Summary GAO supports the Congress in meeting its constitutional responsibilities to legislate, appropriate, and oversee the Federal government for the benefit of the American people. GAO, commonly referred to as the investigative arm of Congress, or the congressional watchdog, is independent and nonpartisan. GAO assists Congress in making informed decisions by providing information on policy and program issues, as well as by providing recommendations to make government more effective and responsive. Responsibilities At the Band IIA, the incumbent serves as a Senior Methodologist (Social Science) responsible for providing consultative services to engagement teams and assisting in the selection and implementation of appropriate methodologies for engagements in accordance with GAO and professional standards. Duties involve are not limited to the following: Participating in design, researchable question development, data collection and analysis, message development, and report writing, and ensuring the quality and value of the final product; Providing advice on data collection methods for engagements. Selects, refines, organizes, and presents factual information and analysis in support of engagement objectives. Collaborates with engagement team members on the scope, form, content, and depth of analysis; Contributing to primary data collection. In conjunction with team members and other specialists, develops and pretests questionnaires, structured interviews, and other data collection instruments used to collect primary data to meet the goals of the engagement. Evaluates and analyzes data to determine relevance and reliability; In conjunction with team members, develops findings and recommendations and prepares products that provide factual and analytical information in a clear, balanced manner that meets the needs of congressional clients; Ensuring products meet GAO standards for quality and are in conformance with policy and requirements. Requirements Conditions of Employment Must be a full-time or part-time GAO employee on a permanent appointment. All qualifications must be met by May 5, 2024 (effective date of promotion). You must meet the education / experience requirements for this position. Qualifications Basic Qualification Requirement: Please review the education section of this job opportunity announcement for the basic requirements for this position. AND Minimum Qualification Requirements Band IIA In addition to the education requirement, applicants must be a full-time or part-time GAO employee on a permanent appointment. Applicants must meet either of the two following criteria by May 5, 2024. (effective date of the promotions): Have a minimum of 104 weeks of GAO experience, equivalent to at least the next lower band level (PE-I, PA-I, PT-II, PT-I, AC-III, AC-IV), in a position in a position developing quantitative and qualitative social science research design approaches, and applying judgment and ingenuity in using, and/or guiding others to use, these approaches to effectively perform evaluations or other applied research. OR Have 78 weeks of GAO experience, equivalent to at least the next lower band level (PE-I, PA-I, PT-II, PT-I, AC-III, AC-IV), and have a minimum of 52 weeks of directly related work experience in a position developing quantitative and qualitative social science research design approaches, and applying judgment and ingenuity in using, and/or guiding others to use, these approaches to effectively perform evaluations or other applied research prior to starting work at GAO and have a minimum of 52 weeks of directly related work experience prior to starting work at GAO by May 5, 2024. Education Basic Qualification Requirements for the Social Science Series, 0101 Qualification standard 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. FOREIGN EDUCATION: Education completed outside of the United States must be deemed equivalent to that gained in conventional/accredited U.S. education programs to be acceptable for Federal employment. Most foreign education is not accredited by an accrediting body that is recognized by the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Education. If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. For further information, visit: Recognition of Foreign Qualifications | International Affairs Office (ed.gov) Additional Information Band IIA promotion opportunities for GAO's mission teams will be available in all applicable geographical locations. For information on the number of Band IIA promotion opportunities by team, please see the GAO-wide Notice published and distributed (via email) earlier this month. This position is included in the bargaining unit. If you would like to apply for Specialists promotion opportunities (IT Analyst, Financial Auditor, etc.), you must submit a separate application directly to the appropriate announcement for each Specialist position for which you wish to be considered. This position is a moderate risk public trust position with possible upgrade to a Secret or Top Secret or SCI clearance depending on the type of engagement the employee will be assigned to within the mission teams. REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION: GAO provides reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. To request accommodation, please email [email protected] U.S. Government Accountability Office's policy is to provide equal employment opportunity for all regardless of race, religion, color, sex (including pregnancy), national origin, age, disability, genetic information, sexual orientation, or gender identity. If selected for promotion, you will be promoted in your current duty station. If you are selected for a promotion and have applied for a Flexible Work Agreement (FWA) or Remote Work Agreement (RWA), and are approved for one of these agreements, you will have to re-apply if selected for promotion based on the new position to which you will be promoted. Additionally, you may have a 90-day waiting period if you have requested FWA or RWA to a new geographical location.