2014-02-16

Come join the staff of the principal statistical agency at the U.S. Department of Justice. The Bureau of Justice Statistics’ (BJS) mission is to collect, analyze, publish and disseminate information on crime, criminal offenders, victims of crime and the operation of justice systems at all levels of government. Your knowledge, skills and abilities can help BJS provide the critical data infrastructure supporting the Administration’s commitment to focus on evidence-based approaches to reduce crime.

Applications for this position are being processed through an on-line applicant assessment system that has been specifically configured for Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs applicants. Even if you have already developed a resume in USAJOBS, you will need to access this on-line system to complete the application process. To obtain information about this position and TO APPLY, please click on https://www.avuecentral.com/casting/aiportal/control/toVacancy?referenceCode=DLHEQ .

KEY REQUIREMENTS
DUTIES: Back to top (The duties described reflect the full performance level of this position)

The incumbent will be part of one or more teams carrying out statistical collections in criminal victimization, law enforcement, prosecution, courts and corrections areas. Opportunities exist to work in other substantive areas as well. These national criminal justice statistical programs are used to guide management, planning, and policy formulation related to Federal, state, and local justice operations. At the Federal level, the statistics are used by the Department of Justice, Congress, and the U.S. Courts to establish and evaluate justice policies.
Consults and collaborates with criminal justice agency representatives including state and local governmental officials, consumers, and/or personnel within the Department to advise on the application of statistics and research to criminal justice policy issues.

Performs various statistical collection activities, such as preparing, processing, and coordinating periodic and corecollection requirements. Ensures the effective collection of statistical data and the use of appropriate collection systems to satisfy immediate, mid-range, and long-term statistical data collection requirements.

Manages, leads, or performs scientific work in applying statistical theories, techniques, and methods for gathering, studying, analyzing, interpreting, and reporting on statistical information.

Prepares a variety of mathematical models, sample surveys, statistical measurements, sample designs, management control data, quantitative materials, memoranda, letters, opinions, transmittals, reports, position papers, and other written documentation that support research findings and recommendations in the regulatory area, for audiences including the criminal justice community, Congress, Department officials, and others.

QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED: Back to top KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

Ability to communicate in writing.

Ability to conduct statistical studies and projects.

Ability to perform statistical analyses.

Ability to evaluate inspection findings and analyze evidence.

Ability to communicate effectively other than in writing.

Knowledge of statistics and its regulatory applications.

Knowledge of regulatory compliance and enforcement processes.

Knowledge of the principles and theories of applied statistical methods and techniques related to a specific subject-matter field or a particular statistical function.

MINIMUM FEDERAL QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:

Grade 11:

BASIC REQUIREMENTS

A. Applicants must show successful completion of a full four-year course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a bachelor’s or higher degree that included 15 semester/22 quarter hours in statistics (or in mathematics and statistics, provided at least 6 semester/9 quarter hours were in statistics), and 9 additional semester (13 quarter) hours in one or more of the following: physical or biological sciences, medicine, education, or engineering; or in the social sciences including demography, history, economics, social welfare, geography, international relations, social or cultural anthropology, health sociology, political science, public administration, psychology, etc. OR B. Combination of education and experience—-courses as shown in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education. The experience should have included a full range of professional statistical work such as (a) sampling, (b) collecting, computing, and analyzing statistical data, and (c) applying statistical techniques such as measurement of central tendency, dispersion, skewness, sampling error, simple and multiple correlation, analysis of variance, and tests of significance.

In addition to meeting the basic entry qualification requirements, applicants must have had either specialized experience and/or directly related education in the amounts shown below. Education and experience may be combined to meet the total experience requirements.

The applicant must have completed three (3) years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree or Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree when it provided the applicant with the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of the position. OR 2. The applicant must have one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to at least GS-9 which has equipped the applicant with the specific knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position.

The applicant must have completed a master’s or equivalent graduate degree when the position involves primarily scientific inquiry or investigation, or research-type exploratory development of a creative or advanced scientific nature, where the knowledge required to perform the work successfully is typically and primarily acquired through graduate study. OR 2. The applicant must have one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to at least GS-9 which has equipped the applicant with the specific knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position.

Grade 12:

BASIC REQUIREMENTS

A. Applicants must show successful completion of a full four-year course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a bachelor’s or higher degree that included 15 semester/22 quarter hours in statistics (or in mathematics and statistics, provided at least 6 semester/9 quarter hours were in statistics), and 9 additional semester (13 quarter) hours in one or more of the following: physical or biological sciences, medicine, education, or engineering; or in the social sciences including demography, history, economics, social welfare, geography, international relations, social or cultural anthropology, health sociology, political science, public administration, psychology, etc. OR B. Combination of education and experience—-courses as shown in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education. The experience should have included a full range of professional statistical work such as (a) sampling, (b) collecting, computing, and analyzing statistical data, and (c) applying statistical techniques such as measurement of central tendency, dispersion, skewness, sampling error, simple and multiple correlation, analysis of variance, and tests of significance.

In addition to meeting the basic entry qualification requirements, applicants must have one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to at least GS-11 and which has equipped the applicant with the specific knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position.

In addition to meeting the basic entry qualification requirements, applicants must have had either specialized experience and/or directly related education in the amounts shown below. Education and experience may be combined to meet the total experience requirements.

The applicant must have completed a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree when the position involves primarily scientific inquiry or investigation, or research-type exploratory development of a creative or advanced scientific nature, where the knowledge required to perform the work successfully is typically and primarily acquired through graduate study OR the applicant must have one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to at least GS-11 which has equipped the applicant with the specific knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position.

Grade 13:

BASIC REQUIREMENTS

A. Applicants must show successful completion of a full four-year course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a bachelor’s or higher degree that included 15 semester/22 quarter hours in statistics (or in mathematics and statistics, provided at least 6 semester/9 quarter hours were in statistics), and 9 additional semester (13 quarter) hours in one or more of the following: physical or biological sciences, medicine, education, or engineering; or in the social sciences including demography, history, economics, social welfare, geography, international relations, social or cultural anthropology, health sociology, political science, public administration, psychology, etc. Credit toward meeting statistical course requirements is given for courses in which 50 percent of the course content includes statistical methods, e.g., courses that included studies in research methods in psychology or economics such as tests and measurements or business cycles, or courses in methods of processing mass statistical data, such as tabulating methods or electronic data processing OR B. Combination of education and experience—-courses as shown in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education. The experience should have included a full range of professional statistical work such as (a) sampling, (b) collecting, computing, and analyzing statistical data, and (c) applying statistical techniques such as measurement of central tendency, dispersion, skewness, sampling error, simple and multiple correlation, analysis of variance, and tests of significance.

In addition to meeting the basic entry qualification requirements, applicants must have had one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to at least GS-12 which has equipped the applicant with the specific knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position.

All applicants who qualify based on education or a combination of education and experience are required to submit an unofficial transcript. (Note: If you are selected for this position, official transcript(s) will be required prior to your first day.)

Performs other duties as assigned.

Entrance on duty is contingent upon completion of a pre-employment security investigation.

If you are a male applicant born after December 31, 1959, you must certify that you have registered with the Selective Service System, or are exempt from having to do so under the Selective Service Law. See www.sss.gov.

Applicants must be U.S. citizens or nationals.

This appointment requires completion of a one-year probationary period. During this time period, employee’s conduct and performance will be monitored in order to determine if employee will be retained.

HOW YOU WILL BE EVALUATED: You will be considered under all categories for which you are eligible. In order to maximize the number of ways in which an individual can be considered, your application may be rated under any of the following methods:

CATEGORY RATING: Under DOJ/OJP procedures, your application will be placed in one of three categories: Best Qualified, Highly Qualified, or Qualified. Names of all candidates in the best qualified category will be sent to the hiring official for consideration. Although veteran preference points are not assigned under the category rating procedures described above, veteran preference eligibles are listed ahead of non-veterans within each category for which they are qualified. In addition, qualified veterans with a compensable service-connected disability of 10% or more are placed at the top of the highest qualify category (i.e., Best Qualified), except for scientific or professional positions at the GS-9 level or higher.

STATUS/MERIT PROMOTION: Your resume and supporting documentation will be used to determine whether you meet the job qualifications listed on the announcement. If you are found to be among the top candidates, you will be referred to the selecting official for employment consideration. As a current or former federal employee, you must meet time-in-grade and all qualification requirements for consideration upon the closing date of this announcement.

Regardless of the method in which you are evaluated, your application, resume, and supporting documentation will be used to determine whether you meet the job qualifications listed on the announcement. If you are basically qualified for this job, your resume and supporting documentation will be compared to your responses on the online assessment questionnaire. If you rate yourself higher than is supported by your resume and application materials, your responses may be adjusted and/or you may be excluded from consideration for this job.

Your on-line application includes your:
1. Resume and/or work history profile,
2. Responses to the online questions,
3. Required supporting documents,
4. Cover letter (optional).

We use a multi-step process to evaluate and refer applicants:
1. Minimum Requirements: Your application must show that you meet all requirements, including the education and/or experience required for this position. You may be found “not qualified” if you do not possess the minimum competencies required for the position. If your application is incomplete, we may rate you as ineligible.
2. Rating : Your application will be evaluated against your responses to the occupational Questionnaire. You may also be further evaluated using additional assessment processes. Review your resume and responses carefully. Responses that are not fully supported by the information in your application package may result in adjustments to your score. A human resources representative will validate the qualifications of those candidates eligible to be referred to the selecting official. Your resume will be among the factors used in setting your pay, should you be made an offer of employment. Please ensure that it full describes your experience as it relates to the position for which you are applying.
3. Referral : If you are among the top qualified candidates, your application will be referred to a selecting official for consideration and possible interview.

BENEFITS: Back to top Bargaining Unit Status: This position is included in the bargaining unit.

Moving expenses are not authorized.

Relocation expenses are not authorized.

Telework: This position is eligible to telework.

DIRECT DEPOSIT: All Federal employees are required to have Federal salary payments made by direct deposit to a financial institution of their choosing.

OTHER INFORMATION:

HOW TO APPLY: Back to top Applications for this position are being processed through an on-line applicant assessment system that has been specifically configured for Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs applicants. Even if you have already developed a resume in USAJOBS, you will need to access this on-line system to complete the application process. To obtain information about this position and TO APPLY, please click on https://www.avuecentral.com/casting/aiportal/control/toVacancy?referenceCode=DLHEQ .

If you are unable to apply online, you may contact the employing office for alternate application procedures. Please email at joeavue@avuetech.com

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS: Status applicants must submit a copy of their most recent SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action, which verifies status.

You can apply for a non-competitive appointment if you meet the basic eligibility requirements and you are eligible for special appointment such as those authorized for the severely disabled; veterans with service-connected disabilities of 30 percent or more; returned volunteers from the Peace Corps or Vista, etc. Appropriate documentation to support this claim for eligibility will be required. Please indicate the type of special appointment you are seeking, if any, on your application and follow all other instructions for applying shown in this announcement.

The Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) provides eligible surplus and displaced competitive service employees in the Department of Justice with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. If your Department of Justice component has notified you in writing that you are a surplus or displaced employee eligible for CTAP consideration, you may receive selection priority if: 1) this vacancy is within your CTAP eligibility, 2) you apply under the instructions in this announcement, and 3) you are found well-qualified for this vacancy. To be well qualified, you must satisfy all qualification requirements for the vacant position and score 85 or better on established ranking criteria. You must provide documentation as outlined in the Required Documents section of this announcement.

The ICTAP provides eligible displaced Federal competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. If your agency has notified you in writing that you are a displaced employee eligible for ICTAP consideration, you may receive selection priority if: 1) this vacancy is within your ICTAP eligibility; 2) you apply under the instructions in this announcement; and 3) you are found well-qualified for this vacancy. To be well qualified, you must satisfy all qualification requirements for the vacant position and score 85 or better on established ranking criteria. You must provide proof of eligibility with your application to receive selection priority as outlined in the Required Documents section of this announcement.

In order to verify your veteran preference entitlement, you must submit upon the closing of this announcement, a copy of the Member Copy 4 of your DD-214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty); official statement of service from your command if you are currently on active duty; or other official documentation (e.g., documentation of receipt of a campaign badge or expeditionary medal) that shows your military service was performed under honorable conditions.
In addition, if you are a disabled veteran, a Purple Heart recipient, or widow/widower of a veteran, the spouse of a disabled veteran or the natural mother of a disabled or deceased veteran, you must submit a Standard Form (SF) 15, “Application for 10-Point Veteran Preference,” and the other required documentation identified on the reverse side of the SF-15 to support your preference claim.

AGENCY CONTACT INFO: Avue Help Desk
Email: joeavue@avuetech.com
Agency Information:
Department of Justice
c/o Avue Technologies
1145 Broadway Plaza, Suite 800
Tacoma, Washington
98402
US

WHAT TO EXPECT NEXT: The United States Government does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, age, membership in an employee organization, or other non-merit factor.

Federal agencies must provide reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities where appropriate. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process should contact the representative listed under Agency Contact Information. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis.

Applicants must meet all qualification requirements by the closing date of this announcement.

Please note that if you do not provide all required information, as specified in this announcement, you may lose consideration for this position (or lose the special consideration for which you may be eligible).

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