Social Scientist

Internal Revenue Service•Washington, DC

About The Position

The Social Scientist serves as a technical authority for social economic and social psychology research supporting Taxpayer Services, Operations Support Strategies & Solutions. The role carries responsibility for initiating, planning, implementing, controlling, modifying, and executing research projects or portions of projects; selecting research methodologies; preparing specifications and procedures; and reviewing computer-system specifications, materials, and instructions to ensure the study design is adequate. The incumbent resolves complex behavioral and social economic research problems, formulates and carries out research plans, interprets and applies findings, and develops recommendations. The position also provides management guidance on the scope, goals, and schedules of future research programs; troubleshoots major research-program problems; and serves as an authoritative technical advisor in executive-level meetings, providing technical advice and counsel on policy responsibilities. Duties are described at the full working level; employees selected at a lower grade may receive training and opportunities to develop these skills.

Requirements

Meet the basic requirement through a degree in behavioral or social science or a related discipline; an equivalent combination of education and experience; or four years of appropriate experience demonstrating knowledge equivalent to a major in one or more behavioral or social sciences.
For GS-14, have one year of specialized experience at a level equivalent to GS-13 in the Federal service.
Have professional knowledge of social economic and social psychology methods and principles to identify behavioral segments and taxpayer profiles, draw social economic statistical conclusions, solve complex problems, and prepare comprehensive reports.
Have experience conducting quantitative and qualitative social science research, analyzing results, and providing operational recommendations that inform future research.
Have experience developing, analyzing, and statistically presenting social science information; adopting new techniques; preparing comprehensive reports; and presenting key findings to stakeholders.
Demonstrate the ability to independently conduct research using social science and statistical methods to define populations and profile and evaluate market segments to understand taxpayer behavior for IRS service and taxpayer compliance applications.
Demonstrate technical responsibility for phases of social science studies or ongoing projects, including initiation, formulation, planning, execution, and control, and evaluation of significant factors relating to taxpayer behavior.
Have experience reviewing internal and external research papers, articles, and reports using social science data and commenting on technical accuracy and appropriate application of social science methods and statistical analysis.
Current civilian employees must meet the applicable 90-day time-after-competitive-appointment requirement by the announcement closing or cut-off date.
Applicants for positions above GS-05 must meet applicable time-in-grade requirements, including one year (52 weeks) at the next lower grade level.
Foreign education used to meet requirements must be supported by evidence that it is equivalent to conventional U.S. education.

Responsibilities

Initiate, plan, implement, control, modify, and execute all or part of social economic and social psychology research projects.
Specify research methodologies and prepare appropriate specifications and procedures.
Review computer-system specifications, materials, and instructions to help ensure the adequacy of research-study designs.
Review research results as needed.
Resolve complex behavioral and social economic research problems by formulating and carrying out research plans, interpreting and applying findings, and developing recommendations.
Provide management guidance on the scope, goals, and schedules of future social economic and social psychology programs.
Troubleshoot major problems and bottlenecks in social science programs and research projects.
Serve as an authoritative technical advisor and provide technical advice and counsel on policy responsibilities in executive-level meetings.