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Political Science Teachers, Postsecondary

SOC 25-1065.00Job Zone 5 · Extensive Preparationv.26.05

Context coveredThis framework covers postsecondary political science instruction, research, and academic leadership across undergraduate and graduate settings in research universities, encompassing course delivery, curriculum design, scholarly publication, and departmental governance.

Sources:O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.SkillsCrosswalkSkillsCrosswalk — O*NET enrichment + adjacency index. Opens in new tab.
Emerging
Entry / Apprentice
  1. Undergraduate lecture content on classical political thought — prepare and deliver using provided course templates under faculty mentor supervision in a university classroom setting.
  2. Current political science literature — read and summarize to stay abreast of field developments as part of a structured onboarding or graduate teaching fellowship.
  3. Student assignments and short papers — evaluate and grade using established rubrics provided by the supervising faculty member in an undergraduate course.
  4. Introductory classroom discussions on democracy and citizenship — initiate and facilitate with guidance from a senior instructor in a postsecondary instructional environment.
  5. Course syllabi and homework assignments — prepare using departmental templates and standard formatting tools such as word processing software under faculty review.
  6. Research data and academic sources — locate and retrieve using information retrieval and data mining software to support assigned scholarly tasks in a university library or lab setting.
  7. Course examinations — compile and administer following protocols established by the supervising professor for an undergraduate political science course.
  8. Student performance data — monitor and record using spreadsheet software to track progress across assignments in a postsecondary academic department.
  9. Electronic mail and calendar scheduling software — use to coordinate office hours, student meetings, and course logistics within a departmental administrative framework.
  10. Political science concepts such as international relations — explain orally with clarity to undergraduate students during recitation or lab sections led under faculty supervision.
Developing
Mid-level / Established
  1. Undergraduate and graduate lectures on topics including international relations and comparative politics — prepare and deliver independently using multimedia instructional tools in a semester-long postsecondary course.
  2. Professional journals, conference proceedings, and colleague networks — engage routinely to stay current with developments across multiple subfields of political science.
  3. Student class work, papers, and examinations — evaluate and grade consistently and fairly, providing substantive written feedback that supports learning in a university course.
  4. Seminar and discussion-based classroom environments — facilitate and moderate with reduced oversight, applying active listening and social perceptiveness to guide productive student dialogue.
  5. Course content and instructional methods — plan and revise each semester in response to student performance data and emerging disciplinary developments within an established departmental curriculum.
  6. Original research in a defined area of political science — conduct and submit findings for peer review in professional journals or edited volumes.
  7. Examination design and administration — manage across multiple course sections, delegating grading tasks to teaching assistants and verifying consistency of evaluation.
  8. Course materials including syllabi, handouts, and reading packets — develop and refine using word processing and course management software to meet departmental learning outcomes.
  9. Analytical and scientific software tools — apply to analyze political data sets and incorporate quantitative findings into lectures and research papers for postsecondary audiences.
  10. Instructional strategies — select and adapt to accommodate diverse graduate and undergraduate learner needs in law, government, and political theory courses.
Proficient
Senior / Expert IC
  1. Advanced graduate seminars and undergraduate survey courses on classical political thought, democracy, and international relations — design and deliver autonomously, integrating current scholarship and primary sources in a research university environment.
  2. Developments across multiple subfields of political science — synthesize through systematic literature review, conference participation, and peer collaboration to inform both teaching and original research agendas.
  3. Complex student writing including dissertations, theses, and graduate seminar papers — evaluate with expert critical judgment, offering detailed developmental feedback that advances scholarly argumentation.
  4. Non-routine classroom situations including contested political topics and interdisciplinary inquiries — handle with skilled facilitation, persuasion, and conflict-sensitive moderation in a graduate seminar context.
  5. Full curriculum design and periodic program-level review — lead independently, aligning course sequencing, learning objectives, and assessment methods with disciplinary standards and accreditation expectations.
  6. Book-length manuscripts and peer-reviewed journal articles — produce and publish through sustained independent research in a specialized area of political science, contributing original knowledge to the field.
  7. Comprehensive examination programs including qualifying and final exams — design, administer, and evaluate for graduate students within a doctoral or master's degree program.
  8. Pedagogical approaches integrating computer-based training, OCR tools, and digital archives — deploy to enhance student research competency and engagement across law, government, and history-oriented coursework.
  9. Complex problem solving in research design — apply inductive and deductive reasoning to develop theoretically rigorous frameworks for studying comparative politics or political behavior.
  10. Time management across teaching, research, and service obligations — exercise with high dependability to fulfill the full scope of faculty responsibilities in a research-intensive postsecondary institution.
Advanced
Lead / Principal / Executive
  1. Departmental curriculum vision and long-term instructional strategy — set and champion across undergraduate and graduate programs, aligning political science education with institutional mission and disciplinary evolution.
  2. Junior faculty, lecturers, and graduate teaching assistants — mentor and develop by modeling exemplary pedagogy, providing structured observation feedback, and guiding professional development in a research university.
  3. Field-defining research agendas — lead by securing grant funding, directing research teams, and publishing influential work that shapes discourse in international relations, political theory, or comparative politics.
  4. Interdisciplinary academic initiatives spanning philosophy, sociology, law, and geography — coordinate and lead at the college or university level to advance integrative scholarly programs.
  5. Program accreditation, external review, and curricular reform — direct at organizational scale, synthesizing faculty input, assessment data, and external benchmarks to sustain program excellence.
  6. Scholarly reputation of the department — advance through keynote addresses at professional conferences, editorial roles in leading journals, and invited participation in policy advisory bodies.
  7. Institutional academic governance including curriculum committees and faculty senates — lead with integrity and sound judgment, advocating for evidence-based instructional policy across the postsecondary institution.
  8. Complex organizational decisions regarding hiring, tenure, and promotion — make and advise on using deep subject-matter expertise, social perceptiveness, and commitment to equity in a research department.
  9. Knowledge transfer to public audiences including policymakers and civic organizations — orchestrate through university outreach, media engagement, and applied policy writing rooted in rigorous political science scholarship.
  10. Next-generation pedagogical frameworks integrating emerging educational technology and data tools — envision and implement institution-wide, preparing political science programs to meet the intellectual demands of a changing global landscape.

AI-at-Work Competency Framework

Sources:Anthropic Economic IndexAnthropic Economic Index — release_2026_03_24. Opens in new tab.Jadhav & Danve, 2026Skill Automation Feasibility Index — Jadhav & Danve, 2026 (arXiv:2604.06906). Opens in new tab.WEF Skills TaxonomyWEF Skills Taxonomy 2021 — Building a Common Language for Skills at Work. Opens in new tab.
Subscriber feature

Authoritative source data identified for 998 occupations

How a worker at each mastery level uses, directs, and evaluates AI tools in this occupation. Each statement cites its evidence inline; click a citation chip to verify the source.

Emerging
  1. AI-assisted literature review — submits recently published political science articles and conference reports to an LLM for initial summarization, then reads the full sources independently before incorporating insights into course preparation Anthropic Economic IndexAnthropic Economic Index — release_2026_03_24. Opens in new tab..
  2. Grading support initiation — uses an AI tool to generate a first-pass rubric for student essays on topics such as democratic theory or international relations, reviewing and adjusting every criterion before applying it Anthropic Economic IndexAnthropic Economic Index — release_2026_03_24. Opens in new tab..
Developing
  1. Lecture draft acceleration — directs an AI assistant to produce structured outlines for lectures on classical political thought or comparative government, then rewrites the content to reflect personal scholarly perspective and disciplinary depth Anthropic Economic IndexAnthropic Economic Index — release_2026_03_24. Opens in new tab. WEF Skills TaxonomyWEF Skills Taxonomy 2021 — Building a Common Language for Skills at Work. Opens in new tab..
  2. Discussion prompt generation — commissions an AI tool to draft Socratic discussion questions for seminars on democracy and citizenship, evaluating each prompt against pedagogical goals before presenting it to students Jadhav & Danve, 2026Skill Automation Feasibility Index — Jadhav & Danve, 2026 (arXiv:2604.06906). Opens in new tab..
  3. Curriculum revision support — delegates initial gap analysis of existing course syllabi to an AI assistant, retaining final authority over learning objectives, sequencing, and reading selection Anthropic Economic IndexAnthropic Economic Index — release_2026_03_24. Opens in new tab..
Proficient
  1. Iterative feedback delegation — feeds anonymized student paper drafts to an AI tool to flag structural weaknesses and citation gaps, then authors the substantive evaluative commentary and final grade rationale independently Anthropic Economic IndexAnthropic Economic Index — release_2026_03_24. Opens in new tab. Jadhav & Danve, 2026Skill Automation Feasibility Index — Jadhav & Danve, 2026 (arXiv:2604.06906). Opens in new tab..
  2. Research trend monitoring — orchestrates an AI pipeline that continuously scans political science journals and policy reports for emerging themes, integrating flagged developments into course content updates with faculty editorial judgment Anthropic Economic IndexAnthropic Economic Index — release_2026_03_24. Opens in new tab. WEF Skills TaxonomyWEF Skills Taxonomy 2021 — Building a Common Language for Skills at Work. Opens in new tab..
  3. Active-learning activity design — instructs an AI assistant to prototype simulation scenarios and case studies on topics such as electoral systems or foreign policy crises, then stress-tests each scenario through peer review before classroom deployment Jadhav & Danve, 2026Skill Automation Feasibility Index — Jadhav & Danve, 2026 (arXiv:2604.06906). Opens in new tab. WEF Skills TaxonomyWEF Skills Taxonomy 2021 — Building a Common Language for Skills at Work. Opens in new tab..
  4. Multimodal course material production — directs an AI tool to convert lecture notes into accessible reading guides and discussion boards, verifying disciplinary accuracy and rhetorical clarity before releasing materials to students Anthropic Economic IndexAnthropic Economic Index — release_2026_03_24. Opens in new tab..
Advanced
  1. Autonomous AI workflow governance — architects a suite of AI-assisted workflows covering literature intake, assessment design, and student feedback at scale, establishing discipline-specific quality checkpoints that junior colleagues adopt across the department Anthropic Economic IndexAnthropic Economic Index — release_2026_03_24. Opens in new tab. Jadhav & Danve, 2026Skill Automation Feasibility Index — Jadhav & Danve, 2026 (arXiv:2604.06906). Opens in new tab..
  2. Pedagogical AI impact evaluation — systematically measures how AI-assisted instructional interventions affect student argumentation quality and civic reasoning outcomes, publishing findings to inform postsecondary teaching practice in political science Anthropic Economic IndexAnthropic Economic Index — release_2026_03_24. Opens in new tab. WEF Skills TaxonomyWEF Skills Taxonomy 2021 — Building a Common Language for Skills at Work. Opens in new tab..
  3. Human-technology interaction leadership — serves as the faculty authority on responsible AI use in political science education, setting ethical guardrails for AI-generated content in student work and departmental scholarship Jadhav & Danve, 2026Skill Automation Feasibility Index — Jadhav & Danve, 2026 (arXiv:2604.06906). Opens in new tab. WEF Skills TaxonomyWEF Skills Taxonomy 2021 — Building a Common Language for Skills at Work. Opens in new tab..
Evidence pack
AEI usage
Task observations: 7920
Augment share: 95%
Time saved: 82.6%
AI autonomy: 3.06
SAFI positioning
Top skill: Speaking
Score: 48.5 / 100
Quadrant: Q2_ai_augmented
precision: exact
WEF cluster
Human-Technology Interaction
human_technology_interaction
Sources:Anthropic Economic IndexAnthropic Economic Index — release_2026_03_24. Opens in new tab.WEF Skills TaxonomyWEF Skills Taxonomy 2021 — Building a Common Language for Skills at Work. Opens in new tab.Jadhav & Danve, 2026Skill Automation Feasibility Index — Jadhav & Danve, 2026 (arXiv:2604.06906). Opens in new tab.

Pathsmith Durable Skills Framework

Sources:Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Subscriber feature

Ten durable-skill domains mapped to four proficiency/role levels for each occupation. Each statement is aligned to the Pathsmith taxonomy, derived from trusted grounding data and mapped to occupation-specific O*NET tasks and skills.

1Communication12 statements
Emerging
  1. Lecture delivery — presents introductory political science concepts to undergraduate students using structured outlines and prepared notes Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Discussion facilitation — initiates basic classroom conversations on democratic theory and governance by posing prepared questions to students O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. Written feedback — provides brief written comments on student assignments addressing argument clarity and use of political evidence Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Developing
  1. Syllabus communication — drafts course syllabi and assignment handouts that clearly articulate learning objectives, expectations, and political science content scope O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Lecture adaptation — adjusts explanatory depth and vocabulary when delivering lectures on international relations or comparative politics to mixed undergraduate and graduate audiences Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. Scholarly writing — composes research manuscripts on political phenomena for submission to peer-reviewed journals with discipline-appropriate citation and argumentation O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Applying
  1. Discussion moderation — facilitates sustained Socratic dialogue on contested political topics such as democratic backsliding or civil liberties, drawing out diverse student perspectives while maintaining intellectual rigor Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Multi-modal instruction — delivers lectures, leads seminars, and produces written course materials that reinforce one another across undergraduate and graduate political science courses O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. Academic publishing — crafts scholarly books and journal articles on political science research findings using precise disciplinary language accessible to specialist audiences O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Exceeding
  1. Public intellectual communication — translates complex political science research into op-eds, policy briefs, and media commentary for non-specialist audiences without sacrificing analytical accuracy Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Cross-disciplinary discourse — presents political science research at intersections with sociology, law, and history at professional conferences, synthesizing multiple knowledge traditions for diverse scholarly audiences O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. Mentored scholarly writing — guides doctoral candidates through the full arc of dissertation writing, from argument construction to journal submission, modeling discipline-specific rhetorical standards Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
2Leadership11 statements
Emerging
  1. Classroom initiative — takes ownership of session pacing and student engagement during single class meetings on political theory or public policy topics Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Peer contribution — volunteers for departmental service tasks such as curriculum review committees and assessment working groups Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Developing
  1. Course stewardship — assumes full responsibility for designing, executing, and revising a political science course from initial planning through end-of-semester assessment Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Student mentorship — guides undergraduate research assistants and thesis writers through political science research methodology and academic argumentation O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. Committee participation — contributes substantive analysis and recommendations within departmental curriculum or hiring committees Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Applying
  1. Program development — leads revision of political science degree curricula by aligning course sequences, learning outcomes, and assessments with disciplinary standards and institutional goals O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Graduate advising — directs doctoral students' dissertation research, connecting them with professional networks and guiding scholarly identity formation in political science Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. Research team leadership — coordinates collaborative research projects, assigns tasks to graduate student co-investigators, and synthesizes contributions into publishable findings O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Exceeding
  1. Departmental vision — shapes department-wide strategic direction in curriculum, hiring, and scholarly identity, influencing the intellectual culture of the political science program Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Field leadership — holds editorial, conference organizing, or association leadership roles that set research agendas and scholarly norms across the political science discipline Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. Institutional advocacy — leads faculty governance initiatives that reform institutional policies on academic freedom, tenure criteria, or general education requirements affecting political science Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
3Metacognition8 statements
Emerging
  1. Teaching reflection — identifies specific moments in delivered political science lectures where student comprehension faltered and names the instructional cause Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Learning strategy awareness — recognizes which reading and note-taking strategies support personal mastery of new subfields such as comparative authoritarianism or electoral behavior Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Developing
  1. Instructional self-assessment — uses student feedback and grade distributions to evaluate the effectiveness of particular pedagogical choices in political science courses and adjusts accordingly Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Research process monitoring — tracks progress against scholarly writing goals and identifies cognitive bottlenecks in literature synthesis or argument development Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Applying
  1. Pedagogical calibration — systematically reflects on the alignment between stated learning objectives, instructional methods, and assessment results across multiple political science courses each semester Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Scholarly self-regulation — plans research timelines with explicit checkpoints, monitors argument coherence during writing, and adjusts analytical strategies when political data or theory challenges initial hypotheses Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Exceeding
  1. Metacognitive modeling — explicitly teaches graduate students and undergraduates how to monitor their own comprehension of dense political theory texts and self-correct misreadings Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Discipline-level self-awareness — critically examines personal theoretical commitments and methodological assumptions in political science research and openly discusses their influence on scholarly output Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
4Critical Thinking9 statements
Emerging
  1. Text analysis — identifies the central argument, key assumptions, and supporting evidence in assigned political science readings and articulates them in class discussion Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Student work evaluation — applies a consistent rubric to assess logical coherence and evidentiary support in undergraduate political science papers O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Developing
  1. Comparative political analysis — constructs course lectures that evaluate competing theoretical frameworks—such as realism versus liberalism in international relations—against empirical evidence Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Research design critique — identifies methodological strengths and weaknesses in peer-reviewed political science studies when preparing literature reviews or teaching research methods O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Applying
  1. Argument scaffolding — designs course assignments that require students to evaluate causal claims about political phenomena, distinguish correlation from causation, and weigh rival interpretations of evidence Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Scholarly peer review — evaluates manuscript submissions for political science journals by assessing theoretical grounding, methodological rigor, and the validity of empirical conclusions O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. Curriculum logic — critically examines course sequencing and content choices within the political science major to ensure intellectual coherence and disciplinary depth O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Exceeding
  1. Original theoretical contribution — produces scholarship that challenges prevailing assumptions in political science subfields, offering novel frameworks substantiated by rigorous evidence and argumentation Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Cross-framework synthesis — teaches advanced seminars that require students to integrate insights across political theory, empirical political science, and normative philosophy to form original, defensible positions Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
5Collaboration9 statements
Emerging
  1. Collegial engagement — participates constructively in departmental meetings, sharing observations about course enrollment trends or student learning challenges in political science Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Co-teaching support — assists a senior colleague in team-taught seminars by contributing prepared content and facilitating small-group student discussions Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Developing
  1. Interdisciplinary course development — collaborates with colleagues in history, sociology, or law to co-design courses that examine political phenomena from multiple disciplinary lenses O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Research partnership — coordinates with co-authors on political science manuscripts by dividing literature review, data analysis, and writing responsibilities and integrating contributions coherently O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Applying
  1. Collaborative curriculum revision — works with faculty colleagues, student representatives, and academic administrators to redesign the political science major, negotiating content priorities and assessment standards O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Conference collaboration — co-organizes academic conference panels or workshops, coordinating paper selection, discussant assignments, and session logistics with colleagues across institutions O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. Community research engagement — partners with government agencies, NGOs, or civic organizations to conduct applied political science research, managing expectations across academic and practitioner stakeholders Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Exceeding
  1. Cross-institutional consortium leadership — builds and sustains multi-university research collaborations on political science topics, aligning diverse faculty agendas toward shared scholarly outputs Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Mentorship ecosystem — cultivates a collaborative graduate training culture within the department where advanced doctoral students mentor junior students in research design and professional development Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
6Character9 statements
Emerging
  1. Academic integrity modeling — explains plagiarism, proper citation, and intellectual honesty standards to students at the outset of each political science course and enforces them consistently Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Professional reliability — submits course materials, grades, and committee reports by institutional deadlines and follows through on commitments made to students and colleagues Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Developing
  1. Grading equity — applies evaluation criteria consistently across student papers and examinations on political topics, guarding against ideological bias in assessment Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Intellectual transparency — discloses personal political viewpoints and their potential influence when facilitating discussions on contested normative questions in democratic theory or policy Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Applying
  1. Ethical research conduct — adheres to IRB protocols and disciplinary ethical standards in political science research involving human subjects, survey data, or sensitive governmental information Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Accountable advising — maintains clear and honest communication with graduate advisees about dissertation progress, timeline expectations, and professional development opportunities, even when assessments are difficult Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  3. Viewpoint pluralism — structures classroom environments that protect students' intellectual autonomy and ensures that no political perspective is systematically marginalized in course content or discussion Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Exceeding
  1. Disciplinary ethics leadership — shapes professional association guidelines on research ethics, academic freedom, or politically sensitive fieldwork in ways that influence norms across the political science community Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Whistleblower courage — raises concerns about institutional or departmental practices that compromise academic integrity or faculty governance, accepting professional risk to uphold ethical standards Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
7Creativity9 statements
Emerging
  1. Innovative course activity — designs a simulation, role-play, or case-study exercise that makes abstract political science concepts such as legislative bargaining or treaty negotiation tangible for undergraduates Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Fresh framing — introduces a counterintuitive or underrepresented perspective on a canonical political science topic to provoke fresh student thinking Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Developing
  1. Novel assignment design — creates research assignments that challenge students to apply political theory to contemporary events or to use unconventional data sources such as social media or historical archives Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Emerging research angle — identifies an understudied question at the intersection of political science and adjacent fields—such as political psychology or computational social science—and develops it into a viable research agenda O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Applying
  1. Curriculum innovation — redesigns a political science course by integrating experiential learning components such as policy memos, legislative simulations, or community-engaged research projects Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Methodological creativity — applies mixed-methods or innovative quantitative approaches to political science research problems that have been underserved by conventional analytical tools O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. Interdisciplinary course creation — develops a new course that synthesizes political science with law, economics, or cultural studies to open analytical possibilities unavailable within a single discipline Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Exceeding
  1. Field-shaping scholarship — produces theoretical or empirical work that introduces new conceptual frameworks or methodologies that other political scientists subsequently adopt and build upon Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Pedagogical invention — pioneers teaching models—such as collaborative policy labs or global simulation networks—that are adopted by other political science departments and influence disciplinary pedagogy broadly Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
8Growth Mindset9 statements
Emerging
  1. Literature currency — reads recently published political science research outside one's primary subfield to expand scholarly breadth and inform course content updates Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Feedback receptivity — incorporates student course evaluations and peer classroom observations into subsequent instructional planning without defensiveness Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Developing
  1. Methodological upskilling — pursues training in qualitative, quantitative, or computational methods not previously mastered in order to strengthen political science research capacity Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Conference learning — attends professional political science conferences as a learner, not only as a presenter, and integrates new theoretical or empirical insights into teaching and research O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Applying
  1. Scholarly resilience — revises and resubmits political science manuscripts following peer review rejection, using reviewer critiques to strengthen argument and evidence rather than abandoning the project Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Pedagogical experimentation — deliberately tests new instructional approaches in political science courses, evaluates their effectiveness through student outcomes data, and iterates based on results Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. Subfield expansion — develops competence in a new area of political science—such as transitioning from American politics to comparative authoritarianism—to meet departmental needs or pursue emerging research questions O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Exceeding
  1. Intellectual modeling — publicly shares accounts of scholarly failures, rejected grant applications, or abandoned hypotheses with graduate students to normalize struggle as part of political science knowledge production Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Career-long learning leadership — establishes reading groups, workshop series, or faculty development initiatives that institutionalize a culture of continuous intellectual growth within the political science department Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
9Mindfulness9 statements
Emerging
  1. Classroom presence — maintains focused attention during student discussions of political topics, resisting the urge to redirect prematurely and allowing student reasoning to develop Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Stress awareness — recognizes the cumulative demands of teaching preparation, grading, and research deadlines and identifies early signs of cognitive overload Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Developing
  1. Deliberate pacing — structures lecture and seminar sessions with intentional pauses, comprehension checks, and transitions that allow students time to process complex political theory or empirical arguments Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Emotionally regulated feedback — delivers critical evaluations of student papers and seminar contributions with composure, especially when student arguments contain political content that conflicts with scholarly norms Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Applying
  1. Intentional responsiveness — monitors classroom affect during politically charged discussions—such as those on immigration or electoral integrity—and adjusts facilitation approach in real time to maintain productive dialogue Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Workload intentionality — allocates weekly time among teaching, research, and service with deliberate priority-setting, preventing any single demand from chronically crowding out the others Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  3. Attentive advising — gives graduate advisees full, undivided attention during meetings, registers emotional and academic signals, and responds to the whole context of their development Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Exceeding
  1. Contemplative pedagogy integration — incorporates reflective practices—such as structured journaling, perspective-taking exercises, or deliberate pause protocols—into political science courses to deepen student engagement with normative questions Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Organizational mindfulness leadership — models and promotes intentional, present-focused professional culture within the department, reducing reactive decision-making in curriculum and personnel matters Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
10Fortitude9 statements
Emerging
  1. Rejection persistence — continues refining a research manuscript or grant proposal after an initial rejection, treating the outcome as diagnostic rather than final Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Classroom discomfort tolerance — sustains facilitation of heated student debates on politically divisive topics without shutting down dialogue prematurely Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Developing
  1. Tenure-track perseverance — maintains consistent research productivity and teaching quality across the sustained uncertainty and evaluation pressure of the pre-tenure period Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Difficult advising conversations — delivers honest, sometimes unwelcome assessments of a graduate student's dissertation progress or professional prospects without avoiding the conversation Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Applying
  1. Sustained scholarly contribution — pursues long-term research projects in political science that require years of data collection, iterative theorizing, and repeated revision before reaching publishable form Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Institutional adversity navigation — continues teaching and research at full effectiveness during periods of departmental conflict, budget cuts, or institutional restructuring that threaten program stability Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  3. Controversial topic courage — teaches and publishes on politically sensitive topics—such as extremism, state repression, or electoral manipulation—despite potential professional or public criticism Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Exceeding
  1. Field-level perseverance — pursues paradigm-challenging scholarship in political science over the long arc of a career, sustaining the work through disciplinary resistance, limited initial recognition, and slow institutional change Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Crisis leadership resilience — guides a department or academic unit through sustained institutional crisis—such as accreditation threat, enrollment collapse, or public controversy—maintaining faculty morale and academic mission integrity Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Sources:Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
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Source anchors that ground each statement

Related titles
Adjunct Instructor · Adjunct Political Science Instructor · Adjunct Political Science Professor · Adjunct Professor · Assistant Professor · Associate Professor · College Faculty Member · College Professor · Faculty Member · Geopolitics Teacher · Government Instructor · Government Professor
RAPIDS apprenticeships
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O*NET skills
SpeakingReading ComprehensionActive ListeningWritingInstructingActive LearningCritical ThinkingLearning StrategiesComplex Problem SolvingJudgment and Decision MakingSocial PerceptivenessCoordinationPersuasionMonitoringService OrientationTime Management
Knowledge domains
English LanguageLaw and GovernmentEducation and TrainingHistory and ArcheologySociology and AnthropologyGeographyPhilosophy and Theology
Abilities
Written ComprehensionOral ComprehensionOral ExpressionWritten ExpressionSpeech ClarityInductive ReasoningNear VisionSpeech RecognitionDeductive ReasoningProblem Sensitivity
Work styles
Intellectual CuriosityDependabilitySocial OrientationIntegrityAchievement OrientationCooperation
Technology
Computer based training softwareDevelopment environment softwareCalendar and scheduling softwareWord processing softwareData mining softwareInformation retrieval or search softwareElectronic mail softwareAnalytical or scientific softwareOptical character reader OCR or scanning softwareSpreadsheet software
Tasks · seed anchors for statements
  1. Prepare and deliver lectures to undergraduate or graduate students on topics such as classical political thought, international relations, and democracy and citizenship.
  2. Keep abreast of developments in the field by reading current literature, talking with colleagues, and participating in professional conferences.
  3. Evaluate and grade students' class work, assignments, and papers.
  4. Initiate, facilitate, and moderate classroom discussions.
  5. Plan, evaluate, and revise curricula, course content, course materials, and methods of instruction.
  6. Conduct research in a particular field of knowledge and publish findings in professional journals, books, or electronic media.
  7. Compile, administer, and grade examinations, or assign this work to others.
  8. Prepare course materials, such as syllabi, homework assignments, and handouts.
CIP education codes
30.460130.510144.050144.050244.050445.090145.090245.099945.100145.100245.100445.1099

Sources: O*NET v30.2 (CC BY 4.0), SkillsCrosswalk.com, LER.me, Anthropic Economic Index, SAFI (Jadhav & Danve, 2026), WEF Skills Taxonomy 2021, Pathsmith Durable Skills Framework. © 2026 EBSCOed.