MSPB's Office of Policy and Evaluation is seeking a Deputy Director to supervise a collaborative workforce of research psychologists, management analysts, and HR specialists. These employees design, conduct and report on studies of HR programs, policies, and procedures; and advise decision makers on how to improve human capital practices to better protect merit principles. As the Deputy, you provide guidance and leadership to staff, and engage in outreach with stakeholders and senior leaders.
Summary
MSPB's Office of Policy and Evaluation is seeking a Deputy Director to supervise a collaborative workforce of research psychologists, management analysts, and HR specialists. These employees design, conduct and report on studies of HR programs, policies, and procedures; and advise decision makers on how to improve human capital practices to better protect merit principles. As the Deputy, you provide guidance and leadership to staff, and engage in outreach with stakeholders and senior leaders.
Current permanent federal employees with competitive status, CTAP/RPL/ICTAP and VEOA eligibles, 30 percent or More Disabled Veterans, Military Spouses, Interchange Agreement and Other Miscellaneous Authorities, People with Disabilities, Peace Corps and VISTA, Reinstatement, and VRA eligible candidates.
This position is located in the Office of Policy and Evaluation (OPE). OPE conducts studies to ensure that Federal employees are well-managed in an environment that supports the merit principles and is free from prohibited practices. In addition, studies include reviewing and monitoring the programs, policies and operations of the U.S. Office of Personnel Management. OPE reports are issued to the President, Congress, Federal agencies, members of academia, the press and the public, providing OPE staff with an opportunity to influence and improve how the Federal workforce is managed. OPE periodically administers and analyzes the Merit Principles Survey to obtain Governmentwide data from Federal employees and supervisors about merit systems and management issues. Recently, we have also conducted studies on Federal employee engagement, sexual harassment in Federal agencies, quit intentions of Federal employees and adherence to merit system principles. More information about our organization and the research we conduct can be found on the OPE Web page.
The duties described are for the full-performance level.
Provide senior level technical expertise for the design and conduct of comprehensive, human capital studies, surveys, reviews, and research projects. Provide guidance, leadership, and direction to staff for all programs and activities as well as technical support to the Director.
Foster a collaborative work environment in which differing viewpoints are valued and highly encouraged. Conducts and reviews research to provide evidence-based advice, original insights, and analysis into human capital challenges that impact federal HR services and programs.
Oversee the planning, design, development, and execution of special systemic studies and reviews of merit systems. Works with MSPB staff in building analytical models, determining proper empirical methodology, organizing data collection, preparing written reports, and summarizing studies in formal and informal presentations.
Work with the Director and staff of OPE in the formation and implementation of OPE's research agenda. Develops and/or review budget allocations, program plans and priorities, office policies, and the strategic vision for the office; coordinates with Federal staff to ensure proper and consistent implementation of office guidance.
Assist with the office's strategic planning and continuous process improvements. Uses evidence-based methods and analysis to identify potential barriers that could pose challenges to MSPB achieving its research goals. Develops mitigation strategies to address any barriers identified.
Communicates information, orally and in writing, to various audiences. Raises awareness and use of MSPB studies through effective communication and dissemination, high quality advice, training, and guidance to stakeholders. Represent and conduct research-based briefings of OPE scholarship at a variety of meetings, conferences, and symposia.
Perform a full range of supervisory duties including assessing and rating staff performance, assigning work and monitoring completion of projects, evaluating employee performance, providing technical oversight, interviewing and making hiring recommendations, initiating disciplinary actions, and approving training. Advises on training and professional development opportunities provided to staff to build capacity and expertise in examining merit principles, prohibited personnel practices, diversity, and inclusion related issues.
Is This Job for Me?
Because of the nature of the work and the organizational culture, supervising OPE staff is different from many other supervisory positions in the Government.
This job might be for you if:
If you enjoy leading independent workers in a collaborative environment.
You can monitor performance in an environment with shifting priorities, resources, and deadlines.
You like supervising long-term projects that have a broad impact on Government operations.
You like to take a deliberative look at an issue from many different angles and consider the different possibilities.
This job might NOT be for you if:
You prefer a directive-oriented leadership style.
You prefer to enforce clear deadlines in an office where all resources are immediately available.
You favor an environment where you can see the results of your subordinates' work on a day-to-day basis.
You like the constant stimulation of a high-pressure, fast-paced work environment where there is one "correct" answer to any issue.
Males born after 12/31/1959 must be Selective Service registered or exempt.
As a condition of employment, satisfactory completion and favorable adjudication of a background investigation and/or fingerprint check may be required for this position.
Successful completion of one year probationary period, unless previously served.
If you are appointed to a supervisory or managerial position, you may be required to complete a one year supervisory/managerial probationary period.
Subject to satisfactory adjudication of background investigation and/or fingerprint check.
Direct Deposit : Per Public Law 104-134 all Federal employees are required to have federal payments made by direct deposit to their financial institution.
Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit E-Verify at https://www.e-verify.gov/
In accordance with Office of Government Ethics regulations, the incumbent of this position will be required to submit a financial disclosure report within 30 days of their effective date of appointment and annually thereafter.
Qualifications
Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement including time-in-grade restrictions, specialized experience and/or education, as defined below.
TIME-IN-GRADE: Current federal employees applying for a promotion opportunity must meet time-in-grade (TIG) requirement of 52 weeks of service at the next lower grade level in the normal line of progression for the position being filled.
Selective Factors: To minimally qualify, a candidate must have a background that includes specialized experience with social science research and knowledge of human capital issues. Any candidate who lacks these selective factors will not receive further consideration for this position.
0201 Basic Qualifications: To qualify for the GS-15, you must possess one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-14 level in the Federal service, or comparable experience gained through other experience. Specifically, candidates must possess experience which demonstrates:
Advanced knowledge of qualitative and quantitative research techniques and applying theories, concepts, principles, and practices of social science, research, and evaluation.
The ability to supervise or lead teams in a professional workforce including advising on work and administrative matters, evaluating employee performance, identifying training needs, assigning work and monitoring completion of projects.
Experience managing complex projects with attention to organizational skills, timeliness, quality, and budget.
Knowledge of public personnel laws, rules and regulations and the ability to analyze, interpret, and apply them to complex HR issues. Ability to provide technical advice regarding using applied research techniques to assess human capital issues.
Strong data analytical skills to evaluate an employee's findings and recommendations. Experience serving as an advisor and authority for other researchers in the areas of statistical modeling, data analysis, program evaluation or applied social science methodologies.
Experience in conducting and reviewing research to provide evidence-based advice, original insights, and analysis into human capital challenges that impact federal HR services and programs.
Demonstrated skills consulting with management and non-technical audience on analytical studies, synthesizing complex reports, distilling implications, recommending improvements, and integrating evidence into strategic, performance, and budget planning to support organizational planning and policymaking.
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 and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.
Education
This position does not have an education qualification requirement.
Additional information
Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP), Reemployment Priority List (RPL), or Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP): Visit the OPM website for information on how to apply as a CTAP, RPL, or ICTAP eligible. To exercise selection priority for this vacancy, CTAP/RPL/ICTAP candidates must meet the basic eligibility requirements and all selective factors. CTAP/ICTAP candidates must be rated and determined to be well qualified (or above) based on an evaluation of the competencies listed in the How You Will Be Evaluated section. When assessed through a score-based category rating method, CTAP/ICTAP applicants must receive a rating of at least 85 out of a possible 100.
First time hires to the federal government normally start at the lowest rate of the salary range for the grade selected.
This position is being concurrently announced under Delegated Examining Announcement Number DE-11685528-23-OPE. Current or former Federal employees or other eligible applicants may apply to both announcements to expand all possibilities of consideration since different referral criteria apply to each type of announcement. See the above announcement for more information.
Travel, transportation, and relocation expenses will not be paid. Any travel, transportation, and relocation expense associated with reporting for duty will be the responsibility of the selected employee.
Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc) should contact: 1-800-877-8339.
MSPB IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY PROVIDER AND EMPLOYER and employment decisions are based on merit factors only. If you believe that you have been discriminated against in an employment decision by this agency, you have the right to seek counseling to resolve your complaint. You must do so within 45 days of the alleged discrimination action. If you desire to seek counseling, call the MSPB Office of Equal Employment Opportunity at 202 653-6772, Ext 4405.
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.
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.
Applications will be evaluated in accordance with the Office of Personnel Management's (OPM) Delegated Examining Procedures and USDA policy using category rating. Applicants who meet basic minimum qualifications will be placed in one of three categories: Best Qualified, Well Qualified, or Qualified. Within these categories, applicants eligible for veteran's preference will receive selection priority over non-veterans. Category placement will be determined based on applicants' quality of experience and the extent they possess the following knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSA) or competencies:
Accountability
Developing Others
Employee and Organizational Development
Financial Management
Human Capital Management
Managing Human Resources
Organizational Performance Analysis
Problem Solving
Research
Writing
Your application, including the online Assessment Questionnaire, will be reviewed to determine if you meet (a) minimum qualification requirements, (b) selective factors and (c) the resume supports the answers provided to the job-specific questions. Your resume must clearly support your responses to all the questions addressing experience and education relevant to this position. The submission of the required Accomplishment Record will factor into those determined to be in the best qualified category and referred to the selecting official.
After receipt of the applicant listing, a multi-phased rating process designed to further verify qualifications will determine who will be interviewed. Structured panel and individual interviews will be conducted to assess relevant job knowledge, specific work experiences, technical leadership and supervisory skills.
Note: If, after reviewing your resume and/or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications and or experience, your score may be adjusted to more accurately reflect your abilities, or you may be found ineligible. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your rating. Providing inaccurate information on Federal documents could be grounds for non-selection or disciplinary action up to and including removal from the Federal service.
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.
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.
The following documents are required for your applicant package to be complete. Our office cannot be responsible for incompatible software, your system failure or downtime, etc. Encrypted documents will not be accepted. Failure to submit required, legible documents may result in loss of consideration.
Resume that includes: 1) personal information such as name, address, contact information; 2) education; 3) detailed work experience related to this position as described in the major duties including work schedule, hours worked per week, dates of employment; title, series, grade (if applicable); 4) all supervisors' phone numbers and if they may be contacted; and 5) other qualifications.
Accomplishment Record - required. Review the instructions included in the Announcement Questionnaire. To preview the Announcement Questionnaire navigate to the How You Will Be Evaluated section of announcement.
Cover Letter: A cover letter explaining your interest and qualifications is preferred, but not required.
Current and former Federal employees:
Most recent non-award Notification of Personnel Action (SF-50) showing you are/were in the competitive service (block 24 must contain a 1 or 2 and block 34 must contain a 1), highest grade held (or promotion potential) on a permanent basis, position title, series and grade. If your current grade is not your highest permanent grade, submit an additional SF-50 showing your highest grade.
Most recent performance appraisal (dated within 18 months) showing the official rating of record, signed by a supervisor, or statement why the performance appraisal is unavailable (e.g., length of time in current position). A performance plan is not an acceptable substitute.
Veteran Hiring Authorities: VEOA, VRA and 30% Disabled Veterans: DD214, Certificate of Release from Active Duty that shows dates of service and discharge under honorable conditions. Active duty members must submit a certification of expected discharge or release from active duty under honorable conditions within 120 days after the date the certification is submitted. It must be on the letterhead of the military branch and include the dates of service. Veterans' preference must be verified prior to appointment. Visit Feds Hire Vets for more information.
If claiming 10-point veterans' preference you must provide the DD214 or certification (see above) plus the documentation listed on the SF-15 Application for 10-point Veterans' Preference. Failure to submit these documents could result in a finding that 10-point preference cannot be awarded.
Surplus or displaced employees eligible for CTAP, RPL, or ICTAP priority must provide: proof of eligibility (RIF separation notice, notice of proposed removal for declining a transfer of function or directed reassignment to another commuting area, notice of disability annuity termination), SF-50 documenting separation (as applicable), last performance appraisal, and the most recent SF-50 noting position, grade level, and duty location.
If applying under a special hiring authority or an interchange agreement with another merit system not listed above, see the requirements for that authority and submit the required supporting documentation. Go to: USAJOBS Hiring Path for Special Authorities or Special Hiring Authority for more information.
Please read the entire announcement and all instructions before you begin. You must complete this application process and submit all required documents electronically by 11:59p.m. Eastern Time (ET) on the closing date of this announcement.
Applying online is highly encouraged. We are available to assist you during business hours (normally 8:00a.m. - 4:00p.m., Monday - Friday). If applying online poses a hardship, contact the Agency Contact listed below well before the closing date for an alternate method. All hardship application packages must be complete and submitted no later than noon ET on the closing date of the announcement in order to be entered into the system prior to its closing.
This agency provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities on a case-by-case basis; contact the Agency Contact to request this.
Step 1: Create a USAJOBS account (if you do not already have one) at www.usajobs.gov. It is recommended that as part of your profile you set up automatic email notification to be informed when the status of your application changes. If you choose not to set up this automatic notification, then you will have to log into your USAJOBS account to check on the status of your application.
Step 2: Create a Resume with USAJOBS or upload a Resume into your USAJOBS account. You may want to customize your resume to ensure it documents duties and accomplishments you have gained that are directly related to this position in order to verify that qualifications are met. In addition, your resume must support your responses to the online questionnaire (you may preview the online questionnaire by clicking on the link at the end of the How You Will Be Evaluated section of the job announcement).
Step 3: Click "Apply Online" and follow the prompts to complete the Occupational Questionnaire and attach any additional documents that may be required. You can update your application or documents anytime while the announcement is open. Simply log into your USAJOBS account and click on "Application Status." Click on the position title, and then select "Update Application" to continue.
NOTE: Please verify that documents you are uploading from USAJOBs transfer into the Agency's staffing system as there is a limitation to the number of documents that can be transferred. However, once in the Agency's staffing system, you will have the opportunity to upload additional documents. Uploaded documents must be less than 5MB and in one of the following document formats: GIF, JPG, JPEG, PNG, RTF, PDF, TXT or Word (DOC or DOCX). Do not upload Adobe Portfolio documents because they are not viewable.
MSPB Human Resources
250 Marquette Avenue, Suite 410
Minneapolis, MN 55401
US
Next steps
If you set up your USAJOBS account to send automatic email notifications, your will receive an email acknowledging: 1) the submission of your online Occupational Questionnaire and resume was successful, 2) if you were referred to the selecting official for consideration, and 3) if you were selected or not selected. Your application will be reviewed to verify that you meet the eligibility and qualification requirements for the position prior to issuing referral lists to the selecting official. If further evaluation or interviews are required, you will be contacted. Log in to your USAJOBS account to check your application status. We expect to make a final job offer approximately 40 days after the deadline for applications.
Multiple positions may be filled from this announcement.
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
The following documents are required for your applicant package to be complete. Our office cannot be responsible for incompatible software, your system failure or downtime, etc. Encrypted documents will not be accepted. Failure to submit required, legible documents may result in loss of consideration.
Resume that includes: 1) personal information such as name, address, contact information; 2) education; 3) detailed work experience related to this position as described in the major duties including work schedule, hours worked per week, dates of employment; title, series, grade (if applicable); 4) all supervisors' phone numbers and if they may be contacted; and 5) other qualifications.
Accomplishment Record - required. Review the instructions included in the Announcement Questionnaire. To preview the Announcement Questionnaire navigate to the How You Will Be Evaluated section of announcement.
Cover Letter: A cover letter explaining your interest and qualifications is preferred, but not required.
Current and former Federal employees:
Most recent non-award Notification of Personnel Action (SF-50) showing you are/were in the competitive service (block 24 must contain a 1 or 2 and block 34 must contain a 1), highest grade held (or promotion potential) on a permanent basis, position title, series and grade. If your current grade is not your highest permanent grade, submit an additional SF-50 showing your highest grade.
Most recent performance appraisal (dated within 18 months) showing the official rating of record, signed by a supervisor, or statement why the performance appraisal is unavailable (e.g., length of time in current position). A performance plan is not an acceptable substitute.
Veteran Hiring Authorities: VEOA, VRA and 30% Disabled Veterans: DD214, Certificate of Release from Active Duty that shows dates of service and discharge under honorable conditions. Active duty members must submit a certification of expected discharge or release from active duty under honorable conditions within 120 days after the date the certification is submitted. It must be on the letterhead of the military branch and include the dates of service. Veterans' preference must be verified prior to appointment. Visit Feds Hire Vets for more information.
If claiming 10-point veterans' preference you must provide the DD214 or certification (see above) plus the documentation listed on the SF-15 Application for 10-point Veterans' Preference. Failure to submit these documents could result in a finding that 10-point preference cannot be awarded.
Surplus or displaced employees eligible for CTAP, RPL, or ICTAP priority must provide: proof of eligibility (RIF separation notice, notice of proposed removal for declining a transfer of function or directed reassignment to another commuting area, notice of disability annuity termination), SF-50 documenting separation (as applicable), last performance appraisal, and the most recent SF-50 noting position, grade level, and duty location.
If applying under a special hiring authority or an interchange agreement with another merit system not listed above, see the requirements for that authority and submit the required supporting documentation. Go to: USAJOBS Hiring Path for Special Authorities or Special Hiring Authority for more information.
Please read the entire announcement and all instructions before you begin. You must complete this application process and submit all required documents electronically by 11:59p.m. Eastern Time (ET) on the closing date of this announcement.
Applying online is highly encouraged. We are available to assist you during business hours (normally 8:00a.m. - 4:00p.m., Monday - Friday). If applying online poses a hardship, contact the Agency Contact listed below well before the closing date for an alternate method. All hardship application packages must be complete and submitted no later than noon ET on the closing date of the announcement in order to be entered into the system prior to its closing.
This agency provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities on a case-by-case basis; contact the Agency Contact to request this.
Step 1: Create a USAJOBS account (if you do not already have one) at www.usajobs.gov. It is recommended that as part of your profile you set up automatic email notification to be informed when the status of your application changes. If you choose not to set up this automatic notification, then you will have to log into your USAJOBS account to check on the status of your application.
Step 2: Create a Resume with USAJOBS or upload a Resume into your USAJOBS account. You may want to customize your resume to ensure it documents duties and accomplishments you have gained that are directly related to this position in order to verify that qualifications are met. In addition, your resume must support your responses to the online questionnaire (you may preview the online questionnaire by clicking on the link at the end of the How You Will Be Evaluated section of the job announcement).
Step 3: Click "Apply Online" and follow the prompts to complete the Occupational Questionnaire and attach any additional documents that may be required. You can update your application or documents anytime while the announcement is open. Simply log into your USAJOBS account and click on "Application Status." Click on the position title, and then select "Update Application" to continue.
NOTE: Please verify that documents you are uploading from USAJOBs transfer into the Agency's staffing system as there is a limitation to the number of documents that can be transferred. However, once in the Agency's staffing system, you will have the opportunity to upload additional documents. Uploaded documents must be less than 5MB and in one of the following document formats: GIF, JPG, JPEG, PNG, RTF, PDF, TXT or Word (DOC or DOCX). Do not upload Adobe Portfolio documents because they are not viewable.
MSPB Human Resources
250 Marquette Avenue, Suite 410
Minneapolis, MN 55401
US
Next steps
If you set up your USAJOBS account to send automatic email notifications, your will receive an email acknowledging: 1) the submission of your online Occupational Questionnaire and resume was successful, 2) if you were referred to the selecting official for consideration, and 3) if you were selected or not selected. Your application will be reviewed to verify that you meet the eligibility and qualification requirements for the position prior to issuing referral lists to the selecting official. If further evaluation or interviews are required, you will be contacted. Log in to your USAJOBS account to check your application status. We expect to make a final job offer approximately 40 days after the deadline for applications.
Multiple positions may be filled from this announcement.
Fair and transparent
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
