Summary This position is located in the Department of Health and Human Services, Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation, headquartered in Washington, District of Columbia. NOTE: This announcement is open for ten days or until the first 170 applications have been received. This announcement will be removed from USAJOBS at midnight, the day the set number of applications has been received or on the specified closing date, whichever comes first. Responsibilities WHAT YOU'LL BE DOING DAY TO DAY As a Social Science Analyst in the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation, you will use your knowledge and experience to inform and optimize policymaking by: Conducting reviews and analyses of budget, programmatic, regulatory, and legislative information and other research and evaluation related to health care policy and program activities. Implementing public policy analysis and/or quantitative research on science, public health, behavioral health, healthcare, or human/social services policy topics to improve program effectiveness. Utilizing qualitative methodologies to collect primary data such as surveys, interviews, or case studies to generate recommendations about health or human services systems and program improvement. Preparing reports, issue papers, manuscripts for peer-reviewed journals, memoranda, presentations, talking points, and other materials that summarize the existing evidence base and findings of research. Presenting research findings on science, public health, behavioral health, healthcare, or human/social services policy topics to internal audiences. Serving as an Assistant Contracting Officer's Technical Representative, Contracting Officer's Technical Representative and/or Government Task Lead for projects that utilize contractor support. Requirements Conditions of Employment Qualifications WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR BASIC QUALIFICATIONS REQUIREMENT FOR ALL GRADE LEVELS: Must have at least a bachelor's degree in behavioral or social science; or related disciplines appropriate to the position. NOTE: Must submit transcript(s). OR Must have a combination of education and experience that provides knowledge of one or more of the behavioral or social sciences equivalent to a major in the field. NOTE: Must submit transcript(s). OR Must have four (4) years of appropriate experience that demonstrates knowledge of one or more of the behavioral or social sciences equivalent to a major in the field. AND ADDITIONAL QUALIFICATIONS REQUIREMENT FOR GS-11 GRADE LEVEL: Must have at least one year of specialized experience, equivalent to the GS-09 grade level in the Federal service performing at least two (2) of the following: 1) Supporting the development of research to analyze science, public health, behavioral health, healthcare, or human/social services policy issues; 2) Conducting public policy analysis or research for science, public health, behavioral health, healthcare, or human/social services topics. 3) Evaluating science, public health, behavioral health, healthcare, or human/social services policies or programs. 4) Supporting coordination across multiple science, public health, behavioral health, healthcare, or human/social services programs, fields, or sectors to improve health or wellbeing outcomes. OR Must have three (3) years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree or Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree in behavioral or social science, or related disciplines appropriate to the position. One year of full-time graduate education is considered to be the number of credit hours that the school attended has determined to represent one year of full-time study. If that number cannot be obtained from the school, 18 semester or 27 quarter hours will satisfy an academic year of graduate study. NOTE: Must submit transcript(s). OR Must have a combination of experience and graduate education as described above. NOTE: Must submit transcript(s). ADDITIONAL QUALIFICATIONS REQUIREMENT FOR GS-12 GRADE LEVEL: Must have at least one year of specialized experience, equivalent to the GS-11 grade level in the Federal service performing at least two (2) of the following: 1) Developing research to provide expert advice, or guidance on the analysis of a science, public health, behavioral health, healthcare, or human/social services policy issues; 2) Conducting public policy analysis or research for science, public health, behavioral health, healthcare, or human/social services topics. 3) Developing and/or evaluating science, public health, behavioral health, healthcare, or human/social services policies or programs. 4) Coordinating across multiple science, public health, behavioral health, healthcare, or human/social services programs, fields, or sectors to improve health or wellbeing outcomes. ADDITIONAL QUALIFICATIONS REQUIREMENT FOR GS-13 GRADE LEVEL: Must have at least one year of specialized experience, equivalent to the GS-12 grade level in the Federal service performing at least three (3) of the following: 1) Developing research and providing expert advice or guidance on the analysis of a science, public health, behavioral health, healthcare, or human/social services policy issues; 2) Conducting public policy analysis or research for science, public health, behavioral health, healthcare, or human/social services topics. 3) Developing and/or evaluating science, public health, behavioral health, healthcare, or human/social services policies or programs. 4) Coordinating across multiple science, public health, behavioral health, healthcare, or human/social services programs, fields, or sectors to improve health or wellbeing outcomes. Documenting experience: IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE WILL NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Qualifications are based on breadth/level of experience. In addition to describing duties performed, applicants must provide the exact dates of each period of employment (from MM/YY to MM/YY) and the number of hours worked per week if part time. As qualification determinations cannot be made when resumes do not include the required information, failure to provide this information may result in disqualification. Applicants are encouraged to use the USAJOBS Resume Builder to develop their federal resume. Do not copy and paste the duties, specialized experience, or occupational application questionnaire from this announcement into your resume as that will not be considered a demonstration of your qualifications for this position. In accordance with Office of Personnel Management policy, federal employees are assumed to have gained experience by performing duties and responsibilities appropriate for their official series and grade level as described in their position description. Experience that would not normally be part of the employee's position is creditable, however, when documented by satisfactory evidence, such as a signed memorandum from the employee's supervisor or an SF-50 or SF-52 documenting an official detail or other official assignment. The documentation must indicate whether the duties were performed full time or, if part time, the "percentage of times" the other duties were performed. It is expected that this documentation is included in the employee's official personnel record. In order to receive credit for experience in your resume that is not within the official series and grade level of your official position, you must provide a copy of the appropriate documentation of such experience as indicated above. 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; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to gain employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. If such experience is on a part-time basis, you must provide the average number of hours worked per week as well as the beginning and ending dates of the experience so it can be fully credited. OPM Qualification General Policies Website Education Foreign Education: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show that 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: http://www.ed.gov. Note: Applications can be accepted from students who expect to complete qualifying education within 9 months from the date of application. Education was completed successfully before the applicant can be appointed. Additional Information THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW Incentives may be authorized; however, this is contingent upon multiple factors, including funds availability. If authorized, certain incentives may require you to sign a service agreement to remain in the Federal government for a period of up to 3 years. Note: This statement does not imply nor guarantee an incentive will be offered and paid. Incentives may include the following: moving expenses, recruitment or relocation incentive; student loan repayment, superior qualifications appointment, creditable service for annual leave for prior non-federal work experience or prior uniformed military service, etc. Bargaining Unit Position: No Research position: No Drug Screening Required: No Veterans' Preference - https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/working-in-government/unique-hiring-paths/veterans/ Career Transition Assistance Program/Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP/ICTAP): For information on how to apply as an CTAP/ICTAP eligible see http://opm.gov/rif/employee_guides/career_transition.asp#ictap. To be well-qualified and exercise selection priority for this vacancy, displaced Federal employees must be rated at 85.0 or above on the rating criteria for this position. Beginning January 1, 2010, agencies must seek prior approval from OPM before they can appoint a current or recent political appointee to a competitive or non-political excepted service position at any level under the provisions of title 5, United States Code. If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C, or Non-career SES employee in the executive branch, you MUST disclose that to the Human Resources Office.