Organizational Location: This position is with the Department of Homeland Security, within U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Office of Trade, Operations Directorate, Planning, Programming, Accountability & Evaluation Division, located in Washington, DC.

Duties

CBP Office of Trade is the architect of the most robust customs system in the world and the second largest revenue source for the U.S. Government. We facilitate legitimate trade, enforce U.S. laws, and protect the American economy as well as consumer health and safety. Collaborating with industry and government partners, we create a fair, competitive, and safe trade environment, and we enforce U.S. trade law to protect national economic security. Our expertise in the trade community allows us to lead the development of streamlined and efficient processes that provide certainty for legitimate importers, while combatting transnational crime. In this position you will serve as an evaluator with responsibility for facilitating evaluation efforts utilizing the social sciences to support senior leadership assessment of human impact related to program and policy implementation, understanding correlations between border resource deployments, their impact on border communities and neighboring areas, and other associated outcomes. This position starts at a salary of $139,395.00 (GS-14, Step 1) to $181,216.00 (GS-14, Step 10). Typical duties may include: Responsible for contributing to the OT corporate evaluation agenda to meet the intent of the Foundations for Evidence Based Policy Making Act of 2018. Designs scientific methodologies to assess and evaluate the impact of various OT programs and policies affecting OT's human capital, local communities, and those involved in hemispheric and global migration. Incumbent operates independently, and collaborates with other researchers, to bridge findings to fiscal efficacy and program effectiveness. The incumbent independently leads all stages of evaluation planning, implementation, reporting, dissemination, and use with a national scope and impact. Experienced in assessing and selecting the most appropriate evaluation and research approaches along a spectrum of methodologies (e.g., formative evaluation, process and implementation evaluation, and outcome and effectiveness evaluation). Planning and implementing high quality qualitative, quantitative, and mixed method evaluation designs. Analyzes and interprets data using appropriate software and formulas. Designs qualitative studies utilizing a range of methodologies including, but not limited to, analysis of survey data, focus group discussions, interviews, and observations. Trains staff to complete data collection and data management to execute the fieldwork and data collection process, and to participate in interviewing and data collection. Synthesizes collected data into high- quality written documents, reports, and oral presentations. The incumbent must be an expert in the creation of social science surveys, testing, experimentation, participants rights, testing ethics, data storage and analysis. The incumbent studies and researches a broad array of subjects in social science using advanced techniques, research methodologies and experimentation while adhering to OT and Federal policies, ethics, and requirements. Leading collaborative teams on the planning of rigorous evidence building (e.g., using various types of research, evaluation, and analysis) for DHS programs, policies, and regulations and coordinates efforts as appropriate with other DHS stakeholders. Develops descriptions of program design, such as a theory of change and logic models. Determines what decision makers and what strategic and operational decisions evidence-building and evaluation efforts must inform. Identifies key questions related to the theory of change and logic model that is appropriate to inform strategic and operational decisions. Selects the evidence building activity from among various types of research, evaluation, and analysis designs and methods, indicators to be measured, and potential data sources that are appropriate to address the question(s). Coordinating evaluation activities needed to demonstrate that technical and operational requirements, maintenance and logistics objectives, and system performance parameters have been met. Conducts comprehensive scientific studies and detailed analyses of complex functions and processes with subordinates, subcontractors, and subject matter experts, and other senior OT program managers. Provides the structures, processes, and technical assistance necessary for productive growth with non-evaluation program and policy staff on evaluation projects. Applying scientific principles and theories in the design of evaluation method (survey, focus group, etc.) when evaluating the research of others, when interpreting findings, and when assessing the need for and validity of proposed changes and improvements in procedures and methods. Maintains the ability to independently reason from existing knowledge to unexplored areas, to adapt methods to circumstances that deviate from standards, and to stay abreast of and evaluate technical subjects, analyses, and proposals in professional literature.

Requirements

Qualifications

Experience: You qualify for the GS-14 grade level if you possess 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level, performing duties such as: Conducting comprehensive scientific studies and detailed analyses of complex functions and processes. Directing evaluative studies covering a variety of national level initiatives, policy, and functions. Providing the structures, processes, and technical assistance necessary for productive growth on evaluation projects. Performing highly scientific short and long-term evaluation studies and projects of a special and sensitive nature. Researching a broad array of subjects in social science using advanced techniques, research methodologies and experimentation. You qualify for this position if you possess one year of specialized experience or substitution of education, if applicable, as described above and meet the basic requirement listed below. Basic Requirement: You must provide supporting documentation in your application to show you meet the basic requirement below. Degree: behavioral or social science; or related disciplines appropriate to the position. OR Combination of education and experience that provided the applicant with knowledge of one or more of the behavioral or social sciences equivalent to a major in the field. OR Four years of appropriate experience that demonstrated that the applicant has acquired knowledge of one or more of the behavioral or social sciences equivalent to a major in the field. NOTE: Your resume must explicitly indicate how you meet this requirement, otherwise you will be found ineligible. Please see the "Required Documents" section below for additional resume requirements. 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. You must: Meet all qualification requirements, including education if applicable to this position, subject to verification at any stage of the application process; and Meet all applicable Time in Grade requirements (current federal employees must have served 52 weeks at the next lower grade or equivalent grade band in the federal service) by 06/05/2024. 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. Background Investigation: U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is a federal law enforcement agency that requires all applicants to undergo a thorough background investigation prior to employment in order to promote the agency's core values of vigilance, service to country, and integrity. During the screening and/or background investigation process, you will be asked questions regarding any felony criminal convictions or current felony charges, the use of illegal drugs (e.g., marijuana, cocaine, heroin, LSD, methamphetamines, ecstasy), and the use of non-prescribed controlled substances including any experimentation, possession, sale, receipt, manufacture, cultivation, production, transfer, shipping, trafficking, or distribution of controlled substances. For additional information, review the following links: Background investigation and the e-QIP process. Residency: There is a residency requirement for all applicants not currently employed by CBP. Individuals are required to have physically resided in the United States or its protectorates (as declared under international law) for at least three of the last five years. If you do not meet the residency requirement and you have been physically located in a foreign location for more than two of the last five years, you may request an exception to determine if you are eligible for a residency waiver by meeting one or more of the following conditions: Working for the U.S. Government as a federal civilian or as a member of the military A dependent who was authorized to accompany a federal civilian or member of the military who was working for the U.S. government Participation in a study abroad program sponsored by a U.S. affiliated college or university Working as a contractor, intern, consultant or volunteer supporting the U.S. government Probationary Period: All employees new to the federal government must serve a one year probationary period during the first year of his/her initial permanent federal appointment to determine fitness for continued employment. Current and former federal employees may be required to serve or complete a probationary period.

Education

Please see the Qualifications and Required Documents sections for more information if education is applicable to this position.

Contacts

• Address Office of Trade Please read entire announcement Please apply online Washington, DC 20229 US
• Name: CBP Hiring Center
• Phone: 952-857-2932
• Email: [email protected]