Apply now for an exciting opportunity at the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) in the Division of Data (DOD). With an expanded mission and authority to include oversight of the swap markets, the CFTC continues to protect the American public by promoting market integrity, transparency and preventing and prosecuting fraud, manipulation and other abuse in the futures and options markets. Please visit www.cftc.gov to learn more about the CFTC.
Summary
Apply now for an exciting opportunity at the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) in the Division of Data (DOD). With an expanded mission and authority to include oversight of the swap markets, the CFTC continues to protect the American public by promoting market integrity, transparency and preventing and prosecuting fraud, manipulation and other abuse in the futures and options markets. Please visit www.cftc.gov to learn more about the CFTC.
The Chief Data Scientist (CDS) position is located in the Division of Data (DOD) at the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC or Commission), and will report directly to the DOD Director (Director), who is also the CFTC’s Chief Data Officer (CDO). DOD focuses on data ingest, data integration, data operations and support, data usability, high-performance computing functions, and data architecture.
The CDS serves as a business strategist using state-of-the-art data science principles, theories, and methodologies to deliver data-driven solutions that optimize the CFTC’s surveillance and market intelligence data analytics capabilities to support the agency’s enforcement, examinations, policy, research, and operational priorities. The CDS will plan, prioritize, fund, and execute new and innovative analytics-based initiatives and processes based on merit and scientific principles. The CDS will provide expertise in artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), natural language processing (NLP), robotic process automation, data cleansing, data analysis, and data visualization. The CDS will align organizational expectations with available AI/ML functionalities to drive creative innovation and identify pragmatic solutions. The CDS will focus on developing custom analytics solutions, creating and maintaining high quality data sets, providing data science capabilities, enabling process improvements, supporting agency-wide data analysis, and enabling self-service analytics. The incumbent:
Serves as an expert, consultant and advisor to the Chief Data Officer to assist in fulfilling the agency’s responsibilities for establishing and implementing an appropriate and effective enterprise data program to achieve CFTC mission goals and objectives.
Conducts research and makes unprecedented developmental contributions to create and evolve agency data science initiatives to include related enabling infrastructure, including the coordination of an appropriately balanced pursuit of enterprise business, information, technical and solution viewpoints. To make these contributions, the incumbent must maintain state-of-the-art knowledge of computer science, data science, and its applications for business outcomes.
Evaluates the Commission’s current data architecture/infrastructure including associated data analytics and machine learning efforts and business intelligence that will provide substantive support to the operating divisions.
Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective Service
May be required to successfully complete a probationary period.
Subject to satisfactory security and suitability requirements.
Subject to time-in-grade requirements, if applicable.
Must be an expert with state-of-the-art knowledge of computer science, data science and analytics, and their applications for business outcomes.
Must have developed new concepts, approaches, and programs to streamline organizational processes by analyzing a variety of data sources to provide insights and address certain operational inefficiencies. Must have experience in managing cultural change as part of this type of business process improvement.
Must have experience in identifying and implementing automation activities involving data sources.
Must have experience with both structured and unstructured data sources
Must have experience interacting, advising, collaborating with data scientists, data users, and business users to advance and promote data science and governance techniques. Preferred: leading groups of data scientists and data users in use of new techniques.
Must have experience collaborating with senior leadership to establish policies and standards for advanced analytics and emerging technologies. Especially important is the ability to communicate technical concepts to non-technical audiences. Preferred: experience serving as an expert within the Federal Government and speaking at conferences to share data science approaches, viewpoints, goals and objectives.
Must have experience in using open source tools to build and manage solutions and enable collaboration. Preferred: experience in using commercial data products to perform predictive modeling, governance activities, inference gathering, data quality and automation.
Mastery of and skill in applying principles, theories, and methodologies for specialized areas within data science sufficient to provide expertise in artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), natural language processing (NLP), data cleansing, data analysis, and data visualization. Ability to develop innovative analytics-based initiatives and custom solutions, create and maintain high quality data sets, provide data science capabilities, support agency-wide data analysis, and enable self-service analytics.
Use in-depth knowledge of data science to formulate, test, and evaluate new theories, principles, concepts, best practices, and technological advances to identify, prototype, and implement new use cases, tools, and techniques that analyze structured and unstructured data sets reported and generated by the CFTC.
Qualifications
To Qualify for this position, applicants must meet both the Basic Requirement and the Specialized Experience Requirement listed below:
BASIC REQUIREMENT: 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. OR Combination of education and experience: Courses equivalent to a major field of study (30 semester hours) as shown in paragraph above, plus additional education or appropriate experience.
In addition to the Basic Requirement, your resume must demonstrate at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the CT/GS-14 level in the Federal service, or comparable experience not gained through federal service.
Examples of specialized experience include:
Expert knowledge and experience in applying a comprehensive knowledge of data and analytics systems, machine learning as well as the framework and underlying concepts related to those systems, used by an organization to conduct evaluations of data systems, and data analytics.
Demonstrated technical ability in various programming languages, statistical and machine learning techniques, distributed computing and parallel processing database systems.
Proven transformation skills that include the ability to consistently execute at a high level, drive positive change, and build teams and new programs where gaps are identified or where needed across the organization.
Education
Evaluation of Education:
Applicants should have sufficient knowledge to understand the fundamental concepts and techniques of data science. Courses designed to provide an introduction to data science techniques and methodologies, to problems of data architecture, and to other specialized fields are acceptable. Courses or experience in teaching elementary, business, or shop mathematics are not acceptable.
SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR FOREIGN EDUCATION: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show that the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. For further information, visit: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html
Additional information
Relocation: Relocation expenses will not be paid.
This is a Bargaining Unit Position located in the National Treasury Employee Union (NTEU) Chapter 337.
Probationary Period: You may be required to serve a probationary period, if applicable.
Time-in-Grade: You must meet time-in-grade requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement.
More than the number of positions listed may be filled through this vacancy announcement.
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
How you will be evaluated
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
Your application will be evaluated and rated under CFTC Category Rating and Selection Procedures. Your resume and supporting documentation will be used to determine whether you meet the job qualifications listed in this announcement. If you are minimally qualified for this job, your resume and supporting documentation will be compared to your responses on the online assessment questionnaire. If you rate yourself higher than is supported by your application materials, your responses may be adjusted and/or you may be excluded from consideration for this job. Your application will then be placed in one of three categories: Best Qualified, Well Qualified, or Qualified. Names of all candidates in the best qualified category will be sent to the hiring official for employment consideration. Candidates within the best qualified category who are eligible for veteran’s preference will receive selection priority over non-veteran preference eligibles.
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
You must provide a complete Application Package, which includes:
Resume showing all relevant and related experience (cover letter optional). If selected, your resume will be used to determine your initial pay setting decision;
Cover Letter (optional);
SF-50 showing you meet time in grade requirements, if applicable;
Performance appraisal (optional);
Transcripts (unofficial final copy with date degree was awarded; unofficial copy is accepted for application package, but an official copy is required prior to firm offer letter being extended);
If you are requesting veterans' preference, you must submit (as applicable);
Copy of Member Copy 4 of your DD-214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty);
Standard Form (SF) 15, “Application for 10-Point Veteran Preference;
VA Letter
Schedule A, Persons with Disabilities: Schedule A letter from a physician, local, state or federal rehabilitation office citing eligibility under 5 CFR 213.3102 (u).
If you wish to be considered under an applicable Veteran's authority such as VEOA, 30% or more disabled vet, etc., you must submit a copy of your Veteran's documentation including a DD-214 (member 4 copy preferred, however, the documentation provided must contain dates and character of service), along with a VA letter, SF-15, etc., if applicable. If you are a current active duty service member, please submit an official statement of service from your command.
Other Special Hiring Authorities: If you are claiming eligibility under a Special Hiring Authority, you must submit supporting documents to receive consideration.
Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP): The ICTAP provides eligible displaced federal competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. If your agency has notified you in writing that you are a displaced employee eligible for ICTAP consideration, you may receive selection priority if: 1) this vacancy is within your ICTAP eligibility, 2) you apply under the instructions in this announcement, and 3) you are found well-qualified for this vacancy. To be well qualified, you must score 85 or better on established ranking criteria. You must provide proof of eligibility with your application to receive selection priority. Additional information about ICTAP eligibility is at: http://www.opm.gov/ctap/index.asp.ICTAP
Candidates MUST submit: 1. A copy of their agency reduction-in-force notice; 2. A copy of your most recent Performance Rating; 3. A copy of your most recent SF-50 noting current or last position held, the grade level, and the duty location; and 4. A copy of your notice of proposed removal for declining a directed reassignment or transfer of function outside the local commuting area or documentation showing you were separated as a result of RIF or declining a directed reassignment or transfer of function outside the local commuting area.
Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP).Provides eligible surplus and displaced competitive service employees in the CFTC with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. If CFTC has notified you in writing that you are a surplus or displaced employee eligible for CTAP consideration, you may receive selection priority if: 1) this vacancy is within your CTAP eligibility, 2) you apply under the instructions in this announcement, and 3) you are found well-qualified for this vacancy. To be well qualified, you must rate equivalent to the Well Qualified or better category using established rating criteria. You must provide a copy of your written notification of CTAP eligibility with your application. Additional information about CTAP eligibility is at: http://www.opm.gov/ctap/index.asp.
The following links provide information on how you may be eligible for various hiring authorities:
2. 30% or more disabled veteran - http://opm.gov/staffingPortal/Vetguide.asp
3. Persons with disabilities - http://www.opm.gov/DISABILITY/
4. CTAP - http://www.opm.gov/ctap/
5. ICTAP - http://www.opm.gov/ctap/
6. Military Spouse - https://www.fedshirevets.gov/hiring-officials/strategic-recruitment-and-hiring/special-hiring-authorities-for-military-spouses-and-family-members/tabs/military-spouse-appointing-authority/
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
Your complete application, including required documents, must be received by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time (EST) on the closing date of this announcement. You must complete and submit an application by accessing the USAJOBS website at USAJOBS.GOV. To begin, click the Apply Online button within the vacancy announcement and follow the prompts to create an account using LOGIN.GOV, if you have not done so already. LOGIN.GOV will walk you through each step of the account set-up and will automatically link your USAJOBS profile to LOGIN.GOV. Once you have established an account using LOGIN.GOV, you will then go back to USAJOBS.GOV using your LOGIN.GOV user name and password to answer the questions, and submit all required documents. If you already have established an LOGIN.GOV account or want to return to your saved application go to USAJOBS.GOV using your LOGIN.GOV user name and password to apply or view your profile. If you have problems completing your on-line application, including problems submitting your supporting documents, please contact the Help Desk by e-mail at mgshelp@monster.com or phone at 1-866.656.6831. The help desk is available Monday-Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. EST.
To verify the status of your application, log into your USAJOBS account (https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login), all of your applications will appear on the Welcome screen. The Application Status will appear along with the date your application was last updated. For information on what each Application Status means, visit: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/how-to/application/status/.
Commodity Futures Trading Commission
CFTC
Three Lafayette Centre
1155 21 Street, NW
Washington, District of Columbia 200581
United States
Next steps
Your status will also be updated on USAJOBS throughout the process. You can check your status, by accessing the USAJOBS website at http://usajobs.gov/ and clicking on "Track Your Online Application" or log on to your USAJOBS account, click on “Application Status,” and then click “More Information.”
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
You must provide a complete Application Package, which includes:
Resume showing all relevant and related experience (cover letter optional). If selected, your resume will be used to determine your initial pay setting decision;
Cover Letter (optional);
SF-50 showing you meet time in grade requirements, if applicable;
Performance appraisal (optional);
Transcripts (unofficial final copy with date degree was awarded; unofficial copy is accepted for application package, but an official copy is required prior to firm offer letter being extended);
If you are requesting veterans' preference, you must submit (as applicable);
Copy of Member Copy 4 of your DD-214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty);
Standard Form (SF) 15, “Application for 10-Point Veteran Preference;
VA Letter
Schedule A, Persons with Disabilities: Schedule A letter from a physician, local, state or federal rehabilitation office citing eligibility under 5 CFR 213.3102 (u).
If you wish to be considered under an applicable Veteran's authority such as VEOA, 30% or more disabled vet, etc., you must submit a copy of your Veteran's documentation including a DD-214 (member 4 copy preferred, however, the documentation provided must contain dates and character of service), along with a VA letter, SF-15, etc., if applicable. If you are a current active duty service member, please submit an official statement of service from your command.
Other Special Hiring Authorities: If you are claiming eligibility under a Special Hiring Authority, you must submit supporting documents to receive consideration.
Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP): The ICTAP provides eligible displaced federal competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. If your agency has notified you in writing that you are a displaced employee eligible for ICTAP consideration, you may receive selection priority if: 1) this vacancy is within your ICTAP eligibility, 2) you apply under the instructions in this announcement, and 3) you are found well-qualified for this vacancy. To be well qualified, you must score 85 or better on established ranking criteria. You must provide proof of eligibility with your application to receive selection priority. Additional information about ICTAP eligibility is at: http://www.opm.gov/ctap/index.asp.ICTAP
Candidates MUST submit: 1. A copy of their agency reduction-in-force notice; 2. A copy of your most recent Performance Rating; 3. A copy of your most recent SF-50 noting current or last position held, the grade level, and the duty location; and 4. A copy of your notice of proposed removal for declining a directed reassignment or transfer of function outside the local commuting area or documentation showing you were separated as a result of RIF or declining a directed reassignment or transfer of function outside the local commuting area.
Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP).Provides eligible surplus and displaced competitive service employees in the CFTC with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. If CFTC has notified you in writing that you are a surplus or displaced employee eligible for CTAP consideration, you may receive selection priority if: 1) this vacancy is within your CTAP eligibility, 2) you apply under the instructions in this announcement, and 3) you are found well-qualified for this vacancy. To be well qualified, you must rate equivalent to the Well Qualified or better category using established rating criteria. You must provide a copy of your written notification of CTAP eligibility with your application. Additional information about CTAP eligibility is at: http://www.opm.gov/ctap/index.asp.
The following links provide information on how you may be eligible for various hiring authorities:
2. 30% or more disabled veteran - http://opm.gov/staffingPortal/Vetguide.asp
3. Persons with disabilities - http://www.opm.gov/DISABILITY/
4. CTAP - http://www.opm.gov/ctap/
5. ICTAP - http://www.opm.gov/ctap/
6. Military Spouse - https://www.fedshirevets.gov/hiring-officials/strategic-recruitment-and-hiring/special-hiring-authorities-for-military-spouses-and-family-members/tabs/military-spouse-appointing-authority/
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
Your complete application, including required documents, must be received by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time (EST) on the closing date of this announcement. You must complete and submit an application by accessing the USAJOBS website at USAJOBS.GOV. To begin, click the Apply Online button within the vacancy announcement and follow the prompts to create an account using LOGIN.GOV, if you have not done so already. LOGIN.GOV will walk you through each step of the account set-up and will automatically link your USAJOBS profile to LOGIN.GOV. Once you have established an account using LOGIN.GOV, you will then go back to USAJOBS.GOV using your LOGIN.GOV user name and password to answer the questions, and submit all required documents. If you already have established an LOGIN.GOV account or want to return to your saved application go to USAJOBS.GOV using your LOGIN.GOV user name and password to apply or view your profile. If you have problems completing your on-line application, including problems submitting your supporting documents, please contact the Help Desk by e-mail at mgshelp@monster.com or phone at 1-866.656.6831. The help desk is available Monday-Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. EST.
To verify the status of your application, log into your USAJOBS account (https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login), all of your applications will appear on the Welcome screen. The Application Status will appear along with the date your application was last updated. For information on what each Application Status means, visit: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/how-to/application/status/.
Commodity Futures Trading Commission
CFTC
Three Lafayette Centre
1155 21 Street, NW
Washington, District of Columbia 200581
United States
Next steps
Your status will also be updated on USAJOBS throughout the process. You can check your status, by accessing the USAJOBS website at http://usajobs.gov/ and clicking on "Track Your Online Application" or log on to your USAJOBS account, click on “Application Status,” and then click “More Information.”
Fair and transparent
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
