Data Scientist

About the company

This vacancy is being filled via the Direct-Hire Authority (DHA) for a Data Scientist position in the Office of the Chief Administrative Officer located at the U.S. Census Bureau Headquarters in Suitland, Maryland. This Job Opportunity Announcement may be used to fill other Data Scientist, 1560-12/13, FPL GS-13 positions within the Census Bureau in the same geographical location with the same qualifications and specialized experience.

Your tasks

• Conducts research and statistical analysis on available data, as directed, and presents findings in suitable formats. Alters instructions, methodologies, and/or guidelines, as directed.
• Participates in the development of new user interfaces and supports adapting tools for displaying scientific information; implements common Management data standards and metadata schema for discoverability and interoperability of data, as directed.
• Performs advanced queries using database and analytical tools (e.g. SQL Server) and programming languages (e.g. Python, R, and Java) to analyze data and develop data-analytical visualizations.
• Defines data requirements and integration of enabling technologies to collect, extract, engineer, and transform data from traditional and nontraditional sources.
• Provides data science expertise to a wide range of highly complex initiatives and projects focused on the development of cutting-edge tools and resources to easily access, store, analyze, and exchange complex, high-quality data.

Requirements

Minimum Education Requirement:

• A. Degree: Mathematics, statistics, computer science, data science or field directly related to the position. The degree must be in a major field of study (at least at the baccalaureate level) that is appropriate for the position.
• B. Combination of education and experience: Courses equivalent to a major field of study (30 semester hours) as shown in paragraph A above, plus additional education or appropriate experience.

Specialized Experience: For the GS-12, you must have one year of experience at a level of difficulty and responsibility equivalent to the GS-11 in the Federal service. Experience for this position includes:

• participating in research and statistical analysis on available data and evaluates the effectiveness of statistical programs/applications;
• alters instructions, methodologies, and/or guidelines as necessary to achieve program objectives;
• develops improved program material and documentation;
• develops or presents training to internal or external audiences on data science topics;
• participates in the analysis of management information requirements to develop program or administrative reporting systems including the systems specifications, data gathering and analytical techniques, and systems evaluation methodology;
• performs queries using various types of database and analytical tools (e.g. SQL Server).

Specialized Experience: For the GS-13, you must have one year of experience at a level of difficulty and responsibility equivalent to the GS-12 in the Federal service. Experience for this position includes:

• participating in the planning, design, development, and implementation of data science techniques and methods;
• using data analytics to develop data structures, validate data sources, and evaluate data management tools;
• developing/querying analytical tools and data systems such as Relational Database Management Systems (RDBMS) and SQL systems;
• applying Big Data processing languages, computation algorithms including High Performance Computing (HPC), and programming languages (such as Python, R, C#, Java) to develop analytical pipelines, visualizations, and solutions.

Applicants must demonstrate and provide evidence in at least 3 of the above areas to be qualified. Education cannot be substituted for experience at this grade level. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer.