This position is part of the GAO Science and Technology (S&T) Fellows Program. As a S&T Fellow, you will work alongside GAO staff to make significant contributions to research, planning, analysis, technology assessments, technical performance audits, and policy development, as well as, engage with eminent researchers and leaders in federal agencies, congressional offices, nonprofit organizations, and other stakeholders dedicated to science in the public service.

Duties

Through placement with the Science, Technology Assessment, and Analytics (STAA) team, assignments may include : (Responsibilities may vary based on the Band Level you are selected for.) Leads and/or contributes as a technical authority on highly complex and/or sensitive science and technology engagements with biological science, physical science, or engineering components, based on requests from congressional committees and/or mandates written into legislation, resolutions, and committee reports. Researches the technical details of issues and provides focus to engagement design, to include developing criteria for evaluation of the technical area. Leads the conduct of research and analysis on technology assessments and technical performance audits. Serves as an expert of specific technologies and gathers information on the maturity of those technologies, including the best practice criteria found in GAO's Technology Readiness Assessment Guide. Identifies key issues and assesses the impact of using the technologies to address specific public policy areas. Performs broad and comprehensive evaluations of policies and programs involving S&T such as, mature technologies ranging from technical systems that are in use to research and development programs. Identifies key issues related to significant savings, improvements, or benefits. Provides expert advice, opinions, alternatives or recommendations on technical questions or issues under review. Analyzes engagement research data and other evidence that has been collected from various sources and synthesizes technical information necessary to draw preliminary conclusions. Independently prepares written products that provide factual and analytical information in a clear, balanced manner, that meets the needs of congressional clients. Advises on methods and procedures and serves as a quality assurance point for final products. Collaborates with GAO leadership and teams to openly and constructively share information and feedback, and function as a technical resource. Identifies the best vehicle for communicating information to include making full use of technology to leverage the impact of GAO's work. As needed, participates in forums, conferences, seminars, and/or panels as an expert speaker to articulate technical methodologies as well as oversight considerations. The incumbent may also be called to contribute content for publication, review GAO products for supportable conclusions regarding sound methodological practices, and provide presentations to both internal GAO customers and external clients such as Congressional staff. Performs other duties as assigned that contribute to a range of staff functions involving research, planning, analysis, policy development, and technical assistance necessary to enhance key engagement decisions.

Requirements

Qualifications

To qualify for the Band IIA (Salary range - $100,747 - $173,484): You must have 1 year (52 weeks) of specialized experience at the next lower band or level equivalent to the GS-12 in the Federal Service, or comparable private/public sector experience which has equipped you with the skills and knowledge required to successfully perform the duties of the position. Specialized experience for this position is defined as: (1) Supporting the execution of technology assessments, technical performance audits or audits with science-related components; (2) contributing to the planning and design of engagements; (3) providing expert level advice and support to engagement teams on science aspects; and (4) contributing to development of findings, recommendations and policy options in science-related work. To qualify for the Band IIB (Salary range - $111,472 - $191,900: You must have 1 year (52 weeks) of specialized experience at the next lower band or level equivalent to the GS-13 in the Federal Service, or comparable private/public sector experience which has equipped you with the skills and knowledge required to successfully perform the duties of the position. Specialized experience for this position is defined as: (1) Leading the execution of technology assessments, technical performance audits or audits with science-related components; (2) leading the planning and design of engagements; (3) providing expert level advice and support to engagement teams on science aspects; and (4) leading the development of findings, recommendations and policy options in science-related work. The ideal candidate(s) will also: Have a superior academic performance and publication record. Have a strong technical background and expertise in a STEM-related field. Exhibit problem-solving, flexibility, and nonpartisan leadership qualities. Have strong analytical, research, and communication (oral and written) skills and demonstrated capacity for creative thinking. Have experience providing subject matter leadership, fostering collaboration, and developing highly productive relationships. Fellows at the Band IIB will be expected to possess a higher degree of professional knowledge, expertise, and experience than Band IIA Fellows, and will perform their duties with greater independence. 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 positive education requirement. To qualify you must meet the requirements for either occupational series listed below. Transcripts to verify your education must also be submitted with your application.

Biological Science Series, 0401:
A. Degree: biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position.

OR

B. Combination of education and experience: Courses equivalent to a major, as shown in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education.

General Engineering Series, 0800 (including 801):

A. Degree: Successful completion of a professional engineering degree. To be acceptable, the program must: (1) lead to a bachelor's degree (or higher) in a school of engineering with at least one program accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET); or (2) include differential and integral calculus and courses (more advanced than first-year physics and chemistry) in five of the following seven areas of engineering science or physics: (a) statics, dynamics; (b) strength of materials (stress-strain relationships); (c) fluid mechanics, hydraulics; (d) thermodynamics; (e) electrical fields and circuits; (f) nature and properties of materials (relating particle and aggregate structure to properties); and (g) any other comparable area of fundamental engineering science or physics, such as optics, heat transfer, soil mechanics, or electronics. Such education must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of the position.

OR

Combination of education and experience -- college-level education, training, and/or technical experience that furnished (1) a thorough knowledge of the physical and mathematical sciences underlying engineering, and (2) a good understanding, both theoretical and practical, of the engineering sciences and techniques and their applications to one of the branches of engineering. The adequacy of such background must be demonstrated by one of the following:

1. Professional registration or licensure - Current registration as an Engineer Intern (EI), Engineer in Training (EIT), or licensure as a Professional Engineer (PE) by any State, the District of Columbia, Guam, or Puerto Rico. Absent other means of qualifying under this standard, those applicants who achieved such registration by means other than written test (e.g., State grandfather or eminence provisions) are eligible only for positions that are within or closely related to the specialty field of their registration. For more information about EI and EIT registration requirements, please visit the National Society of Professional Engineers website at: http://www.nspe.org.

2. Written Test - Evidence of having successfully passed the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) examination or any other written test required for professional registration by an engineering licensure board in the various States, the District of Columbia, Guam, and Puerto Rico. The FE examination is not administered by the U. S. Office of Personnel Management. For more information, please visit: http://www.nspe.org/Licensure/HowtoGetLicensed/index.html.

3. Specified academic course - Successful completion of at least 60 semester hours of courses in the physical, mathematical, and engineering sciences and in engineering that included the courses specified in the basic requirements under paragraph A (above). The courses must be fully acceptable toward meeting the requirements of an engineering program as described in paragraph A (above)

4. Related curriculum - Successful completion of a curriculum leading to a bachelor's degree in an appropriate scientific field, e.g., engineering technology, physics, chemistry, architecture, computer science, mathematics, hydrology, or geology, may be accepted in lieu of bachelor's degree in engineering, provided the applicant has had at the least 1 year of a professional engineering acquired under professional engineering supervision and guidance. Ordinarily there should be either an established plan of extensive training to develop professional engineering competence, or several years of prior professional engineering-type experience, e.g., in interdisciplinary positions. (The above examples of related curricula are not all inclusive.)

Physical Scientist Series, 1301:

Degree: physical science, engineering, or mathematics that included 24 semester hours in physical science and/or related engineering science such as mechanics, dynamics, properties of materials, and electronics.

OR

Combination of education and experience: education equivalent to one of the majors shown in A above that included at least 24 semester hours in physical science and/or related engineering science, plus appropriate experience or additional education.

Contacts

• Address Government Accountability Office Human Capital Office 441 G Street NW Washington, DC 20548 US
• Name: Ebonye Watson
• Email: [email protected]