As a Personnel Research Psychologist, GS-0180-11/12, you will be part of The Office of Personnel Management's, Federal Talent Management Center. If selected, you will support the OPM HR Shared Service Center by developing, implementing, and evaluating hiring assessments; developing and administering surveys, conducting job analysis/competency modeling; and providing assessment-related consultation for Federal Agencies.
Summary
As a Personnel Research Psychologist, GS-0180-11/12, you will be part of The Office of Personnel Management's, Federal Talent Management Center. If selected, you will support the OPM HR Shared Service Center by developing, implementing, and evaluating hiring assessments; developing and administering surveys, conducting job analysis/competency modeling; and providing assessment-related consultation for Federal Agencies.
Developing and implementing competency models, workforce gap assessments, and leadership assessments.
Helping agencies identify, evaluate, and solve organizational problems using customer action planning, satisfaction surveys, employee surveys, and focus groups.
Establishing project objectives, activities, timelines, budgets, and staffing plans.
Advising agencies and internal senior management on implementing assessment strategies.
Evaluating training, candidate development, or other human resources programs.
About the organization: These positions are in one of two Selection and Promotion Assessment groups in the Assessment & Evaluation (AE) organization. AE is in Federal Talent Management Center (FTMC), Human Resources Solutions (HRS), U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM).
HR Solutions provides transformative human capital solutions that enable the Federal Government to solve the nation's toughest challenges. We take pride in our agile teams bringing expertise and human capital technology to create evidence-based solutions. Our nationwide cadre of human resources (HR) specialists, psychologists, management analysts, and program managers partner to shape and advance excellence in the Federal Government through our reimbursable human resources products and services. In 2026, OPM established the OPM HR Shared Service Center, operated by HR Solutions, to centralize and streamline government-wide HR operations. This shared services model consolidates resources, eliminates redundancies, and ensures consistent application of federal HR policies helping agencies attract, hire, and manage top talent in alignment with Executive Orders on hiring reform and government efficiency.
Assessment and Evaluation delivers rigorous assessment solutions that help select candidates with the right competencies, maximize the performance of the workforce and its leadership, and assess and evaluate organizational performance to foster the right culture and customer experience by conducting basic, applied, and innovative research encompassing the full gamut of human capital management, with a specific focus on individual, organizational, and outcome assessment. AE is comprised of three groups: Selection and Promotion Assessment 1 (SPA1), Selection and Promotion Assessment 2 (SPA2) and Organizational and Talent Development Assessment (OTDA)
SPA1 & SPA2 - Focus on the development, validation, and administration of cognitive and non-cognitive competency-based skill assessments used for selection and promotion purposes. This includes job analysis, written and non-written tests, job knowledge tests, performance tests, and computer simulations.
OTDA - Focuses on the development, validation, and administration of assessments designed to improve leadership effectiveness, close skill gaps, and foster organizational excellence. This includes developmental feedback assessments for employees and leaders, skill gap assessments, training needs analysis, organizational surveys, customer experience surveys, and program evaluation.
Areas of research and specialization are not limited to the above. All groups are responsible for conducting research and applying innovative assessment procedures and technologies to develop practical solutions to human resource management problems, and for providing technical assistance to departments and agencies in their areas of expertise. Group managers also strive to build reimbursable interagency partnerships to maximize the use of governmental resources.
Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective Service
Suitable for Federal employment, determined by a background investigation
May be required to successfully complete a probationary period
Candidates will not be hired based on their race, sex, color, religion, or national origin
Complete the initial online assessment and USA Hire Assessment, if required
You will be required to report to an OPM assigned office.
This position is eligible for inclusion in the bargaining unit.
if the duty station is finalized in the Washington, DC metropolitan area, employees in this position will be represented by the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local 32. (BU Code - 1131)
if the duty station is finalized outside of the Washington, DC metropolitan area, this position will not be represented by a bargaining unit. (BU Code - 7777)
Qualifications
Basic Requirement For the GS 11/12: You must have successful completion of a full 4-year course of study in an accredited or pre-accredited academic institution leading to a bachelor's or higher degree with a major or equivalent in psychology to receive further consideration.
Selective Placement Factor (SPF): Selective Placement Factors are special qualifications in addition to the basic requirements that are essential for successful performance in this position. Applicants who do not meet all Selective Placement Factors will be rated ineligible for further consideration. Applicants must demonstrate knowledge of industrial/organizational or applied psychology principles, theories, and methods; knowledge of professional applied psychological research and assessment concepts; and the ability to apply measurement theory, psychometric methodology, and statistical techniques to support assessment, selection, or workforce-related programs. Applicants must also demonstrate the ability to apply these principles and methods in support of organizational research, assessment development, and personnel evaluation activities.
To qualify for this position at the GS-11 grade level: In addition to the basic education requirement, you MUST meet one requirement below:
A. Education: Completed all requirements for a master's degree (or equivalent) in Industrial/Organizational (I/O) Psychology or related field (e.g., applied, social, or applied social psychology, or organizational development);
OR
B. Education: Completed all requirements for a Ph.D. (or equivalent) in I/O Psychology or related field;
OR
C. Experience: Completed at least 1 full year (52 weeks) of specialized experience comparable in scope and responsibility to the Federal Government GS-09 grade or pay band. Specialized experience must demonstrate ALL the following:
drafting and implementing research plans; AND
conducting multivariate statistical analyses; AND
assisting in the collection of quantitative and qualitative data using principles, theories, and methods of I/O psychology; AND
assisting with assessment projects requiring the application of principles, theories, and methods of I/O psychology in organizational settings.
OR
D. Combination of Education and Experience: Less than the graduate education described in "A" or "B" and less than the experience described in "C" but have a combination of the type of education in "A" or "B" and type of experience in "C" totaling 100% of the required qualifications. (To determine the combination, first determine your total number of graduate semester hours, and divide that number by 18. Next, divide the total number of months of qualifying experience by 12. Then, add your percentage of education and experience. The two percentages must total at least 100% for you to qualify based on your combination of education and experience. Only graduate education exceeding one year (i.e., 18 semester hours) may be combined with experience.)
To qualify for this position at the GS-12 grade level: In addition to the basic education requirement, you MUST meet one requirement below:
A. Education: Completed all requirements for a Ph.D. (or equivalent) in Industrial/Organizational (I/O) Psychology or related field (e.g., applied, social, or applied social psychology, or organizational development);
OR
B. Experience: Completed at least 1 full year (52 weeks) of specialized experience comparable in scope and responsibility to the Federal Government GS-11 grade or pay band. Specialized experience must demonstrate ALL the following:
a) Leading/managing part of a project or serving in a primary role on projects involving at least one of the following areas:
(i) developing tests/assessment tools for selection or promotion consistent with professional and legal requirements (e.g., Uniform Guidelines on Employee Selection Procedures);
OR
(ii) conducting job analysis or organizational competency modeling;
AND
b) Using knowledge of the principles, theories, and methods of I/O psychology or related fields (e.g., applied social psychology, applied research/evaluation) to develop practical solutions to assessment problems, including experience with assessment development and validation methods;
AND
c) Applying knowledge of statistics and statistical tools (e.g., R, SPSS, Python) to analyze individual or organizational data;
OR
C. Combination of Education and Experience: Less than the graduate education in "A" and less than the experience in "B" but have a combination of the type of education in "A" and type of the experience in "B" totaling 100% of the required qualifications. To determine the combination, compute experience as a percentage of experience in "B", determine education as a percentage of education in "A"; add the 2 percentages. Total percentages must equal at least 100%. Only graduate education exceeding 1 year (i.e., 18 semester hours) may be combined with experience.
NOTE: You MUST submit a copy/copies of your transcript(s), as a part of your application, to verify you have met the basic requirement and other qualifying education requirements for further consideration.
Related Degrees: The curriculum of related degrees should include coursework such as research methods, statistical methods, and core industrial and organizational domains, including: measurement of individual differences; criterion theory and development; job and task analysis; employee selection, placement, and classification; performance appraisal and feedback; training theory, program design, and evaluation; work motivation; attitude theory; small group theory and process; leadership theory; organizational theory; and organizational development.
To meet the Recent Graduate Program Eligibility requirements, you must have obtained a qualifying Associates, Bachelor's, Master's, Professional, Doctorate, Vocational or Technical degree or certificate from a qualifying educational institution, within the previous 2 years.
All Education must be accredited by an accredited institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications (particularly positions with a positive education requirement.) Therefore, applicants must report only attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accredited institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Applicants may verify accreditation at the following website: Accreditation. All education claimed by applicants will be verified by OPM accordingly.
ATTENTION VETERANS: A veteran, as defined in 5 U.S.C. 2108, who due to military service obligation, was precluded from applying to the Recent Graduates Program during any portion of the 2-year eligibility period shall have a full 2-year period of eligibility upon his or her release or discharge from active duty. In no event, however, may the individual's eligibility period extend beyond 6 years from the date on which the individual completed the requirements of an academic course of study.
You must meet all qualification and eligibility requirements by the closing date of this 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. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.
Education
This position has a basic education requirement listed under the Qualifications section of this announcement.
Pathways Participant Agreement: All Recent Graduates are required to sign the Pathways Program Participant Agreement which outlines program requirements and non-competitive conversion eligibility.
Special Instructions for Foreign Education: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show that the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. Failure to provide such documentation with your application will result in lost consideration. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.
Additional information
Relocation expenses will not be paid.
Incentive payments may be considered.
This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional similar vacancies across OPM.
If you are unable to apply online and would like to request information about the Alternate Application process, please use the contact information at the bottom of this announcement.
Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered or exempt from Selective Service.
Reasonable Accommodation Requests: If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be granted the opportunity to request a RA in your online application. Requests for RA for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for RA must be received prior to starting the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. Decisions on requests for RA are made on a case-by-case basis. If you meet the minimum qualifications of the position, after notification of the adjudication of your request, you will receive an email invitation to complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, based on your adjudication decision. You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, if you received the link after the close of the announcement. To determine if you need a RA, please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments here: https://support-usahire.opm.gov/hc/en-us/articles/45424542500371-How-to-request-a-reasonable-accommodation.
PROGRAM COMPLETION AND CONVERSION ELIGIBILITY:
Program participants may be converted, without a break in service, to a term, career or career conditional appointment upon completion of program requirements.
To be eligible for conversion, Recent Graduates must:
- Complete one continuous year of work experience acquired through a Recent Graduate Program
- Complete 40 hours of formal interactive training
- Meet the qualification standards for the position to which the Recent Graduate will be converted
- Meet any agency-specific requirements specified in the Participant's Agreement
- Demonstrate successful job performance that results in a rating of record of at least Fully Successful and a recommendation for conversion by the first level supervisor.
As a condition of employment for accepting this position, the duration of your appointment will be considered a trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider:
- your performance and conduct;
- the needs and interests of the agency;
- whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
- whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.
Upon completion of your trial period your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.
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.
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.
You will be evaluated based on how well you meet the qualifications listed in this vacancy announcement, including any Selective Placement Factors identified for this position. Your qualifications will be evaluated based on your application materials (e.g., resume, supporting documents), your responses on the application questionnaire, and your responses to all assessments required for this position.
Your qualifications will be evaluated on the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities and other characteristics):
A set number of the highest-ranked eligible applicants will be referred to the hiring manager for consideration.
Structured Interview: Highest ranked eligible candidates will be asked to complete a Structured Interview with a panel of Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) to further assess whether candidates meet the Selective Placement Factor requirements described in this announcement. Only applicants who have demonstrated these skills will move on to the next phase of the process
Applicants will be assessed against the criteria stated above and will be referred by score order on a ranked list. Preference eligibles (i.e., veterans eligible for veterans' preference or individuals eligible for derived preference) who earn a passing score receive zero, 5, or 10 points, as appropriate, which are added to their scores. Applicants are then listed in score order and selections are made from among the highest-ranked names on the list.
Ranking and preference: Qualified candidates will be ranked in score order after completing all assessments. Candidates with veterans' preference will be ranked ahead of candidates without veterans' preference with the same score.
Referral method: A pre-established set number of the highest ranked candidates will be referred to hiring official. All candidates tied at the cut line will be referred.
Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application materials or application questionnaire may result in your removal from consideration. Cheating on an assessment may also result in your removal from consideration.
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.
To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:
1. Your Resume showing the applicant's name, email address, work schedule, hours worked per week, dates of employment, and duties performed to include pay plan, series, and grade level for relevant federal experience. Your resume must show complete information for each job entry to support minimum qualifications. Only the first 2 pages of the resume/application will be used to verify minimum qualifications. Please be sure to include specific dates of employment and work schedule(s).
Do not include the following types of information in your resume:
Classified or government sensitive information
Social Security Number (SSN)
Photos of yourself
Personal information, such as age, sex, religious affiliation, etc.
Encrypted and digitally signed documents
2. Your final college transcripts showing that you are a Recent Graduate to meet eligibility for this position.
3. Other supporting documents:
Cover Letter, optional
Veterans' Preference documentation, if applicable (e.g. DD-214 Member Copy 4 showing type of discharge/character of service; Current Active Duty members must submit a certification of expected discharge or release from active duty under honorable conditions dated within 120 days; SF-15 Form and related documentation; VA letter.)
Failure to submit any of the above mentioned required documents may result in loss of consideration due to an incomplete application package. It is your responsibility to ensure all required documents have been submitted.
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
Please read the entire announcement and all the instructions before you begin an application. To apply and be considered for this position, you must complete all required questionnaires, assessments and submit all required documentation as specified in the How to Apply and Required Documents section. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on the closing date of the announcement to receive consideration. The application process is as follows:
1. Click the Apply Online button.
2. Answer the questions presented in the application and attach all necessary supporting documentation.
3. Click the Submit Application button prior to 11:59 PM (ET) on the announcement closing date.
4. If you are required to complete any USA Hire Assessments, you will be notified after submitting your application. The notification will be provided in your application submission screen and via email. The notification will include your unique assessment access link to the USA Hire system and the completion deadline. Additionally, in USAJOBS you can click "Track this application" to return to your assessment completion notice.
5. Access USA Hire using your unique assessment link. Access is granted through your USAJOBS login credentials.
6. Review all instructions prior to beginning your assessments. You will have the opportunity to request a testing accommodation before beginning the assessments should you have a disability covered under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended.
7. Set aside at least 3 hours to take the USA Hire Assessments; however, most applicants complete the assessments in less time. If you need to stop the assessments and continue later, you can re-use your unique assessment link.
8. Your responses to the USA Hire Assessments will be reused for one year (in most cases) from the date you complete an assessment. If future applications you submit require completion of the same assessments, your responses will be automatically reused.
To update your application, including supporting documentation: During the announcement open period, return to your USAJOBS account, find your application record, and click Edit my application. This option will no longer be available once the announcement has closed.
To view the announcement status or your application status: Click on this: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/how-to/application/status/. Your application status page is where you can view your application status, USA Hire assessment completion status, and review your notifications sent by the hiring agency regarding your application.
OPM Human Resources
1900 E St., NW
Washington, DC 20415
US
Next steps
If you meet the minimum qualifications of this position, you may be presented with instructions on how to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments system. These additional online assessments must be completed within 48 hours following the close of this announcement unless you have requested Reasonable Accommodation for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. Your results will be kept on record for one year when applying for future jobs that require the same USA Hire Competency Based Assessments.
You may be asked to complete an online assessment, pre-cert structured interview, post-cert structured interview, written demonstration, and/or fit interview.
We expect to make a job offer within 40 days after the closing date of the announcement. After making a tentative job offer, we will conduct a suitability/security background investigation.
An agency may not request, orally, in writing, or electronically through the USA Jobs website or other electronic means, that an applicant for appointment for a position in the civil service disclose criminal history record information before the appointing agency extends a conditional offer of employment. If you believe you were asked about your criminal history improperly, contact the agency or visit https://www.opm.gov/about-us/careers-at-opm/opportunities/
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:
1. Your Resume showing the applicant's name, email address, work schedule, hours worked per week, dates of employment, and duties performed to include pay plan, series, and grade level for relevant federal experience. Your resume must show complete information for each job entry to support minimum qualifications. Only the first 2 pages of the resume/application will be used to verify minimum qualifications. Please be sure to include specific dates of employment and work schedule(s).
Do not include the following types of information in your resume:
Classified or government sensitive information
Social Security Number (SSN)
Photos of yourself
Personal information, such as age, sex, religious affiliation, etc.
Encrypted and digitally signed documents
2. Your final college transcripts showing that you are a Recent Graduate to meet eligibility for this position.
3. Other supporting documents:
Cover Letter, optional
Veterans' Preference documentation, if applicable (e.g. DD-214 Member Copy 4 showing type of discharge/character of service; Current Active Duty members must submit a certification of expected discharge or release from active duty under honorable conditions dated within 120 days; SF-15 Form and related documentation; VA letter.)
Failure to submit any of the above mentioned required documents may result in loss of consideration due to an incomplete application package. It is your responsibility to ensure all required documents have been submitted.
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
Please read the entire announcement and all the instructions before you begin an application. To apply and be considered for this position, you must complete all required questionnaires, assessments and submit all required documentation as specified in the How to Apply and Required Documents section. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on the closing date of the announcement to receive consideration. The application process is as follows:
1. Click the Apply Online button.
2. Answer the questions presented in the application and attach all necessary supporting documentation.
3. Click the Submit Application button prior to 11:59 PM (ET) on the announcement closing date.
4. If you are required to complete any USA Hire Assessments, you will be notified after submitting your application. The notification will be provided in your application submission screen and via email. The notification will include your unique assessment access link to the USA Hire system and the completion deadline. Additionally, in USAJOBS you can click "Track this application" to return to your assessment completion notice.
5. Access USA Hire using your unique assessment link. Access is granted through your USAJOBS login credentials.
6. Review all instructions prior to beginning your assessments. You will have the opportunity to request a testing accommodation before beginning the assessments should you have a disability covered under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended.
7. Set aside at least 3 hours to take the USA Hire Assessments; however, most applicants complete the assessments in less time. If you need to stop the assessments and continue later, you can re-use your unique assessment link.
8. Your responses to the USA Hire Assessments will be reused for one year (in most cases) from the date you complete an assessment. If future applications you submit require completion of the same assessments, your responses will be automatically reused.
To update your application, including supporting documentation: During the announcement open period, return to your USAJOBS account, find your application record, and click Edit my application. This option will no longer be available once the announcement has closed.
To view the announcement status or your application status: Click on this: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/how-to/application/status/. Your application status page is where you can view your application status, USA Hire assessment completion status, and review your notifications sent by the hiring agency regarding your application.
OPM Human Resources
1900 E St., NW
Washington, DC 20415
US
Next steps
If you meet the minimum qualifications of this position, you may be presented with instructions on how to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments system. These additional online assessments must be completed within 48 hours following the close of this announcement unless you have requested Reasonable Accommodation for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. Your results will be kept on record for one year when applying for future jobs that require the same USA Hire Competency Based Assessments.
You may be asked to complete an online assessment, pre-cert structured interview, post-cert structured interview, written demonstration, and/or fit interview.
We expect to make a job offer within 40 days after the closing date of the announcement. After making a tentative job offer, we will conduct a suitability/security background investigation.
An agency may not request, orally, in writing, or electronically through the USA Jobs website or other electronic means, that an applicant for appointment for a position in the civil service disclose criminal history record information before the appointing agency extends a conditional offer of employment. If you believe you were asked about your criminal history improperly, contact the agency or visit https://www.opm.gov/about-us/careers-at-opm/opportunities/
Fair and transparent
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
