In order to qualify, you must meet the specialized experience requirements described in the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualification Standards for General Schedule Positions, Professional and Scientific Positions, 0101 Series. BASIC REQUIREMENT OR INDIVIDUAL OCCUPATIONAL REQUIREMENT: Degree: behavioral or social science; or related disciplines appropriate to the position. NOTE: You must submit a copy of your transcripts with your application. 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. NOTE: You must submit a copy of your transcripts with your application. 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. In addition to meeting the basic requirement above, to qualify for this position you must also meet the qualification requirements listed below: SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: Applicants must have at least one (1) year of specialized experience at the next lower grade GS-09, or equivalent in other pay systems. Examples of specialized experience includes concepts, principles, and theories to analyze and interpret complete social and behavioral data concerning the client; and to assess factors of personality structure and dynamics as they affect findings of aptitudes and interests; interviewing and counseling to provide clients with vocational, educational, and disability problems to receive, assimilate, and make realistic career, transition, relocation, and other life and work choices; establish the nature and extent of concerns/issues; provide assistance in developing goals and plan. Note: You must submit a copy of official transcripts. OR EDUCATION: Successfully completed a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree or 3 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree in behavioral or social science; or related disciplines in a field which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to perform the work of the position. NOTE: You must submit copies of your official transcripts OR COMBINATION OF EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION: A combination of specialized experience and education as described above. NOTE: You must submit a copy of your transcripts with your application. FEDERAL TIME-IN-GRADE (TIG) REQUIREMENT FOR GENERAL SCHEDULE (GS) POSITIONS: Merit promotion applicants must meet applicable time-in-grade requirements to be considered eligible. One year at the GS-09 level is required to meet the time-in-grade requirements for the GS-11 level. TIG applies if you are in a current GS position or held a GS position within the previous 52 weeks. NOTE: Applicants applying as VEOA candidates who are current GS civil service employees or are prior GS civil service employees within the past 52 weeks must also meet time-in-grade requirements. KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES (KSAs): Your qualifications will be evaluated on the basis of your level of knowledge, skills, abilities and/or competencies in the following areas: 1. Knowledge of the concepts, principles, theories, and practices relating to one or more of the social or behavioral sciences in relation to work in a family support capacity with special needs families. 2. Knowledge of the practical aspects of social services delivery systems, including those administered by federal agencies and non standardized community and state service providers in the local area, as well as the variety of practices, procedures, and methods utilized for accessing them. 3. Skill in conducting interviews with and counseling families and individuals with a wide variety of special needs, some of whom have multiple needs, to establish the nature and extent of concerns and issues, receive and assimilate information, encourage enrollment, provide assistance in developing goals and plans, and determine appropriate referral services and/or options. 4. Skill in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships using tact and diplomacy in interactions with leadership, on-and off base service agencies, state and local governments, and civic leaders to identify available services and gaps in services for families with special needs in a military environment, advocate for the families, and partner to achieve objectives. 5. Ability to assess and measure organizational trends, concerns, and needs; identify gaps in available services; report on; and provide recommendations for the development and implementation of effective plans and tools to address issues. Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing. PART-TIME OR UNPAID EXPERIENCE: Credit will be given for appropriate unpaid and or part-time work. You must clearly identify the duties and responsibilities in each position held and the total number of hours per week. VOLUNTEER WORK EXPERIENCE: Refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service Programs (i.e., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community; student and social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge and skills that can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.