The Office of Aerospace Medicine (AAM) develops and manages medical programs in support of Aviation Safety. Incumbent serves as an Engineering Research Psychologist within the Aerospace Human Factors Research Division.
BASIC REQUIREMENT: Degree: 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 specific course requirements in Psychology. (Transcripts Required) AND IN ADDITION TO THE ABOVE BASIC REQUIREMENT: To qualify for this position at the FV-H (FG/GS 10-12) level, you must demonstrate in your application that you possess at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to FV-G (FG/GS 5-9) level. Specialized experience is experience that has equipped you with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position to be filled. Specialized Experience includes: Experience conducting and leading experimental research in academic or field operations to include cognitive, quantitative, social, engineering, neuropsychology, and human factors disciplines; experience designing multiple human performance research studies in laboratory and/or field settings; utilization of a multitude of statistical programs (e.g., SPSS, SAS, R, MATLAB), and conducting higher level statistics (e.g., ANOVA, regression, MLM); experience producing reports and presenting material on research projects. Applicants should provide examples of specialized experience in their work history. OR Education Substitution: Master's or equivalent graduate degree gained from an accredited college or university may be qualifying if it provides the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work. Education must be directly related to position being filled. OR Combination of Education & Experience: Education and experience may be combined for all grade levels for which both education and experience are acceptable. Refer to OPM Operating Manual Qualification Standard at http://www.opm.gov/qualifications/standards/group-stds/gs-prof.asp, for more information. AND QUALITY RANKING FACTOR (QRF): Well-qualified applicants will demonstrate the following within their resume: 1) Experience in Human Factors engineering research; 2) Experience preparing written, technical publications as evidenced by presentation of results at scientific conferences or publication in peer reviewed journals
Performs a mixture of routine, multiple, and varying assignments under the limited direction of a manager, project/program manager, team leader, or more experienced technical specialist. Acts as an individual contributor and/or member of a team. May perform leadership functions for small projects/programs/teams. Applies experience and detailed technical knowledge of engineering psychology to plan and accomplish assignments. Typical assignments include: Serves as a Principal Investigator for conducting human factors research in aviation environments and with related occupations. Research studies address human factors issues in aviation such as 1) evaluating the impact of new technologies and procedures on air traffic controller or pilot performance, 2) identifying system risks and evaluating potential mitigations in the National Airspace System, and 3) assessing information display, integration, and systems used to perform job tasks. Consults with FAA research sponsors to identify research requirements, objectives, and products; negotiates priorities, program activities and funding resources with division management prior to finalizing with sponsors and program managers to meet the research needs in a timely and cost-effective manner. Consults with the laboratory manager to identify and pursue options for additional support for projects such as contract support, grants to colleges and universities, and collaborations with private industry. Develops experimental designs and other methods for collecting data relevant to the research problem such as experimental protocols, surveys, observation, and simulator scenarios. Conducts advanced statistical analyses, interprets results, and communicates the application of the results to the research objective or problem. Participates in FAA work groups as a subject matter expert and collaborates in completing work group products. Consults with peers and advises FAA research sponsors on research and operational issues within one's area of expertise. Delivers presentations to FAA research sponsors and program managers as well as scientific professional organizations. Writes reports consistent with generally accepted practices in the fields of Psychology and Human Factors for publication in technical reports, scientific journals, and conference proceedings. Identifies requirements and writes contracts/statements of work for purchasing equipment or services; evaluates deliverables for acceptance by the government. Education and experience guide the conduct of most technical work; research design and execution receive periodic review from the laboratory manager or senior engineering psychologist. Established policies/procedures provide guidance for most assignments but allow some discretion to select the most appropriate approach. Typically receives guidance on selecting approach from a manager, project/program manager, team leader, or more experienced technical specialist. May provide recommendations to improve work processes. Performs other duties as assigned.