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Social Scientist (12 Month Roster)

Department of the Treasury
Internal Revenue Service
This job announcement has closed

Summary

Click on "Learn more about this agency" button below to view Eligibilities being considered and other IMPORTANT information.

WHERE CAN I FIND OUT MORE ABOUT OTHER IRS CAREERS? Visit us on the web at www.jobs.irs.gov

Overview

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Hiring complete
Open & closing dates
01/06/2023 to 08/28/2023
Salary
$98,496 to - $149,651 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 13
Locations
2 vacancies in the following locations:
Phoenix, AZ
Laguna Niguel, CA
Los Angeles, CA
San Diego, CA
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Travel Required
25% or less - You may be expected to travel for this position.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
13
Job family (Series)
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Not Required
Drug test
No
Position sensitivity and risk
Moderate Risk (MR)
Trust determination process
Announcement number
23-11786464O-SBX-0101-13
Control number
698544200

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Duties

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WHAT IS THE SMALL BUSINESS/SELF-EMPLOYED DIVISION?

A description of the business units can be found at: https://www.jobs.irs.gov/about/who/business-divisions

Vacancies will be filled in the following specialty areas:
SB/SE; Deputy Commissioner for Examinations, Office of Promoter Investments, Data Analytics Team

The following are the duties of this position at the full working level. If this vacancy includes more than one grade and you are selected at a lower grade level, you will have the opportunity to learn to perform these duties and receive training to help you grow in this position.

  • Assumes responsibility for a pattern of small studies or program segments which involve the initiation, formulation, planning, execution, and control of a major social economic and social psychology study or continuous project. Projects may include such tasks as the specification of social economic and social psychology methods to be used, preparation of appropriate specifications and procedures, and review of computer system specifications and materials, and instructions needed for assuring the adequacy of the study design. The incumbent is responsible for the original plan, for coordinating the execution of the project, and for the conclusions which represent the solution.
  • Develops application of new techniques and original methods of attack to the solution of important and unusual problems and determines goals and schedules for future programs. Acts as a troubleshooter to resolve bottlenecks at any step in a social economic and social psychology program or research project.
  • Resolves large or complex social economic and social psychology research problems requiring incumbent's in-depth knowledge.
  • Participates in executive-level meetings within a large division as a management representative.
  • Assumes responsibility for the effective use of resources within assigned subject matter projects. Monitors such use to advise superiors of necessary remedial action or changes.
  • Produces tables and graphs using standard computer software packages to document and report research results and findings.
  • Reviews internal and external social science, statistical, and tax literature for data and research methodology appropriate for inclusion in the research process and also as a means of helping to evaluate the reasonableness of data.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • Must be a U.S. Citizen or National and provide proof of U.S. Citizenship. (Birth certificate showing birth in the U.S; Unexpired U.S. Passport; Certificate of Citizenship or Naturalization; or Report of Birth Abroad of a U.S. Citizen (Form FS-240))
  • Undergo a review of prior performance/conduct and an income tax verification. Refer to "Get Your Tax Record" at http://www.irs.gov/(https://www.irs.gov/individuals/get-transcript) to check the status of your account, balance owed, payment history, make a payment, or review answers to tax questions. If you are not in compliance, you will be determined unsuitable for employment with IRS.
  • Must successfully complete a background investigation, including a FBI criminal history record check (fingerprint check).
  • Complete a Declaration for Federal Employment to determine your suitability for Federal employment, at the time requested by the agency.
  • Go through a Personal Identity Verification (PIV) process that requires two forms of identification from the Form I-9. Federal law requires verification of the identity and employment eligibility of all new hires in the U.S. These documents must be unexpired original or certified copies.

Qualifications

Federal experience is not required. The experience may have been gained in the public sector, private sector or Volunteer Service. One year of experience refers to full-time work; part-timework is considered on a prorated basis. To ensure full credit for your work experience, please indicate dates of employment by month/year, and indicate number of hours worked per week, on your resume.

You must meet the following requirements by the closing date of this announcement:

BASIC REQUIREMENT :

To be minimally qualified for this position you must met the basic requirements. You must have a Bachelor's Degree at an accredited college or university in 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.

In addition to meeting the basic requirement above, to qualify for this position you must also meet the qualification requirements listed below:


SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: You must have 1 year of specialized experience at a level of difficulty and responsibility equivalent to the GS-12 grade level in the Federal service. Specialized experience for this position includes: demonstrating the use of professional knowledge of the methods and principles of social economic and social psychology to identify behavioral segments and profiles of taxpayer behavior, to determine conclusions, solve complex problems within the assigned area, draw rational social economic statistical conclusions and prepare comprehensive reports; experience applying technical expertise and application of social economic and social psychology and statistical techniques to research data and skillful interpretation of the results and validate findings; experience should include developing, analyzing, and presenting social science information statistically, recognizing and adopting new techniques and preparing comprehensive reports; experience carrying out research assignments using social science and statistical methodology to define profile and evaluate market segments of taxpayers for compliance with tax laws and resolve critical problems and to draw rational inferences. experience using various phases of initiation, formulation, planning, execution, and control of major social science studies or continuous projects to recognize and evaluate significant and critical factors, to solve complex problems and to draw rational inferences based on research findings; experience reviewing technical papers, articles, and other reports that use social science data for technical accuracy and proper application of social science methods and statistical analysis and resolving complex social science problems or errors.


For more information on qualifications please refer to OPM's Qualifications Standards.

Education

For positions with an education requirement, or if you are qualifying for this position by substituting education or training for experience, submit a copy of your transcripts or equivalent. An official transcript will be required if you are selected.

A college or university degree generally must be from an accredited (or pre-accredited) college or university recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. For a list of schools which meet these criteria, please refer to Department of Education Accreditation page.

FOREIGN EDUCATION: Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the requirements. You must show proof the education credentials have been deemed to be at least equivalent to that gained in conventional U.S. education program. It is your responsibility to provide such evidence when applying. Click here for Foreign Education Credentialing instructions.

Additional information

  • Subject to a 1-year probationary period (unless already completed).
  • Have your salary sent to a financial institution of your choice by Direct Deposit/Electronic Funds Transfer.
  • If you are a male applicant born after December 31, 1959, certify that you have registered with the Selective Service System or are exempt from having to do so.
  • We may select from this announcement or any other source to fill one or more vacancies. Additional jobs may be filled.
  • The salary range indicated in this announcement reflects the minimum locality pay up to maximum locality pay for all duty locations listed. The range will be adjusted for selected duty location. General Schedule locality pay tables may be found under Salaries & Wages.
  • This is a bargaining unit position.
  • Tour of Duty: Monday - Friday; Day Shift; Start and Stop times between 6:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
  • Alternative work schedule, staggered work hours or telework may be available.
  • May be required to file a Confidential Financial Disclosure Report within 30 days of selection and annually from then on.
  • Must successfully complete a (high or moderate) risk background investigation, including the FBI criminal history record check.
  • Relocation expenses - No.
  • Obtain and use a Government-issued charge card for business-related travel.
  • May be eligible for telework based on IRS policy. If you are in a telework eligible position, you may be directed to temporarily telework on a full-time basis due to COVID 19. Employees must be within a 200-mile radius of their official assigned post-of-duty (POD) while in a telework status. Once normal operations resume, employees may be directed back to the office to perform the duties of their position. Telework eligibility does not guarantee telework; employees must meet and sustain IRS telework eligibility requirements and supervisor's approval to participate in the IRS Telework Program. As a reminder - If you are selected for a position, you are responsible for reporting to your designated POD (location) on the negotiated start date or as directed by management.

This is an open continuous announcement which allows applicants to apply up to the closing date of the announcement, 11/06/2023. The register will be used to fill an anticipated 2 vacancies. Selections may be made from certificates issued up to 12 months after the 1st cut-off date listed below. Contingent upon funding and space requirements, one or more vacancies may be filled at the locations listed in this announcement as they become available. Applicants need to apply and/or update their applications by 11:59 pm ET at the close of the initial cutoff date to be considered, 02/06/2023; 2nd cut off 07/31/2023. This announcement may be amended to include additional cut-off dates within the 12-month period if needed, no later than (5) workdays prior to the cut-off date or the final selection date. If the position(s) are filled prior to the end of the Roster, this announcement may be closed out early. Contingent upon funding and space requirements, one or more vacancies may be filled at the locations listed in this announcement as they become available.

Eligible applicants who apply by the initial cutoff in the highest Quality Group will be considered first. All other applicants will be considered in Quality Group order as needed, to fill remaining vacancies. Any required documents should be submitted at the time that you apply - documents will not be accepted after the vacancy closes.

How you will be evaluated

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

Your application includes your resume, responses to the online questions, and required supporting documents. Please be sure that your resume includes detailed information to support your qualifications for this position; failure to provide sufficient evidence in your resume may result in a "not qualified" determination.

Rating: You will be assessed on the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics):

  • Attention to Detail
  • Planning and Evaluating
  • Teamwork
  • Technical Competence
  • Writing


Category rating will be used to rank and select eligible candidates. If qualified, you will be assigned to one of two quality level categories, CAT A/B, CAT C depending on your responses to the online questions, regarding your experience, education, and training related to this position. Your rating may be lowered if your responses to the online questions are not supported by the education and/or experience described in your application.

Referral: If you are among the top qualified candidates, your application may be referred to a selecting official for consideration. Candidates, if required to participate in a selection interview (telephonic and/or in person at the discretion of the Selecting Official in accordance with hiring practices), will be interviewed in quality group order. We will not reimburse costs related to the interview such as travel to and from the interview site.

Veterans' preference is applied after applicants are assessed. Qualified preference eligibiles who have a compensable service-connected disability of 10 percent or more (CPS, CP) are placed at the top of the highest category on the referral list (except for scientific or professional positions at the GS-9 level or higher). Remaining preference eligibles are placed above non-preference eligibles within their assigned category.

If you are a displaced or surplus Federal employee (eligible for the Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP)/Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP), you must receive a rating of category CAT C to be rated as "well qualified" to receive special selection priority.

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