KEY REQUIREMENTS



• Must be a U.S. Citizen.
• Relocation Expenses will not be paid
• You must successfully complete a background security investigation.

The incumbent serves as an Associate Research Scientist/Specialist in the Institute of Education Sciences (IES), U.S Department of Education.

Incumbents will engage in one or more of the following: (1) develop plans for agency support of education research, evaluation, and statistics; (2) oversee research, evaluation, and statistics activities and programs carried out or funded by the agency; (3) conduct scientific reviews of research, evaluation, and statistics plans and products; (4) analyze data and synthesize information from education research and related areas; (5) prepare written products to convey research-based knowledge and information to a variety of audiences; (6) conduct evaluations of agency activities; (7) engage in dissemination and outreach activities, such as publishing scholarly work and attending scientific conferences; and (8) consult with, or advise staff.

SELECTIONS MAY ONLY BE MADE AFTER 30 DAYS OF THE OPENING DATE OF THIS ANNOUNCEMENT.

ASSOCIATE RESEARCH SCIENTIST/SPECIALIST requires a doctoral degree or equivalent experience in an appropriate field pertinent to the needs of IES (e.g., cognitive, developmental, educational, or social psychology; economics; education; statistics).  Associate Research Scientist must have experience conducting research in education-related fields or topics (e.g., reading, teacher professional development, psychology); and demonstration of research skills and knowledge.

Basic Requirements:

A.    Degree that included or was supplemented by at least 24 semester hours of coursework in a field related to the work of the position to be filled (as presented in the description of duties), of which at least one course was in research methods and at least two courses were in statistics.  OR

B.    Combination of education and experience - (including at least 24 semester hours in a field related to the work of the position to be filled, including at least one course in research methods and two courses in statistics, plus appropriate experience or additional education).   The experience must have demonstrated (1) a thorough knowledge of the principles underlying the work of this series, and (2) understanding, both theoretical and practical, of the methods and techniques applied in performing work in this series.

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HOW YOU WILL BE EVALUATED:

You will be evaluated to determine if you meet the minimum qualifications required; and on the extent to which your application shows that you possess the skills associated with this position.
To preview questions please click here.

The Department of Education offers a comprehensive benefits package including paid vacation and sick leave, federal holidays, health and life insurance, and participation in the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS), including the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP).  Click on Benefits to find out more about federal benefits.

Why Work at ED?
The U.S. Department of Education (ED) is a great place to work. For more detailed information regarding our various work sites, please click on the link below:

Work Site Locations

As an ED employee, you will benefit from our family-friendly work environment.  As part of our commitment to maintain a productive balance between work and home, we offer excused leave for Parent/Teacher Conferences (4 hours); excused leave for annual health screenings (4 hours); and matching leave for community volunteer service.  Other incentives such as Telecommuting and Alternative Work Schedules also may be available to you.

ED offers positions that are fair and competitive in compensation; developmental opportunities to exhibit teamwork and goal-oriented projects to enrich your federal career.

OTHER INFORMATION:

This position is being filled by an alternative hiring process and is not in the competitive civil service.

Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP)

Eligible Federal employees who were displaced from their Federal positions may be eligible for selective placement priority over other candidates,under the ICTAP or the CTAP.  Information about these programs may be found at the following links. In order to qualify, your application must receive a score of 85 in comparison with the knowledge, skills and abilities criteria.  If you believe you are eligible for this special consideration, it is critical that you read the information provided in the links below.

CTAP

ICTAP

Student Loan Default
Applicants selected for positions are subject to a background
check to verify that he or she has not defaulted on any loan funded
or guaranteed by the U.S. Department of Education.  Applicants found
to be in default will be contacted to make arrangements for repayment prior to being made an official offer of employment.

You must submit your resume for this job online by selecting the 'Apply Online' button at the bottom of this announcement.  Please note: your online resume may not be a complete application. Be sure to carefully read this announcement for additional information that is required and how it should be submitted.

You must use the USAJOBS resume builder to submit your resume.  However, merely submitting a resume through resume builder is not a complete application.  

Contact Information:
    Sue Betka
    Fax: 202-219-1402
    Internet: IESResAssoc@ed.gov

    Or Write:

    U.S. Department of Education
    Institute of Education Sciences
       555 New Jersey Avenue, NW
    Washington DC 20208

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS:

You will also be required to submit the additional documents, as outlined below.  (1) letter of interest; and (2) college transcript.  

If you fail to submit the required documentation as specified above, you application for the position will not be considered.  All documents will be retained as part of the record of this action.

AGENCY CONTACT INFO:

WHAT TO EXPECT NEXT:

Once your complete application is received, an evaluation of your qualifications will be completed.  The most highly qualified candidates will be referred for further consideration and possible interview.  We expect to make selections within 45 days of the closing date of this announcement. Interviewed candidates who are not selected will be notified of the outcome.