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.
Duties
- 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
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.
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.