Skip to main content
U.S. flag
Back to results

Research Psychologist

Department of Defense
National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency

Summary

Research Psychologists apply social science and psychological theory through applied research to investigate various issues, questions, and problems involving human behavior. In addition, they apply measurement methods and tools to assess the attributes, attitudes, and activities of the workforce, and develop plans to address research findings. They provide consultative services for HR professiona

Overview

Help
Accepting applications
Open & closing dates
04/06/2026 to 04/25/2026
Salary
$121,785 - $187,093 per year
Pay scale & grade
IA 04
Location
Many vacancies in the following location:
Springfield, VA
1 vacancy
Telework eligible
No
Travel Required
Occasional travel - Occasional Travel Required
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Permanent - This is a permanent position.
Work schedule
Full-time - Full Time
Service
Excepted
Promotion potential
04
Job family (Series)
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Sensitive Compartmented Information
Drug test
Yes
Announcement number
20260091
Control number
863953400

This job is open to

Help

Clarification from the agency

External Applicants Only

Duties

Help

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Research (Industrial Organizational) Psychologists at NGA support the work of the Human Capital Advanced Capabilities Office to equip NGA employees, supervisors, and leaders with strategic workforce planning, competency management, and workforce assessment capabilities. They apply social science and psychological theory through applied research to investigate various issues, questions, and problems involving human behavior in the industrial and/or organizational setting. In addition, they apply measurement methods and tools to assess the attributes, attitudes, and activities of the workforce, and develop plans to address research findings. This work also includes job task analysis (JTAs); strategic job task analysis (SJTAs); competency assessments, studies, frameworks, and management; skill assessment and gap analysis; maturity model development; and workforce surveys, studies, and assessments. To be successful in this role, the incumbent should be a dynamic researcher and a data savvy professional, who thrives in a data-driven environment and applies methodological and analytic rigor to each project.

Requirements

Help

Conditions of employment

  • US Citizenship is required.
  • Designated or Random Drug Testing required.
  • Security Investigation

SPECIAL INFO:
As a condition of employment at NGA, persons being considered for employment must meet NGA fitness for employment standards.

- U.S. Citizenship

- Security Clearance - Top Secret /Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI)

- Polygraph & Drug Test

- Direct Deposit

- Trial Period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. We may consider: performance conduct; needs and interests of the agency; and whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government and the efficiency of the Federal service

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:
You must be able to obtain and retain a Top Secret security clearance with access to SCI. In addition, you are subject to a Counterintelligence Polygraph examination in order to maintain access to Top Secret information. All employees are subject to a periodic examination on a random basis in order to determine continued eligibility. Refusal to take the examination may result in denial of access to Top Secret information, SAP, or unescorted access to SCIFs.

Employees with SCI access and who are under NGA cognizance are required to submit a Security Financial Disclosure Report, SF-714, on an annual basis in order to determine continued eligibility. Failure to comply may negatively impact continued access to Top Secret information, Information Systems, SAP, or unescorted access to SCIFs.


NGA utilizes all processes and procedures of the Defense Civilian Intelligence Personnel System (DCIPS). Non-executive NGA employees are assigned to five distinct pay bands based on the type and scope of work performed. The employee's base salary is established within their assigned pay band based on their unique qualifications. A performance pay process is conducted each year to determine a potential base pay salary increase and/or bonus. An employee's annual performance evaluation is a key factor in the performance pay process.

This position is a DCIPS position in the Excepted Service under 10 U.S.C. 1601. DoD Components with DCIPS positions apply Veterans' Preference to preference eligible candidates as defined by Section 2108 of Title 5 USC, in accordance with the procedures provided in DoD Instruction 1400.25, Volume 2005, DCIPS Employment and Placement. If you are an external applicant claiming veterans' preference, as defined by Section 2108 of Title 5 U.S.C., you must self-identify your eligibility.

Qualifications

MANDATORY QUALIFICATION CRITERIA: For this particular job, applicants must meet all competencies reflected under the Mandatory Qualification Criteria to include education (if required). Online resumes must demonstrate qualification by providing specific examples and associated results, in response to the announcement's mandatory criteria specified in this vacancy announcement:

Experience applying qualitative and quantitative research methodologies to gather data.
Experience communicating technical methods and solutions to non-technical audiences verbally and/or in writing.
Experience using statistical software (SPSS and/or R Studio) to conduct complex statistical analyses (e.g., multiple linear/logical regression, factor analyses, analysis of variance, and non-parametric statistics).
Experience collaborating with and advising customers on industrial/organization psychology principles.

EDUCATION REQUIREMENT: A. Education: Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in Psychology. Master's or equivalent graduate degree from an accredited college or university in Industrial/Organizational Psychology, Educational Psychology, Applied Psychology, Cognitive Psychology, Experimental Psychology, Social Psychology, or a related field is preferred.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATION CRITERIA: In addition to the mandatory qualifications, experience in the following is desired:

Experience with survey and assessment instrument development.
Experience completing job task analysis, competency management, skill gap analysis, and/or competency studies.
Experience gathering and analyzing data and drawing logical conclusions to develop recommendations for leadership decision-making.

Additional information

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

How you will be evaluated

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

Applicants are not required to submit a cover letter for employment consideration with the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency. However, a cover letter is recommended. Applicants will have the option to attach a cover letter in the Qualifications - Attachments step of the online application.

APPLICANT EVALUATION PROCESS: Applicants will be evaluated for this job opportunity in three stages:

1) All applicants will be evaluated using the Mandatory Qualification Criteria,

2) Qualified applicants will then be evaluated by an expert or panel of experts using a combination of qualification criteria to determine the best-qualified candidates,

3) Best-qualified applicants may then be further evaluated through an interview process.

Military retiree applicants, if selected, may be impacted by the 180-day appointment restrictions of DODI 1402.01. HD personnel will provide additional information if applicable.

Applicants are encouraged to carefully review the Assignment Description, Additional Information Provided By the Selecting Official, and the Qualification Requirements; and then construct their resumes to highlight their most relevant and significant experience and education for this job opportunity. This description should include examples that detail the level and complexity of the performed work. Applicants are encouraged to provide any education or degree information referenced in the announcement that is relevant. If education is listed as a mandatory requirement, only degrees obtained from an institution accredited by an accrediting organization recognized by the Secretary, US Department of Education will be accepted.

In accordance with section 9902(h) of title 5, United States Code, annuitants reemployed in the Department of Defense shall receive full annuity and salary upon appointment. They shall not be eligible for retirement contributions, participation in the Thrift Savings Plan, or a supplemental or re-determined annuity for the reemployment period. Discontinued service retirement annuitants (i.e., retired under section 8336(d)(1) or 8414(b)(1)(A) of title 5, United States Code) appointed to the Department of Defense may elect to be subject to retirement provisions of the new appointment as appropriate. (See DoD Instruction 1400.25, Volume 300). Reemployed annuitants must meet additional selection criteria as outlined in the DODI 1400.25, v300.

All candidates will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, disability, or sexual orientation.

NGA provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. Applications will only be accepted online. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please notify us at recruitment@nga.mil. The decision on granting reasonable accommodation will be on a case-by-case basis.

National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency

Agency contact information

Recruitment
Phone
571-557-1999
Email
Recruitment@nga.mil
Address
NATIONAL GEOSPATIAL-INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
Mailstop: S44-HDR
7500 GEOINT Drive
Springfield, VA 22150
US

Visit our careers page

Learn more about what it's like to work at National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, what the agency does, and about the types of careers this agency offers.

https://www.nga.mil/about/pages/default.aspx

Your session is about to expire!

Your USAJOBS session will expire due to inactivity in 8 minutes. Any unsaved data will be lost if you allow the session to expire. Click the button below to continue your session.