Social Scientist Partnership

Position Details

Program Info

FEMA is looking to partner with an expert in social science to make sure our programs and services are fair and focused on people's needs.

The Social Scientist Partner will work with programs across the agency advising on the implementation of data informed decision making. Possible duties may include:

• Determining effective risk communication methods for diverse people and communities including guidance on issuing alerts, warnings, or other public information related to preparedness, mitigation, response, and recovery.   
• Gaining an understanding of barriers people face in taking recommended protective actions (e.g., investing in safe rooms, preparing for disaster, evacuating, purchasing flood insurance, etc.) and developing recommended program solutions to address those barriers and drive behavior change.
• Guiding analysis of data from the National Household Survey and proposing programmatic changes to address survey findings to increase preparedness of households across the nation. FEMA conducts the survey to understand the public’s preparedness actions, attitudes, and motivations.
• Recommending effective, research-based methods for youth education and communication to drive life-long effective risk reduction behavior through FEMA-developed curriculum.  

Candidates should have:

• An advanced degree in sociology, anthropology, psychology or a related social science discipline
• Proven experience in conducting social science research
• Strong written and verbal skills
• The ability to work independently and as part of a team

This position will be filled through an Intergovernmental Personnel Assignment (IPA). Eligible individuals include employees of state and local government agencies, institutions of higher education, members of tribal governments and other eligible organizations where such assignment would be mutually beneficial to the organizations involved.

This is a full-time, paid assignment and the participant should expect to work 40 hours per week for FEMA.

Depending on the nature of the work assignment, the participant will work in-person at FEMA headquarters in Washington, D.C. and/or share the time between their home organization’s work location and a FEMA office. 

Participants must work from the FEMA Headquarters office in Washington, D.C. a minimum of one week per month.  

We will reimburse the participant’s home organization for the cost of the participant’s salary, plus benefits, for the duration of the assignment. 

We will also cover travel costs and federal per diem, to the extent authorized under the Federal Travel Regulation. 

This position would partner with FEMA for one year with the possibility for limited extension.

Consistent with federal ethics obligations and guidance, while at FEMA, non-federal government exchange participants may not work on issues that directly involve their home employer, or jurisdiction of employment, as relevant. 

Intergovernmental Personnel Act Mobility Program allows for temporary assignment of personnel between the federal government and other governmental entities and eligible organizations.   

Anyone selected to participate will be required to enter into an Assignment Agreement (OF-69) with FEMA outlining the specific requirements of the assignment.