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Personnel Research Psychologist

Department of Defense
Defense Human Resources Activity
Defense Personnel Analytics Center (DPAC)

Summary

This position is part of the Defense Human Resources Activity. The incumbent will be responsible for conducting related research and development activities for ASVAB CEP. This includes all activities necessary for maintaining, evaluating, and improving existing testing instruments.

Overview

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Accepting applications
Open & closing dates
05/19/2026 to 06/02/2026
Salary
$121,785 - $172,980 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 13
Locations
1 vacancy in the following locations:
Seaside, CA
Alexandria, VA
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Travel Required
Occasional travel - You may be expected to travel for this position.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
None
Job family (Series)
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Secret
Drug test
No
Position sensitivity and risk
Noncritical-Sensitive (NCS)/Moderate Risk
Trust determination process
Financial disclosure
No
Bargaining unit status
No
Announcement number
DHRADPAC-26-12960362-DE
Control number
869954600

Duties

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As a Personnel Research Psychologist at the GS-0180-13 some of your typical work assignments may include:

  • The incumbent conducts related research and development activities for the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) Career Exploration Program (CEP). This includes all activities necessary for maintaining, evaluating, and improving existing testing instruments and other materials, as well as the development and evaluation of new methods and techniques for increasing the efficiency and effectiveness of the ASVAB CEP.
  • Works with a panel of experts in the field of career development and planning to develop and implement a career guidance and planning model, and ensure that the program components comply with all relevant standards.
  • The incumbent is responsible for providing technical guidance and training to a wide variety of personnel involved in ASVAB CEP, including civilian and military Education Service Specialists.
  • Acts as a representative of Defense Testing and Assessment Center (DTAC) in matters related to the ASVAB CEP to include discussions with policy staff both internal and external to the agency. Keeps abreast of activities and plans of these agencies to advise on trends, emerging issues, and new developments as needed.
  • Serves as a representative of DTAC in various public forums in matters related to the ASVAB CEP. In this capacity, presents briefings and reports to national and regional meetings and conferences of educational and vocational counseling professionals and prepares and publishes papers in recognized educational, measurement, and counseling journals.
  • Represents DTAC in technical discussions with contractors, in the conduct of contract research and development relating to ASVAB CEP As needed, coordinates such activities with other Centers within DPAC and with other Government agencies, including but not limited to coordinating the collection of data necessary for conducting ASVAB CEP research and development.
  • Responsible for designing and managing occupational information databases as they relate to the DoW. Knowledge of job analysis methods is relevant for this function, as well as an understanding of job selection and classification.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • Must be a U.S. citizen
  • Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective Service http://www.sss.gov
  • Resume and supporting documents (See How To Apply)
  • Suitable for Federal employment, determined by a background investigation
  • May be required to successfully complete a probationary period
  • Work Schedule: Fulltime
  • Overtime: Occasionally
  • Tour of Duty: Flexible
  • Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
  • Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA): Exempt
  • Financial Disclosure: Not Required
  • Telework Eligibility: This position is telework eligible

Qualifications

You may qualify at the GS-13, if you fulfill the following qualifications:

One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-12 grade level in the Federal service:

  • Facilitating multiple-aptitude tests and interpretation of data, interest inventory development, and a wide range of career exploration tools.
  • Developing and implementing new career planning models;
  • Occupational knowledge of the military's Enlistment Testing Program and the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) Career Exploration Program.
  • Collecting and analyzing data similar to what would be necessary for conducting Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) Career Exploration Program.
  • Developing program materials and informational websites.
  • Interpreting and applying information from occupational information taxonomies and databases.
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. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

In addition to meeting the qualifications listed above, your application package must reflect the applicable experience to meet the Individual Occupational Requirements for the 0180 series.

Degree: major or equivalent in psychology.

*NOTE: Failure to provide transcripts will result in you being rated ineligible for this position.

Education

Substitution of education may not be used in lieu of specialized experience for this grade level.

ARE YOU USING YOUR EDUCATION TO MEET THE INDIVIDUAL OCCUPATIONAL REQUIREMENT? You MUST provide transcripts or other documentation to support your educational claims. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable at time of application.

All materials must be submitted by the closing date of the announcement.

GRADUATE EDUCATION: One academic year of graduate education is considered to be the number of credits hours that your graduate school has determined to represent one academic year of full-time study. Such study may have been performed on a full-time or part-time basis. If you cannot obtain your graduate school's definition of one year of graduate study, 18 semester hours (or 27 quarter hours) should be considered as satisfying the requirement for one year of full-time graduate study.

FOREIGN EDUCATION may be qualifying if a private organization specializing in interpreting foreign education programs has deemed the foreign education equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program or a U.S. accredited college or university has given full credit for the foreign courses.

Unofficial transcripts from U.S. Department of Education accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions listing your name, the name of the school, the date and degree awarded, and the list of classes and credits earned are acceptable for the application process. If selected, official transcripts are required before a firm job offer is made. A photocopy of your degree/diploma is not acceptable.

When relying on foreign education, submit transcripts and a copy of the equivalency evaluation results letter with a course-by-course listing. Documents must be in English or include an English translation. The hiring employer for this position does not evaluate degrees from foreign colleges or universities. For further information, visit: Foreign Education

Additional information

Re-employed Annuitant: This position does not meet criteria for re-employed annuitant. The DoD criteria for hiring Reemployed Annuitants can be found at: https://www.esd.whs.mil/Portals/54/Documents/DD/issuances/140025/140025_vol300.PDF?ver=LQ7feWw-8-5DI2tceUpmgA%3d%3d

This position is subject to an initial drug screening, and random testing thereafter. A negative drug test result must be received by HR within 30 calendar days after the EOD (i.e., start date). The selectee's inability successfully pass; or refusal to conduct the test may result in: 1) the tentative or FJO being withdrawn during the recruitment process; or 2) subsequently being removed from Federal service for failure to meet a condition of employment.

You may be required to sign a "Drug Test Statement of Understanding" if you are selected for this position.

All applicants must meet qualifications and eligibility criteria by the closing date of the announcement.

Interagency Career Transition Assistance Programs (
ICTAP eligibility): This program applies to employees who have been involuntarily separated from a Federal service position within the competitive service or Federal service employees whose positions have been deemed surplus or no longer needed. To receive selection priority for this position, you must: 1) meet ICTAP eligibility criteria; 2) be rated well-qualified for the position; Well qualified is defined as possessing the type and quality of experience that exceeds the positions minimum qualifications. and 3) submit the appropriate documentation to support your ICTAP eligibility. For more information:
https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/employee-guide-to-career-transition/

Military Spouse Preference: If you are entitled to military spouse preference, in order to receive this preference you must choose the spousal eligibility in your application package referencing MSP Military Spouse Preference. Your preference entitlement will be verified by the employing agency. If you are claiming military spouse preference and qualified for the position, your name will be placed below preference eligible veteran candidates and above non-preference candidates on a list sent to the hiring manager for employment consideration. To claim Military Spouse Preference (MSP) please complete the Military Spouse PPP Self-Certification Checklist, save the document and attach it to your application package.

Priority Placement Program (PPP) DoD Retained Grade Preference (RGP): In order to receive this preference, you must choose to apply using the "Priority Placement Program, DoD Retained Grade Preference (RGP)" eligibility. If you are claiming RGP and are determined to be Well Qualified (score of 85 or above) for the position, you will be referred to the hiring manager as a priority applicant. Information and required documentation for claiming MSP may be found at the General Applicant Information and Definitions link below. To be eligible as a RGP, you must submit the following supporting documents with your application package: a signed Retained Grade PPP Self-Certification Checklist (DD3145-1 (whs.mil)); a copy of your Notification of Personnel Action (SF-50) effecting the placement in retained grade status; or a copy of the notification letter you received regarding the RIF or classification downgrade.

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.

We will review your resume and supporting documents, to ensure you meet the basic qualification requirements. We will evaluate each applicant who meets the basic qualifications on the information provided and evaluate your relevant work experiences as it relates to fundamental competencies, identified below, required for this position.

Competencies:

  • Attention to Detail
  • Customer Service
  • Decision Making
  • Flexibility
  • Influencing/Negotiating
  • Integrity/Honesty
  • Interpersonal Skills
  • Learning
  • Program/Project Management
  • Reading Comprehension
  • Reasoning
  • Research
  • Self-Management
  • Statistical Analysis
  • Stress Tolerance
  • Teamwork


Based on the results of this evaluation, you will be placed in one of the following quality categories:

Best Qualified:
This highest category will be used for those candidates who possess the type and quality of experience that substantially exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position, including any selective placement factors and/or appropriate quality ranking factor(s), as determined by the job analysis.
Highly Qualified: This higher category will be used for those candidates who possess the type and quality of experience that exceed the minimum qualifications of the position, including any selective placement factors and/or appropriate quality ranking factor(s) as determined by the job analysis.
Qualified: This lowest category will be used for those candidates that meet the minimum qualifications of the position, including all selective placement factors and appropriate quality ranking factor(s) and are proficient in some, but not all, of the requirements of the position. Candidates may require extensive training and/or orientation in order to satisfactorily perform the duties of the position. https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/hiring-information/competitive-hiring/#url=Category-Rating

Names of the candidates in the Best Qualified category will be sent first to the hiring manager for employment consideration. Applicants in other categories will be referred in accordance with category rating procedures.

Veterans Preference:
If you are entitled to veterans preference, you should indicate the type of veterans' preference you are claiming on your resume. Your veterans' preference entitlement will be verified by the employing agency. If you are entitled to veterans' preference and qualified for the position, your name will be placed above non-preference candidates on a list sent to the hiring manager for employment consideration. Qualified veterans' preference eligible with a service-connected disability of 10% or more will be listed at the top of the highest quality category depending on the position and grade level of the job.
For information on entitlement seeFeds Hire Vets - Job Seekers - Veterans.

Defense Human Resources Activity

Defense Personnel Analytics Center (DPAC) is an operational component within Defense Human Resources Activity (DHRA) and is designated to serve in direct analytic support to the military Services and Office of the Secretary of War to conduct comprehensive analysis on how policy or environmental changes affect the performance or composition of the workforce. DPAC provides the go-to expertise for scientific assessments, data analytics, and outreach, to improve the lives of the DoW community. It enhances people-related policies and programs through collaborations, recommendations, and solutions in a responsive, objective, and customer-focused approach. DPAC provides a vibrant learning environment for all team members. Professional development is encouraged, and researchers continually build their skillsets and hone their expertise.

Agency contact information

DE Applicant Inquiries
Email
DEApplicantInquiries@dla.mil
Address
Defense Human Resources Activity
4800 Mark Center Drive
Alexandria, VA 22350-110
US

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