Director of Research and Data

United States Sentencing Commission



Vacancy Announcement









Director of Research and Data

ANNOUNCEMENT: #06-19

SALARY RANGE: Equivalent to SES-0301-01 ($147,082) to SES-0301-03 ($152,000)

OPENING DATE: Tuesday, August 1, 2006

CLOSING DATE: Open Until Filled (1st cutoff date for review of applications: Friday, August 18, 2006)

AREA OF CONSIDERATION: All Sources

ORGANIZATION LOCATION: U.S. Sentencing Commission, Office of Research and Data Collection, Washington, DC





ABOUT THE COMMISSION

The U.S. Sentencing Commission is an independent federal agency in the Judicial Branch of government consisting of seven members appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate and two non-voting ex-officio members. The agency staff consists of approximately 100 employees. The Commission develops and revises guidelines for federal district court judges to consider in sentencing offenders convicted of federal crimes. The Commission monitors and evaluates the use of the guidelines; conducts research and education programs on guideline application and sentencing matters generally, and recommends improvements in federal sentencing practices.

 

BENEFITS AND CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

Federal life insurance, health insurance, long term care insurance, retirement, the Thrift Savings Plan, the federal leave program, unemployment and workers? compensation benefits are applicable. The Commission participates in the mass transit subsidy program and the Judiciary?s Flexible Spending Benefit Program. This position is in the excepted service and does not carry the tenure rights of positions in the competitive Civil Service. All employees must serve a one year probationary period. Employment is contingent upon a favorable background check.

 

RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES

Serves as the director of the Office of Research and Data (ORD), leads and manages programs and activities and oversees staff in the collection, analysis, and reporting of the Commission?s sentencing data, and implementation and execution of the Commissioners? research agenda. Leads the Commission?s engagement with other judicial branch agencies, academia, and the research and development community, in search of new and improved technologies and best practices to collect and monitor data. Leads the development, coordination, and oversight of short and long-term data intensive projects relating to data collection and analysis, guidelines, policy analysis, and sentencing related research issues. Provides leadership, management support, supervision, and direction to the deputy directors and staff in the ORD.

 



Duties include but are not limited to: (1) coordinating and overseeing assignments of ORD staff, including data collection and analysis, conducting studies on research topics, and providing information, data and analysis on specific criminal justice issues at the request of the Commission, Congress, the Courts, other federal agencies and research entities; (2) leading and overseeing the development and implementation of methods for collecting, analyzing, and performing quality control of the Commission?s data; (3) developing policies and procedures to collect and utilize Commission data and ensuring that responses to statistical data requests from the Commissioners and staff are accurate and timely; (4) defining and communicating organizational vision, objectives, initiatives and issues and ensuring the Commission?s practices and methods for data collection, analytical processing of the data, and quality control are consistent with industry standards; (4) recommending topics for Commission research and developing research conferences and workshops; and (5) preparing and presenting materials for commission meetings, conferences, and Congress.

 

MANDATORY QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

Applicants must have demonstrated leadership abilities and extensive management experience which is directly related to the line of work of this position and which has equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to carry out the duties of this position. Progressively responsible administrative experience in public service or business which provides a thorough understanding of organizational, procedural and human aspects in managing an organization is required. Applicants must possess a graduate or post-graduate (i.e. masters, juris doctorate and/or Ph.D, preferably in business, public administration, criminal justice, social science, or law) degree. Applicants must have demonstrated work experience related to the mandatory requirements listed below and must address the executive core qualification requirements in an attached cover letter or separate narrative. In addition, applicants who are current or former federal employees must have at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-15. Highly competitive applicants will have experience and/or education in all or most of the following areas:



 

Applicants must address the following executive core qualification requirements in a cover letter or separate narrative statement:



(1) Effective leadership and management skills, gained through training and previous assignments in formal and informal leadership roles, which includes the:


a. Ability to lead and work effectively with diverse, cross-functional teams.



b. Ability to effectively define, develop, and communicate organizational vision, objectives, initiatives, and issues.


c. Ability to inspire and motivate others to achieve the mission.



d. Ability to foster a collaborative work environment across the organization, understanding the dynamics and differences in roles to motivate and build team cohesiveness and encouraging information sharing, constructive feedback, and cooperation from others.



e. Ability to effectively delegate activities to achieve desired results.



f. Ability to evaluate the performance and skills of subordinates and provide coaching and developmental feedback on an ongoing basis.

 



(2) Knowledge of advanced statistical procedures including familiarity with theoretical, methodological, and practical concerns that are present in performing social science research projects and report preparation. Ability to design methods for collecting, analyzing, and checking the accuracy of data with multiple variables.



(3) Ability to effectively manage resources, as demonstrated by the ability to address training and career development needs of individuals and teams to maximize workforce potential. Ability to anticipate the changing demands for enhanced skills and to meet those future demands. Ability to manage competing priorities and work requirements by continuously evaluating the needs of the organization's mission against ongoing work. Skill in planning and scheduling own and unit's workload so that projects are completed on time. Ability to effectively lead and manage work teams by defining and communicating organizational vision, objectives, initiatives and issues.


 

(4) Ability to effectively develop and present information tailored to a variety of audiences, including judges, attorneys, academics, and members of Congress. Effective presentation skills in business meetings and public forums.

 



(5) Demonstrated ability to lead and work effectively with others in an atmosphere of collaboration, encouraging information sharing, constructive feedback, and cooperation with others across organizational boundaries. Demonstrated ability to articulate (verbally and in writing) complex problems and to present solutions in clear and concise terms for decision-making


(6) Demonstrated ability to work with senior officials in a dynamic and fast-paced environment. Ability to serve as a spokesperson for the agency and to develop and maintain harmonious and effective working relationships with a variety of Federal organizations, key individuals and interest groups.







HOW TO APPLY: Applicants must submit a cover letter and a resume, addressing the executive qualification requirements in the cover letter or in a separate narrative statement. If available, also submit a recent review of job performance to:

Unites States Sentencing Commission
Office of Human Resources

ATTN: Announcement Number #06-19

One Columbus Circle, NE, South Lobby, Suite 2-500

Washington, DC 20002-8002

 

Applications may be E-mailed (WordPerfect 7.0-12.0 or MSWord 2000 format only) to Vacancy2@ussc.gov . Applicants who submit applications or resumes via E-mail must specify the vacancy announcement number in the subject line of the E-mail. Application materials will not be accepted via facsimile. For additional information or a copy of this vacancy announcement, please visit our Internet web site HTTP://www.ussc.gov Application and enclosure(s) will not be returned. Applicants must be a U.S. citizen or eligible to work in the United States as mandated by the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986. Employees are required to participate in electronic fund transfer, mandated by the Federal Compensation Act.





AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER