Social Scientist

Duties

This position is in the Deputy Under Secretary for Partnerships (DUS/P), Engagement, Liaison, and Outreach Division (ELO) Division, National Threat Evaluation and Reporting (NTER) Program Office. Part-time telework available.

The primary purpose of this position is to serve as a Social Scientist and subject matter expert on Behavioral Threat Assessment and Management for the National Threat Evaluation and Reporting Office. This position requires someone with a social science, psychology, practitioner background to support the behavioral threat assessment integration (BTAI) team efforts. The BTAI team is engaged with a multitude of partners from academia to federal, state, and local law enforcement, and school safety partners, and requires a strategic approach, rooted in both intelligence and social science. A background in Behavioral Threat Assessment and Management (BTAM) is pivotal to manage and help to maintain the partnerships for ELO. This position is unique in that it requires a substantial level of competence and understanding of BTAM methodology. BTAM is the core of what the BTAI team is engaged in, to include the NTER Master Trainer Program that certifies federal, state, local, tribal, and territorial partners in applying a behavioral approach to targeted violence prevention as well as advising the Office of Intelligence and Analysis (I&A) on analysis pertaining to factors associated with BTAM methodology.

Duties Include

Support development of Behavioral Threat Assessment Integration (BTAI) efforts within the NTER Program Office. Drive the integration of behavioral science best practices into BTAI progammatics and curriculum for the Master Trainer Program

• Applies existing behavioral and social science research principles, concepts, and methods to execute research tasks under the direction of senior staff, to include collecting and analyzing data and other information, reviewing scientific literature, and conducting literature reviews
• Support Master Trainer Program equities as appropriate
• Coordinate and assist with virtual Quarterly Exclusive Case Briefings for Master Trainers
• Coordinate and assist in delivering NTER's Quarterly Webinar in threat assessment and targeted violence prevention
• Assist in facilitating Quarterly Simulated Threat Assessment Forum for I&A personnel
• Consult and assist with Master Trainer curriculum update
  
  

As appropriate, represent the NTER Program Office with key stakeholders within I&A, the DHS Intelligence Enterprise, and the Intelligence Community. In addition, develop new partnerships for the NTER Program Office with key stakeholders outside of DHS and I&A on threat identification and mitigation methods.

• Coordinate tasks and develop products with the Counterterrorism Center
• Participate in working groups and contribute academic knowledge to the enhancement and sustainment of the NTER Program Office
• Coordinate engagement with threat assessment and violence prevention programs within the Intelligence Community
• Engage with I&A F/SLTT stakeholders and provide technical support on threat assessment when applicable
• Attend and present at stakeholder engagements (e.g. meetings, trainings, conferences, etc.)
  
  

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

• Must be a current permanent Federal employee
• Must have supervisory approval to apply to the Joint Duty Assignment. DHS 250-2 Application Form under "required documents" section.
• Must NOT have any pending/outstanding disciplinary actions
• Must have achieved a minimum of "meet expectations/proficiency" on latest performance appraisal/evaluation
• Must be currently at the grade level of the detail. *No Temporary Promotion Opportunity*
• The program does not apply to members of the Military service or contractors.
  
  

Qualifications

Qualifications required:

• Required Master or PhD in behavioral sciences.
• Highly desired, experience in behavioral threat assessment and management.
• Knowledge of the Intelligence Community and the DHS Intelligence Enterprise.
• Knowledge of the principles of intelligence operations and analytical principles.
• Knowledge of DHS I&A homeland security mission and the role of intelligence in the relationship between I&A, the DHS Components, the IC, and F/SLTT partners.
• Ability to effectively comprehend and convey information with and from others in writing, reading, listening, and verbal and non-verbal action.
• Ability to use logic, analysis, synthesis, creativity, judgment, and systematic approaches to gather, evaluate, and use multiple sources of information to effectively inform decisions and outcomes.
• Applies the concepts, principles, theories, and methods of an academic/professional discipline.
  
  

Please read the following important information to ensure we have everything we need to consider your application:

It is your responsibility to ensure that you submit appropriate documentation prior to the closing date. Your resume serves as the basis for qualification determinations and must highlight your most relevant and significant experience as it relates to this Joint Duty assignment opportunity announcement.

Be clear and specific when describing your work history since human resources cannot make assumptions regarding your experience. Your application will be rated based on your resume.

Please ensure EACH work history includes ALL of the following information:

• Job Title (Include series and grade of Federal Job)
• Duties (Be specific in describing your duties)
• Name of Federal agency
• Supervisor name, email, and phone number
• Start and end dates including month and year (e.g. June 2007 to April 2008)
  
  

Education

EDUCATIONAL SUBSTITUTION: There is no educational substitution for this position.

Additional Information

• DHS does not offer any additional benefits beyond that which the Federal employee is already receiving.
  
  

If the position requires a security clearance, employees must have a SECRET or TOP SECRET clearance to placement AND must maintain that level of clearance while performing in the position.

Selected applicants for a JDA are requested to fulfill the items below during the JDA:

• Complete the DHS Training Course 15 days prior to the arrival to the JDA.
• Complete the DHS Joint Duty Assignment Progress Plan to include:
• Phase 1: Establish assignment objectives within the first 30 days of the JDA.
• Phase 2: Complete a self-assessment of the duties performed at the mid-point of the JDA.
• Phase 3: Complete a final review within the last 30 days of the JDA.