Job Posting: Social Science Research Analyst, Office of Inspector General - U.S. Department of Health & Human Services - Region 7, Kansas City

About the Office of Inspector General -

Since its 1976 establishment, OIG has been at the forefront of the Nation's efforts to fight waste, fraud and abuse in Medicare, Medicaid and more than 100 other HHS programs.

HHS OIG is the largest inspector general's office in the Federal Government, with approximately 1,600 dedicated to combating fraud, waste and abuse and to improving the efficiency of HHS programs. A majority of OIG's resources goes toward the oversight of Medicare and Medicaid — programs that represent a significant part of the Federal budget and that affect this country's most vulnerable citizens. OIG's oversight extends to programs under other HHS institutions, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institutes of Health, and the Food and Drug Administration.

We carry out our mission using a multidisciplinary, collaborative approach, with each of our six components playing a vital role.

A nationwide network of audits, investigations, and evaluations results in timely information as well as cost-saving or policy recommendations for decision-makers and the public. That network also assists in the development of cases for criminal, civil and administrative enforcement.
OIG develops and distributes resources to assist the health care industry in its efforts to comply with the Nation's fraud and abuse laws and to educate the public about fraudulent schemes so they can protect themselves and report suspicious activities

The HHS OIG has been recognized as one of the Federal Government's best places to work.  HHS OIG ranked in the top 25% of agency subcomponents (#39 of 320) in the Partnership for Public Service's "The Best Places to work in the Federal Government" 2015 rating. For more information, see http://bestplacestowork.org/BPTW/rankings/overall/sub

Description -

This position is for Recent Graduates (RG) who have completed within the previous two years a qualifying associates, bachelors, masters, professional, doctorate, vocational or technical degree or certificate from a qualifying educational institution. A veteran, as defined in 5 U.S.C. 2108, who due to military service obligation, was precluded from applying to the Recent Graduate Program during any portion of the 2-year eligibility period shall have a full 2-year period of eligibility upon his/her release or discharge from active duty. In no event, however, may the individuals eligibility period extend beyond 6 years from the date on which the individual completed the requirements of an academic course of study.

This is an excepted service appointment expected to last only one-year under the OIG Pathways Recent Graduate Program. After the RG successfully completes the one-year developmental program and meets the OPM Qualification Standards for an Social Science Research Analyst, OIG may non competitively convert the RG to a term or permanent appointment in the competitive service.

Duties -

As a Social Science Research Analyst (Student Trainee) GS-09:

The incumbent conducts national evaluations to provide HHS, Congress, and the public with timely, useful, and reliable information. To do this, the incumbent provides assistance on program evaluations to senior program analysts and OEI leadership for effective implementation of office goals and priorities. Medicare, Medicaid, and public health and human service programs are evaluated to identify vulnerabilities and potential fraud, waste, and abuse and to make recommendations for improvement.

Incumbent applies qualitative and quantitative analytical steps appropriate for assigned evaluations, or portions of evaluations, from planning through data collection and analysis to reporting results. To do this, incumbent researches public policy in order to assist in creating evaluations of Medicare, Medicaid, and public health and human service programs.  Incumbent also assists in gathering and organizing narrative and statistical information using established qualitative and quantitative methods, such as questionnaires and interviews, and assists in analyzing this information using standard computer software applications or other appropriate methods.  Incumbent assists in developing draft findings and recommendations for improving program effectiveness and efficiency and assists in preparing reports and briefings for program stakeholders and OIG

Requirements -

• U.S. Citizenship
• Registration with Selective Service (if applicable)
• Suitability for Federal employment determined by background investigation
• Must sign Pathways Participant Agreement
• Bachelor's degree in behavioral or social science or related disciplines (e.g. Psychology, Sociology, Public Administration); OR at least 4 years of experience demonstrating applicant has acquired knowledge of one or more of the behavioral or social sciences equivalent to a major in the field.
• 2 years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a Master's degree or Master's or equivalent graduate degree; OR 1 year of specialized experience at the GS-07 grade level or equivalent level.

For more information or to apply -

Click the following link: https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/435789500#btn-add-info

Please Note -

This announcement opened on USAJOBS Thursday, May 19, 2016 at 12:00 am EST and will close Monday, May 23, 2016 at 11:59pm EST or once the threshold of 50 applicants have been received, whichever comes first.