research that develops an understanding for the prevention of targeted violence, threat assessment, terrorism, criminal behavior, and intelligence; and performing research, fact-finding, analysis, and evaluation of raw data NOTE: The contents of your resume MUST support your claim of specialized experience. OR Have successfully completed a Master’s or equivalent graduate degree; or two (2) full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree; or LL.B. or J.D., if related at an accredited college or university; OR Have a combination of specialized experience (less than one year) and graduate education (less than two years) that when combined equals 100% of the qualification requirement. NOTE: Only graduate education in excess of one year (generally 18 semester hours) may be used in this calculation. GS-11: You qualify for the GS-11 level (starting salary $82,764) if you possess one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-9 level performing duties such as: conducting focused searches of internal and open-source information systems to identify pertinent data from various sources on targeted violence, threat assessment and related concepts; applying standardized research principles, concepts and methods to execute research tasks under the direction of senior staff; identifying study samples, collecting and analyzing data and other information; documenting the research process, findings and implications; and drafting sections of reports, and briefing materials. NOTE: The contents of your resume MUST support your claim of specialized experience. OR Have successfully completed a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree, or three full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree, or LL.M. if related, from an accredited college or university that provided the knowledge, skills and abilities necessary to perform this work; OR Have a combination of specialized experience (less than one year) and graduate education (beyond 2 years of graduate education), that when combined equals 100% of the qualification requirement. Note: Only graduate education i excess of two years (generally 36 semester hours) may be used in this calculation. The qualification requirements listed above must be met by the closing date of this announcement. 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. The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) must authorize employment offers made to current or former political appointees. If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES or Presidential Appointee employee in the Executive Branch, you must disclose this information to the Human Resources Office.
Joining the National Threat Assessment Center Division, United States Secret Service will allow you to apply a wide range of behavioral and social science research principles, concepts, and methods which are related to the prevention of targeted violence, threat assessment, terrorism, criminal behavior and protective intelligence. This is a Direct Hire Authority solicitation, Veterans preference does not apply. For definitions of terms found in this announcement, please click here.