Duties

Summary

The U.S. Department of the Treasury has a distinguished history dating back to the founding of our nation. As the steward of U.S. economic and financial systems, Treasury is a major and influential leader in today's global economy. We have over 100,000 employees across the country and around the world. Come Join the Department of the Treasury and Invest in Tomorrow.

See Other Information for Locations




Learn more about this agency

Responsibilities

WHAT IS THE WAGE AND INVESTMENT DIVISION: The Wage & Investment Division (W&I) serves about 122 million taxpayers who file upwards of 94 million returns each year. Key W&I objectives are to provide high-quality taxpayer assistance, and to enable taxpayers to transact and communicate electronically to file their returns, make payments and receive assistance. W&I partners with private organizations to provide assistance to such disadvantaged groups as elderly and low-income taxpayers.

WHAT DOES A SOCIAL SCIENTIST DO? A Social Scientist develops, executes, manages, and provides oversight to research activities using social science and statistical methodology to profile and evaluate market segments of taxpayers for compliance with tax laws and resolve critical problems and to draw rational inferences. The individual will be required to possess a thorough understanding of the basic social economic and social psychology problems. The individual should have strong analytical and methodology skills including both qualitative and quantitative data collection. In this role, a Social Scientist will be responsible for the integration of the assigned study into the major social economic and social psychology research problem, and the planning and execution of sequential work steps.

As a Social Scientist you will:

• Provide technical advice in the development of specifications for all or a segment of the social science research study, presenting the data and analytical materials in the form most suitable to the end users.
• Work with senior social scientist performing work assignments in the areas of social economic and social psychology and assumes technical responsibility in the assigned area for various phases of initiation, formulation, planning, execution, and control of major social science studies or continuous projects.
• Work with other Internal Revenue Service offices, senior scientists, and governmental agencies in social science research activities, social survey design, and statistical estimation.
• Demonstrate applicability of social science concepts and theories when framing research questions, analyzing data, and interpreting findings.
• Produce tables and graphical materials using standard computer software packages to provide conclusions on data tables and charts.
• Develop, analyze, and review social economic and social psychology statistical information in assigned area to present findings and assess reasonableness and accuracy of the material produced for a given study.
• Assume responsibility for the effective use of resources within assigned subject matter projects and monitor such use to advise superiors of necessary remedial action or changes.
• Review internal and external technical papers, articles, and other reports that use social science data for technical accuracy and proper application of social science methods and statistical analysis, taking into account the limitations of the social economic and social psychology data to ensure updated techniques and procedures are used.
• Apply social science methods including social marketing, social norms marketing, anthropological marketing, and metaphor marketing to tax administration research to better understand taxpayer behavior and tax compliance.
• Stay informed of social economic and social psychology, statistical and tax literature through information disseminated from higher graded professionals for data and research methodology appropriate for inclusion in the research process and also as a means of helping to evaluate the reasonableness of the data.
• Apply technical knowledge and experience working with large, complex data sets.
• Employ a variety of quantitative and qualitative techniques and approaches to analyze data, and writing white papers and research notes documenting the analyses and findings.
  
  
  WHERE CAN I FIND OUT MORE ABOUT OTHER IRS CAREERS? If you want to find out more about IRS careers, visit us on the web at www.jobs.irs.gov

Travel Required

Occasional travel - 1-5 nights per month

Supervisory status
No

Promotion Potential
13

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

• Refer to Other Information.
• Click "Print Preview" to review the entire announcement before applying.
• Must be a U.S. Citizen or National

Work is performed almost entirely in an office setting. There are no unusual physical requirements, but the incumbent must often work under the pressure of deadlines. Occasional travel may be involved.

AND
You must have:

Applicants must be at least 18 years of age or older, or at least 16 years of age or older, and meet one of the following: (1) have graduated from high school or have a certificate equivalent to graduating from high school; (2) have completed a formal vocational training program; or (3) have a statement from school authorities agreeing with the decision to pursue employment rather than continuing your education.

Qualifications

You must meet the following requirements by the closing date of this announcement:

BASIC REQUIREMENTS: All Grades
You must have a Bachelor's Degree at an accredited college or university in 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.

In addition to the above, you must meet the requirements described below:

GS-13 LEVEL: You must have 1 year of specialized experience at a level of difficulty and responsibility equivalent to the GS-12 grade level in the Federal service. Specialized experience for this position includes: demonstrating the use of professional knowledge of the methods and principles of social economic and social psychology to identify behavioral segments and profiles of taxpayer behavior, to determine conclusions, solve complex problems within the assigned area, draw rational social economic statistical conclusions and prepare comprehensive reports; experience applying technical expertise and application of social economic and social psychology and statistical techniques to research data and skillful interpretation of the results and validate findings; experience should include developing, analyzing, and presenting social science information statistically, recognizing and adopting new techniques and preparing comprehensive reports; experience carrying out research assignments using social science and statistical methodology to define profile and evaluate market segments of taxpayers for compliance with tax laws and resolve critical problems and to draw rational inferences. experience using various phases of initiation, formulation, planning, execution, and control of major social science studies or continuous projects to recognize and evaluate significant and critical factors, to solve complex problems and to draw rational inferences based on research findings; experience reviewing technical papers, articles, and other reports that use social science data for technical accuracy and proper application of social science methods and statistical analysis and resolving complex social science problems or errors.

- The experience may have been gained in the public sector, private sector or Volunteer Service . One year of experience refers to full-timework; part-timework 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 resume.

Education

-

Additional information

Positions are located in Wage & Investment, W&I Operation Support, Strategies & Solutions, Research Group 2. 1 vacancy to be filled at any of the following locations:

Atlanta

Washington DC


The anticipated start date is: November 2020

Conditions of Employment

-We may select from this announcement or any other source to fill one or more vacancies. Additional jobs may be filled.

-This is a Bargaining Unit position

- We offer opportunities for telework.

- We offer opportunities for flexible work schedules.

- A 1-year probationary period is required.

- Relocation Expenses will not be paid.

- Must successfully complete a background investigation including an FBI criminal history record check (fingerprint check).

- 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.

- Have your salary sent to a financial institution of your choice by Direct Deposit/Electronic Funds Transfer.

- 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.

- Undergo an income tax verification and review of prior performance/conduct.

- Must meet IRS telework eligibility requirements.

- Tour of Duty: 7:30am-4:00pm.

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 resume, responses to the online questions, and required supporting documents. Please be sure that your resume 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: Your application will be evaluated in the following areas: Attention To Detail, Oral Communication/Speaking, Planning and Evaluating, Teamwork, Technical Competence, Writing. Category rating will be used to rank and select eligible candidates. If qualified, you will be assigned to one of three quality level categories, (i.e., A = Superior, B = Highly Qualified, C= Qualified) depending on your responses to the online questions, regarding your experience, education, and training related to this position. Your rating may be lowered if your responses to the online questions are not supported by the education and/or experience described in your application. 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. Qualified preference-eligibles with a compensable service-connected disability of 10% or more will be listed at the top of the highest category for this position, except at the GS-09 and above.

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 (telephonic and/or in person at the discretion of the Selecting Official in accordance with hiring polices). We will not reimburse costs related to the interview such as travel to and from the interview site. 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 receive a rating of category B 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 resume, 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 will not be considered for this position (or may not receive the special consideration for which you may be eligible).

All applicants are required to submit a resume 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/year and number of hours worked for experience listed on your resume. We suggest that you preview the online questions, as you may need to customize your resume to ensure that it supports your responses to these questions. Please view Resume Tips

VETERANS' PREFERENCE DOCUMENTATION If you are claiming veterans' preference, you must submit a copy of your DD-214 (Member 4 copy), or other official documentation from a branch of the Armed Forces or the Department of Veterans Affairs showing dates of service and type of discharge. Ten-point preference eligibles must also submit an Application for 10-point Veteran Preference, SF-15 , along with the required documentation listed on the back of the SF-15 form. For more information on veterans' preference view FedsHireVets .

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. IRS CTAP eligibles can apply for jobs both within and outside the commuting area.

EDUCATION DOCUMENTATION: For positions with an education requirement, or if you are qualifying for this position by substituting education or training for experience, 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.

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.