Interdisciplinary

Summary

This position is part of the Defense Human Resources Activity. The incumbent plans, designs, and executes multiple simultaneous short- and long-term research projects covering broad military personnel policy domains such as retention, career progression, total force fitness, and quality of life, including highly sensitive behavioral and sociological topics such as sexual assault and suicide prevention.

Duties

As a Interdisciplinary at the GS-0101/0180/1530-12/13 some of your typical work assignments may include: Major Duties for GS -12 Manages and coordinates 1 to 2 concurrent research projects of moderate scope and complexity regarding military personnel policies to support the Department of War (DoW), while supporting senior researchers on more complex efforts. Responsible for executing key project phases, including participating in research design and work planning, coordinating with designated stakeholders, carrying out data collection efforts (e.g., administering standard survey fieldings, moderating structured focus groups), conducting data analysis, and contributing to final reporting. Work is performed under general supervision as an active contributor within a collaborative project team. The position requires the ability to apply theories, methodologies, and advanced analytic techniques from relevant areas of social science research, including psychology, sociology, survey methodology, and related disciplines, to work collaboratively, and to lead an interdisciplinary research team. Independently executes routine and established study protocols while consulting with senior specialists on highly novel or non-standard analytical problems. Specific tasks include the development of research plans, literature and policy reviews, development of survey and focus group content, conducting data analysis (e.g., mean comparisons, regression, factor analysis, structural equation modeling [SEM], qualitative analysis) and interpretation, and project management responsibilities including oversight of the research schedule and project team. The position requires writing research reports and giving research briefings to technical and nontechnical audiences. The employee serves as the working-level technical liaison with relevant stakeholders and customers to coordinate the research process and to understand their research questions and needs throughout the research life-cycle. Major Duties for GS-13 Oversee 3 or more simultaneous short- and long-term research projects regarding military personnel policies to support the Department of War (DoW), managing all phases of a project, including research design and planning, coordination and collaboration with key stakeholders, data collection (e.g., survey fielding, focus groups), data analysis and reporting, all of which are informed by expertise in relevant research and policy areas and conducted as part of a team. The position requires the ability to apply theories, methodologies, and advanced analytic techniques from relevant areas of social science research, including psychology, sociology, survey methodology, and related disciplines, to work collaboratively, and to lead an interdisciplinary research team. Specific tasks include the development of research plans, literature and policy reviews, development of survey and focus group content, conducting data analysis (e.g., mean comparisons, regression, factor analysis, structural equation modeling [SEM], qualitative analysis) and interpretation, and project management responsibilities including oversight of the research schedule and project team. The position requires writing and reviewing research reports and giving research briefings to technical and nontechnical audiences. The employee serves as the primary contact with relevant stakeholders and customers to coordinate the research process and to understand their research questions and needs throughout the research life-cycle.

Qualifications

You may qualify at the GS-13, if you fulfill the following qualifications: A. One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-12 grade level in the Federal service: Experience planning, developing, administering, and analyzing survey instruments, questionnaires, and/or focus group protocols, including establishing specifications for data content, collection, and dissemination. Expertise with researching military personnel topics (e.g., readiness, organizational climate, sexual assault, retention, military spouse employment) is preferred. Experience applying advanced social/statistical methods, techniques, and practices; and expert knowledge of analytic techniques (descriptive, inferential, univariate, regression, and other multivariate) commonly used in behavioral science research to analyze data from large-scale, probability-based sample surveys to determine attitudes and opinions. Leading efforts to describe research results by writing technical, methodological and research reports. This position requires graduate-level statistical training, including 9 semester hours in statistics at the graduate level. Experience in applying social science methodologies, theories, and analytic techniques (such as statistics, psychology, and social sciences) to synthesize complex analytical findings for presentation (orally and in writing) to senior leadership. ; OR You may qualify at the GS-12, if you fulfill the following qualifications: B. One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-11 grade level in the Federal service: Assisting in the planning, developing, administering, and analyzing survey instruments, questionnaires, and/or focus group protocols, including establishing specifications for data content, collection, and dissemination. Familiarity with researching military personnel topics (e.g., readiness, organizational climate, sexual assault, retention, military spouse employment) is preferred. Experience supporting the application of advanced social/statistical methods, techniques, and practices; and expert knowledge of analytic techniques (descriptive, inferential, univariate, regression, and other multivariate) commonly used in behavioral science research to analyze data from large-scale, probability-based sample surveys to determine attitudes and opinions. Experience contributing to the development of research results by writing technical, methodological and research reports. This position requires graduate-level statistical training, including 9 semester hours in statistics at the graduate level. Experience in applying social science methodologies, theories, and analytic techniques (such as statistics, psychology, and social sciences) to synthesize complex analytical findings for reports. ; OR In addition to meeting qualifications, your application package must reflect the applicable experience to meet the Individual Occupational Requirements for the 0101/0180/1530 series. C. If you are applying for the Social Science 0101 series, you must have the following. Degree: behavioral or social science; or related disciplines appropriate to the position. OR 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 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. D. If you are applying for the Psychology 0180 series, you must have the following: Degree: major or equivalent in psychology for all specializations except clinical psychology and counseling psychology. E. If you are applying for the Statistics 1530 series, you must have the following: Degree: that included 15 semester hours in statistics (or in mathematics and statistics, provided at least 6 semester hours were in statistics), and 9 additional semester hours in one or more of the following: physical or biological sciences, medicine, educa