Personnel Research Psychologist
What you'd do
Organizational Location: This position is with the Department of Homeland Security, within U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Office of Human Resources Management, Personnel Research and Assessment Division, located in the following: Washington D.C. Indianapolis, IN Minneapolis, MN Salary: Salary listed reflects the rest of U.S. scale and, if applicable, will be adjusted to meet the locality pay or cost of living expenses of the duty location upon selection.
Major duties
This position allows you to address complex human capital challenges across CBP, while building and sustaining a mission-ready workforce through scientifically sound, selection, promotion, and organizational development practices. This position starts at a salary of $106,437.00 (GS-13, Step 1) to $163,514.00 (GS-14, Step 10. Major Duties: Planning and conducting job analysis studies, the results of which serve as the foundation for a variety of human resources programs including development of tests and assessments for frontline hiring and promotion, and career paths for employee development. Solving organizational challenges through the development and validation of selection tests and assessments such as biodata instruments, structured interviews, cognitive tests, and physical abilities tests, while ensuring instruments meet the highest standards of reliability, validity, and legal defensibility. Applying psychological theory and industry best practices to develop and validate surveys and organizational assessment tools such as climate surveys, organizational health assessments, gap analyses, and exit surveys. Using behavioral and organizational sciences as the foundation for large-scale organizational assessments and interventions. Leading the planning and management of significant CBP assessment and organizational research initiatives, which may be multi-year and high-visibility, and may include managing contract resources, and serving as an expert on design, methodology, and interpretation of results. Participating in all phases of the research process, including problem definition, planning, execution, statistical analysis and interpretation (e.g., utilizing statistical software such as R or Python), and reporting of results. Preparing and presenting briefing materials that communicate technical information to non-technical audiences of all levels; documenting applied research study methods and results in technical reports.
What you need to qualify
Basic Education Requirement: You must provide supporting documentation in your application to show you meet the basic education requirement listed. Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a bachelor's or higher degree that included a major field of study (or equivalent) in psychology. You qualify for this position if you meet the basic requirement listed above and possess the experience as described below: Experience GS-13: You qualify for the GS-13 grade level if you possess 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level, performing duties such as: Serving as a team member in conducting job analysis and test development in accordance with regulatory and statutory guidelines governing the field of employee selection testing to include the Uniformed Guidelines on Employee Selection procedures. Working independently or as part of a team applying research techniques and measurement theories, principles, and practices to develop tools such as surveys or other assessments to meet organizational needs. Utilizing a major statistical analysis package such as Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS), Statistical Analysis System (SAS), R, or Python to conduct statistical analyses. Conducting research and development independently or with others which contributes to the field of industrial/organizational psychology or equivalent applied research field. Experience GS-14: 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: Leading a team in conducting job analysis and test development in accordance with laws and regulations. Leading others in applying research techniques and measurement theories, principles, and practices to develop tools such as surveys or other assessments to meet organizational needs. Utilizing a major statistical analysis package such as Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS), Statistical Analysis System (SAS), R, or Python for Statistical Computing to conduct descriptive, inferential, and multivariate statistical analyses. Developing new approaches, methods, techniques, and hypotheses related to assigned projects. Conducting research and development which contributes to the field of industrial/organizational psychology or equivalent applied research 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 by 07/17/2026. 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 on the preemployment process, review the following link: Applicant Resources | CBP Careers 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.
Before you apply
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