Interdisciplinary - Research Psychologist / Social Science Researcher (Open to both U.S. Citizens and Federal Employees)

Clarification from the agency

Open to current and former Federal employees with competitive status, VEOA Applicants, AND All U.S. Citizens.

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.

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.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE: PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE WILL NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. If your resume/ application does not support your questionnaire answers, we will not allow credit for your response(s). Your resume must contain sufficiently detailed information upon which to make a qualification determination. Please ensure that your resume contains specific information such as position titles, beginning and ending dates of employment for each position, average number of hours worked per week, and if the position is/was in the Federal government, you should provide the position series and grade level. 

All applicants:  Your application will be reviewed in two phases to determine how you move forward in the hiring process.  Phase I: Your resume will be reviewed to determine your technical qualifications for this position based on the required specialized experience. ONLY two (2) pages of your resume will be reviewed. Additional information beyond your resume (e.g., cover letter, links embedded in your resume) will not be reviewed.  Applicants passing “Phase I” will move on to the “Phase II” of the assessment process where your application will be reviewed and rated based on the KSAs/Competencies listed in the vacancy announcement by a Subject Matter Expert (SME).

RESUME: In accordance with the OPM memorandum titled Merit Hiring Plan, dated May 29, 2025, resumes with a maximum of two (2) pages in length will be accepted as part of your application.  These should be legible and in a readable font size. A determination of your eligibility and/or qualifications will be based only on those two (2) pages. 

Your resume MUST contain specific information that can be used to make a qualification determination, including employment beginning and ending dates for each position, whether employment is Full-time or Part-time, or average number of hours worked per week,  and position titles.  If the position is/was in the Federal government, you will need to provide the position series and grade level.  The resume should show relevant experience and education, as well as support the required specialized experience.

PERFORMANCE APPRAISALS/INCENTIVE AWARDS: If applicable, performance appraisals and/or Incentive award documentation may be submitted and forwarded to the selecting official in consideration of your application. To receive credit, submit a recent performance appraisal (dated within 18 months) showing the official rating of record, signed by a supervisor, or statement why the performance appraisal is unavailable (do not submit a performance plan) and/or incentive award documentation dated within the last 18 months (i.e. performance awards, special act or achievement awards, quality step increases, etc.).

VETERANS: Your last DD214 (member 4 copy), Certificate of Release or Discharge From Active Duty, that shows the type of discharge and all dates of active duty is required to verify your eligibility.  

• If applying to a vacancy opened to all US Citizens under category rating and wish to be considered as a preference eligible, you need to submit a copy of your DD214 (member-4 copy).
• If claiming preference eligibility as a disabled veteran, you must submit proof of entitlement of this preference which is normally a valid letter from the Department of Veterans Affairs certifying to the present existence of the service-connected disability and indicating the percentage of your disability.  An SF-15 is desired, but not required.
• If applying to a vacancy opened Status and you are requesting consideration under Veteran's Employment Opportunity Act (VEOA) (https://www.fedshirevets.gov/job/shav/#veoa), you need to provide a copy of your last DD214 (member-4 copy), which verifies your military service dates, reason for separation, OR certification of separation that shows a discharge date within 120 days of the closing of this announcement, and eligibility for consideration under the Veterans Employment Opportunity Act.

FEDERAL APPLICANTS: You must submit SF-50(s) that verify your highest competitive grade, full performance level, and eligibility as a federal applicant.  DO NOT submit an award SF-50 as these often do not verify grade or eligibility. For consideration for a promotion, Box 4 of the SF-50 must show a date that is at least 52 weeks prior to the job announcement closing. We recommend submitting your last promotion SF-50 or within-grade increase SF-50.  Pay adjustment raise SF-50s for the current year will not support the 52 weeks’ time-in-grade requirements. https://help.usajobs.gov/working-in-government/service/sf-50

NON COMPETITIVE APPLICANTS: If requesting concurrent consideration for Non-competitive (NC) appointment eligibility, you must provide the appropriate SPECIAL APPOINTING AUTHORITY DOCUMENTS, such as PCS orders (military spouse) describing move & marriage certificate; letter from VA or DD214 describing 100% disability of spouse; letter from State Vocational Office certifying disability (schedule A), etc. For more information, visit military spouse NC appointments or Persons with Disabilities NC appointments.

DISPLACED EMPLOYEES: If requesting consideration under the Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) or Interagency CTAP program (ICTAP), you must meet the well qualified standards for this vacancy (meeting minimum requirements for position and scoring at least an 80) and provide all of the following documents:  

• your most recent performance appraisal,
• the proof of eligibility letter from the Agency, and
• your most current SF-50, displaying current series and grade.

Displaced employees may be eligible for ICTAP or CTAP priority consideration. For more information, please review the OPM Employee's Guide to Career Transition.

Failure to submit any of the required documents by the closing date of the vacancy will result in your removal from consideration for this position. Please review your application prior to final submission and ensure you have submitted all appropriate documents. Uploading documents to USAJobs does NOT ensure inclusion with your application to our system.  You must verify that the documents are in the system with your application prior to final submission.

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