Social Scientist in the Human Dimensions (HD) Unit at the National Wildlife Research Center (NWRC), Fort Collins, Colorado, the main research organization of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), Wildlife Services (WS) Program. The incumbent performs assignments in unit management, cooperator relations, budget analysis, administration, supervision, and daily oversight of unit operations.

Duties

The duties may include, but are not limited to: Serves as a technical expert in issues related to the human dimensions of wildlife damage management, with a focus on informing the development of current and future management objectives. Responsible for all aspects of HD Unit management, including setting research and work priorities, assigning tasks, resolving conflicting priorities, and assessing and improving unit capabilities. Plans, assigns, monitors and tracks assignments, coordinates special projects, mentors employees in various work accomplishments, and ensures the timely delivery of quality work products and services. Oversees the preparation of all technical reports and correspondence relating to findings and prepares progress reports for collaborators or upper management. Maintains the HD Unit budget, working with an assigned Budget Analyst to ensure budget requests and purchases reflect the unit’s objectives and NWRC’s allocation process. Plans and carries out projects for collecting detailed social science data to address social factors encountered while carrying out the WS and NWRC mission. Conducts analyses using social science concepts, principles, practices, and methodologies. Plans and prepares clearly written manuscripts and technical and interpretive reports based on research finding that include scientific literature, methods and procedures used in research. May serve on internal and external state, regional, and national committees, representing WS/NWRC.

Requirements

• You must be a US Citizen or US National.
• Individuals who were born male after 12/31/1959 must be Selective Service registered or exempt.
• Subject to satisfactory adjudication of background investigation and/or fingerprint check.
• Successful completion of one year probationary period, unless previously served.
• Subject to one year supervisory/managerial probationary period unless prior service is creditable. New USDA supervisors must successfully complete all components of the required training program before the end of their probationary period.
• Direct Deposit: Per Public Law 104-134 all Federal employees are required to have federal payments made by direct deposit to their financial institution.
• Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit https://www.e-verify.gov/.
• Valid state driver's license is required at the time of application.
• All USDA employees are required to be enrolled in Continuous Vetting, which authorizes government agencies to receive notifications of criminal activity on individuals who hold low risk, public trust, or national security positions.

Qualifications

Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement including time-in-grade restrictions, specialized experience and/or education, as defined below. TIME-IN-GRADE: Current federal employees applying for a promotion opportunity must meet time-in-grade (TIG) requirement of 52 weeks of service at the next lower grade level in the normal line of progression for the position being filled. BASIC REQUIREMENT: In order to be considered for this announcement, applicants must meet one or more of the following: Degree: Four full years of education above high school leading to a bachelor's or higher degree in 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. FOR THE GS-14 LEVEL: In addition to meeting one of the above Basic Requirement criteria, applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-13 level) that may have been obtained in the private or public (local, county, state, Federal) sectors which demonstrates: Experience using a variety of complex (such as quantitative and qualitative) research methods and techniques in the social sciences, with a focus on human dimensions. Experience in the coordination and oversight of projects in human dimensions research in order to interpret and explain trends, determine cause-and-effect relationships and better define interrelationships among social factors. Experience supervising teams, including establishing and implementing strategies, objectives, and performance measures for assigned projects, prioritizing work, and determining funding needs and allocations. Experience preparing reports and briefing information on complex scientific results for Program and Agency senior management informing the development of current and future management decisions and solutions. Demonstrated communicating research findings through peer-reviewed, scientific publications and presentations to diverse stakeholders. Note: There is no education substitution for this grade level. TRANSCRIPTS are required if: You are qualifying for the position based on education. You are qualifying for this position based on a combination of experience and education. This education must have been successfully completed and obtained from an accredited school, college, or university. 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 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

Please see above for education qualification requirement information.

Contacts

• Address Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service USDA APHIS MRPBS 250 Marquette Avenue, Suite 410 Minneapolis, MN 55401 US
• Name: MRP Human Resources
• Phone: 612-336-3227
• Email: [email protected]