Social Science Research Specialist with Security Clearance

Duties The selectee will serve as a Social Science Research Specialist in the Office of Strategic Intelligence and Information, National Threat Assessment Center. Typical work assignments include: * Utilizes conventional research techniques to evaluate, synthesize, and summarize data and information in support of research, training, and consultative initiatives the areas of targeted violence prevention and threat assessment. * Under the guidance of senior staff, conducts comprehensive open-source analysis on specific topics or issues to identify pertinent theories or data in scientific literature, government reports, news media, internet sites, and other information systems on targeted violence, threat assessment, and related concepts. * Prepares written incident analysis summaries and case summaries and assists with the preparation of other reports summarizing the research process, findings, and implications, which enhance and/or contribute to scientific and professional knowledge of targeted violence and threat assessment. * Delivers presentations to internal and external partners on behavioral threat assessment and targeted violence, which may require travel as directed. Apply for this exciting opportunity to be able to support research, training, and consultative initiatives on the prevention of targeted violence and to the field of behavioral threat assessment, which significantly impacts and informs the agencies approach to preventing potential threat to persons and facilities protected by the agency. This Social Science Research Specialist position starts at a salary of $69,923 (GS-9, step 1) or 84,601 (GS-11, step 1), with promotional potential to $156,755 (GS-13, step 10). Requirements Conditions of Employment * U.S. Citizenship is required. * Males born after 12/31/1959 must be registered for Selective Service. * Complete the initial online assessment and USA Hire Assessment, if required. If selected for this position, you will be required to: * Obtain and maintain a top-secret Tier 5 clearance. For more information visit OPM Mythbuster Page. * Submit to a drug test prior to your appointment and random drug testing while you occupy the position. * Submit to a polygraph examination prior to your appointment. * Undergo occasional travel. * Submit a credit check after a conditional offer of employment has been accepted. NOTE: The person selected for this position may be subject to a one-year probationary period. Qualifications 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: Degree: behavioral or social science; or related disciplines appropriate to the position (e.g. psychology, criminology, behavioral science; social psychology; criminal justice; sociology; intelligence and security studies) (Transcripts required) 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 (e.g., degree plus relevant experience in the field of behavioral or social science; or related disciplines to the position outlined in the job posting). (Transcripts required) 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 (e.g., only relevant experience in the field of behavioral or social science, or related disciplines to the position outlined in the job posting). IN ADDITION TO MEETING THE BASIC REQUIREMENTS ABOVE, YOU MUST ALSO MEET THE FOLLOWING MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: GS-9 You qualify for the GS-9 level (starting salary $69,923) if you possess one of the following: One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-7 level performing duties such as: * Performing routine tasks and assignments to support research projects to include collecting and analyzing data, that develops an understanding for the prevention of targeted violence, threat assessment, terrorism, and criminal behavior; * Applying behavioral and social science research principles, concepts, and methods which contribute to the prevention of targeted violence, behavioral threat assessment, terrorism, criminal behavior, and protective intelligence; * Performing routine and basic activities related to research analysis, compilation, and the interpretation of research data; and * Summarizing and interpreting data that contributes to the development of training resources and/or materials to advance the scientific and/or professional knowledge in the field of behavioral and social science. OR Master's or equivalent graduate degree in behavioral or social science or related disciplines appropriate to the position; or 2 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree in a field which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of the position. OR A combination of education and experience may be used to qualify for this position if the computed percentage of the requirements is at least 100%. To compute the percentage of the requirements, divide your total months of experience by 12. Then divide the total number of completed graduate semester hours (or equivalent) by 18. Add the two percentages. GS-11 You qualify for the GS-11 level (starting salary $84,601) if you possess one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-9 level performing duties such as: * Conducting open-source analysis on specific topics associated with the prevention of targeted violence, behavioral threat assessment, terrorism, criminal behavior, and protective intelligence; * Applying standardized behavioral and social science research principles, concepts and methods to execute research tasks which contribute to the field of behavioral threat assessment and prevention of targeted violence; * Evaluating, synthesizing, and summarizing data and information in support of research, training, and consultative initiatives; * Drafting sections of reports, and briefing materials which enhance and/or contributes to scientific and professional knowledge of targeted violence, behavioral threat assessment, criminal behavior, and related concepts. OR * Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree in behavioral or social science or related disciplines appropriate to the position; or 3 full years progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree in a field which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities to do the work of the position. OR * A combination of education and experience may be used to qualify for this position if the computed percentage of the requirements is at least 100%. To compute the percentage of the requirements, divide your total months of experience by 12. Then divide the total number of completed graduate semester hours (or equivalent) beyond the second year (total graduate semester hours minus 36) by 18. Add the two percentages. 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. 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. Education For positions with an education requirement, or if you are qualifying for a position by substituting education or training for experience, you MUST submit a copy of your transcripts or equivalent. Unofficial transcripts will be accepted that includes your name, the name of the educational institution, course title(s), number of credits, grade, and date of completion. An official transcript will be required if you are selected. Additional information DHS uses E-Verify, an Internet-based system, to confirm the eligibility of all newly hired employees to work in the United States. Learn more about E-Verify , including your rights and responsibilities. If you receive a conditional offer of employment for this position, you will be required to complete an Optional Form 306, Declaration for Federal Employment , and to sign and certify the accuracy of all information in your application, prior to entry on duty. False statements on any part of the application may result in withdrawal of offer of employment, dismissal after beginning work, fine, or imprisonment. The Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs Act prohibits the Department of Homeland Security and its Components from requesting an applicant's criminal history record before that individual receives a conditional offer of employment. In accordance with 5 U.S. Code 9202(c) and 5 C.F.R 920.201 certain positions are exempt from the provisions of the Fair Chance to Compete Act. Applicants who believe they have been subjected to a violation of the Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs Act, may submit a written complaint to . More than one selection may be made from this announcement if additional identical vacancies in the same title, series, grade and unit occur. Applying to this announcement certifies that you give permission for DHS to share your applicati