Clarification from the agency

Open to all United States Citizens

We encourage you to read this entire vacancy announcement prior to submitting your application.

As an Associate Education Research Scientist, AD-1730-00, you will be responsible for:
       

• Assist with developing, implementing, and managing rigorous education research (including education statistics and large-scale assessment) using advanced quantitative methods that addresses significant questions of education science, policy, or practice.
• Assist in implementing large-scale statistical studies or conducting scientific reviews of: (1) plans for conducting rigorous education research, evaluation, and statistics; (2) plans for analyzing data arising from those activities; and (3) scholarly publications and related products based on those analyses.
• Assist with the preparation of written products arising from rigorous, quantitative studies to convey study findings to a variety of audiences, engaging in dissemination and outreach activities, such as publishing scholarly work and attending scientific conferences, and consulting with staff across the Department on issues related to research, evaluation, and statistics.
• Assist with monitoring federal grants and contracts that support education research, evaluation, data collection, large scale assessments, or statistics; managing national or international data collection, analysis, and reporting contracts; or managing the scientific peer review of research grant competitions.  

Conditions of employment

• Relocation will not be paid.
• You may be subject to serve a one-year probationary period.
• Males 18 and over must be registered with the Selective Service.
• Must be a US Citizen
• You must successfully complete a background security investigation.

You must meet all qualification requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this vacancy announcement.

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. We will consider all qualifying experience, including any volunteer experience.

REMOTE WORK: If selected for a remote work position, you must have access to high speed internet and cell phone service meeting current Agency policy from the approved work location anywhere in the United States or US territories. Participation must be requested and approved by the supervisor and there must be a signed remote work agreement.

TELEWORK ELIGIBILITY: If selected for a non-remote position, you may be eligible for occasional telework and you are required to report to the office on a regular basis. The number of telework days approved is determined by the agency policy, emergency situations, the approval of your immediate supervisor, and Participation must be requested and approved by the supervisor and there must be a signed telework agreement.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualification Requirements
You may meet the minimum qualifications for the Associate Education Research Scientist, AD-1730-00, if you possess the specialized experience below:

Specialized Experience 

Specialized Experience for the Associate Education Research Scientist, AD-1730-00
One year of experience in either federal or non-federal service that is equivalent to at least a GS-09 performing two (2) of the three (3) requirements:

(1) Experience conducting rigorous research—suitable for publication in an academic journal or by a social science research firm, or equivalent—that uses quantitative statistical methods to examine questions relevant to education and the education sciences (e.g., instruction, education policy, educational outcomes of historically underserved populations, program evaluation, national or international assessment of academic proficiency, statistical methods).

(2)  Experience applying rigorous quantitative methodologies and statistical approaches (e.g., correlational methods with statistical controls for selection bias, experimental or quasi-experimental methods, analysis of complex survey data) to questions in the education sciences.

(3) Experience preparing and planning materials and events to convey research practices, procedures, and findings to audiences, such as through writing blogs or organizing in person or virtual conferences. 

OR EDUCATION (see EDUCATION SECTION of the vacancy announcement)

OR A combination of both education and experience in which the total percentages must equal at least 100 percent to qualify an applicant for that grade level.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs)
The quality of your experience will be measured by the extent to which you possess the following knowledge, skills and abilities (KSAs). You do not need to provide separate narrative responses to these KSAs, as they will be measured by your responses to the occupational questionnaire (you may preview the occupational questionnaire by clicking the link at the end of the Evaluations section of this vacancy announcement).

1.   Knowledge of contemporary issues in education policy and practice; awareness of the federal, state, or local role in education policy, practice; and knowledge of what it takes to develop, implement and manage rigorous research or large-scale assessments.
2.   Skill in the use of education research methods that yield internally and externally valid conclusions and/or statistical methods appropriate for the analysis of large complex sample survey, assessment, correlational, experimental, or quasi-experimental data. 
3.   Ability to effectively communicate scientific information in plain language, both orally and in writing, and to effectively consult, mentor, or guide the design, conduct, or use of rigorous education research or statistics.
4.   Ability to effectively hold self and others accountable to rigorous standards of statistical practice consistent with those used by federal science agencies and standard operating procedures defined in law, regulation, guidance, or equivalent.

How you will be evaluated

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

We use a multi-step process to review and evaluate applicants:

1. Eligibility and Minimum Qualifications

Once the vacancy announcement closes, we will review your submitted resume and documents to determine if you meet the eligibility and minimum qualification requirements, including any required education, experience, and/or selective placement factors. You will be rated as ineligible if you are outside of the area of consideration (i.e., who may apply) or your application is missing any required documents. You will be rated as not qualified if you do not possess the minimum qualification requirements.

2. Rating and Ranking

If you are found to meet both the eligibility and minimum qualification requirements, we will assess the quality of your experience and the extent to which you possess the required KSAs by comparing your submitted resume and documents against your responses to the occupational questionnaire. Your application may be referred to a subject matter expert or panel of subject matter experts for further evaluation. Based on the outcome of this evaluation, you will be placed into one of three categories: Best Qualified, Well Qualified, or Qualified. If your responses to the occupational questionnaire are not substantiated by your submitted resume, you may be eliminated from receiving further consideration. Veterans’ Preference: Qualified veterans’ preference eligibles will be ranked ahead of qualified non-preference eligibles within each category for which they are qualified. Qualified veterans’ preference eligibles with a compensable service-connected disability of 10 percent or more (CPS and CP) will be placed at the top of the Best Qualified category, except in the case of scientific or professional positions at the GS-9 grade level or higher.

Based on the outcome of this evaluation candidates will be assigned a numerical score out of a possible 100 and be placed into one of three categories: Best Qualified, Well Qualified, or Qualified.  The three categories are defined below:

Best-Qualified Category – Applicants who have a score between 95 and 100.  Demonstrates better overall or key knowledge, skills, or abilities for a specific position.

Well-Qualified Category – Applicants who have a score between 85 and 94.99.  Possesses the knowledge, skills, and abilities which clearly exceed the minimum qualification requirements for the position but does not necessarily meet the definition of best qualified.

Qualified Category – Applicants who have a score between 70 and 84.99. Meets the minimum qualification standards for a specific position.

3. Referral and Selection

If you are found to be amongst the most highly qualified applicants, you will be referred to the selecting official. As part of the assessment and selection process, the selecting official may invite you to participate in a structured interview, check your references, and/or request that you submit a writing sample or complete a written assessment or exercise to further evaluate your qualifications for this position. If you require reasonable accommodation for any part of the interview process or written assessment or exercise, please inform the selecting official at the time of scheduling.