Social Science Research Specialist

United-States-Secret-Servic; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 75,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

The U.S. Secret Service, Office of Strategic Intelligence and Information, National Threat Assessment Center (NTAC) seeks candidates to apply behavioral and social science research principles to prevent targeted violence, threat assessment, terrorism, criminal behavior, and protective intelligence.

Qualified applicants must meet the Basic Requirements and Minimum Qualifications for the respective GS levels (GS-9 through GS-12) as listed, including education in behavioral or social sciences or

Qualifications

• Basic Requirements: degree in behavioral or social science or related disciplines or equivalent combination.
• Minimum Qualifications: specialized experience at GS-7/GS-9/GS-11/GS-12 levels or graduate education fulfilling those requirements.
• Experience/education must meet at the closing date of the announcement.

Skills

Behavioral science

Data analysis

Open-source research

Report writing

Record keeping

Education

Master's degree in behavioral or social science

PhD in Criminal Justice/Criminology/Psychology Homeland Security

Job description

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.

For definitions of terms found in this announcement, here.

To be considered qualified for this position you must meet the following qualification requirements for the respective grade level in which you are applying.

Applicants must demonstrate that they meet the Basic Requirements AND Minimum Qualification requirements as listed below.

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.

IN ADDITION TO MEETING THE BASIC REQUIREMENTS ABOVE, YOU MUST ALSO MEET THE FOLLOWING MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

GS-9:

You qualify for the GS-09 level if you possess 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.

OR

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:

You qualify for the GS-11 level if you possess 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.

OR

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:

You qualify for the GS-12 level if you possess 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.

The qualification requirements listed above must be met by the closing date of this announcement.

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.

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.