Summary This position is a Social Scientist, GS- 0101-12 working for the R9-Combating Wildlife Trafficking Branch. The full performance level of the position is GS-12. This is a term position expected to last 13 months but may be extended up to a total of 4 years at management's discretion. Responsibilities The incumbent will provide social science support for international programming, to combat wildlife trafficking providing support to partners conducting social science research and implementing behavior change interventions, and helping to develop an international community of practice for social scientists working to counter wildlife trafficking. As a Social Scientist your duties will include, but are not limited to, the following: Provide social science technical support to efforts addressing complex wildlife or other natural resource conservation issues with both social and ecological drivers. This technical assistance supports and directly impacts the planning, design, delivery, and evaluation of natural resource management efforts and policy development. Provide technical guidance on socio-ecological problem framing, situation analysis, stakeholder identification and assessment, and systematic planning for regional or Program priorities. Participate in the development of systematic approaches to evaluation and provides advice and guidance to the field staff and/or managers to ensure consistency and ability to use data for national-level reporting. Develop tools and resources for practitioners focused on integrating social science into natural resource planning and management such as frequently asked questions (FAQs) and targeted social science guidance that can be used across the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Work in partnership with practitioners in the program to apply social science theories and methods so that practitioners can identify the social and economic aspects of their work. Requirements Conditions of Employment Qualifications Only experience and education obtained by 05/20/2024 will be considered. In order to qualify for this position you must possess both the Basic Requirement and Minimum Qualification. Basic Requirement: Degree: A degree in behavioral or social science; or related discipline appropriate to the position such as psychology, social ecology, sociology, or anthropology. 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. OR Experience: 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. AND Minimum Qualification [GS-12] One full year of specialized experience comparable in scope and responsibility equivalent to grade GS-11 in the Federal service. Specialized experience may include: 1) working internationally and/or cross-culturally in conservation social science to improve natural resource policy and practice; 2) applying social/behavioral science theories and methods to understand cultural values, beliefs, and other factors that influence human behavior, especially around sensitive topics 3) developing, implementing and evaluating evidence-based behavior change interventions; 4) communicating social science information to diverse audiences; and 5) collaborating with multidisciplinary teams to integrate robust social science to address complex natural resource management issues, such as poaching and wildlife trafficking; species recovery; wildlife health; or private lands conservation. 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. Education PROOF OF EDUCATION: All applicants who are using education or a combination of education and experience to qualify must submit copies of official or unofficial transcripts which include grades, credit hours earned, major(s), grade point average or class ranking, institution name, and student name. If any required coursework is not easily recognizable on transcripts, or if you believe a portion of a particular course can be credited toward meeting an educational requirement, you must also provide a memorandum on letterhead from the institution's registrar, dean, or other appropriate official stating the percentage of the course that should be considered to meet the requirement and the equivalent number of units. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable; however, if you are selected for the position, you will be required to produce the original official transcripts. PASS/FAIL COURSES: If more than 10 percent of your undergraduate course work (credit hours) were taken on a pass/fail basis, your claim of superior academic achievement must be based upon class standing or membership in an honor society. GRADUATE EDUCATION: One academic year of graduate education is considered to be the number of credits hours your graduate school has determined to represent one academic year of full-time study. Such study may have been performed on a full-time or part-time basis. If you cannot obtain your graduate school's definition of one year of graduate study, 18 semester hours (or 27 quarter hours) should be considered as satisfying the requirement for one year of full-time graduate study. FOREIGN EDUCATION: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education. For further information, visit: Recognition of Foreign Qualifications | International Affairs Office (ed.gov) Additional Information PCS INFORMATION: No PCS entitlements authorized Additional Vacancies: One or more positions may be filled from applications received under this announcement in the advertised office or other U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service offices in the local commuting area. Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) or Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP):Department of Interior (DOI) Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) procedures apply in filling this vacancy. CTAP/ICTAP provides placement assistance to permanent Federal employees who are surplus, displaced, or involuntarily separated. Applicants claiming CTAP/ICTAP eligibility must submit a copy of their most recent performance appraisal, proof of eligibility, and most current SF-50 noting position, grade level, and duty location with their application. To be considered under CTAP/ICTAP, applicants must be well-qualified (i.e., meet the minimum qualification requirements, including any selective placement factors; education, and experience requirements), score at least 85 on the assessment questionnaire, and be able to perform the duties of the position upon entry. For information on CTAP and ICTAP visit: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/working-in-government/unique-hiring-paths/federal-employees/career-transition/" Reasonable Accommodation: The USFWS provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. Please visit USAJOBS Help Center | Reasonable accommodation policy if you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process.