Research Job Opening at Social Security

The Social Security Administration (SSA) is looking for an executive to lead its Office of Research, Demonstration and Employment Support as the Associate Commissioner (AC) responsible for providing leadership and accountability over the program analysis and research development activities that support SSA’s disability and income security programs. The AC provides executive direction to an organization with approximately 100 employees and is responsible for ensuring programs under his/her purview are administered in an effective and efficient manner and align with the SSA mission and strategic objectives. The AC reports directly to the Deputy Commissioner and Assistant Deputy Commissioner for Retirement and Disability Policy; the position’s duty station is either Washington, DC or the agency’s Headquarters campus in Woodlawn, Maryland.

The AC is responsible for maintaining awareness of issues concerning broad program policy environments, including Congress, the private sector, and other government agencies to ensure that SSA's policy and research agendas consider and reflect these points of view.  S/he directs studies of program policy issues related to the development and evaluation of SSA Disability and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program initiatives and legislative and policy proposals. S/he identifies trends in the SSI and Disability programs and compiles and analyzes data on various aspects of those programs. S/he designs, implements and evaluates demonstration projects to target special populations and/or program issues.  S/he formulates agency policy regarding crosscutting programs or issues related to disability and/or income assistance programs and interacts with other government agencies, including the Departments of Health and Human Services, Education, and Labor.

The applicant should have a broad knowledge of Social Security laws, regulations, and policies, senior level experience with a wide array of research and demonstration projects, return to work initiatives in the public or private sector, and demonstrated senior level experience in planning, directing, managing and overseeing a large, fast-paced organization. Activities also include human resources management, collaboration with multiple internal and external customers, knowledge of congressional legislation, assessing political and operational impact of decisions with a high degree of quality, and providing first class service to the public being served.

The complete vacancy announcement can be found on USAJOBS; direct link is below.

Associate Commissioner for Research, Demonstration, and Employment Support:  SSA-EX-480

Applicants should address the leadership and technical requirements of the position, describe work accomplishments, how they have exercised leadership to deliver significant results, experience collaborating/communicating and cooperating to achieve goals, and experience leading strategic change and overcoming obstacles to effectuate those changes.

Sincerely,

J. Jioni Palmer
Associate Commissioner for External Affairs
(T) 410-965-1804
@SSAOutreach