Duties

Summary

Do you have a passion for public service? The United States Secret Service (USSS) is looking for you! The USSS is a premier law enforcement organization with two (2) critical national security missions: protect our nation's leaders and to conduct criminal investigations.

Learn more about this agency

Responsibilities

The selectee will serve as a Social Science Research Specialist in the Office of Strategic Intelligence and Information, Protective Intelligence and Assessment Division, National Threat Assessment Center. Duties will include, but are not limited to:

• Applies existing behavioral and social science research principles, concepts, and methods to execute research tasks under the direction of senior staff, to include identification of study samples, drafting of coding and survey instruments, collecting and analyzing data and other information; reviews scientific literature; creates annotated bibliographies; and conducts literature reviews.
• Documents the research process, findings, and implications; drafts sections of reports, training sessions, prepares written incident analysis summaries and case summaries.
• Develops and executes information sharing initiatives, training and consultative frameworks for diverse audiences to assist with the development of threat assessment program.
• Utilizes conventional research techniques to identify pertinent data in scientific literature, government reports, news media, Internet sites, and other information systems on targeted violence, threat assessments, terrorism, and criminal behaviors.
• Applies existing behavioral and social science research principles, concepts, and methods in the execution of research tasks to include creation of study data files in statistical software, data entry, and execution of descriptive statistical functions, execution of statistical analyses, and interpretation and analysis of data.

Travel Required

25% or less - Occasional travel may be required

Supervisory status
No

Promotion Potential
13 - Appointments may be made at the GS-9, GS-11, GS-12 or GS-13 level - the full performance level is GS-13.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

• U.S. citizenship is required.

If selected for this position, you will be required to:

• Obtain and maintain a top secret Tier 5 clearance. For more information visit OPM Mythbuster Page .
• Submit to a polygraph examination prior to your appointment.
• Submit to a drug test prior to your appointment and random drug testing while you occupy the position.
• Must be able to work holidays, evenings, weekends and during inclement weather and government shutdowns as required to support operations.
• Will be subject to on-call and irregular work hours
• Certify that you have registered with the Selective Service System or are exempt from having to do so, if you are a male applicant born after December 31, 1959.

Qualifications

You must demonstrate at least one (1) year of the defined specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level and meet the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Individual Occupational Requirements (IOR).

Specialized experience is defined as performing duties such as:

• GS-09: Performing routine tasks, assignments and research that develops an understanding for the prevention of targeted violence, threat assessment, terrorism, criminal behavior, and protective intelligence; and performing research, fact-finding, analysis, and evaluation of raw data.
  GS-11: Researching, analyzing, compiling, and interpreting research results; conducting presentations on the prevention of targeted violence, threat assessment, terrorism, criminal behavior, and protective intelligence; using new and innovative research techniques to evaluate, synthesize, and summarize data collected; and summarizing the research findings and implications.
• GS-12: Advising and administering the performance of research efforts and the development of policies and investigative procedures; researching, analyzing, compiling and interpreting research results on the prevention of targeted violence, threat assessment, terrorism, criminal behavior, and protective intelligence; and using new and innovative research techniques to evaluate, synthesize, and summarize data collected.
• GS-13: Providing guidance and direction to junior staff in researching, analyzing, compiling and interpreting research results; independently conducting research, training, and consultative initiatives in relation to targeted violence, terrorism and protective intelligence; and composing reports for internal and external distribution, summarizing research findings and developing standardized threat assessment techniques and implementing a wide range of behavioral and social science research principles, concepts and methods to direct others in research projects.

AND

OPMs Individual Occupational Requirement (IOR) is defined as:

https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/0100/social-science-series-0101/

Appointments may be made at the GS-09, GS-11, GS-12 or GS-13 level and the full performance level is GS-13.

Education

See Qualifications section

Additional information

Our team members continue a tradition of excellence - whether investigating financial crimes or protecting national and visiting foreign leaders. In the USSS we serve the country with duty, loyalty, justice, integrity, and courage.

The Office of Strategic Intelligence and Information's (SII), Protective Intelligence Division (PID), is responsible for providing producing threat assessments for USSS protected persons and facilities. In addition, the National Threat Assessment Center (NTAC) conducts large -scale research projects that have had a great benefit to Federal Government. The information gained thru this research is directly applied to the USSS protective mission and is shared with our public safety partners. NTAC works closely with the public, municipal, state and federal partners to ensure public safety.

**Student Loan repayments, recruitment bonuses and relocation bonuses may be available**

How You Will Be Evaluated

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

"This announcement is being filled using the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) direct-hire authority. Agencies may appoint candidates directly to jobs, without regard to the provisions of Title 5 U.S.C.3309 through 3318. Applicants who meet the basic requirement and specialized experience for the position will be referred to the selecting official for further consideration. Veterans' preference and traditional rating and ranking of applicants do not apply to the announcement."

See Qualifications section

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Background checks and security clearance

Security clearance
Top Secret

Drug test required
Yes

Required Documents

See How To Apply section

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.