Clarification from the agency

Current USPS OIG employees only

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This announcement provides the opportunity for a reassignment/promotion to the position of Research Manager in our Research & Insights Solution Center (RISC) located in Arlington, Virginia. Bring your skills and voice to our team!

The successful candidate will be responsible for managing and directing the activities of staff engaged in research; development of analytical techniques for studies and special analyses of major issues impacting the Postal Service; and writing, editing, planning, and coordinating major reports.

Our team researches economic, business, policy, and technological trends affecting the U.S. Postal Service. Our body of work spans a wide variety of topics, from economic analysis of the postal market to sustainable processing and transportation strategies, to labor and workforce matters. Please view our white papers at Reports | Office of Inspector General OIG (uspsoig.gov). Look for RISC or RARC (before 2019) in the report name.

This position is being advertised at the Manager Band level, equivalent to a GS-14. The salary range for this position is $149,185.00 - $191,931.00. The salary figures include locality pay.

Please note that the duties and responsibilities associated with this position may vary based upon the agency's needs at the time of hire. The following description of major duties and responsibilities is only intended to give applicants a general overview of the expectations.

• Leads and manages a team of research analysts, guiding them in the production of detailed, both qualitative and data-driven white papers on a wide range of postal issues, ensuring compliance with Council of Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency (CIGIE Blue Book Standards for Inspection and Evaluation).
• Oversees research projects on complex and sensitive topics, ensuring findings are accurate, clear, relevant, and provide actionable solutions or recommendations where appropriate.
• Oversees the creation of diverse content formats, beyond traditional white papers, to present research findings and reach a wider audience, such as digital stories, podcasts and internal/external events (e.g., webinars and in-person expert panels).
• Presents research findings in public forums, conducts meetings with internal leadership, the Postal Service and other external stakeholders to discuss project plans and outcomes.
• Sets clear goals, assigns tasks, and provides mentorship to ensure timely delivery of research projects while fostering team growth and professional development.
• Contributes to developing strategic, workforce, and budget plans for the Research Directorate.

Conditions of employment

• Must be able to obtain and maintain Moderate Background Investigation security clearance
• Must be able to obtain and maintain a government-issued credit card
• May be required to successfully complete a 12-month probationary period

Qualifications

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

You must meet ALL of the minimum qualifications listed below.

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university

AND

• At least 5 years of professional experience in planning, writing, editing, and coordinating major qualitative and quantitative research reports or analysis under defined quality standards.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

• Advanced academic degree or advanced studies in economics, public policy, business administration, communications, data analysis, journalism or another related discipline
• Previous supervisory experience
• Knowledge of postal economics, policy, operations, and business issues as well as general research techniques
• Knowledge of CIGIE Quality Standards for Inspection & Evaluation
• Relevant professional certification(s)
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment with tight deadlines.

EVALUATION FACTORS
You must have the experience, knowledge and skills as listed in EACH of the evaluation factors. Failure to demonstrate that you meet all of the evaluation factor requirements as listed below will result in a score of zero (0); an ineligible status, and you will not be referred for further consideration. Include your major accomplishments relevant to the position requirements in your resume.

• Demonstrated experience leading a team that developed research reports or conducted and reported results of quantitative and qualitative research, including analysis of regulatory, public policy, business or economic issues at both a conceptual and detailed level.
• Demonstrated quantitative and qualitative skills for the purpose of determining systemic or procedural problems and developing findings and recommendations.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate the results of research findings, both orally and in writing.
• Demonstrated experience serving as a manager/supervisor establishing work plans and/or directly supervising a staff of subordinates.

You will no longer be considered for this position if you: fail to respond to all of the questions in the self-assessment questionnaire; or receive a zero (0) rating on any evaluation factor.

Failure to demonstrate that you meet all evaluation factor requirements will result in a score of zero (0). Upon receipt of a zero score, you will be deemed "not minimally qualified," and you will not be referred for further consideration.

How you will be evaluated

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

The Human Resources Office will review your resume and supporting documentation to ensure that you meet the minimum qualifications required for this position.

You will no longer be considered for this position if you:

• Receive a zero (0) rating on any evaluation factor
• Fail to attach all required documentation
• Submit a resume that exceeds the two-page limit
• If your application materials indicate that you are not minimally-qualified for this position
• If you fail to qualify on the interview

Only the top-rated candidates will be referred to a review official or the selecting official for further consideration. Top-rated applicants may be required to participate in an interview. Your rating may be further adjusted or rated as ineligible by the review official or the selecting official based on your interview performance. Once all applicant scores are finalized, the selecting official will make a final decision. NOTE: If you receive a zero (0) rating on any evaluation factor or on the interview, you will be considered NOT MINIMALLY QUALIFIED for the position and rated ineligible.

Applicants for this position may be interviewed one or more times as part of the hiring process. During interviews, applicants may not use any AI tool or virtual assistant (such as ChatGPT) to help them answer questions, except for accessibility tools used as part of a reasonable accommodation. Applicants who fail to follow these rules will be disqualified from the hiring process.