Industrial Organizational (I/O) Psychologist

ICF Olson; United States; On-site; USD 98,000 - 167,000; Full time

Job summary

ICF Olson is seeking a talented professional to lead assessment development, administration, validation, and workforce research for Federal clients. You will apply I/O psychology principles to design reliable personnel tests and advisory materials.

The role emphasizes translating complex findings into actionable guidance, supporting legally defensible selection systems, and collaborating with a broad client base in a fast‑paced setting.

Qualifications

• Advanced degree in I/O Psychology or equivalent with post‑degree experience.
• Minimum 1 year of assessment development, psychometrics, validation work.
• Experience advising Federal HR or Talent Management projects.
• Experience managing projects and communicating status.

Responsibilities

• Develop, validate, and implement personnel assessments for selection and promotion.
• Lead HR research projects and translate results for non‑technical audiences.
• Plan and conduct validation studies and psychometric analyses.
• Prepare technical documentation, briefs, and client deliverables.
• Collaborate with Federal clients and cross‑functional teams.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Problem-solving

Communication to non-technical

Project management support

Statistical software experience

Education

Master’s degree in Industrial/Organizational Psychology or related

PhD considered with relevant experience

Tools

SAS

SPSS

R

Tableau / Power BI

Job description

Are you passionate about designing and delivering reliable, valid personnel assessments? Do you bring hands‑on experience in talent management consulting and a strong foundation in industrial‑organizational psychology or related disciplines? ICF is seeking professionals with years of experience conducting job analyses and competency modeling; developing and validating personnel assessments; performing psychometric and workforce data analyses; and supporting legally defensible selection systems. In this role, you will lead and contribute to assessment and research projects from end to end—managing project activities, conducting research and validation studies, advising clients on assessment strategy and methodology, preparing technical documentation and briefing materials, and translating complex findings into clear, actionable insights for non‑technical audiences. If you are excited to apply your expertise to meaningful, high‑impact work and grow with a collaborative, mission‑driven organization, ICF is growing—and we’d love to hear from you.

Your main responsibility will be to use your experience to provide innovative solutions for Federal clients on assessment development, administration, validation, and workforce research. Your comprehensive knowledge of principles, applications, methodologies, theories, and standards of personnel research and human resource management and experience with applied measurement methods, psychometrics, and validation will be leveraged to improve and modernize talent management to ensure that our client has a quality workforce prepared to meet current and future demands.

What else is in it for you?

You will gain exposure to large innovative projects, interact with experts in the field, all while building content knowledge and consulting skills. You will work in a fast‑paced and constantly changing environment.

Our Federal clients include organizations within nearly every Cabinet‑level agency of government.

This opportunity will in on‑site in the office in DC.

Key Responsibilities

• Contribute to the development of innovative, timely, and high quality organizational and workforce solutions and services, typically working on multiple projects with all levels of staff
• Conduct applied HR research, including developing, implementing, and maintaining effective assessments for personnel selection, promotion, career development, and organizational effectiveness
• Analyze job requirements (e.g., tasks and competencies) to support development of testing and career development tools
• Develop and validate personnel assessment tools for selection or promotional purposes
• Evaluate the effectiveness of existing HR systems and tools and provide recommendations
• Support the collection and analysis of data and conduct psychometric research, including planning and conducting analyses to draw practical conclusions and answer research questionsDescribe results of statistical analyses in practical language and implications that our clients can understand and use
• Develop technical and non‑technical reports, briefings, slide decks, white papers, memos, and other documentation
• Ensure mandated laws, rules, and regulations are properly assessed for potential impact on work initiatives
• Assist in conducting meetings, workshops, trainings, and briefings
• Build relationships with Federal clients

Basic Qualifications

• Education and Experience Requirements: Candidates must hold an advanced degree in Industrial/Organizational (I/O) Psychology (level determined by education and relevant post‑degree experience: junior‑level candidates require a Master’s degree with at least six (6)months of relevant experience or a Ph.D.; mid‑level candidates require a minimum of four (4)years of relevant experience with a Master’s degree or two (2)years of relevant post‑degree experience with a Ph.D.; and senior‑level candidates require a minimum of eight (8)years of relevant experience with a Master’s degree or six (6)years of relevant post‑degree experience with a Ph.D., with experience directly related to the task requirements.)
• Min 1 year of experience in assessment development, creating employee assessments, psychometrics, and validation
• Min 1 year of experience consulting on military or Federal Human Resources or Talent Management
• Min1 year of experience providing project management support including resolving complex issues, establishing and maintaining timelines, monitoring project work activities, and communicating project status
• Min 1 years of experience with statistical software (e.g., SAS, SPSS, R and or others) and data visualization software (e.g., Tableau or MS PowerBI)
• Intermediate or advanced proficiency with MS Office Applications (Outlook, PowerPoint, Word, Excel, and MS Project)

Preferred Skills/Experience

• Experience providing technical guidance to others
• Knowledge of test theory, psychometric methodology, statistics, and research methods to assist in developing assessment tools and related instruments
• Ability to communicate technical/statistical information to non‑technical audiences
• Experience designing and analyzing assessments and/or surveys (e.g., item writing, reliability, validity)
• Exceptional research and writing skills
• Oral presentation and facilitation skills

Professional Skills

• Strong analytical, problem‑solving and decision‑making capabilities
• High attention to detail
• Superior interpersonal skills including courtesy, professionalism, and a cooperative attitude
• Ability to work in a fast‑paced team environment under strict deadlinesDemonstrated outstanding level of professionalism, including ability to exercise good judgment, discretion, tact, and diplomacy
• Flexibility to handle multiple priorities and to work limited overtime as necessary
• Ability to work with all levels of internal staff, outside clients, and vendors
• Ability and interest in learning new software tools and in transferring knowledge
• Ability and willingness to develop and deliver presentations
• Sound business ethics, including the protection of proprietary and confidential information

Working at ICF ICF is a global advisory and technology services provider, but we’re not your typical consultants. We combine unmatched expertise with cutting‑edge technology to help clients solve their most complex challenges, navigate change, and shape the future. We can only solve the world's toughest challenges by building a workplace that allows everyone to thrive. We are an equal opportunity employer. Together, our employees are empowered to share their expertise and collaborate with others to achieve personal and professional goals. For more information, please read ourEEO policy. We will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Reasonable Accommodations are available, including, but not limited to, for disabled veterans, individuals with disabilities, and individuals with sincerely held religious beliefs, in all phases of the application and employment process. To request an accommodation, please [e-mail] we will be happy to assist. All information you provide will be kept confidential and will be used only to the extent required to provide needed reasonable accommodations. Read more aboutworkplacediscriminationrights or our benefit offerings which are included in theTransparency in (Benefits) Coverage Act.

Candidate AI Usage Policy At ICF, we are committed to ensuring a fair interview process for all candidates based on their own skills and knowledge. As part of this commitment, the use of artificial intelligence (AI) tools to generate or assist with responses during interviews (whether in‑person or virtual) is not permitted. This policy is in place to maintain the integrity and authenticity of the interview process. However, we understand that some candidates may require accommodation that involves the use of AI. If such an accommodation is needed, candidates are instructed to contact us in advance [e-mail]. We are dedicated to providing the necessary support to ensure that all candidates have an equal opportunity to succeed.

Pay Range

The pay range for this position based on full‑time employment is: $98,187.00 - $166,919.00 DC Client Office (DC88)

Pay Range - There are multiple factors that are considered in determining final pay for a position, including, but not limited to, relevant work experience, skills, certifications and competencies that align to the specified role, geographic location, education and certifications as well as contract provisions regarding labor categories that are specific to the position. The pay range for this position based on full‑time employment is: $98,187.00 - $166,919.00 DC Client Office (DC88).

About ICF ICF is a global consulting and technology services company with approximately 9,000 employees, but we are not your typical consultants. At ICF, business analysts and policy specialists work together with digital strategists, data scientists and creatives. We combine unmatched industry expertise with cutting‑edge engagement capabilities to help organizations solve their most complex challenges. Since 1969, public and private sector clients have worked with ICF to navigate change and shape the future. Learn more at icf.com.