Personnel Psychologist

The selectee will serve as a Personnel Psychologist in the Office of Human Resources Human Resources Research and Assessment Division. Typical work assignments include:

• Leading the development and implementation of employment tests surveys and related instruments for application to specific and general examining or other human capital needs.
• Developing HR assessments or survey tools and related instruments for application to specific and general examining needs or workforce development; responsible for developing special purpose tests such as promotional assessments and providing instruction on the proper administration and evaluation of these assessments.
• Operating as the senior psychologist level in the development of tests surveys and related instruments and their application for human capital needs including the production of data and technical reporting.
• Serving in an advisory role on all aspects of Personnel Psychology organizational development and policy with responsibility assisting with coordinating assessment and evaluation policy development for HRR and the USSS; attending and facilitating meetings within the Secret Service.

Conditions of employment

• U.S. Citizenship is required.
• Males born after 12/31/1959 must be registered for Selective Service.

• Obtain and maintain a Top-Secret Tier 5 clearance. For more information visit OPM Mythbuster Page.
• Submit a credit check after a conditional offer of employment has been accepted.
• Submit to a drug test prior to your appointment and random drug testing while you occupy the position.

• 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.

Qualifications

To be considered qualified for this position you must meet the following qualification requirements for the respective grade level in which you are applying.

Applicants must demonstrate that they meet the Basic Requirements AND Minimum Qualification requirements as listed below:

BASIC REQUIREMENTS:
Degree: Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a bachelors or higher degree that included a major or equivalent in psychology.

IN ADDITION TO MEETING THE BASIC REQUIREMENTS ABOVE YOU MUST ALSO MEET THE FOLLOWING MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

You qualify for the GS-11 level (starting salary $85447.00) if you possess one of the following:

One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-09 level performing duties such as:

• Assisting with research projects related to human resource management such as participating in data collection conducting basic data analyses or preparing draft reports under supervision.
• Applying established methods and techniques in personnel psychology including supporting the development or evaluation of assessment tools for selection promotion or workforce development purposes.
• Preparing written materials such as technical summaries or draft reports to communicate research findings or recommendations to team members or supervisors.

• Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree which demonstrates the knowledge skills and abilities necessary to do the work of the position.

• 3 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree in a field which demonstrates the knowledge skills and abilities necessary to do the work of the position.

• A combination of education and experience may be used to qualify for this position if the computed percentage of the requirements is at least 100%. To compute the percentage of the requirements divide your total months of experience by 12. Then divide the total number of completed graduate semester hours (or equivalent) beyond the second year (total graduate semester hours minus 36) by 18. Add the two percentages.

You qualify for the GS-12 level (starting salary $102415.00) if you possess one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-11 level performing duties such as:

• Applying testing and measurement theories principles and practices to meet organizational needs (for example assessment development survey construction).
• Conducting qualitative and quantitative analyses using statistical software packages (such as SPSS SAS or R) to analyze empirical data or summarize findings for review by senior psychologists.
• Supporting the development of special-purpose tests or related human capital instruments including recommending test administration procedures or assisting with test security protocols.
• Preparing written materials such as technical reports or summaries to communicate research findings and recommendations to internal stakeholders.

The qualification requirements listed above must be met 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.

Current or Former Political Appointees: The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) must authorize employment offers made to current or former political appointees. If you are currently or have been within the last 5 years a political Schedule A Schedule C Non-career SES or Presidential Appointee employee in the Executive Branch you must disclose this information to the Human Resources Office.