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.
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.
All United States citizens; and Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP) eligible (only applicable if you have worked in the Federal government). **This announcement has been amended to remove the request for COVID-19 Vaccination Documents.**
Joining the Secret Service, Office of Strategic Intelligence and Information, Protective Intelligence and Assessment Division, National Threat Assessment Center will allow you to apply a wide range of behavioral and social science research principles, concepts, and methods which are related to the prevention of targeted violence, threat assessment, terrorism, criminal behavior and protective intelligence.
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.
Due to COVID-19, U.S. Secret Service is currently in an expanded telework posture. If selected, you may be expected to temporarily telework, even if your home is located outside the local commuting area. Once employees are permitted to return to the office, you will be expected to report to the duty station listed on this announcement within 30 days. At that time, you may be eligible to request to continue to telework one or more days a pay period depending upon the terms of the agency's telework policy.
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).
Basic Requirements:
Degree: behavioral or social science. OR 2. 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 3. 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.
AND
GS-09: You qualify for the GS-09 level (starting salary $60,129) if you possess one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-07 level performing duties such as: 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: You qualify for the GS-11 level (starting salary $72,750) if you possess one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-09 level performing duties such as: 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: You qualify for the GS-12 level (starting salary $87,198) if you possess one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-11 level performing duties such as: 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: You qualify for the GS-13 level (starting salary $103,690) if you possess one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-12 level performing duties such as: 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.
OPMs Individual Occupational Requirement (IOR) is defined as:
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
If you are qualifying based on education, or you are qualifying based on a combination of education and experience please see the below requirements:
GS-11: Master's or equivalent graduate degree; OR
A combination of graduate level education and experience. This will be calculated using your résumé and unofficial transcripts or a list of courses/course hours submitted with your application.
GS-12: Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree; OR A combination of graduate level education and experience. This will be calculated using your résumé and unofficial transcripts or a list of courses/course hours submitted with your application.
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 through 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.
Apply for this exciting opportunity to conduct research, present research findings, and produce guidance on threat assessment methods and the prevention of targeted violence that poses a potential threat to communities across the country. The Social Science Research Specialist position starts at a salary of $60,129 (GS-9, step 1), with promotional potential to $134,798 (GS-13, step 10).
**Student Loan repayments, recruitment bonuses and relocation bonuses may be available**
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
The USSS offers its employees a wide range of benefits including:
Low-Cost Federal health and life insurance
Paid Holidays
Paid leave for personal, recreational, and health needs
Thrift Savings Plan (similar to a 401(k) Plan)
Flexible work schedules
Telework
Transit and child care subsidies
Tuition reimbursement and student loan repayment
Training and development
Relocation bonus or Recruitment bonus may be paid
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
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.”
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
The USSS offers its employees a wide range of benefits including:
Low-Cost Federal health and life insurance
Paid Holidays
Paid leave for personal, recreational, and health needs
Thrift Savings Plan (similar to a 401(k) Plan)
Flexible work schedules
Telework
Transit and child care subsidies
Tuition reimbursement and student loan repayment
Training and development
Relocation bonus or Recruitment bonus may be paid
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
Resume - In order to receive credit for experience contained in an uploaded resume, your employment history should show work experience in month/year format (MM/YYYY), reflecting starting date and ending date, and include the number of hours worked per week.
If you are qualifying based oneducation, or the position has an education requirement, or you are qualifying based on a combination of education and experience (as explained in the Qualifications section), you must submit a copy of your college/university transcript (unofficial is acceptable) it must show school name, student's name, credit earned, degree, and date awarded. Education must be obtained from an accredited institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet Federal qualification requirements if you can show that your foreign education is comparable to education received in accredited educational institutions in the United States. For example, specific courses accepted for college-level credit by an accredited U.S. college or university, or foreign education evaluated by an organization recognized for accreditation by the Department of Education as education equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. college or university. It is your responsibility to provide such evidence with your application. See Recognition of Foreign Qualifications for more information. Those with Foreign education, click here.
Special Priority Selection rights under CTAP or ICTAP: Submit a copy of your agency notice, copy of your most recent performance appraisal (with at least a satisfactory rating),and your most current SF-50 noting position, grade level, and duty location.
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
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.
Instructions for Submitting Resumes and Applicable Documents
All resumes, and unofficial college transcripts MUST be submitted to SSRS22@SSRS22usss.dhs.gov and include work experience in month/year format (MM/YYYY), reflecting starting date and ending date, and include the number of hours worked per week.
Special Priority Selection rights under ICTAP: Submit a copy of your agency notice, copy of your most recent performance appraisal (with at least a satisfactory rating), and your most current SF-50 noting position, grade level, and duty location. To be considered well qualified, you must meet the specialized experience and OPM's Individual Occupational Requirements as listed in the Qualifications Section. The subject line of your email should state ICTAP.
United States Secret Service (DHS-USSS)
Please read entire announcement
Please apply online
Washington, District of Columbia 20223
United States
Next steps
Once your complete application is received we will conduct an evaluation of your qualifications and determine your eligibility.
You will be contacted if your resume is deemed to meet the OPM Qualification Standard and if you are selected for an interview. Otherwise, you will be notified at the conclusion of the open period.
*****If you are called for an interview, you must submit two items: 1) A writing sample; 2) A proposal for a research project related to targeted violence and/or threat assessment. In 500 words or less the proposal should describe the research question, method for collecting and analyzing the data, and a plan for disseminating results.*****
Applying to this announcement certifies that you give permission for DHS to share your application with others in DHS for similar positions.
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
Resume - In order to receive credit for experience contained in an uploaded resume, your employment history should show work experience in month/year format (MM/YYYY), reflecting starting date and ending date, and include the number of hours worked per week.
If you are qualifying based oneducation, or the position has an education requirement, or you are qualifying based on a combination of education and experience (as explained in the Qualifications section), you must submit a copy of your college/university transcript (unofficial is acceptable) it must show school name, student's name, credit earned, degree, and date awarded. Education must be obtained from an accredited institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet Federal qualification requirements if you can show that your foreign education is comparable to education received in accredited educational institutions in the United States. For example, specific courses accepted for college-level credit by an accredited U.S. college or university, or foreign education evaluated by an organization recognized for accreditation by the Department of Education as education equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. college or university. It is your responsibility to provide such evidence with your application. See Recognition of Foreign Qualifications for more information. Those with Foreign education, click here.
Special Priority Selection rights under CTAP or ICTAP: Submit a copy of your agency notice, copy of your most recent performance appraisal (with at least a satisfactory rating),and your most current SF-50 noting position, grade level, and duty location.
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
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.
Instructions for Submitting Resumes and Applicable Documents
All resumes, and unofficial college transcripts MUST be submitted to SSRS22@SSRS22usss.dhs.gov and include work experience in month/year format (MM/YYYY), reflecting starting date and ending date, and include the number of hours worked per week.
Special Priority Selection rights under ICTAP: Submit a copy of your agency notice, copy of your most recent performance appraisal (with at least a satisfactory rating), and your most current SF-50 noting position, grade level, and duty location. To be considered well qualified, you must meet the specialized experience and OPM's Individual Occupational Requirements as listed in the Qualifications Section. The subject line of your email should state ICTAP.
United States Secret Service (DHS-USSS)
Please read entire announcement
Please apply online
Washington, District of Columbia 20223
United States
Next steps
Once your complete application is received we will conduct an evaluation of your qualifications and determine your eligibility.
You will be contacted if your resume is deemed to meet the OPM Qualification Standard and if you are selected for an interview. Otherwise, you will be notified at the conclusion of the open period.
*****If you are called for an interview, you must submit two items: 1) A writing sample; 2) A proposal for a research project related to targeted violence and/or threat assessment. In 500 words or less the proposal should describe the research question, method for collecting and analyzing the data, and a plan for disseminating results.*****
Applying to this announcement certifies that you give permission for DHS to share your application with others in DHS for similar positions.
Fair and transparent
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
