Clarification from the agency

Status Candidates, Noncompetitive, Former Federal Employees with Reinstatement Eligibility, Land & base management, VEOA, Individuals with Disabilities, Military Spouses, Peace Corps, AmeriCorps, Vista, Eligible Family Member, Special authorities, ICTAP, and CTAP

• Serves as the Chief Data Scientist and Methodologist charged with ensuring the Center for Analytics is leveraging the most appropriate analytics techniques and methods.
• Ensures that the correct methods and techniques are used and that a robust description of the options, choices, and limitations of recommended approaches are given the appropriate level of consideration by the Center’s analysts.
• Ensure the accuracy and defensibility of the work of the Center and lead discussions among the Department’s analytics practitioners about the appropriate methodologies and approaches and analytics standards.
• Oversees the quality assurance process for the Center’s analytics products.
• Works in conjunction with the Center’s outreach team to help build analytics capacity within the Department.
• Represents the Center for Analytics at conferences, meetings, and seminars with managers of public and private institutions and senior staff officials of other agencies.

Conditions of employment

• Incumbent will be subject to random drug testing.
• U.S. Citizenship is required.
• One year probationary period, unless excepted by regulation.
• Must be able to obtain and maintain a Top Secret security clearance.
• Verification of employment eligibility in the United States is required.

Qualifications

Applicants must meet all the required qualification requirements, including education, and any selective placement factors described below by the closing date of this announcement. If you are qualifying based on education OR if there are mandatory education requirements listed below, you MUST submit a copy of your college transcript with your application.

NOTE: Applicants must meet time-in-grade and time after competitive appointment requirements, by the closing date of this announcement.

Time-In-Grade Requirements: Federal applicants must have served 52 weeks at the next lower grade to satisfy time-in-grade restrictions, per 5CFR 300, Subpart F.

Applicants applying for the GS-15 grade level must meet the following requirements: Have IT-related experience demonstrating EACH of the four competencies AND specialized experience listed below:

1. Attention to Detail - Mastery of data analytics concepts, methods, and practices to manage the delivery of a full range of analytics offering that support both the Center for Analytics and practitioners throughout the Department.
2. Customer Service - Ability to interact effectively with individuals at all levels to plan and coordinate assigned responsibilities and to establish and maintain liaison with customer officials to provide the highest possible level of customer service.
3. Oral Communication - Ability to clearly communicate technical plans and coordinate the delivery of data analytics and science services in the specialty area.
4. Problem Solving - Ability to resolve virtually all problems that arise, including those involving controversial matters.

AND

Have at least 1 full year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-14 level in the Federal service which provided you with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities to perform the duties of the position.

Qualifying specialized experience must demonstrate the following: 

• Experience developing new concepts, standards, and methods, and advise other data experts throughout the Department related to analytical principles and methodologies;
• Experience with strategic and operational planning, organizing, directing and conducting complex studies and projects;
• Experience informing partners about the benefits of analytics in support of Foreign Policy or Operational objectives;
• Experience communicating orally and in writing to interface with individuals at all levels, both within and outside the government.

NOTE: In order to qualify for this position, your experience MUST be IT related; the experience may be demonstrated by paid or unpaid experience and/or completion of specific, intensive training (for example, IT certification), as appropriate. There is no substitute of education for specialized experience for the GS-15 position.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

Your qualifications will be evaluated on the following knowledge, skills, abilities (KSAs) and other characteristics that are relevant to the duties of this position and must be fully supported by information in your resume: 

• Knowledge of analytics tools and methods and related processes and technologies in order to over see the methodologies and techniques employed by the Center.
• Knowledge of a wide range of qualitative and quantitative analytical and evaluation methods and techniques demonstrating a track record of continuously growing skill set.
• Knowledge of a department's mission, functions, program procedures and organizational relationships in order to provide staff advisory service assistance.
• Knowledge of a department's funding, operating accounts structure, and financial policies and procedures.
• Ability to present briefing on sensitive and controversial subjects.
• Knowledge of U.S. foreign policy objectives related to international issues.  

Your resume serves as the basis for qualification determinations and must highlight your most relevant and significant work experience and education (if applicable) as it relates to this job opportunity. 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). Your resume should include the dates of all qualifying experience (from month/year to month/year) and the number of hours worked/volunteered per week. For assistance with creating a resume, please click here.

Qualified candidates are assigned a score between 70 and 100. Agency Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) or Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP) candidates must be rated "Well Qualified" for the position and earn a score of at least 85 (when applicants are rated in a range of 70 to 100) to receive consideration for selection priority. If, after reviewing your resume and self-assessment questionnaire responses and a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications and/or experience, a score will be manually determined that reflects your documented experience. This may result in a lower score, which may also eliminate you from consideration for this position.

Applicants must meet all the qualification requirements and submit any required supporting documentation by the closing date of this job opportunity. Your application package must contain sufficient information to make a valid determination that you fully meet the basic/specialized experience requirements as stated in this job opportunity announcement for each grade level(s) for which you are applying. Applicants found to be among the top qualified candidates will be referred to the hiring official for further consideration and possible interview.