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Join our team! The National Institute of Justice is the research, development, and evaluation agency of the U.S. Department of Justice. We are in search of a Social Science Analyst to implement and manage a range of criminal justice research and evaluation projects in the areas of delinquency, victimization, and crime and justice systems. The selectee will apply scientific evaluation and review to programs and solutions which provide tools for stakeholders to address crime and advance justice.
Learn more about this agency09/24/2021 to 10/08/2021
$122,530 - $159,286 per year
GS 14
1 vacancy in the following location:
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Occasional travel - Travel may be required up to 10%
NoRelocation is not authorized for this position.
Permanent
Full-time - Full Time
Competitive
14
No
Yes
JP-21-056
615302400
Must be a U.S. Citizen. Position is open to current and former permanent Federal employees with competitive status, CTAP/ICTAP &VEOA eligibles; reinstatement eligibles; Individuals with Disabilities; certain military spouses; 30% or more disabled veterans; former Peace Corps or VISTA volunteers.
(The duties described reflect the full performance level of this position)
Technical Resource for Research Programs: Serves as an expert advisor and technical authority on complex and precedent-setting policy and program issues, develops policies, strategies, requirements, and plans for social science research programs/projects for agency-wide application. Researches approaches to evaluations and develops techniques suitable for evaluating the programs and processes. Develops new ways to measure program accomplishments, results, and effectiveness. Conducts studies, analyzes data trends, develops projections of requirements, and recommends strategies and actions for meeting program requirements.
Scientific Review of Research Grant Proposals: Oversees the most complex cooperative agreements and contracts, mentors and guides lower-grade staff in solicitation and program development and monitoring of the scientific content of cooperative agreements, grants, and contracts. Leads technical review panels that review and evaluate social science grants, contracts, and cooperative agreements and proposals, as well as interagency agreements. Reviews and makes recommendations for implementation, modification, and approval of cooperative agreements, grants, and contracts.
Evaluates Research Grant Results: Performs continuous appraisal of the utilization of DOJ OJP/NIJ resources in accomplishing program objectives and goals. Oversees and evaluates studies requiring application of advanced analytical and statistical methods and techniques to obtain data. Conducts reviews of reporting, as well as on-site visits to awardees, to ensure compliance with the scientific requirements of the award and implementation of scientific rigor to the research goals.
Research and Analysis Work: Researches and reviews current developments in the appropriate social science disciplines to ensure that NIJ criminal justice research program planning, implementation, and review are well-grounded in current scientific knowledge and methods. Researches and analyzes the research needs of the criminal justice communities to ensure that criminal justice research program planning, implementation, and review are well grounded in the needs of the field.
Program Evaluation: Conducts analyses of social science programs, proposed program modifications and reforms, demonstration program models, and policy changes to evaluate their actual or potential ability to make measurable improvements in criminal justice systems and social well-being of victims, offenders, practitioners, and other stakeholders in the criminal justice system. Prepares professional high-level briefings, white papers, and reports of conclusions from research, reports, and other pertinent information, as well as professional presentations that are disseminated internally and externally to stakeholders, practitioner groups, and other researchers that encourage the use and guide implementation of findings and successful programs of research.
Performs other related duties as assigned.
(2) Applies a wide range of qualitative and quantitative methods to assess, evaluate, and improve the effectiveness and outcomes of criminal justice research (e.g. delinquency, victimization, crime, justice systems research) and their impact to stakeholders;
(3) Analyzes specialized studies, new analytical techniques and developments, and related scientific literature and theory in order to develop solutions for problems affecting criminal justice programs areas (e.g. delinquency, victimization, crime, justice systems research); AND/OR
(4) Conducts analyses of social science programs, proposed program modifications and reforms, demonstration program models, and policy changes to evaluate their actual or potential ability to make measurable improvements in criminal justice systems and social wellbeing of victims, offenders, practitioners, and other stakeholders in the criminal justice system.
TECHNICAL QUALIFICATIONS:Applicants who meet the minimum qualifications as described above will be further evaluated based upon the following technical qualifications:
- Knowledge of scientific peer review management for public sector grants, cooperative agreements, and/or awards.
- Ability to communicate in writing.
- Ability to meet and deal with others.
- Ability to communicate effectively other than in writing.
- Ability to plan, conduct, and evaluate science-based criminal justice research studies.
- Knowledge of a criminal justice science field.
- Ability to plan and execute work.
- Ability to evaluate data from diverse social science fields and databases.
Additional information on the qualification requirements is outlined in the OPM Qualification Standards Handbook of General Schedule Positions and is available at OPM's website: https://www.opm.gov/qualifications/standards/indexes/num-ndx.asp
All qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement.
Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications (particularly positions with a positive education requirement.) Therefore, applicants must report only attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Applicants can verify accreditation at the following website: http://www.ed.gov/admins/finaid/accred/index.html. All education claimed by applicants will be verified by the appointing agency accordingly.
This position is included in the bargaining unit.
TIME-IN-GRADE REQUIREMENT: Status applicants for promotion must have 52 weeks of service at the next lower grade by the closing date.
This vacancy announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.
This position requires the incumbent to file confidential financial disclosure.
This position may be eligible for telework per agency policy.
OJP offers opportunities for flexible work schedules.
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
You will be considered under all categories for which you are eligible.
For All U.S. Citizens: Your application will be evaluated and rated under DOJ's Category Rating and Selection Procedures. Your resume and supporting documentation will be used to determine whether you meet the job qualifications listed on this announcement. If you are basically qualified for this job, your resume and supporting documentation will be compared to your responses on the online assessment questionnaire. If you rate yourself higher than is supported by your application materials, your responses may be adjusted and/or you may be excluded from consideration for this job. Your application will then be placed in one of three categories: Best Qualified, Highly Qualified, or Qualified. Names of all candidates in the best qualified category will be sent to the hiring official for employment consideration. Candidates within the best qualified category who are eligible for veterans preference will receive selection priority over non-veteran preference eligibles.
For Status/Merit Promotion/VEOA candidates: Your resume and supporting documentation will be used to determine whether you meet the job qualifications listed on the announcement. If you are basically qualified for this job, your resume and supporting documentation will be compared to your responses on the online assessment questionnaire. If you rate yourself higher than is supported by your resume and application materials, your responses may be adjusted and/or you may be excluded from consideration for this job. If you are found to be among the top candidates, you will be referred to the selecting official for employment consideration.
For Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP)/Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) applicants: The ICTAP provides eligible displaced Federal competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. The CTAP provides eligible surplus and displaced competitive service employees in the Department of Justice with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies If your agency has notified you in writing that you are a displaced employee eligible for ICTAP consideration, or if your Department of Justice component has notified you in writing that you are a surplus or displaced employee eligible for CTAP consideration, you may receive selection priority if: 1) this vacancy is within your ICTAP/CTAP eligibility; 2) you apply under the instructions in this announcement; and 3) you are found well-qualified for this vacancy. Under merit promotion procedures, to be well qualified, you must satisfy all qualification requirements for the vacant position and score 85 or better on established ranking criteria. Under category rating procedures, you must satisfy all qualification requirements for the vacant position and rate equivalent to the Highly Qualified or better category using established category rating criteria.
REMINDER: ALL DOCUMENTS MUST BE RECEIVED BY MIDNIGHT Eastern Time (Washington, D.C. time) ON THE CLOSING DATE OF THIS ANNOUNCEMENT.
REQUIRED DOCUMENTS (ALL APPLICANTS):
1. Resume and/or work history profile,
2. Responses to the online questions,
3. Veterans' Preference Documentation (if applicable; see below for more information).
ADDITIONAL REQUIRED DOCUMENTS (FEDERAL EMPLOYEES):
4. SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action (for current and former federal employees; see below for more information), and
5. Performance Appraisal (for current federal employees) Note: if not provided, will be required at time of interview.
Note: Incomplete applications will not be considered.
Veterans Preference: In order to verify your veteran preference entitlement, please submit a copy of the Member Copy 4 of your DD-214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty); official statement of service from your command if you are currently on active duty; or other official documentation (e.g., documentation of receipt of a campaign badge or expeditionary medal) that shows your military service was performed under honorable conditions.
If you are a disabled veteran, a Purple Heart recipient, or widow/widower of a veteran, the spouse of a disabled veteran or the natural mother of a disabled or deceased veteran, you must submit a Standard Form (SF) 15, Application for 10-Point Veteran Preference, and the other required documentation identified on the reverse side of the SF-15 to support your preference claim.
Although veteran preference points are not assigned under the category rating procedures described under How You Will Be Evaluated, veterans' preference eligibles are listed ahead of non-veterans within each category for which qualified. In addition, qualified veterans with a compensable service-connected disability of 10% or more are placed at the top of the highest quality category (i.e., Best Qualified).
Veterans Employment Opportunity Act: To be eligible for a Veteran Employment Opportunities Act (VEOA) appointment, a veteran must be honorably separated and either a preference eligible or have substantially completed three (3) or more years of continuous active military service. If applying for a Merit Promotion announcement and wish to be considered under the VEOA, you must submit a copy of the Member Copy 4 of your DD-214, in addition to any other required documents listed on this announcement.
Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP)/Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP): If you are claiming CTAP/ICTAP eligibility, you must submit proof by the closing date of the announcement that you meet the requirements of 5 CFR 330.605(u) for CTAP and 5 CFR 330.704 for ICTAP or you will not receive priority consideration. The proof includes a copy of the Agency notice, your most recent performance rating, and your most recent SF-50 Notification of Personnel Action for Competitive Appointment.
Non-competitive Eligibility:You can apply for a non-competitive appointment if you meet the basic eligibility requirements and you are eligible for special appointment such as those authorized for the severely disabled; veterans with service-connected disabilities of 30% or more; returning volunteers from the Peace Corps or Vista, Veterans' Recruitment Appointment, etc. Appropriate documentation to support your claim must be included in your application, along with the type of special appointment you are seeking.
Current/Former Federal Employees
If you are a current Federal employee in a permanent, competitive service position, you must submit document to confirm your status. Failure to submit an appropriate SF-50 will automatically disqualify you from further consideration.
- Submit an SF-50 (Notification of Personnel Action) or other official agency documentation that shows your current (or most recent) grade and competitive service status. (The "position occupied" block on the SF-50 should show a "1" and your "tenure" block should show a "1" or "2".).
- Submit your most recent Performance Appraisal (dated within the last 18 months) or a separate statement explaining why you are unable to submit your appraisal. If not provided at time of application, it will be required at time of interview.
If you are a former Federal employee who is reinstatement eligible based on prior federal permanent competitive service, you must submit documents to confirm your eligibility.
- Submit an SF-50 (Notification of Personnel Action) or other official agency documentation that shows your current (or most recent) grade and competitive service status. (The "position occupied" block on the SF-50 should show a "1" and your "tenure" block should show a "1" or "2").
Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
Applications for this position are being processed through an on-line applicant assessment system that has been specifically configured for Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs applicants. Even if you have already developed a resume in USAJOBS, you will need to access this on-line system to complete the application process. To obtain information about this position and TO APPLY, please click on https://www.avuecentral.com/casting/aiportal/control/toVacancy?referenceCode=XPTNX.
If you are unable to apply online, you may contact Avue Digital Services for alternate application procedures. Please call Monday Friday from 8AM to 5PM PST at (253) 573-1877 or email at joeavue@avuetech.com.
Once your completed application is certified and received you will receive an acknowledgement email that your submission was successful. After a review of your complete application is made you will be notified of your status and/or referral to the hiring official. If further evaluation or interviews are required you will be contacted. After making a tentative job offer, we will conduct a suitability/security background investigation. We expect to make a final job offer within 80 days after the closing date of the announcement.
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
This job originated on www.usajobs.gov. For the full announcement and to apply, visit www.usajobs.gov/job/615302400. Only resumes submitted according to the instructions on the job announcement listed at www.usajobs.gov will be considered.
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