U.S. Secret Service Hiring for Personnel Research Psychologist at Washington, District Of Columbia Full Time

Summary Joining the Secret Service, Office of HR Research and Assessment Division will allow you to participate in research, development, implementation and maintenance of effective competency-based assessments for selection, promotion, career development, and organizational effectiveness to support the establishment and maintenance of a quality workforce.For more information on the Secret Service clickhere.For definitions of terms found in this announcement, please clickhere. Responsibilities The selectee will serve as Personnel Research Psychologist in the HR Research and Assessment Division. Typical work assignments include: Performing all phases of the research process, including problem definition, planning, execution, analysis, interpretation and reporting results; determining the proper interpretation and use of research findings and identifying implications to workforce initiatives; and utilizing knowledge of test theory, psychometric methodology, and statistics to research and analyze HR data related to hiring, retention, and workforce analysis. Developing special-purpose tests and related instruments for application to specific and general examining needs. Conducting studies to determine the predictive effectiveness of existing tests for specific occupations; and preparing comprehensive recommendations for improving/streamlining operations. Ensuring mandated laws, rules, and regulations are properly assessed for potential impact on projects, assessment initiative, and Human Resources management and development. Apply for this exciting opportunity to impact the Secret Service mission by strengthening its ability to recruit, develop, and retain a highly specialized and dedicated workforce to fulfill mission critical requirements. This Personnel Research Psychologist position starts at a salary of $87,198 (GS-12 step 1), with promotion potential to $159,286 (GS-14 step 10). Requirements Conditions of Employment U.S. citizenship is required. As required byExecutive Order 14043, Federal employees are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 regardless of the employee’s duty location or work arrangement (e.g., telework, remote work, etc.), subject to such exceptions as required by law.If selected,you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination by November 22, 2021 or before appointment or onboarding with the agency, if after November 22, 2021.We will provide additional information regarding which forms of documentation will be accepted to show proof of COVID-19 vaccination and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement. Due to COVID-19, U.S. Secret Service is currently in an expanded telework posture.If selected,you may be expected to temporarily telework, even if your home is located outside the local commuting area. Once employees are permitted to return to the office, you will be expected to report to the duty station listed on this announcement within 30 days. At that time, you may be eligible to request to continue to telework one or more days a pay period depending upon the terms of the agency’s telework policy. Conditions of Employment If selected for this position, you will be required to: Obtain and maintain a top secret Tier 5clearance.For more information visitOPM Mythbuster Page. Submit to a drug test prior to your appointment and random drug testing while you occupy the position. Males born prior to December 31, 1959 must certify that you have registered with the Selective Service System or are exempt from having to do so. NOTE: The person selected for this position may be subject to a one-year probationary period. Qualifications You must possess a bachelor’s (or higher level) degree with a major or equivalent in psychology. In addition to meeting the basic education requirement, you must also meet the following minimum qualification requirements. You qualify for the GS-12 (starting salary $87,198) level if you possess one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-11 level performing duties such as: identifying, analyzing and addressing complex issues in the field of human resources management and development; assisting team leads in conducting research, demonstrating knowledge of test theory, psychometric methodology and statistics; preparing, planning, and coordinating surveys that extract specific information as it relates to attitudes, job skills, knowledge, abilities and abilities; assist team leaders in developing special-purpose tests. You qualify for the GS-13 level (starting salary $103,690) if you possess one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-12 level performing duties such as: conducting research to address complex issues related to employment selection or promotion; developing and validating tests for selection or promotion; demonstrating and applying knowledge to test theory, psychometric methodology, statistics, logic and innovative research methods; writing technical reports documenting research findings; planning, and coordinating surveys; providing guidance and advice to senior level personnel research management and staff; and analyzing data using qualitative and quantitative statistical techniques. National Service Experience (i.e., volunteer experience) 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.Qualifications Must Be Met: The qualification requirements listed above must be met by the closing date of this announcement. If you meet the minimum qualifications, you will be placed in one of the following categories: 1. Best-Qualified: Applicants possessing experience that substantially exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position and demonstrate high proficiency in all of the critical competencies, including all Selective Placement Factors (SPF), and appropriate Quality Ranking Factors (QRF) as determined by the job analysis. 2. Well-Qualified: Applicants possessing experience that exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position and demonstrates acceptable proficiency in all of the critical competencies, including all SPF’s and appropriate QRFs as determined by the job analysis. 3. Qualified: Applicants possessing experience that meets the minimum qualifications of the position and demonstrate basic proficiency in most of the critical competencies, including all SPFs and appropriate QRFs as determined by the job analysis. If you are best qualified, you may be referred to the hiring manager for consideration and may be called for an interview. 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. Interview Requirement:Interviews may be required for this position. Failure to complete the interview may result in removal from further consideration. Veterans:Qualified veterans who have a compensable service-connected disability of at least 10% are listed in the best qualified category, except when the position being filled is scientific, professional at the GS-09 grade level, or higher. This position is considered to be scientific/professional.Other 10-point preference eligibles and veterans with 5-point preference who meet the eligibility and qualification requirements are placed above non-preference eligibles within the category in which they qualify. For information on veterans’ preference, please clickhere. Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP) Eligibles:If you have never worked for the Federal government, you are not ICTAP eligible. View information aboutICTAP eligibilityonOPM’s Career Transition Resources website. To be considered well qualified underICTAP, you must be placed in theWell-Qualified category for this position, as described above. In addition, you must submit the supporting documents listed under the required documents section of this announcement. 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. Education Degree:major or equivalent in psychology. Additional Information Building on a Tradition of Excellence and Meeting the Challenges of the FutureThe Secret Service is a premier law enforcement organization with two critical national security missions: protect our nation’s leaders and to conduct criminal investigations. Our team members continue a tradition of excellence – whether investigating financial crime or protecting national and visiting foreign leaders. In the Secret Service, we serve the country with duty, loyalty, justice, integrity and courage. In the Secret Service, we: Protect the President, the Vice President, and other leaders; investigate threats against them; and safeguard their residences and other facilities Plan and implement security designs for National Special Security Events Investigate financial crimes including fraud, identity theft and computer-based attacks on banking or telecommunications infrastructure Any offers of employment made pursuant to this announcement will be consistent with all applicable authorities, including Presidential Memoranda, Executive Orders, interpretive U.S. Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) guidance, and Office of Management and Budget plans and policies concerning hiring. These authorities are subject to change. E-Verify Statement:DHS uses E-Verify, an Internet-based system, to confirm the eligibility of all newly hired employees to work in the United States.Click hereto learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities. If you receive a conditional offer of employment for this position, you will be required to complete anOptional Form 306, Declaration for Federal Employment, and to sign and certify the accuracy of all information in your application, prior to entry on duty. False statements on any part of the application may result in withdrawal of offer of employment, dismissal after beginning work, fine, or imprisonment. This position willrequire a credit check afterinitial job qualifications have been determined. Relocation expenses will not be authorized. More than one selection may be made from this announcement if additional identical vacancies in the same title, series, grade and unit occur. Applying to this announcement certifies that you give permission for DHS to share your application with others in DHS for similar positions. The Department of Homeland Security encourages persons with disabilities to apply, to include persons with intellectual, severe physical or psychiatric disabilities, as defined by 5 CFR § 213.3102(u), and/or Disabled Veterans with a compensable service-connected disability of 30 percent or more as defined by 5 CFR § 315.707.Veterans,Peace Corps/VISTA volunteers, andpersons with disabilitiespossess a wealth of unique talents, experiences, and competencies that can be invaluable to the DHS mission. If you are a member of one of these groups, you may not have to compete with the public for federal jobs. To determine your eligibility for non-competitive appointment and to understand the required documentation, click on the links above or contact the Servicing Human Resources Office listed at the bottom of this announcement. Viewcommon definitionsof terms found in this announcement.