Clarification from the agency

All U.S. Citizens who have graduated from an accredited educational institute or certificate program within the last two years or six years for Veterans. No Prior Federal Experience is Required.

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Participates in all aspects of the inspection process. The incumbent works with a project lead to identify potential inspection assignments related to Medicare, Medicaid, and public health and human services programs. Responsible for conducting pre-inspection research of laws and regulations; GAO reports; OIG audits, investigations and inspection report; other studies conducted within or outside the Department; and pending or recently enacted regulations or legislation related to the assigned inspections on Medicare, Medicaid, and public health and human service programs. Engages in a variety of research, evaluation, analysis assignments in the Medicare and Medicaid and public health and human service programs to gain broader knowledge of the programs and experience in the inspection process.

Works with a project lead to identify appropriate study methodologies and techniques to be utilized in submitting proposed designs and conducting assigned studies. Incumbent is responsible for collecting data, conducting statistical analysis, and evaluating this information to create findings and recommendations. Responsible for interpreting findings resulting from studies that are independently developed. Interprets data and findings to form the development of agency initiatives, policies, and practices. Communicates and disseminates study findings in forms useful to federal, state, and local research, program, and policy audiences to inform assessment and improvement of programs and policies.

Assists in developing findings and recommendations for program evaluations and reporting of results to officials and stakeholders. Incumbent is actively engaged in environmental research involving Medicare programs, Medicaid services, and public health and human service programs to identify potential areas for future studies and evaluations.

Analyzes and prepares program studies for review of all levels. Reviews internal HHS processes and procedures, making recommendations for improvements to promote efficiency and cost savings. Researches and evaluates processes and makes recommendations for effective organizational changes.

Prepares reports and briefs for project lead and higher management. Develops various statistical tables and reports, new or modified work methods, processes and procedures for evaluating program services, guidelines, and procedures for program operations. Maintains up-to-date expertise in social science, data analytics, research/evaluation, and measurement methods. Recommends areas and methods by which efficiency or operation can be improved.

Advises management on routine aspects of health care or human services program-related policies and procedures. Works with managers and program specialists in determining steps or actions to be taken to accomplish work in adherence to requirements for the OIG strategic plan.

Participates in discussions, meetings, conferences, and conference calls with administrative, senior subject matter, and technical personnel, and other federal agency officials to secure and provide information; to evaluate and inspect facts; to present conclusions, recommendations, and alternatives; to obtain concurrence and develop alternate courses of actions; and to mutually resolve problems. Performs other duties as assigned.

Conditions of employment

• U.S Citizenship is required.
• Registration with the Selective Service (if applicable).
• Suitability for Federal employment determined by background investigation.
• One-year probationary period may be required.
• Pathways Program Recent Graduate Participant Agreement

Qualifications

You must meet the requirements of the job by 11:59 (Eastern Standard Time) of the closing date: 10/08/2022. Applicants who will graduate within 30 days of the closing date of the announcement may apply if you meet all other requirements.

Applicants must meet all the qualification requirements, including education, and any selective placement factors described below within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement. Education used as part of an application package will only be considered if complete transcripts are submitted and must be from an accredited institution as recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. To see if your institution is accredited, please follow this link: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/Search.aspx

Positive Education Requirement: This position has a positive education requirement, as indicated below. A complete transcript showing relevant coursework and degrees must be submitted with your application package. A list of completed courses or incomplete transcripts will not be accepted.

Recent Graduate Requirements:
Applicants must have completed within the previous two years a qualifying associates, bachelors, masters, professional, doctorate, vocational or technical degree or certificate from a qualifying educational institution; OR must be a veteran, as defined in 5 U.S.C. 2108, who due to military service obligation, was precluded from applying to the Recent Graduate Program during any portion of the 2-year eligibility period. Veterans who were not able to apply during the two-year eligibility period due to service obligations have a two-year eligibility period upon release or discharge from active duty HOWEVER the eligibility period may not extend beyond six years from the date on which the academic requirements were completed. Applicants that are expected to graduate in the next 30 days from the closing date of this announcement may apply, however you will not be appointed until your degree/certificate has been conferred.

Basic Requirements:

• Applicants must have completed a 4 year course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a bachelor's or higher degree in a behavioral or social science; or related discipline appropriate to this position OR;
• Must have 4 years of appropriate experience that demonstrates you have acquired knowledge of one or more of the behavioral or social sciences equivalent to a major in the field OR;
• Must have a combination of the education and experience described above.

Specialized Experience:
GS-9: Must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-07 grade level in the Federal service which provided the knowledge, skills and abilities to perform the duties of the position. Examples of specialized experience include:

• Conducting program evaluations or social science research;
• Developing written and/or oral presentations of the results; and
• Conducting quantitative and/or qualitative analysis of data.

Applicants may substitute 2 years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a master's degree or master's or equivalent graduate degree for the required specialized experience at the GS-9 grade level. Applicants may substitute a combination of the specialized experience and education above to qualify for the GS-9 grade level.

GS-11: Must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-09 grade level in the Federal service which provided the knowledge, skills and abilities to perform the duties of the position. Examples of specialized experience include:

• Conducting program evaluations or social science research;
• Developing written and/or oral presentations of the results;
• Assisting in identifying and applying appropriate study methodologies to program evaluation or social science research design; and
• Conducting quantitative and/or qualitative analysis of data.

Applicants may substitute a master's or equivalent graduate degree for the required specialized experience at the GS-11 grade level. Applicants may substitute a combination of the specialized experience and education above to qualify for the GS-11 grade level. Applicants must meet all the qualification requirements, including education, and any selective placement factors described below within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement.

Education used as part of an application package will only be considered if complete transcripts are submitted and must be from an accredited institution as recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. To see if your institution is accredited, please follow this link: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/Search.aspx.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Your resume should include the dates of all qualifying experience (from month/year to month/year) and the number of hours worked/volunteered per week.

How you will be evaluated

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

We will review your resume and supporting documentation to ensure you meet the basic qualification requirements. If you meet the minimum qualifications your application package will be further evaluated by a Subject Matter Expert (SME) rating panel to determine your possession of the following competencies:

• Collaboration With Others
• Communication
• Critical Thinking
• Data Collection and Analysis
• Research

This agency uses Category Rating Procedures. Under Delegated Examining (All U.S. Citizens), we will use the SME rating to place you in one of three categories. If you meet the minimum qualifications, you will be placed in one of the following categories:

• Best Qualified: Applicants possessing a background that demonstrates a superior level of all evaluation criteria.
• Well Qualified: Applicants possessing a background that demonstrates a satisfactory level of evaluation criteria.
• Qualified: Applicants possessing the basic qualifications, with general knowledge, skills, and abilities.

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 quality 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 scientific or professional positions at the GS-09 level or higher).

Your resume must document specialized experience and support your responses to the vacancy questions.

To view the application form, visit: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/11665010

Selections may be made for vacancies across the entire Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). By applying, you agree to allow your application and other personal information to be shared with one or more HHS hiring officials for employment consideration for same/similar positions within the location(s) identified in this announcement.