Duties
The Learning Scientist designs, researches, and refines evidence-based training approaches, ensuring defense acquisition professionals benefit from state-of-the-art learning experiences that enhance national defense capabilities and readiness. Guides the integration of cognitive science and educational technology to optimize DAU curriculum.
Duties include but are not limited to the following:
1. Design and Development: Develop and curate evidence-based learning solutions tailored for the Defense Acquisition Workforce. Apply evidence-based principles to create engaging and interactive learning experiences using various formats (e.g., e-learning modules, simulations, gamification, virtual reality).
2. Research and Innovation: Conduct research on learning methodologies, educational technologies, and best practices. Stay updated with advancements in learning science and adult education. Creating and publishing reviews, case studies, and other authoritative publications about the research or findings at DAU. Conducting real-life and lab-based observations on individual learning concepts or systems to provide insight into how to improve learning transfer via our training methods.
3. Collaboration and Implementation: Collaborate with learning asset managers, instructional designers, subject matter experts, and stakeholders to design and implement learning strategies. Work with Production and Standards Teams to review and enhance existing learning assets.
4. Analysis and Optimization: Analyze learning outcomes and performance data to inform improvements. Use user feedback to iteratively enhance and optimize learning solutions.
5. Mentorship: Mentor learning professionals and foster a culture of continuous learning and development. Promote knowledge-sharing and professional growth within the team.
6. Performs other duties as assigned.
Faculty Duties:
- Creates and/or delivers learning assets and content as needed, and coordinates with partner divisions that manage related curriculum, or that control DAU processes and tools.
- Stays abreast of changes and trends in primary functional area, continuously researching, gaining and sharing knowledge in federal communities of practice.
- Pursues and maintains digital and data analysis fluency that align with DAU and primary functional area best practices in public and private industry.
- Maintains currency in, and actively uses university technology, digital and social media platforms.
- Focus on the needs of the customer in a modern learning and business environment that is subject to continual change with respect to platforms, networks and delivery.
- Serves as a thinking partner with stakeholders and customers, continuously improving product and service delivery to provide the right knowledge and service the point of need through synchronous and asynchronous methods.
- Builds relationships and collaborates with peers and program management leaders from all organizations within the area of responsibility.
- Elicits feedback to shape the policies, processes and procedures that produce a frictionless experience for the customers and stakeholders.
Requirements
Conditions of Employment
- U.S. Citizenship is required
- Males must be registered for Selective Service, see Legal and Regulatory Guidance, please go to http://www.sss.gov for more information
- Incumbent may be required to obtain and maintain an appropriate security clearance
- You may be required to serve a two (2) year probationary period.
- The incumbent of this position may be required to work overtime, irregular shifts, and/or on the weekend.
- Work may require travel away from the normal duty station on commercial aircraft.
Qualifications
Please reference the Education section of this announcement to review the DAU Faculty Pay Band Minimum Education and Specialized Experience Requirements
To qualify for this position at a respective band/grade level, you must demonstrate in your resume/application that you possess the required years of specialized experience equivalent to one band/grade-level lower (or equivalent) to include having specialized experience directly relating to the specific duties of the position, and demonstrate that you have the required knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully with the experience that demonstrated a practical knowledge in
- Application of cognitive science principles to create, refine, and deliver adult education or professional training; overseeing or aiding the selection and rollout of learning management systems or platforms; performing job/task analysis or other cognitive assessment needs; crafting or supporting the development of learning evaluation tools and participating in program or product evaluation initiatives.
- Utilizing instructional design theories, best practices, and models; determining appropriate media or tools for various learning settings; leveraging contemporary educational technologies and platforms to enhance learning experiences; evaluating the effectiveness and efficiency of learning programs, materials, and products.
- Spearheading the project management lifecycle for the creation of educational materials or courses, from initial planning through to deployment and assessment.
If applicable, in addition to the above qualifications, the following as been determined to be a Quality Ranking Factor. Applicants who possess QRFs are considered to be Well-Qualified.
- Direct experience in developing and refining evidence-based learning solutions, utilizing data-driven methodologies, and interactive learning tools. Familiarity with modern e-learning platforms, analytics tools, or other relevant software designed to optimize adult learning experiences.
PART-TIME OR UNPAID EXPERIENCE: Credit will be given for appropriate unpaid and or part-time work. You must clearly identify the duties and responsibilities in each position held and the total number of hours per week.
VOLUNTEER WORK EXPERIENCE: Refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service Programs (i.e., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community; student and social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge and skills that can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.
Education
DAU Faculty Pay Band Minimum Education and Specialized Experience Requirements:
- DAU Pay Band A (AD-11) (Equivalent to a GS-09 through GS-13 General Schedule grade equivalency): Minimum Education and Specialized Experience:
- Basic requirements for Band A include a minimum of a Bachelor level degree and up to four years of experience in the appropriate functional area.
- DAU Pay Band B (AD-12) (Equivalent to a GS-14 General Schedule grade equivalency): Minimum Education and Specialized Experience:
- Basic requirements for Band B include a minimum of a Bachelor level degree in an appropriate discipline and a minimum of six years of experience in the appropriate functional area. Advanced degrees are highly desired in Band B.
- DAU Pay Band C (AD-13) (Equivalent to a GS-15 General Schedule grade equivalency): Minimum Education and Specialized Experience:
- Basic requirements for Band C include a minimum of a Bachelor level degree in an appropriate discipline and a minimum of eight years of experience in the appropriate functional area. Advanced degrees are highly desired in Band C.
Please note: Technical certifications and/or experience may be approved by the DAU Chief of Staff (delegated from the DAU President) to meet the needs of the University.
ARE YOU USING YOUR EDUCATION TO QUALIFY? If the position you are applying for has a positive degree requirement or education forms the basis for qualifications, you
MUST submit transcripts with your application. Official transcripts are not required at the time of application; however, if position has a positive degree requirement, qualifying based on education alone or in combination with experience; transcripts must be verified prior to appointment. An accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education must accredit education. Click
here to check accreditation.
FOREIGN EDUCATION: Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the requirements. You must show proof the education credentials have been deemed to be at least equivalent to that gained in conventional U.S. education program. It is your responsibility to provide such evidence when applying.
Benefits
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Review our benefits
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
How You Will Be Evaluated
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
Traditional rating and ranking of applications does not apply to this vacancy. Your application (resume and supporting documentation) will be evaluated to determine if you meet the minimum qualifications required as listed on the announcement under qualification requirements. Errors or omissions may affect your consideration for employment.
Veterans' preference eligibility is treated as a positive factor when making a selection from external sources. It is applied when the organization makes a final selection from the candidates with substantially equal qualifications as described in the Best Meets Mission Requirements definition below. If you are a veteran claiming veterans' preference, as defined by section 2108 of Title 5 U.S.C., you must submit documents verifying your eligibility with your application package.
Best Meets Mission Requirements definition: Applicant has the knowledge, skills, abilities, and/or competencies to substantially exceed the minimum qualification requirements for the position. This equates to the best qualified assessment criteria established for the vacancy and based on overall demonstrated experience, education, training, appraisals/evaluations, job-related awards, certifications, honors and relevant outside activities.
Criminal History Inquiries- If you apply to this position and are selected, we will not ask about your criminal history before you receive a conditional job offer. If you believe you were asked about your criminal history improperly, contact the agency @ dfas.indianapolis-in.zh.mbx.ssc-cc@mail.mil
How to Apply
To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package and completed by 11:59 PM (ET) by the closing date of this announcement. See required documents below.
To begin the process, click the Apply Online button to create an account or log in to your existing USAJOBS account. Follow the prompts to complete the application questionnaire. Please ensure you click the Submit My Application button at the end of the process.
To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:
1. Your Resume (your latest resume will be used to determine your qualifications). If you submit more than one copy of your resume, only the most recent (latest) version will be reviewed. The latest timestamp will be used to determine which version of your resume is "most recent."
- It is your responsibility to check the status and timestamp of all documents you submit as part of your application.
- If your resume includes photographs (or links to social media), inappropriate material, inappropriate content, or personal information such as age, gender, religion, social security number, etc., you will not be considered for this vacancy.
- For qualification determinations your resume must contain hours worked per week (if part-time) and dates of employment (i.e., hours per week and month/year to month/year or month/year to present). If your resume does not contain this information, your application may be marked as insufficient and you will not receive consideration for this position.
2. A complete Application Questionnaire
3. Additional Required Documents (see Required Documents section). Ensure all submitted documents contain your full name.
PLEASE NOTE: It is the applicant's responsibility to verify that information entered and/or uploaded, (i.e., resume) is received, accurate, and submitted by the closing date. You may verify your documents have been processed with your application package successfully. You can access your USAJOBS account to do so by clicking
here. Uploaded documents may take up to one hour to clear the virus scan.
The DFAS Human Resources
WILL NOT modify or change any answers submitted by an applicant.
ACTIVE DUTY SERVICE MEMBERS: The Veterans Opportunity to Work (VOW) Act requires federal agencies to treat an eligible active duty service member as a veteran, disabled veteran, and preference eligible (as applicable) when applying for civil service positions before the effective release or discharge date. Appointment of military members before the release or discharge date is permissible if the member is on terminal leave. At the time the active duty member applies for a civil position, he or she must submit a "certification" memo in lieu of a DD-Form 214,
Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty. Active duty members applying for a civil service position without submitting a valid certification memo or DD-Form 214 with their application will render the member ineligible for the position. The certification memo must originate from the member's military service branch on official letterhead and contain the following:
- Name/Rank/Grade of Service Member
- Branch of Armed Forces
- Dates of Active Service (Start and End Date(s)
- Expected Date of Discharge/Release from Active Duty
- Terminal leave start date (if applicable)
- Expected character of service/discharge and type of separation (i.e. separation or retirement)
- Must be certified within 120 days of anticipated discharge
- Signature by, or by direction of the adjutant, personnel office, unit commander, or higher headquarters commander.
Note: The VOW Act provides tentative preference. If appointed, a DD Form-214 must be submitted upon receipt.
Note: It is the applicant's responsibility to verify that information and documents entered or uploaded are received, legible, and accurate.
Next steps
Once the online questionnaire is received you will receive an acknowledgement email that your submission was successful. Your application package will be used to determine your eligibility and qualifications for consideration. If you are determined to be ineligible or not qualified, your application will receive no further consideration. All eligible candidates will be forwarded to the DAU hiring official for consideration. DAU will have a panel review all referred applicants and will contact individuals for interviews, if applicable. You will be notified of the outcome after each of these steps has been completed. After making a tentative job offer, you will be requested to conduct a suitability/security background investigation.
You will no longer need to call the DFAS HR Customer Care Center to determine your application status. USAJOBS has added an alert setting to their system to drive status updates notification for applicants. You can elect to activate the proactive notification from your USAJOBS profile at any point during the application process to sign-up for automatic alerts when there are status changes for jobs to which you have applied. To check the status of your application or return to a previous or incomplete application, log into your USAJOBS account, select My Applications, and click on the more information link under the application status for this position. If you do not provide an email address, you are responsible for checking status updates and notifications in USAJOBS. Hard copy notifications will not be sent to you.