Social Science Analyst (Program Evaluation Specialist)

U.S. Customs and Border Protection; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is seeking a qualified professional to join the Office of Human Resources Management, Strategic Transformation Management Division, supporting organizational research and workforce analytics in multiple duty locations including Washington, D.C.

The role requires applying social science theories and conducting rigorous studies, utilizing statistical software for complex data analyses, and translating findings into actionable leadership briefings and

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in behavioral or social sciences or related field.
• Combination of education and experience in behavioral or social sciences acceptable.
• Four years of appropriate experience in behavioral or social sciences may substitute.

Responsibilities

• Apply social science theories and methodologies to plan and lead rigorous research studies.
• Utilize advanced statistical software and tools to analyze workforce data for quality and reliability.
• Plan and execute program evaluations with defined metrics and logic models.
• Translate research findings into concise decision-support materials for senior leadership.
• Lead multidisciplinary teams and collaborate with stakeholders to drive workforce improvements.

Skills

Data analysis

Research design

Policy evaluation

Executive briefings

Education

Bachelor's degree in behavioral or social sciences

Tools

Statistical software

Analytical tools

Job description

Organizational Location:

This position is with the Department of Homeland Security, within U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Office of Human Resources Management, Strategic Transformation Management Division, in the following locations:

• Indianapolis, IN
• Minneapolis, MN
• Washington, D.C.

Additional selections may be made for other organizational divisions and/or units within the duty location(s) listed above.

Basic Requirement:

Education: Successful completion of a full 4 year- course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a bachelor's or higher degree that included a major field of study in behavioral or social science; or related disciplines appropriate to the position.

OR

Combination of education and experience: Successful completion of education and experience that is in one or more behavioral or social sciences equivalent to a major in the field, 24 semester hours will be considered as equivalent to a major field of study. A typical college degree would have included courses that involved analysis, writing, critical thinking, research, etc. that provided the applicant with knowledge of one or more of the behavioral or social sciences equivalent to a major in the field.

OR

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.

AND

You qualify for this position if you meet the basic requirement listed above and possess the experience as described below:

Experience GS-14:

You qualify for the GS-14 grade level if you possess 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level, performing duties such as:

• Applying social science theories, principles, and methodologies, such as organizational psychology, sociology, economics, or behavioral science, to conceptualize and leading rigorous research studies.
• Utilizing advanced statistical software and analytical tools to conduct sophisticated analysis of complex, disparate workforce data while ensuring data quality, validity, and reliability.
• Planning and executing program evaluations, including the development of evaluation frameworks, performance metrics, and logic models to assess program effectiveness and organizational performance.
• Translating complex research findings and evaluation results into clear, concise, and actionable decision-support materials, such as executive briefings, reports, or dashboards for senior leadership.
• Leading multidisciplinary teams and collaborating with diverse stakeholders to translate scientific evidence into tangible workforce strategies and organizational improvements.

NOTE: Your resume must explicitly indicate how you meet this requirement, otherwise you will be found ineligible. Please see the "Required Documents" section below for additional resume requirements.

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.

You must:

• Meet all qualification requirements, including education if applicable to this position, subject to verification at any stage of the application process; and
• Meet all applicable Time in Grade requirements (current federal employees must have served 52 weeks at the next lower grade or equivalent grade band in the federal service) by 10/27/2026.

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.

Background Investigation:

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is a federal law enforcement agency that requires all applicants to undergo a thorough background investigation prior to employment in order to promote the agency's core values of vigilance, service to country, and integrity. During the screening and/or background investigation process, you will be asked questions regarding any felony criminal convictions or current felony charges, the use of illegal drugs (e.g., marijuana, cocaine, heroin, LSD, methamphetamines, ecstasy), and the use of non-prescribed controlled substances including any experimentation, possession, sale, receipt, manufacture, cultivation, production, transfer, shipping, trafficking, or distribution of controlled substances. For additional information on the preemployment process, review the following link: Applicant Resources | CBP Careers.

Residency:

There is a residency requirement for all applicants not currently employed by CBP. Individuals are required to have physically resided in the United States or its protectorates (as declared under international law) for at least three of the last five years. If you do not meet the residency requirement and you have been physically located in a foreign location for more than two of the last five years, you may request an exception to determine if you are eligible for a residency waiver by meeting one or more of the following conditions:

• Working for the U.S. Government as a federal civilian or as a member of the military
• A dependent who was authorized to accompany a federal civilian or member of the military who was working for the U.S. government
• Participation in a study abroad program sponsored by a U.S. affiliated college or university
• Working as a contractor, intern, consultant or volunteer supporting the U.S. government

Probationary Period:

All employees new to the federal government must serve a one year probationary period during the first year of his/her initial permanent federal appointment to determine fitness for continued employment. Current and former federal employees may be required to serve or complete a probationary period.

Agency Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) or the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP) Eligibles:

If you have never worked for the federal government, you are not CTAP/ICTAP eligible. View information about CTAP/ICTAP eligibility on OPM's Career Transition Resources website. To be considered well qualified under CTAP/ICTAP, you must be rated at a minimum score of 85 for this position. In addition, you must submit the supporting documents listed under the Required Documents section of this announcement.