What are the responsibilities and job description for the Social Scientist position at DC Department of Human Resources?
Job Summary
The Lab @ DC is a scientific team in Mayor Muriel Bowser’s administration within the Office of the City Administrator. The Lab was created because DC residents deserve a government that asks questions, tests policies, and iteratively improves how it serves the community. The Lab @ DC approaches its projects in four ways, often used in combination to maximize impact and make the most of our learning opportunities: randomized evaluations; predictive modeling; civic design; and administrative data analysis. The team also supports DC government leadership with using evidence to make informed policy and budget decisions.
The Social Scientist is responsible for transforming difficult and complicated research literature into policy and program designs that achieve District priority goals and develops and executes projects to rigorously measure how well those policies and programs work. The Social Scientist has a deep understanding of at least one policy-relevant field of study, as well as expert technical abilities related to experimental design and analyses; and thinks creatively and strategically. The Social Scientist uses scientific tools to make a positive difference in DC residents’ lives, particularly for historically disadvantaged populations.
Duties And Responsibilities
The incumbent will be responsible for designing, implementing, and analyzing policy and program evaluations, including randomized controlled trials (RCTs), quasi-experimental analyses, and other methodologies as appropriate. Provides hands-on support to government partners in designing and implementing new interventions that are being evaluated. In collaboration with agency and community partners, develops, and implements reasonable project plans with clear deliverables, milestones, and deadlines for on-time completion. Identifies and capitalizes on opportunities to harness social science approaches to provide insight into and achieve District priority goals. Contributes to The Lab’s open science practices, including registering pre-analysis plans to the Open Science Framework. Summarizes findings from the research literature and thinks creatively about how such findings can be applied in District policy and program settings.
Qualifications And Education
Degree: behavioral or social science; or related disciplines appropriate to the position.
OR
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
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.
Specialized Experience is experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled. To be creditable, applicants must have at least one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level in the normal line of progression.
Licenses and Certifications
None
Working Conditions/Environment
Work is typically performed in an office setting. However, attendance at designated meetings on days, evenings, and weekends may be required.
Other Significant Facts
Tour of Duty: Monday- Friday 8:15AM - 4:45PM
Pay Plan, Series and Grade: CS-0101-13
Promotion Potential: No Known Promotion Potential
Duration of Appointment: Career Service Permanent.
Collective Bargaining Unit: This position is not covered under a collective bargaining unit.
Position Designation: The incumbent of this position will be subject to enhanced suitability screening pursuant to Chapter 4 of DC Personnel Regulations, Suitability – Security Sensitive.
Emergency Designation: This position has been designated as Emergency pursuant to Chapter 12 of DC Personnel Regulations.
EEO Statement: The District of Columbia Government is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified candidates will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status, personal appearance, sexual orientation, family responsibilities, matriculation, physical handicap, or political affiliation.
The Lab @ DC is a scientific team in Mayor Muriel Bowser’s administration within the Office of the City Administrator. The Lab was created because DC residents deserve a government that asks questions, tests policies, and iteratively improves how it serves the community. The Lab @ DC approaches its projects in four ways, often used in combination to maximize impact and make the most of our learning opportunities: randomized evaluations; predictive modeling; civic design; and administrative data analysis. The team also supports DC government leadership with using evidence to make informed policy and budget decisions.
The Social Scientist is responsible for transforming difficult and complicated research literature into policy and program designs that achieve District priority goals and develops and executes projects to rigorously measure how well those policies and programs work. The Social Scientist has a deep understanding of at least one policy-relevant field of study, as well as expert technical abilities related to experimental design and analyses; and thinks creatively and strategically. The Social Scientist uses scientific tools to make a positive difference in DC residents’ lives, particularly for historically disadvantaged populations.
Duties And Responsibilities
The incumbent will be responsible for designing, implementing, and analyzing policy and program evaluations, including randomized controlled trials (RCTs), quasi-experimental analyses, and other methodologies as appropriate. Provides hands-on support to government partners in designing and implementing new interventions that are being evaluated. In collaboration with agency and community partners, develops, and implements reasonable project plans with clear deliverables, milestones, and deadlines for on-time completion. Identifies and capitalizes on opportunities to harness social science approaches to provide insight into and achieve District priority goals. Contributes to The Lab’s open science practices, including registering pre-analysis plans to the Open Science Framework. Summarizes findings from the research literature and thinks creatively about how such findings can be applied in District policy and program settings.
Qualifications And Education
Degree: behavioral or social science; or related disciplines appropriate to the position.
OR
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
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.
Specialized Experience is experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled. To be creditable, applicants must have at least one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level in the normal line of progression.
Licenses and Certifications
None
Working Conditions/Environment
Work is typically performed in an office setting. However, attendance at designated meetings on days, evenings, and weekends may be required.
Other Significant Facts
Tour of Duty: Monday- Friday 8:15AM - 4:45PM
Pay Plan, Series and Grade: CS-0101-13
Promotion Potential: No Known Promotion Potential
Duration of Appointment: Career Service Permanent.
Collective Bargaining Unit: This position is not covered under a collective bargaining unit.
Position Designation: The incumbent of this position will be subject to enhanced suitability screening pursuant to Chapter 4 of DC Personnel Regulations, Suitability – Security Sensitive.
Emergency Designation: This position has been designated as Emergency pursuant to Chapter 12 of DC Personnel Regulations.
EEO Statement: The District of Columbia Government is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified candidates will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status, personal appearance, sexual orientation, family responsibilities, matriculation, physical handicap, or political affiliation.
