Social Science Research Analyst

About the role

This position is located in the Department of Health & Human Services (HHS), Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), Center for Medicaid and CHIP Services(CMCS). As a Social Science Research Analyst, GS-0101-13, you will develop and use surveys, market research, and statistical methodologies and techniques to conduct studies of assigned HHS programs.

What you will do

• Develop and conduct program and policy analyses to identify and understand the needs and preferences of HHS health and human services programs and the populations they serve.
• Utilize appropriate market research and statistical techniques to identify ways to improve services to these programs.
• Conducts analyses of the quality and performance of HHS health and human services programs.
• Direct and coordinate the planning, design, development, and implementation of major health care research projects related to Medicaid and CHIP.
• Design and oversee analytic strategies to support implementation and ongoing monitoring of the new requirements.
• Evaluate program outcomes, assess state compliance, and identify policy implications, ensuring findings are integrated into oversight and technical assistance activities.

Education

Education Requirement: In addition to meeting the qualification requirements, all candidates must have the following educational requirements: 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.

TRANSCRIPTS are required to verify satisfactory completion of the educational requirement listed above.

Failure to submit a copy of your transcripts at the time of application WILL result in an ineligible rating.

Please see "Required Documents" section below for what documentation is required at the time of application. Click the following link to view the occupational questionnaire: ***

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated based on how well you meet the qualifications listed in this vacancy announcement. Your qualifications will be evaluated based on your application materials (e.g., resume, supporting documents), the responses you provide in the application questionnaire, and the results of the online assessment(s) required for this position.

A Subject Matter Expert may assist in the resume review process to help determine whether you meet the minimum job qualifications.Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your rating.

You will be assessed on the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics): Attention to Detail Flexibility Integrity/Honesty Interpersonal Skills Learning Reading Comprehension Self-Management Stress Tolerance Teamwork In order to be considered for this position, you must complete all required steps in the process.

In addition to the application and application questionnaire, this position requires an online assessment. The online assessment measures critical general competencies required to perform the job. Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application materials or application questionnaire may result in your removal from consideration.

Cheating on the online assessment may also result in your removal from consideration.

RPL Applicants: RPL applicants who are verified as registered for the same series, grade, and location as this vacancy announcement will be placed in one of the following categories based on category rating procedures: Best Qualified - significantly exceeds the evaluation criteria Well Qualified - excelsin the evaluation criteria Qualified - meets the minimum qualification requirements If you are found to be among the top-qualified candidates, you will be referred to the selecting official for employment consideration.The category rating process does not add veterans' preference points but protects the rights of veterans by placing them ahead of non-preference eligibles within each category.

Veterans' preference eligibles who meet the minimum qualification requirements and who have a compensable service-connected disability of at least 10 percent will be listed in the highest quality category (except in the case of professional or scientific positions at the GS-09 level or higher).

Documents you must provide

• The following documents are REQUIRED: 1.
• Resume showing relevant experience; cover letter optional.
• NOTE: As of September 27, 2025, federal agencies will only accept resumes that are two pages or less in length.
• Your resume must indicate your citizenship and whether you are registered with the Selective Service if you are a male born after 12/31/59.
• Your resume must also list your work experience and education (if applicable), including the start and end dates (mm/yyyy) of each employment, along with the number of hours worked per week.
• For work in the Federal service, you must include the series and grade level for the position(s).
• Your resume will be used to validate your responses to the assessment tool(s).
• For resume and application tips, visit: *** 2.
• CMS Required Documents (e.g., SF-50, DD-214, SF-15, etc.).
• Required documents may be necessary to be considered for this vacancy announcement.
• Failure to provide the required documentation WILL result in an ineligible rating OR non-consideration.
• Since this position requires specific education, you must submit a transcript attesting to your possession of the required education.
• You may submit an unofficial transcript or a list of college courses completed, indicating course titles, credit hours, and grades received.
• An official transcript is required if you are selected for the position.
• If selected, you must provide an original document before the final job offer may be extended.
• If you do not submit a transcript indicating your possession of the required education, you will not be considered for this position.
• College Transcripts and Foreign Education: Applicants who have completed part or all of their education outside the U.S. must have their foreign education evaluated by an accredited organization to ensure that it is comparable to the education received in accredited educational institutions in the U.S. For a listing of services that can perform this evaluation, visit the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services website.
• This list, which may not be all-inclusive, is for informational purposes only and does not imply any endorsement of any specific agency.
• RPL Eligibility Required Documents: The following documents are required to verify your RPL eligibility: 1) Your most recent SF-50 (Notification of Personnel Action), or equivalent, as stated in the job announcement that shows position occupied (block #34 of your SF-50), tenure, grade and step, salary, and full performance level; 2) Your SF-50 showing Separation - RIF.
• If that is not available yet, then official documentation of your Reduction in Force (RIF) separation notice or a proposed removal/separation notice; AND 3) Your latest performance rating and rating of record (if separate documents) showing your rating score as at least fully successful or equivalent.
• PLEASE NOTE: A complete application package includes the online application, resume, transcripts, and CMS required documents.
• Please carefully review the full job announcement, which includes the "Required Documents" and "How to Apply" sections.
• Failure to submit the online application, resume, transcripts, and CMS required documents will result in your not being considered for employment.

What to expect next

This is an Open Continuous announcement that allows acceptance of applications through the closing date of October 7th, 2026. The intent of this announcement is to establish an inventory of candidates to refer for consideration. Applicants that self-assess as qualified will be referred to the selecting official for consideration.

The first cut-off date for receipt/referral of applications to be considered for current vacancies will be 09/07/2026. Applicants are encouraged to apply early in order to maximize their employment opportunities. Subsequent cut-offs will be midnight on the dates below.

Applications received after these cutoff dates may be considered on future requests to fill vacancies. Your application will remain in the inventory of tentatively qualified applicants. The announcement may be closed earlier or extended without further notice.

Final application disposition will be completed once all positions have been filled or the announcement reaches the end of the open period. Additional application cut-off dates are as follows: 9/07/2026 10/07/2026 (close date)

Additional information

Bargaining Unit Position: Yes-American Federation of Government Employees, Local 1923 Tour of Duty: Flexible Recruitment Incentive: Not Authorized Relocation Incentive: Not Authorized Financial Disclosure: Not Required Workplace Flexibility at CMS: This position has a regular and recurring reporting requirement to the CMS office listed in this announcement.

CMS offers flexible working arrangements and allows employees the opportunity to participate in alternative work schedules at the manager's discretion. The Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) and Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) provide eligible displaced federal employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies.

To be qualified you must submit the required documentation and be rated well-qualified for this vacancy. Click here for a detailed description of the required supporting documents. A well-qualified applicant is one whose knowledge, skills and abilities clearly exceed the minimum qualification requirements of the position.

Additional information about ICTAP and CTAP eligibility is on OPM's Career Transition Resources website at ***

Locality- Atlanta: $112,556 - $146,325 Boston: $120,548 - $ 156,715 Dallas: $ 115,711 - $ 150,426 Denver: $ 118,675 - $ 154,280 Kansas City: $108,173 - $ 140,627 Seattle: $ 119,630- $ 155,521 Woodlawn: $121,785 - $158,322