Associate Service Fellow (Behavioral Scientist)

Location: Atlanta, GA
Apply by: May 20, 2024

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is the agency Americans trust with their lives. As a global leader in public health, CDC is the nation’s premier health promotion, prevention, and preparedness agency. Whether we are protecting the American people from public health threats, researching emerging diseases, or mobilizing public health programs with our domestic and international partners, we rely on our employees to make a real difference in the health and well-being of our people here and around the world.

The National Center for Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities is seeking an individual who possesses the energy, passion, and commitment to Health Communications and marketing practices. The Health Communications Fellowship program at the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) provides opportunities for talented individuals to engage in public health communications.

Position

This position is located in CDC’s National Center for Injury Prevention and Control (NCIPC), Division of Violence Prevention (DVP).  DVP is committed to stopping violence before it begins. The Division’s work in violence prevention involves:

• Monitoring violence-related behaviors, injuries, and deaths;
• Conducting research on the factors that put people at risk or protect them from violence;
• Developing and evaluating the effectiveness of violence prevention strategies, programs, and policies;
• Helping state and local partners plan, implement, and evaluate prevention programs; and
• Conducting research on the dissemination and implementation of evidence-based prevention strategies, programs, and policies and ensuring their widespread adoption.

Through its programs and initiatives, DVP works with national organizations, state and local health agencies, researchers, and other partners to develop, implement, and promote effective violence prevention programs, practices, and policies.

DVP’s Research and Evaluation Branch (REB) plans, directs and conducts etiologic and formative research, effectiveness research, dissemination/implementation research, and rigorous program evaluations focusing on the prevention of violence, including, but not limited to, adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) including child abuse and neglect and child sexual abuse; community and youth violence; firearm-related violence; intimate partner violence; teen dating violence; sexual violence; and abuse of older adults.

DVP is seeking highly qualified candidates for a full-time Associate Service Fellow position as a Behavioral Scientist. Ideal candidates will have research experience and subject matter expertise in preventing ACEs that includes child abuse and neglect, child sexual abuse, and other forms of violence, and social determinants of health.

DVP defines ACEs as “preventable, potentially traumatic events that occur in childhood (0-17 years) such as experiencing violence, abuse, or neglect; witnessing violence in the home or community; or having a family member attempt or die by suicide. ACEs also include aspects of the child’s environment that can undermine their sense of safety, stability, and bonding such as growing up in a household with substance misuse, mental health problems, or instability due to parental separation or household members being in jail or prison” (see: https://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/aces/index.html). Exposure to ACEs, including child abuse and neglect and child sexual abuse, is a serious public health problem and can have long-term impact on health and well-being. The good news is these forms of violence are preventable.

Duties

The incumbent for this position will perform the following duties:

• Plan and conduct scientific surveys/studies, research or rigorous evaluation projects for the primary prevention of violence, with a focus on injury and interpersonal violence including the prevention of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), including child abuse and neglect, and other forms of violence.
• Identify and define behavioral aspects of injury and violence prevention using theory-based paradigms from the scientific literature.
• Apply expertise to collect, analyze and interpret data from diverse sources, using appropriate quantitative, qualitative or mixed methods.
• Search, synthesize and interpret information to improve the effectiveness of violence prevention strategies and approaches.
• Provide technical assistance and scientific oversight of violence prevention research or evaluation projects.
• Communicate information to various audiences including preparing scientific and technical reports for peer-reviewed publications and presentations at local, state, and national workshops and conferences.
• Collaborate with internal CDC staff and external government agencies, private organizations, and other stakeholders to develop and accomplish program objectives.

Basic Qualifications

Education:

Degree: Behavioral or social sciences or related disciplines appropriate to the position.

OR

Four years of appropriate experience that demonstrated the applicant has acquired knowledge of one or more of the behavioral or social sciences equivalent to a major in the field.

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.

Additional Qualifications:

• Doctoral degree in psychology, sociology, anthropology, criminology, public health, epidemiology or related field, or
• Master’s degree in psychology, sociology, criminology, public health, epidemiology, economics, or related field, plus one year of post-graduate experience at or above the GS-11 grade level in the Federal service or its equivalent with state or local government, the private sector, or nongovernmental organizations.

Highly qualified candidates would possess the following:

• Experience and subject matter expertise in researching adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), including child abuse and neglect.
• At least one year experience in the design, implementation, and/or evaluation of prevention programs, practices, or public policies to solve public health problems.
• A track record of scientific productivity as exemplified by scientific publications and other evidence of effective written communication skills.
• Expertise and experience in communicating scientific concepts, such as through conference presentations.
• Ability to collaborate with other scientific and professional staff on behavioral and social science research.

Basic Requirements

• Both US citizens and non-US citizens are eligible to apply
  • Note: Non-US citizens meeting the above degree and specified specialized experience requirements are eligible for noncompetitive appointments under this appointing authority. Citizens of countries on the Non-Aligned list (including China, India, and Switzerland) are eligible for this appointment. Citizens of countries that have been determined by the U.S. Secretary of State to be State Sponsors of Terrorism will not be able to obtain a security clearance to work at CDC and should not be considered for this appointing authority. Countries currently on this list include: North Korea, Iran, Sudan, and Syria.
• Successful completion of a background investigation
• Up to 10% domestic travel may be required

This position has an education requirement: Upon request, you must submit a copy of your transcripts (or a list of your courses including titles, credit hours completed and grades). Unofficial transcripts will be accepted in the application package; however, official transcripts will be required prior to receiving an official offer. Failure to submit transcripts or indicated college courses information will cause loss of consideration for this position.

Foreign Education: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show that the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university.

For further information, review the new hire information page.

Required Documents

Applicants must submit the following:

• Cover letter or statement of interest
• Resume or curriculum vitae (CV)
• College Transcripts

EEO Policy

The United States Government does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service, or other non-merit factor.

How to Apply

Email all required documentation listed above to: REBJOBS@cdc.gov by 11:59 PM EST May 20, 2024.

Selection Process

Applications will be reviewed and there will be interviews. If selected, the following documentation will be required:

• Official transcripts issued directly to the CDC (these may be sent to the program or to HR by the school).
• Two letters of recommendation from outside CDC (dated within one year).
• Human Resources, in coordination with the program office, will notify the selectee and negotiate the effective date of the position.

Visit our pathways page to learn more about public health training and fellowships at CDC.