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 - Occasional Travel

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.

If you are a federal or status employee you may also apply at #20-CFPB-286-MP.

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 requirements:

To qualify at CN-60, you must have one year of specialized experience at or equivalent to the next lower band/grade (CN-53, GS-13 or equivalent) in the Federal service. For this position specialized experience is defined as experience using psychology, economics, decision science, statistics, or marketing relevant to formulating, planning, and guiding social/decision-making studies relating to the basic science of individual decision-making and choice in real-world settings. Experience must include conducting field research, demonstrated by experience conducting randomized controlled trials (RCTs) or field experiments, or quasi-experimental field trials or field studies, as well as experience using methods relevant to this position and publishing in professional journals.

To qualify at CN-53, you must have one year of specialized experience at or equivalent to the next lower band/grade (CN-52, GS-12 or equivalent) in the Federal service. For this position, specialized experience is defined as experience using psychology, economics, decision science, statistics, or marketing relevant to formulating, planning, and guiding social/decision-making studies relating to the basic science of individual decision-making and choice in real-world settings. Experience must include conducting field research, demonstrated by experience conducting randomized controlled trials (RCTs) or field experiments, or quasi-experimental field trials or field studies, as well as experience using methods relevant to this position and publishing in professional journals.

A PhD for any grade level is preferred.

Education

Social Science Series (0101)

Basic Requirements

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.

Economist Series (0110):

Basic Requirements

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 in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education.

Psychology Series (0180)

Basic Requirements

Degree: major or equivalent in psychology for all specializations except clinical psychology and counseling psychology. These two specializations have additional educational requirements, as stated below:

-- Clinical psychology: For positions at grades GS-11 and above, satisfactory completion of all the requirements for the doctoral degree (Ph.D. or equivalent) directly related to full professional work in clinical psychology is required.

-- Counseling psychology: For positions at grades GS-9 and above, satisfactory completion of 2 full academic years of graduate study directly related to professional work in counseling psychology, or satisfactory completion in an accredited educational institution of all the requirements for a master's degree directly related to counseling psychology is required.

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 : Your application will be reviewed for minimum qualifications. Category rating will be used to rank and select eligible candidates. If qualified, you will be assigned to one of three quality level categories, A, B or C depending on your response to the assessment.

Assessment : If you meet the minimum qualification requirements, you will then be required to participate in a written exercise. Upon receiving an email notification from a CFPB representative (via email) to participate in this exercise, applicants must acknowledge with a response within three business days or he/she will be removed from consideration for this position. It is advised to occasionally check your "junk mail"/SPAM folders within your email to ensure you do not miss a message. The CFPB representative will then schedule a time for the applicant to receive instructions and complete and/or submit the exercise. The entire process must be completed by the applicant within two weeks from the initial contact from a CFPB representative or he/she will be removed from consideration. You will be evaluated in the following areas: Subject Matter Expertise, Analytical Thinking, Written Communication.

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

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.