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Social Science Research Analyst (Recent Graduates)

Department of Health and Human Services
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
This job announcement has closed

Summary

These positions are located throughout the Department of Health & Human Services (HHS), Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).

As a Social Science Research Analyst (Recent Graduates), GS-0101-7/9, you will perform program and policy analysis of services provided by HHS programs. The incumbent develops and uses survey, market research, and statistical methodologies and techniques to conduct studies of assigned HHS programs. Activities may include directing intramural and extramural policy analysis to understand the needs and preferences of beneficiaries, clients, and patients so that optimal ways to provide services to HHS beneficiaries, clients, and patients are met.

Upon successful completion of the Recent Graduate program, the employee MAY be eligible for a conversion to a career-conditional or career appointment.

Overview

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Hiring complete
Open & closing dates
05/29/2018 to 06/08/2018
Salary
$45,972 to - $73,105 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 7 - 9
Location
Many vacancies in the following location:
Woodlawn, MD
Travel Required
Not required
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Recent Graduates
Work schedule
Full-Time
Service
Promotion potential
9
Job family (Series)
Supervisory status
No
Announcement number
CMS-RG-18-10205033-DE
Control number
500555900

Duties

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  • Develops drafts of program policy and analyses to identify and understand the needs and preferences of HHS health and human services beneficiary programs and the populations they serve.
  • Utilizes appropriate market research and statistical techniques to identify ways to improve services to these program populations.
  • Conducts segments of activities involved in conducting surveys of program populations. Analyzes survey data, including analyses of case mix adjustment of survey estimates of satisfaction with plan and provider performance.
  • Analyzes operational policy and program operations and prepares reports to recommend new or revised standards and criteria in order to improve operational efficiency.
  • Attends briefings and other meetings regarding the justification and approval of specific projects. Provides statistical/research information and justification on the operational aspects of specific plan-focused projects.
  • Performs other duties as assigned that are directly related to this position.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • You must be a U.S. Citizen or National to apply for this position.
  • You must possess a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale.
  • You must meet all program, qualification and education requirements.
  • You will be subject to a background and suitability investigation.
  • You must sign a Pathways Participant Agreement before starting employment.

Qualifications

YOU MUST MEET ALL PROGRAM, QUALIFICATION AND EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS BY THE CLOSING DATE OF THE VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT.

PROGRAM ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENT:

To be eligible for the Pathways Recent Graduates Program, an individual must, within the previous 2 years, have completed a qualifying associates, bachelors, masters, professional, doctorate, vocational or technical degree or certificate from a qualifying educational institution. Therefore, you must have completed your educational program no later than the closing date of this announcement, 06/08/2018.

Preference eligible veterans who were precluded from applying due to their military service obligation begin their 2-year eligibility period upon release or discharge from active duty. Eligibility for veterans cannot exceed 6 years from the date on which they completed their degrees (or certification).

- AND - Possess a cumulative GPA of 3.0 on the unweighted 4.0 scale upon completion of your academic degree or certificate program.

TRANSCRIPTS are required at the time of application to verify program eligibility.

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENT:
In order to qualify for the GS-07, you must meet the following: You must demonstrate in your resume at least one year (52 weeks) of qualifying specialized experience equivalent to the GS-05 grade level in the Federal government, obtained in either the private or public sector, to include: Collecting information that will be used to conduct studies or surveys related to the operation of a health or human service program; providing information that will be included into draft operational and program polices related to a health or human service program or the populations that they serve.
- OR -
Substitution of Education for Experience:
You may substitute education for specialized experience at the GS-07 grade level by possessing at least one full year of graduate level education with coursework related to the position being filled.
- OR -
Superior Academic Achievement:
A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university AND one of the following provisions of superior academic achievement:

  • A grade-point average of "B" (3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale) for all completed undergraduate courses or those completed in the last two years of undergraduate study. For example, 2.95 is rounded to 3.0, and 2.94 is rounded to 2.9.
  • A grade-point average of 3.5 or higher on a 4.0 scale for all required courses completed in your major field of study, or those required courses in your major completed in the last two years of your undergraduate study.
  • Rank in the upper one-third of your class in the college, university, or major subdivision.
  • Membership in a national honor society (other than freshman honor societies) recognized by the Association of College Honor Societies. Grade point averages should be rounded to one decimal point.
- OR -
Combination of Experience and Education:
Equivalent combinations of successfully completed post-high school education and experience may be used to meet total experience requirements at the GS-07 grade level. The percentage of your total qualifying experience the education must equal to 100% to qualify for this grade.

In order to qualify for the GS-09, you must meet the following: You must demonstrate in your resume at least one year (52 weeks) of qualifying specialized experience equivalent to the GS-07 grade level in the Federal government, obtained in either the private or public sector, to include: Utilizing surveys, market research, or statistical techniques to assist with conducting studies or surveys related to the operation of a health or human service program; participating in the development of draft operational and program polices related to a health or human service program or the populations that they serve; and providing technical input to improve operational efficiency of these programs.
- OR -
Substitution of Education for Experience:
You may substitute education for specialized experience at the GS-09 grade level by possessing a Master's or equivalent graduate degree or at least 2 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.B. or J.D., if related to the position being filled.
- OR -
Combination of Experience and Education:
Only graduate education in excess of the amount required for the GS-07 grade level may be used to qualify applicants for positions at the GS-09 grade level. Therefore, only education in excess of one full year of graduate level education may be used to combine education and experience.

TRANSCRIPTS are required at the time of application to verify satisfactory completion of the educational requirement related to substitution of education for experience and combination of experience and education. Please see "Required Documents" section below on what documentation is required.

Education

EDUCATION REQUIREMENT: In addition to meeting the qualification requirements, all candidates must have the following educational 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.
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Click the following link to view the occupational questionnaire: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/10205033

Additional information

Bargaining Unit Position: Yes
Tour of Duty: Flexible
Recruitment Incentive: Not Authorized
Financial Disclosure: Not Required

All CMS Pathway employees are hired at the step 1 of the grade in which they are selected.

Additional Forms REQUIRED Prior to Appointment:

  • Optional Form 306, Declaration of Federal Employment and the Background/Suitability Investigation - A background and suitability investigation will be required for all selectees. Appointment will be subject to the successful completion of the investigation and favorable adjudication. Failure to successfully meet these requirements may be grounds for appropriate personnel action. In addition, if hired, a reinvestigation or supplemental investigation may be required at a later time. If selected, the Optional Form 306 will be required prior to final job offer. Click here to obtain a copy of the Optional Form 306.
  • Form I-9, Employment Verification and the Electronic Eligibility Verification Program - CMS participates in the Electronic Employment Eligibility Verification Program (E-Verify). E-Verify helps employers determine employment eligibility of new hires and the validity of their Social Security numbers. If selected, the Form I-9 will be required at the time of in-processing. Click here for more information about E-Verify and to obtain a copy of the Form I-9.
  • Standard Form 61, Appointment Affidavits - If selected, the Standard Form 61 will be required at the time of in-processing. Click here to obtain a copy of the Standard Form 61.

Additional selections may be made from this announcement for similar positions within CMS in the same geographical location. For Central Office vacancies, the "same geographical location" includes Baltimore, Maryland; Bethesda, Maryland; and Washington, D.C.

How you will be evaluated

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

If you meet the minimum qualifications and education requirements for this position, your application and responses to the online occupational questionnaire will be evaluated under Category Rating and Selection procedures for placement in one of the following categories:

  • Well Qualified - for those who excel in the evaluation criteria
  • Qualified - for those who only meet the minimum qualification requirements
The Category Rating Process does not add veterans' preference points or apply the "rule of three" but protects the rights of veterans by placing them ahead of non-preference eligibles within each category. Veterans' preference eligibles who meet the minimum qualification requirements and who have a compensable service-connected disability of at least 10 percent will be listed in the highest quality category (except in the case of professional or scientific positions at the GS-09 level or higher).

Once the announcement has closed, your online application, resume, transcripts and CMS required documents will be used to determine if you meet eligibility and qualification requirements listed on this announcement. If you are found to be among the top qualified candidates, you will be referred to the selecting official for employment consideration. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your rating.

CMS Pathways - Recent Graduate candidates will meet the qualification requirement consistent with the OPM qualification standards applicable to the position being filled. Veterans' preference applies to selections made under the Pathways authority in accordance with Part 302 of 5 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR). Candidates who meet the eligibility and qualification requirements need not be further evaluated.

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