Research Social Scientist

We're Looking for a skilled Research Social Scientist in the Economic Research Service based in Kansas City, Missouri. Read through the job description to see if it matches your current experience.

The Successful Applicant

Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement including specialized experience and/or education as defined below. Basic Requirements: Degree: A full 4year degree of study in behavioral or social science or related disciplines appropriate to the position. Related disciplines may include demography sociology geography economics and agricultural economics. OR A 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. AND Specialized Experience: Specialized experience is experience directly related to the position to be filled. Specialized experience must be described for each grade level advertised. The specialized experience requirements for this position are: GS12 Qualifying experience for GS12 includes one year of specialized experience comparable to GS11 which is directly related to the work of this position and which has equipped the applicant with the knowledge skills and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position. For this position specialized experience is applying advanced demographic research methodologies and quantitative analysis techniques to the conduct of complex economic or social research analysis and outlook relevant to population change wellbeing and/or rural development. GS13 Qualifying experience for GS13 includes one year of specialized experience comparable to GS12 which is directly related to the work of this position and which has equipped the applicant with the knowledge skills and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position. For this position specialized experience is experience conducting demographic research relevant to the role of rural or urban population change as it relates to the economic or social wellbeing of people or places proposing research approaches and methods for testing hypotheses to include use of scientifically appropriate demographic or social theory relevant data and appropriate empirical methods and using statistical models in applied work. Evidence of peerreviewed journal publications or publications by a federal statistical agency or nationally recognized independent research organization is required. COMPETENCIES: You will be assessed on the following competencies (knowledge skills abilities and other characteristics): Research Formulates research plans develops methodology determines data needs and defines resources needed to carry out complex social science research and analysis programs of great significance and difficulty. Conducts analysis of population and migration change at both the overall rural level and in individual counties and regions. Conducts spatial analyses of various indicators of rural resident and community wellbeing. Conducts analysis of demographic phenomena that have economic and social consequences on various areas within rural America. Develops sophisticated new methods techniques and/or instrumentation or modifies and adapts established methods techniques and/or instrumentation necessary to carry out data development and analysis for rural socioeconomic research. Communication Serves as an expert in rural population and migration studies. Serves as an expert on rural data sources and on definitions of rural necessary for both Federal research and policy applications. Formulates specific and definite conclusions that are presented to the agricultural and rural development community in a series of published contributions to social science knowledge. Reports findings that are expected to account for previously unexplained phenomena and provides solutions to problems that have been particularly difficult and unyielding to analysis. Produces authoritative technical advice and guidance on Departmental actions and policy decisions related to demographic geographic and socioeconomic analyses of rural America. Administration and Management Leads the development and reporting of analyses of population trends and migration patterns for rural US households. Applies a high degree of originality and analytical thinking to identify specific parameters and priorities for problems to be investigated and to formulate research hypotheses. Develops a comprehensive approach directed at the attainment of project objectives and establish staffing and funding requirements. Establishes investigative procedures to be followed determines the need for contracts and grants and follows progress through to completion. 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.

What’s on Offer

The role offers excellent opportunities for top performers to further develop their competencies as a social worker and improving the lives of people.