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Research Mathematical Statistician

Department of Labor
Bureau of Labor Statistics
This job announcement has closed

Summary

This announcement will have one cut off date of August 5th.  Qualified applicants will be sent to the hiring managers for review this cut-off date.  All applicants who apply on or before the cut-off date will be reviewed and do not need to reapply after.  This announcement will close after the position has been filled, or after the last cut off date. 

DOL seeks to attract and retain a high performing and diverse workforce in which employees’ differences are respected and valued to better meet the varying needs of the diverse customers we serve.  DOL fosters a diverse and inclusive work environment that promotes collaboration, flexibility and fairness so that all individuals are able to participate and contribute to their full potential.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) of the Department of Labor (DOL) is the principal Federal statistical agency responsible for measuring labor market activity, working conditions, and price changes in the economy. Its mission is to collect, analyze, and disseminate essential economic information to support the public and private decision-making that forms the basis of our democratic, free-enterprise system. Like all Federal statistical agencies, the BLS executes its statistical mission with independence, serving its users by providing products and services that are accurate, objective, relevant, timely, and accessible.

There are two open positions to serve as a Research Mathematical Statistician in the Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).

One position is located in the Office of Survey Methods Research (OSMR), Mathematical Statistics Research Center. One position is located in the Office of Compensation and Working Conditions (OCWC), Statistical Methods Group.

-This position is inside the bargaining unit.

-This position has promotion potential to the GS-14. Promotion Potential: There is no obligation to provide future promotions to you if you are selected.  Future promotions are dependent on your ability to perform the duties at a higher level, the continuing need for an employee assigned to the higher level, and supervisory approval.

- This position will not be filled until the Department's Placement Assistance Programs have been fully utilized.

- This vacancy announcement may be used to fill additional like positions.

- A writing sample may be required at the time of interview.
 

Overview

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Reviewing applications
Open & closing dates
07/25/2018 to 08/20/2018
Salary
$81,548 to - $148,967 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 12 - 14
Location
2 vacancies in the following location:
Washington DC, DC
2 vacancies
Telework eligible
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Travel Required
Occasional travel - Occasional travel may be required.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time - Full Time
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
14
Job family (Series)
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Not Required
Drug test
No
Announcement number
DE-18-BLS-SM-026
Control number
506087200

This job is open to

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Duties

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Duties for these positions are listed by position and listed at the full performance level. Duties may include, but are not limited to:

Duties for the position in OSMR include:

  1. Plans, conducts, and/or directs a continuing research and evaluation program in mathematical statistics applicable to BLS programs. Provides technical advice to other Federal agencies and representatives of other countries.
  2. Prepares technical reports on mathematical and statistical computing methods and procedures. Presents research methods and evaluation results at technical seminars and professional meetings for the purpose of conveying information, soliciting comments from colleagues, or for critical review by the scientific community.
  3. Assists the BLS program offices with the solution of technical problems related to the development of sampling, weighting or estimation methods.
  4. Establishes and maintains professional relationships with representatives of other agencies and research organizations to keep abreast of developments in the application of mathematical statistical techniques relevant to BLS programs.
  5. Represents the Bureau in statistical exchanges with researchers in academic, government, and other research institutions.

Duties for the position in OCWC include:

  1. Serves as technical expert and authority providing consultation and guidance to OCWC Program managers on statistical methodology for complex sample surveys and other statistical issues.
  2. Identifies the need for and proposes, leads, plans, and conducts original research and development activities in the areas of mathematical statistics, data and computational science, and statistical methodology for complex surveys.
  3. Explores and evaluates advanced proposals and modern research from BLS staff and external academic researchers, data users, and key stakeholders in the fields of mathematical statistics, data and computational science, and statistical methodology for complex surveys and assesses their utility in satisfying program and mission objectives and the resolution of complex, unusual, critical, or severe problems facing the NCS and OSHS programs.
  4. Serves as a member or team leader of interdisciplinary project or matrix management teams for the NCS and OSHS programs.
  5. Writes technical specifications, documents methodologies, reports on activities, and produces formal and informal research reports. There will be a frequent need to prepare informal reports, tables, and technical summaries for team members, BLS staff and program managers, and BLS executives.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • U.S. Citizenship.
  • Requires a probationary period if the requirement has not been met.
  • Must be at least 16 years of age.
  • This announcement may be used to fill additional like positions.

Applicants must meet time-in-grade, time-after-competitive-appointment and qualifications requirements within 30 calendar days after the closing date of the vacancy to be eligible for consideration for selection. Reference the "Required Documents" section for additional requirements.

Qualifications

Basic Requirements:

A. Degree: A degree that included 24 semester hours in mathematics and statistics, of which at least 12 semester hours were in mathematics and 6 semester hours were in statistics.

OR


B. Combination of education and experience -- at least 24 semester hours of mathematics and statistics, including at least 12 hours in mathematics and 6 hours in statistics, as shown in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education.



In Addition to Basic Requirements:

For the GS-12: applicants must have either (a) one year of specialized experience equivalent in difficulty and responsibility to the GS-11 in the Federal Service or (b) a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree in statistics, biostatistics, computer science, mathematics, or a closely related field.  Specialized experience must be in or related to the field of statistics and mathematics and must have equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position to be filled.  This experience must have (1) led to the development of a basic principle, product, concept, or method; (2) provided a body of information that opened the way for advancements in statistical methodologies; and/or (3) led to submissions of one or more articles to peer-reviewed journals. Your resume must include evidence or a detailed description of your specialized experience.

At the GS-13 level, there is no substitution of education for experience.  For the GS-13 level, applicant must have one year specialized experience (through work in government, academia, the private sector, or nonprofit organizations) equivalent to the GS-12 level in the Federal service. This one year of specialized experience must be in or closely related to the field of statistics and mathematics and must have equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position to be filled. This experience must demonstrate: (1) Research in at least one of the following areas: sampling design, variance estimation and inference for complex sample surveys, nonparametric regression, Bayesian modeling, machine learning, visualization, time series and spatial analysis, and/or computationally intensive statistical methods. (2) Research that led to the development of a basic principle, product, concept, or method; (3) Research that produced a body of information that opened the way for advancements in statistical methodologies. Your resume must include evidence or a detailed description of your specialized experience.

At the GS-14 level, there is no substitution of education for experience.  For the GS-134 level, applicant must have one year specialized experience (through work in government, academia, the private sector, or nonprofit organizations) equivalent to the GS-13 level in the Federal service. This one year of specialized experience must be in or closely related to the field of statistics and mathematics and must have equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position to be filled. This experience must demonstrate: (1) Research in at least one of the following areas: sampling design, variance estimation and inference for complex sample surveys, nonparametric regression, Bayesian modeling, machine learning, visualization, time series and spatial analysis, and/or computationally intensive statistical methods. (2) Research that led to the development of a basic principle, product, concept, or method; (3) Research that produced a body of information that opened the way for advancements in statistical methodologies; and (4) Submission of one or more articles to peer-reviewed journals. Your resume must include evidence or a detailed description of your specialized experience.

Your resume must include evidence or a detailed description of your specialized experience or you will not receive further consideration for this position.

Education

You must submit academic transcripts demonstrating that you meet the qualifying educational requirements. Specific course work is required to fulfill the eligibility and/or minimum qualification requirements, you must supply transcripts from each academic institution in which the required courses were taken in order to receive credit for that course work. See the 'Qualifications' section of this announcement for more details.

If you do not submit sufficient academic documentation necessary to demonstrate that you meet the eligibility and minimum qualification requirements described in this announcement, your application will be deemed incomplete and you will be ineligible for further consideration for this vacancy.

College Transcript and Evaluation of Foreign Education - The Department of Labor does not recognize academic degrees from unauthorized secondary schools or post-secondary institutions that are not accredited by an accrediting body recognized by the Department of Education. Any applicant falsely claiming an academic degree from an accredited school will be subject to actions ranging from disqualification from federal employment to removal from federal service. If your education was completed at a foreign college or university, you must show comparability to education received in accredited educational institutions in the United States and comparability to applicable minimum course work requirements for this position. Click Evaluation of Foreign Education for more information.

How you will be evaluated

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

If you meet the minimum qualifications, you will be evaluated against the evaluation factors below and will be placed into a category based on your vacancy question responses.

Categories

Category A - Meets the basic qualification requirements for the vacancy and has successful experience in the same or similar job that has demonstrated superior proficiency in applying critical competencies required by this position to work of increased levels of difficulty and complexity.

Category B - Meets the basic qualification requirements for the vacancy and demonstrates satisfactory proficiency in the critical competencies required by this position.

Category C - Meets the specialized experience described in the minimum qualifications requirements section of this announcement and demonstrates proficiency in the basic competencies.

Evaluation Factors (Competencies) - All qualified applicants will be evaluated on the following key competencies:

Decision Making / Problem Solving

Interpersonal Skills

Oral Communication

Planning & Evaluation

Self-Management

Technology Application and Management

Writing

Sampling & Estimation

Maintenance & Improvement of Statistical Output

The information you provide may be verified by a review of your work experience and/or education, by checking references and through other means (ex. interview).  The examining Human Resources Office (HRO) makes the final determination concerning applicant ratings.  Your resume MUST provide sufficient information to substantiate your responses to the vacancy questions.  If not, the HRO may amend your responses to more accurately reflect the level of competency indicated by the content of your resume.  Your evaluation may also include a review by a Human Resources Specialist or panel and may include other assessments (ex. interview, panel review, written test, writing sample, etc.)

INFORMATION FOR ICTAP/CTAP ELIGIBLES ONLY: If you are eligible for special priority selection under ICTAP/CTAP, you must be well-qualified for the position to receive consideration.  ICTAP/CTAP eligibles who are placed into Category [INSERT WELL-QUALIFIED CATEGORY] or higher will be considered "well-qualified".

Click Application of Veterans Preference for Category Rating Jobs for more information.


To preview questions please click here.

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