Duties

Summary

This position is located in the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, Office of Research. You will conduct social/behavioral analysis on a variety of topics that support CFPB functions: research of consumer decision making in financial markets, monitoring of behavior of consumers in financial markets and research on the role and efficacy of financial education interventions.

See our tips on the application process and printable checklist to ensure each step of the application is completed.

Learn more about this agency

Responsibilities

If selected you may be appointed as a Psychologist, Social Scientist, or Economist depending on your qualifications.

The following are the duties at the CN-60 level. (Equivalent to the GS-14). If you are selected at a lower grade level, you will have the opportunity to learn to perform all these duties, and will receive training to help you grow in this position.

The major duties of this position include:

• Gathering, synthesizing, analyzing and interpreting social and decision-making data and information to inform and participate in the policy process. Locating and addressing new and unique issues in consumer financial services markets, provide studies of decision-making in various markets and industries, assist with implementation of policies, and evaluate existing policies. Developing and maintaining theoretical and quantitative models of consumer economic decision-making for use in policy analysis.
• Designing and initiating original research or projects designed to fulfill the policy analysis responsibilities of the division. Initiating, developing, and carrying out research of consumer financial product markets designed to deepen understanding of how they function and how households and firms behave. Issues researched may include determinants of payment, saving, investment, borrowing and credit behavior; consumer understanding of risk and its influence on financial decisions, or the impact of advisors and advisory services on consumer choice.
• Conducting studies regarding consumer economic decision-making, particularly with regard to aspects of these practices relevant to consumer protection and government policy. Preparing in-depth, complete issue and position papers, as well as in-depth reports and presentation materials on areas of study, including making recommendations for action or policy based on the social/decision-making research. Preparing research papers and presentations that may be delivered to CFPB staff, to external seminars and conferences, and for publication in professional journals. Reviewing and commenting on research papers drafted by other CFPB staff, or by other persons writing on matters relevant to CFPB's mission
• Conducting independent research on current and emerging issues relating to consumer financial household finance issues. Identifying and implementing innovative approaches for application in studying consumer decision-making, financial products, and markets for financial products. Developing research methods and analytical tools for application to analysis and study of these areas.

Travel Required

Occasional travel - Limited travel may be required

Supervisory status
No

Promotion Potential
60

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

• Please refer to "Conditions of Employment."
• Click "Print Preview" to review the entire announcement before applying.
• Must be a U.S. Citizen or U.S National
• Public Trust background investigation will be required

The experience may have been gained in either the public or private sector or volunteer service . One year of experience refers to full-time work; part-time work is considered on a prorated basis. To ensure full credit for your work experience, please indicate dates of employment by month/year, and indicate number of hours worked per week on your résumé.

NOTE: This job is interdisciplinary (or multiple series) and will be filled by one of three series: Economist CN-0110, Social Scientist CN-0101, or Psychologist CN-0180 upon selection of the candidate. Each of these three occupational series has a basic qualification requirement. Applicants must meet the basic qualification requirement for at least one of these three occupational series, in addition to the specialized experience and/or education requirement for the position at the CN-52, CN-53 or CN-60 level

Qualifications

You must meet the following requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement.

You must meet the basic education requirements for each position plus the specialized experience required for each position.

In addition to completion of all requirements for a bachelor's degree in one of the fields described above (Economist, Psychologist, Social Scientist), applicants must also meet the following specialized experience and/or education requirements:

Specialized experience: For the CN-60, you must have one year of specialized experience at a level of difficulty and responsibility equivalent to the CN-53 grade level in the Federal service (For qualification purposes, the CN-53 is broadly equivalent to the GS-13). Specialized experience for this position includes:

Experience using psychology, economics, decision science, statistics, or marketing relevant to formulating, planning, and guiding social/behavioral studies relating to the basic science of individual decision-making and choice in real-world settings. Experience must include conducting research on problems in a continuing area of social/behavioral study using quantitative statistical and/or theoretical modeling techniques, demonstrated by conducting studies of subjects using methods relevant to this position, and publishing in professional journals.

Specialized experience: For the CN-53, you must have one year of specialized experience at a level of difficulty and responsibility equivalent to the CN-52 grade level in the Federal service (For qualification purposes, the CN-52 is broadly equivalent to the GS-12). Specialized experience for this position includes:

Experience using psychology, economics, decision science, statistics, or marketing relevant to formulating, planning, and guiding social/behavioral studies relating to the basic science of individual decision-making and choice in real-world settings. Experience should include conducting research on difficult problems in a continuing area of social/behavioral study using quantitative statistical and/or theoretical modeling techniques, demonstrated by conducting studies of subjects using methods relevant to this position, or publishing articles and studies.

Specialized experience: For the CN-52, you must have one year of specialized experience at a level of difficulty and responsibility equivalent to the CN-51 grade level in the Federal service (For qualification purposes, the CN-51 is broadly equivalent to the GS-11). Specialized experience for this position includes:

Experience using psychology, economics, decision science, statistics, or marketing relevant to formulating, planning, and guiding social/behavioral studies relating to the basic science of individual decision-making and choice in real-world settings. Examples of experience could include conducting research on problems in a continuing area of social/behavioral study using quantitative statistical and/or theoretical modeling techniques demonstrated by 1) advanced academic achievement (such as an advanced degree with academic honors), 2) conducting studies of subjects using methods relevant to this position, or 3) producing study reports for internal use.

OR

You may substitute education for general or specialized experience as follows: You MUST submit transcripts or equivalent. For this CN-52 research position, a Ph.D. in a related field that provided you with the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work above is fully qualifying at the CN-52 level.

OR
You may qualify by a combination of experience and education. Options for qualifying based on a combination will be identified in the online questions.

A PhD for any grade level is preferred.

Education

You MUST submit transcripts or equivalent.

You must meet the basic education requirements for each position plus the specialized experience required for each position.

Basic Requirements for Economist: Degree: Economics, that included at least 21 semester hours in economics and 3 semester hours in statistics, accounting, or calculus OR combination of education and experience: Courses equivalent to a major in economics, as shown above, plus appropriate experience or additional education.

Basic Requirements for Psychologist: Degree: You must have successfully completed a full 4-year course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a bachelor's degree that included a major field of study (i.e., amount of credit hours equivalent to 24 semester hours) or equivalent in psychology.

Basic Requirements for Social Scientist: 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.

The education generally must be from an accredited (or pre-accredited) college or university recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Additional information

- We may select from this announcement or any other source to fill one or more vacancies.
- This is a bargaining unit position.
- We offer opportunities for telework.
- We offer opportunities for flexible work schedules.
-Ethics: Bureau employees are subject to government-wide ethical standards of conduct, financial disclosure requirements, and post-employment prohibitions, which applicants may review at www.oge.gov. In addition, employees must comply with the Supplemental Standards of Ethical Conduct for Employees of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (5 CFR 9401), which, among other things, prohibit an employee or the employee's spouse or minor child from owning or controlling a debt or equity interest in an entity supervised by the Bureau. Regulations also impose restrictions on the outside activities of certain Bureau employees, including examiners and attorneys. Applicants may review the Bureau ethics regulations and a summary of the regulations at www.consumerfinance.gov. Questions regarding these requirements and prohibitions should be directed to the Bureau Ethics Office at EthicsHelp@cfpb.gov .

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:
- A one year probationary period may be required.
- Must successfully complete a background investigation.
- Complete a Declaration for Federal Employment to determine your suitability for Federal employment, at the time requested by the agency
- If you are a male applicant born after December 31, 1959, certify that you have registered with the Selective Service System or are exempt from having to do so.
- Go through a Personal Identity Verification (PIV) process that requires two forms of identification from the Form I-9 . Federal law requires verification of the identity and employment eligibility of all new hires in the U.S.
- Obtain and use a Government-issued charge card for business-related travel.

How You Will Be Evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

Your application includes your résumé, responses to the online questions, and required supporting documents. Please be sure that your résumé includes detailed information to support your qualifications for this position; failure to provide sufficient evidence in your resume may result in a "not qualified" determination.

Rating: You must submit a resume and, if you wish, a cover letter describing your qualifications as they relate to the duties of this position. Applicants who meet the basic qualification requirements described above will be ranked by a subject matter expert based on the extent to which they demonstrate the following knowledge, skills and abilities (KSAs). Be sure the information you provide in your resume and/or cover letter describes all of your relevant duties and accomplishments related to the KSAs. Failure to do so may result in a lower score than you would otherwise receive.

Experience in core topics and concepts in psychological, marketing, decision or statistical science, or economics applicable to researching, analyzing and evaluating issues relating to individual decision-making and choice in real-world settings.

Experience using qualitative and quantitative analysis techniques to identify, collect, verify, and systematize the data necessary to conduct required analyses, develop and recommend new policy options, and prepare research materials and presentations to management and other high level audiences.

Experience executing social/decision-making analyses and presenting well-reasoned options and potential consequences for alternative approaches where findings represent controversial or divergent views.

Experience carrying out tasks with minimal supervision, while exhibiting organizational skills and understanding of relevant issues.

Experience communicating with a broad range of influential internal and external contacts, including those involved in business, economic analyses, and the legislative process.

Veterans' preference is applied after applicants are assessed. Preference-eligibles will be listed at the top of their assigned category and considered before non-preference-eligibles in that category.

Referral: If you are among the top qualified candidates, your application may be referred to a selecting official for consideration. You may be required to participate in a selection interview.

If you are a displaced or surplus Federal employee (eligible for the Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP)/Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) ) you must be assigned the middle category or better to be rated as "well qualified" to receive special selection priority.

To preview questions please click here .

Background checks and security clearance

Security clearance
Not Required

Drug test required
No

Required Documents

A complete application includes 1. A résumé, 2. Vacancy question responses, and 3. Submission of any required documents. Please note that if you do not provide all required information, as specified in this announcement, you may not be considered for this position (or may not receive the special consideration for which you may be eligible).

Please ensure all required documents, including any required work samples, narratives, or other materials as stated in this announcement, are attached to your application package. Documents can be uploaded under the category of "Cover Letter".

All applicants are required to submit a résumé either by creating one in USAJOBS or uploading one of their own choosing. (Cover letters are optional.) To receive full credit for relevant experience, please list the month/date/year and number of hours worked for experience listed on your résumé. We suggest that you preview the online questions, as you may need to customize your résumé to ensure that it supports your responses to these questions. Please view résumé tips .

VETERANS' PREFERENCE DOCUMENTATION: If you are claiming veterans preference, please see applicant guide for required documentation . In order to be considered for veterans preference, you must submit all required documentation as outlined in the applicant guide.

CAREER TRANSITION ASSISTANCE PLAN (CTAP) OR INTERAGENCY CAREER TRANSITION ASSISTANCE PLAN (ICTAP) DOCUMENTATION: If you are a displaced or surplus Federal employee, click CTAP/ICTAP for eligibility and a detailed list of required documents you must submit in order to be eligible.

EDUCATION DOCUMENTATION: You MUST submit a copy of your transcripts or equivalent. An official transcript will be required if you are selected.

A college or university degree generally must be from an accredited (or pre-accredited) college or university recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. For a list of schools which meet these criteria, please refer to Department of Education Accreditation page . If you are qualifying based on foreign education, you must submit proof of creditability of education as evaluated by a credentialing agency. Refer to the OPM instructions .

JOB MARKET PAPER - A job market paper is required to be considered for this position. You MUST upload a job market paper which you have authored.

If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:

Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education .

Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.