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Top Secret Clearance Jobs

Social Science Research Specialist

Top Secret Clearance Jobs, Washington, DC, United States


About the job Social Science Research Specialist
Top Secret Clearance Jobs is dedicated to helping those with the most exclusive security clearance find their next career opportunity and get interviews within 48 hours.

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RequirementsConditions 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.
  • 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.

QualificationsTo 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 RequirementsDegree: behavioral or social science; or related disciplines appropriate to the position. (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. (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.

IN ADDITION TO MEETING THE BASIC REQUIREMENTS ABOVE, YOU MUST ALSO MEET THE FOLLOWING MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:GS-09: You qualify for the GS-09 level (starting salary $68,405) if you possess one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-07 level performing duties such as:

  • performing routine tasks, assignments and research that develops an understanding for the prevention of targeted violence, threat assessment, terrorism, criminal behavior, and intelligence; and
  • performing research, fact-finding, analysis, and evaluation of raw data
NOTE: The contents of your resume MUST support your claim of specialized experience.

ORHave successfully completed a Master's or equivalent graduate degree; or two (2) full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree; or LL.B. or J.D., if related at an accredited college or university;

ORHave a combination of specialized experience (less than one year) and graduate education (less than two years) that when combined equals 100% of the qualification requirement. NOTE: Only graduate education in excess of one year (generally 18 semester hours) may be used in this calculation.

GS-11: You qualify for the GS-11 level (starting salary $82,764) if you possess one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-9 level performing duties such as:

  • conducting focused searches of internal and open-source information systems to identify pertinent data from various sources on targeted violence, threat assessment and related concepts;
  • applying standardized research principles, concepts and methods to execute research tasks under the direction of senior staff;
  • identifying study samples, collecting and analyzing data and other information;
  • documenting the research process, findings and implications; and
  • drafting sections of reports, and briefing materials.
NOTE: The contents of your resume MUST support your claim of specialized experience.

ORHave successfully completed a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree, or three full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree, or LL.M. if related, from an accredited college or university that provided the knowledge, skills and abilities necessary to perform this work;

ORHave a combination of specialized experience (less than one year) and graduate education (beyond 2 years of graduate education), that when combined equals 100% of the qualification requirement. Note: Only graduate education i excess of two years (generally 36 semester hours) may be used in this calculation.

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 HRsupport@usss.dhs.gov.
The agency has a Telework Policy which is at the discretion of management and based on roles and responsibilities. Additionally, compressed or flexible work schedules are offered with appropriate approval.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 application with others in DHS for similar positions.

The Department of Homeland Security encourages persons with disabilities to apply, to include persons with intellectual, severe physical or psychiatric disabilities, as defined by 5 CFR

  • 213.3102(u), and/or Disabled Veterans with a compensable service-connected disability of 30 percent or more as defined by 5 CFR
  • 315.707. Veterans, Peace Corps/VISTA volunteers, and persons with disabilities possess a wealth of unique talents, experiences, and competencies that can be invaluable to the DHS mission. If you are a member of one of these groups, you may not have to compete with the public for federal jobs. To determine your eligibility for non-competitive appointment and to understand the required documentation, click on the links above or contact the Servicing Human Resources Office listed at the bottom of this announcement.
The Secret Service prohibits employees from having visible body markings (including but not limited to tattoos, body art, and branding) on the head, face, neck, hand and fingers (any area below the wrist bone) (exception: a single conservative and unobtrusive tattoo in the form of a ring is authorized on one finger).

DHS offers competitive salaries and an attractive benefits package, including health, dental, vision, life, and long-term care insurance; retirement plan; Thrift Savings Plan [similar to a 401(k)]; Flexible Spending Account; Employee Assistance Program; personal leave days; and paid federal holidays.

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  • Help Help A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.