Duties

Summary

This position is located in the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), Office of Justice Programs (OJP), National Institute of Justice (NIJ), Office of Research, Evaluation, and Technology (ORET), Technology and Standards Division (TSD). The primary purpose of the position is to apply cross-disciplinary mathematical expertise to a wide range of criminal justice research programs and develop solutions that address the challenges of crime and justice.
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Responsibilities

Serves as an agency-wide expert on the most challenging problems in mathematical sciences, such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, statistics, biometrics, and complex adaptive systems, applied to criminal justice and public safety. Serves on external technical committees such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, and other related computational areas, with a nexus to criminal justice policy and practice.

Consults with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement on technology-focused research, development, and evaluation projects related to criminal justice policy and practice in the U.S. Reviews mathematical and computational studies, models, sample surveys, statistical measurements, reports, and documentation for the organization in order to evaluate all potential impacts.

Conducts intramural research on mathematical sciences topics related to criminal justice and public safety, such as literature reviews, environmental scans, data collections, data analyses, position papers, or original experimental research. Provides leadership on highly complex issues of critical importance in the criminal justice system, and handles assignments that involve a broad and general responsibility for accurate data collection, analysis, reporting, and oversight. Formulates and carries through research plans that explore research in relation to the mathematical sciences, such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, statistics, biometrics, and complex adaptive systems, applied to criminal justice and public safety.

Coordinates major extramural and intramural research studies with far-reaching results. Analyzes and evaluates projects and programs and advises on their effectiveness. Publishes a variety of materials within subject matter expertise, such as peer-reviewed journal articles, conference proceedings, articles in professional or industry journals, or agency publications and online resources. Contributes to the development of NIJ strategic research plans.

Identifies justice systems research needs and develops projects and programs to address those needs. Develops concepts for extramural and intramural research projects and programs to address those needs. Develops concepts for extramural grant solicitations based on research priorities that address the most pressing needs of the criminal justice system in the United States. Leads grant solicitation activities throughout the fiscal year, including managing peer review, and developing grant funding recommendations for NIJ leadership. Advises NIJ grant staff on the programmatic aspects of grants and cooperative agreements funded by NIJ at the intersection of the mathematical sciences and the criminal justice system. Coordinate to the extent possible NIJ-funded research, development, and evaluation of topics of mutual interest to Federal partners.

Presents NIJ-funded research findings at relevant national and international conferences related to mathematical science topics relevant to criminal justice and public safety.

Travel Required

Occasional travel - Occasional travel may be expected for this position.

Supervisory status
No

Promotion Potential
14

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

• U.S. Citizenship required.
• Subject to background/suitability investigation/determination.
• Federal payments are required to be made by Direct Deposit.
• Requires registration for the Selective Service. Visit www.sss.gov.
• Pre-employment drug testing required.
• 1-year probationary period may be required.
• Must be able to obtain and maintain a Top Secret Clearance

Qualifications

Basic Entry Requirements :
Applicants must possess:

A baccalaureate level degree in mathematics, statistics, or actuarial science. The degree must be in a major field of study that is appropriate for the position.
or

Combination of education and experience: Courses equivalent to a major field of study as shown in paragraph A above, plus additional education or appropriate experience.

Specialized Experience:
In addition to meeting the basic entry qualification requirements, applicants must have one (1) year of
specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-14 level. Specialized experience is experience which is in or related to the line of work of the position to be filled and which has equipped the applicant with the specific knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position.

Examples of specialized experience include: Performing mathematical and computational studies, models, sample surveys, statistical measurements, reports, and documentation to evaluate potential impacts to stakeholder research problems; developing research plans that explore mathematical concepts, such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, statistics, biometrics, and complex adaptive systems, and their application to stakeholder problems; and contributing to research grant solicitation design and conceptualization based on organizational and/or stakeholder research priorities.

Technical Qualifications:
Applicants who meet the basic entry and minimum qualification requirements, as described above, will be further evaluated on the following technical qualifications:

• Mathematical Reasoning
• Machine Learning Expertise
• Scientific Research Experience
• Research Grant Solicitation Work
• Criminal Justice Policy
• Written and Oral Communication

Additional information on the qualification requirements is outlined in the OPM Qualification Standards Handbook of General Schedule Positions and is available at OPM's website: https:// www.opm.gov/qualifications/standards/indexes/num-ndx.asp

All qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement.

Education

This position has a positive education requirement. Please see the Qualifications section for more information.

Additional information

• This position may be eligible for telework per agency policy.
• OJP offers opportunities for flexible work schedules.
• Recruitment incentives may be authorized.
• This position is included in the bargaining unit.
• This vacancy announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.
• Please do not indicate current or former position salary in your application or resume.

How You Will Be Evaluated

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

You will be considered under all categories for which you are eligible.

For All U.S. Citizens: Your application will be evaluated and rated under DOJ's Category Rating and Selection Procedures. Your resume and supporting documentation will be used to determine whether you meet the job qualifications listed on this announcement. If you are basically qualified for this job, your resume and supporting documentation will be compared to your responses on the online assessment questionnaire. If you rate yourself higher than is supported by your application materials, your responses may be adjusted and/or you may be excluded from consideration for this job. Your application will then be placed in one of three categories: Best Qualified, Highly Qualified, or Qualified. Names of all candidates in the best qualified category will be sent to the hiring official for employment consideration. Candidates within the best qualified category who are eligible for veterans preference will receive selection priority over non-veteran preference eligibles.

For Status/Merit Promotion/VEOA candidates: Your resume and supporting documentation will be used to determine whether you meet the job qualifications listed on the announcement. If you are basically qualified for this job, your resume and supporting documentation will be compared to your responses on the online assessment questionnaire. If you rate yourself higher than is supported by your resume and application materials, your responses may be adjusted and/or you may be excluded from consideration for this job. If you are found to be among the top candidates, you will be referred to the selecting official for employment consideration.

For Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP)/Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) applicants: The ICTAP provides eligible displaced Federal competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. The CTAP provides eligible surplus and displaced competitive service employees in the Department of Justice with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies If your agency has notified you in writing that you are a displaced employee eligible for ICTAP consideration, or if your Department of Justice component has notified you in writing that you are a surplus or displaced employee eligible for CTAP consideration, you may receive selection priority if: 1) this vacancy is within your ICTAP/CTAP eligibility; 2) you apply under the instructions in this announcement; and 3) you are found well-qualified for this vacancy. Under merit promotion procedures, to be well qualified, you must satisfy all qualification requirements for the vacant position and score 85 or better on established ranking criteria. Under category rating procedures, you must satisfy all qualification requirements for the vacant position and rate equivalent to the Highly Qualified or better category using established category rating criteria.

Background checks and security clearance

Security clearance
Top Secret

Drug test required
Yes

Position sensitivity and risk
Critical-Sensitive (CS)/High Risk

Trust determination process

Required Documents

REMINDER: ALL DOCUMENTS MUST BE RECEIVED BY 11:59 Eastern Time (Washington, D.C. time) ON 10/04/2020 .

Required Documents

Resume,

Responses to the online questions,

Transcripts (you may submit unofficial transcripts, official transcripts will be required upon selection - please highlight applicable courses required for this position),

Veterans' Preference Documentation (if applicable; see below),

SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action (current and former federal employees; see below for more information), and

Performance Appraisal (for current federal employees) Note: if not provided, may be required at time of interview.

Note: Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Veterans Preference In order to verify your veteran preference entitlement, submit a copy of the Member Copy 4 of your DD-214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty); official statement of service from your command if you are currently on active duty; or other official documentation (e.g., documentation of receipt of a campaign badge or expeditionary medal) that shows your military service was performed under honorable conditions.

If you are a disabled veteran, a Purple Heart recipient, or widow/widower of a veteran, spouse of a disabled veteran or the natural mother of a disabled or deceased veteran, you must submit a Standard Form (SF) 15, Application for 10-Pt Veteran Preference, and the other required documentation listed on the reverse of the SF-15 to support your preference claim.

Although veteran preference points are not assigned under the category rating procedures described under How You Will Be Evaluated, veterans' preference eligibles are listed ahead of non-veterans within each category for which qualified. In addition, qualified veterans with a compensable service-connected disability of 10% or more are placed at the top of the highest quality category (i.e., Best Qualified).

Veterans Employment Opportunity Act
To be eligible for a Veteran Employment Opportunities Act (VEOA) appointment, a veteran must be honorably separated and either a preference eligible or have substantially completed three (3) or more years of continuous active military service. If applying for a Merit Promotion announcement and wish to be considered under the VEOA, you must submit a copy of the Member Copy 4 of your DD-214, in addition to any other required documents listed on this announcement.

Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP / Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP)
If you are claiming CTAP/ICTAP eligibility, you must submit proof by the closing date of the announcement that you meet the requirements of 5 CFR 330.605(u) for CTAP and 5 CFR 330.704 for ICTAP or you will not receive priority consideration. The proof includes a copy of the Agency notice, your most recent performance rating, and your most recent SF-50 Notification of Personnel Action for Competitive Appointment.

Non-competitive Eligibility
You can apply for a non-competitive appointment if you meet the basic eligibility requirements and you are eligible for special appointment such as those authorized for the severely disabled; veterans w/ service-connected disabilities of 30% or more; returning volunteers from the Peace Corps or Vista, Veterans' Recruitment Appointment, etc. Appropriate documentation to support your claim must be included in your application, along with the type of special appointment you are seeking. Current/Former Federal Employees
If you are a current Federal employee in a permanent, competitive service position, you must submit document to confirm your status. Failure to submit an appropriate SF-50 will automatically disqualify you from consideration.

• Submit an SF50 (Notification of Personnel Action) or other official agency documentation that shows your current (or most recent) grade and competitive service status. (The "position occupied" block on the SF50 should show a "1" and your "tenure" block should show a "1" or "2".)
• Submit your most recent Performance Appraisal (dated within the last 18 months) or a statement explaining why you are unable to submit your appraisal. If not provided at time of application, it will be required at time of interview.

If you are a former Federal employee who is reinstatement eligible based on prior federal permanent competitive service, you must submit documents to confirm your eligibility.

• Submit an SF50 (Notification of Personnel Action) or other official agency documentation that shows your current (or most recent) grade and competitive service status. (The "position occupied" block should show a "1" and your "tenure" block should show a "1".

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.

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.