Social Science Research Specialist

U.S. Secret Service•Washington, DC

22h

About The Position

Joining the U.S. Secret Service, Office of Strategic Intelligence and Information, National Threat Assessment Center (NTAC) will allow you to apply a wide range of behavioral and social science research principles, concepts, and methods which are related to the prevention of targeted violence, threat assessment, terrorism, criminal behavior, and protective intelligence.

Requirements

U.S. Citizenship is required.
Males born after 12/31/1959 must be registered for Selective Service.
Complete the initial online assessment and USA Hire Assessment, if required.
Obtain and maintain a top secret Tier 5 clearance.
Submit to a drug test prior to your appointment and random drug testing while you occupy the position.
Submit to a Counterintelligence (CI) polygraph examination prior to your appointment.
Serve a 1-year probationary period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest.
BASIC REQUIREMENTS: A. Degree: behavioral or social science; or related disciplines appropriate to the position OR B.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 C. 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.
GS-9: One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-07 level performing duties such as: Performing routine tasks and assignments to support research projects to include collecting and analyzing data for the prevention of targeted violence, behavioral threat assessment, terrorism, and criminal behavior. Collecting information for reports using open sources in accordance with behavioral and social science principles, concepts, and methods in support of research projects. Preparing written consultation summaries for distribution for senior level review. Maintaining records and documentation to provide updates to staff using automated systems.
GS-9 Education: 2 years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a master's degree in behavioral or social science or related disciplines appropriate to the position, such as Criminal Justice, Criminology, Psychology, Homeland Security.
GS-11: One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-09 level performing duties such as: Identifying information from various open sources to inform research methodology, such as behavioral case summaries, associated with behavioral threat assessments, protective intelligence and criminal behaviors. Collaborating with senior staff in conducting evaluation and summarization of collected data and information to support research and training, in the areas of targeted violence prevention and threat assessment. Preparing written incident analysis summaries, case summaries, and other reports summarizing the research process, findings, and implications regarding targeted violence and threat assessment. Preparing training material for courses being offered to internal and external partners.
GS-11 Education: 3 years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree or Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree such as: Criminal Justice, Criminology, Psychology, Homeland Security.
GS-12: One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-11 level performing duties such as: Analyzing defined research objectives associated with targeted violence, threat assessment, protective intelligence criminal behavior, and terrorism. Conducting open-source analysis on specific topics or issues to identify pertinent theories or data in scientific literature, reports, news media, and other information systems on targeted violence, threat assessment, and related concepts. Utilizing research techniques to evaluate, synthesize, analyze, interpret, and summarize data to communicate these methods and findings in support of training and consultative initiatives in the areas of targeted violence prevention and threat assessment. Preparing incident analyses and other reports summarizing the research process, findings, and implications, which enhance and/or contribute to the scientific and professional field of targeted violence, behavioral threat assessment, protective intelligence, criminal behavior, and terrorism.

Nice To Haves

Current or Former Political Appointees: 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.

Responsibilities

Performing routine tasks to support research projects by applying behavioral and social science research principles to include collecting and analyzing data, interpreting data results, using thematic analysis, data entry, and executing statistical analysis on topics including prevention of targeted violence, behavioral threat assessment, terrorism, and criminal behavior
Delivers presentations to internal and external partners, which enhances and/or contributes to the scientific and professional knowledge on behavioral threat assessment and prevents targeted violence.
Prepares comprehensive written analyses for internal and external distribution that summarize the research process, findings, and implications; that contribute to scientific and professional knowledge of targeted violence and behavioral threat assessment.
Participates in consultation meetings with internal and external partners, which enhance and/or contribute to professional knowledge of behavioral threat assessment and preventing targeted violence.
Manages administrative tasks for project and division efforts, overseeing documentation and coordination that may involve multiple phases.

Benefits

health, dental, vision, life, and long-term care insurance
retirement plan
Thrift Savings Plan [similar to a 401(k)]
Flexible Spending Account
Employee Assistance Program
personal leave days
paid federal holidays
flexible work schedules
tuition reimbursement
transportation subsidies
uniform allowance
health and wellness programs
fitness centers
Disabled veteran leave will be available to any federal employee hired on or after November 5, 2016, who is a veteran with a service-connected disability rating of 30 percent or more.