Duties

As the Program Evaluator (Social Scientist), you will be responsible for designing, planning, and conducting evidence building activities that include evaluations, research, assessments, and analyses. These evidence building activities involve performing complex evaluations through the systematic collection, analysis, interpretation, and presentation of findings to facilitate decision-making regarding the effectiveness and efficiency of processes, programs, operations, policies, and regulations. Performing these evaluations requires an advanced understanding of evaluation theory, methods, approaches, and applications established within the social sciences (e.g., organizational psychology, political science, sociology). Assignments also involve coordinating with internal and external stakeholders and subject matter experts where applicable to develop findings for improving the effectiveness and efficiency, and to gain visibility into the impact of resource allocation on achieving program objectives.

Such duties include but are not limited to:

Serves as a Program Evaluator and technical authority responsible for developing, carrying out, and overseeing evidence building activities to further the mission of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission from project inception through field work to completion of final reports. Uses in depth experience and skill to apply appropriate evidence building techniques and methods to assess effectiveness and efficiency for improving areas such as programs, operations, policy, and regulations. Provides guidance, analysis, technical assistance and oversight on strategic planning, performance measurement, and continuous quality improvement within the agency.

In collaboration with senior staff, plays a leading role in designing, planning, and coordinating evidence building activities, including developing evaluation questions, project objectives, hypotheses, data collection and measurement (qualitative and quantitative) strategies, and rigorous approaches for testing hypotheses. Identifies challenges, needs, opportunities and finds relevant and applicable solutions, relying on evidence, considering policy alternatives, and making evidence-based findings.

Using appropriate evidence building principles and methods, undertakes a range of technically substantive activities. This includes reviewing and summarizing scientific literature; creating annotated bibliographies; identifying existing data; drafting coding and survey instruments; documenting the evaluation process, findings, and implications; drafting sections of reports; leading training sessions; and preparing written analysis summaries and case summaries. Collects, organizes, analyzes, and summarizes data; researches published materials; examines regulations; and takes steps necessary to provide vital technical information in a meaningful format. Performs sophisticated quantitative and qualitative analysis of policy issues using appropriate methodology and presents information and findings in analytical papers or provides input into reports and papers. Examples of quantitative methods for which the incumbent should be skilled include but are not limited to manipulation and cleaning of complex administrative data sets; non-experimental or quasi- experimental methods, such as difference in differences, matching estimators, regression discontinuity, and the use of natural experiments; predictive modeling or machine learning; and data visualization.

Remains abreast of recent advances in scientific knowledge, social and public policy research. Provides authoritative technical expertise in the creation of data files in statistical software, data entry, and execution of relevant statistical functions, execution of statistical analyses, and interpretation and analysis of data. Uses varied state-of-the-art qualitative and mixed methods combined with the use of statistical software, including for example R, Stata, and Python.

Conducts internal and external briefings and presentations and provides sound scientifically based findings on technical matters. Recommends adjustments to plans for evidence building activities when such action is required and informs the supervisor accordingly. Attends and presents papers at conferences or professional society meetings. Consults and coordinates activities with subject matter experts, representatives of other Federal Government agencies, and other stakeholders.

Serves as Contracting Officer's Representative and/or Project/Program Manager, responsible for evidence building activities conducted by external, third-party contractors. Designs and conducts evidence building activities using relevant data, distills findings for stakeholders, and develops relations with internal and external agency partners throughout the process.

Performs other duties as assigned.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

• This is a Drug Testing position.
• U.S. Citizenship is required.
• Must be able to meet/maintain security & suitability requirements.

You must meet the qualifications for this position by no later than 30 calendar days after the closing date of this announcement and before placement in the position.

Qualifications

In order to qualify for this position, you must have at least one year of specialized experience at the next lower (GG-13) grade level in the Federal service or equivalent experience in the private or public sector.

Specialized experience includes knowledge of evaluation theory, methods, approaches, and applications established within the social science disciplines to perform technically authoritative evidence building activities, the skill in designing, planning, and coordinating complex evaluations, and coordinating with internal and external stakeholders and subject matter experts where applicable.

The ideal candidate will be able to demonstrate the following:


1. Advanced understanding of evaluation theory, methods, approaches, and applications established within the social sciences (e.g., organizational psychology, political science, sociology).

2. Experience and skill to apply appropriate evidence building techniques and methods to assess effectiveness and efficiency for improving areas such as programs, operations, policy, and regulations.

3. Skilled in use of varied state-of-the-art qualitative and mixed methods combined with the use of statistical software, including for example, R, Stata, and Python.

4. Skilled in manipulation and cleaning of complex administrative data sets; nonexperimental or quasi-experimental methods, such as difference in differences, matching
estimators, regression discontinuity, and the use of natural experiments; predictive modeling or machine learning; and data visualization.

A description of how you possess the specialized experience as well as how you meet the qualifications desired in an ideal candidate should be addressed in your resume and in your response to a supplemental question.

Education

Qualification for 0101 Series:

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.

*NOTE: Failure to provide transcripts will result in you being rated ineligible for this position.

Additional information

Based on the staffing needs of the agency/area of consideration, additional selections may be made from this vacancy announcement.

The duty location of this position is the Rockville, Maryland. In general, employees are expected to be in the office 4 days per pay period. Telework schedules are approved, on a case-by-case basis. If selected, telework will be determined in accordance with Agency policy and the Collective Bargaining Agreement, if applicable.

To ensure compliance with an applicable preliminary nationwide injunction, which may be supplemented, modified, or vacated, depending on the course of ongoing litigation, the NRC will take no action to implement or enforce the COVID19 vaccination requirement pursuant to Executive Order 14043 on Requiring Coronavirus Disease 2019 Vaccination for Federal Employees. The NRC will request information regarding the vaccination status of selected applicants for the purposes of implementing other workplace safety protocols, such as protocols related to masking, physical distancing, testing, travel, and quarantine.

The NRC provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities where appropriate. Individuals with disabilities may contact the Selective Placement Coordinator for assistance with the application or hiring process via Disability.Resource@nrc.gov. Deaf applicants may contact the Disability Program Manager by calling the NRC videophone at 240-428-3217.

Individuals who are eligible for non-competitive appointment under an OPM special appointing authority may apply for consideration under a comparable NRC non-competitive appointing authority. Veterans, please visit: http://www.fedshirevets.gov/

Selectee's will be required to complete a "Declaration of Federal Employment", (OF-306), prior to being appointed to determine their suitability for Federal employment and to authorize a background investigation. False statements or responses on your resume or questionnaire can jeopardize your employment opportunity and subject you to disciplinary action, including removal from Federal service.

A transferable security clearance from another agency or a background investigation leading to a clearance is required for all new hires. To begin work at the NRC without a security clearance, you must be granted a temporary waiver of the required clearance, referred to as a 145(b) waiver. To be eligible for a 145(b) waiver you will need a favorable education verification, reference, credit, and criminal history checks. If a wavier is granted, the successful completion of a background investigation and favorable adjudication is required for continued employment. If you have resided outside the U.S. for an extended period of time, the agency may not be able to (1) grant the 145(b) waiver where the required investigation cannot be completed in a timely manner, or (2) achieve timely completion of the background investigation required for a security clearance.

The NRC is a zero tolerance agency with respect to illegal drug use. Individuals selected for this position will be subject to pre-appointment drug testing unless currently in a NRC position subject to random drug testing AND will be subject to random drug testing upon appointment to the NRC.