Skip to main content
U.S. flag
Back to results

Data Scientist

Department of Transportation
Office of Inspector General
This job announcement has closed

Summary

The Office of Inspector General (OIG), works within the U. S. Department of Transportation (DOT) to promote efficiency and effectiveness, and prevent or stop waste, fraud and abuse in departmental programs. We do this through audits and investigations. OIG also consults with the Congress about programs in progress and proposed new laws and regulations.
 

Overview

Help
Reviewing applications
Open & closing dates
07/14/2023 to 07/28/2023
This job will close when we have received 100 applications which may be sooner than the closing date. Learn more
Salary
$82,830 to - $158,432 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 12 - 13
Locations
Few vacancies in the following locations:
Cerritos, CA
San Francisco, CA
District of Columbia, DC
Sunrise, FL
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Travel Required
Not required
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
14
Job family (Series)
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Secret
Drug test
Yes
Position sensitivity and risk
Noncritical-Sensitive (NCS)/Moderate Risk
Trust determination process
Announcement number
JI-3-2023-0007
Control number
737429800

This job is open to

Help

Clarification from the agency

Current Federal employees serving under a career or career-conditional appointment in the competitive service; former Federal employees with reinstatement eligibility; applicants eligible for appointment under special appointing authorities (Sch A; VEOA, etc.); special selection priority consideration under either the Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) or Interagency Transition Assistance (ICTAP) Program for well-qualified displaced or surplus candidates within the local commuting area.

Duties

Help

Leads projects using advanced analytics techniques such as machine learning, natural language processing, robotic process automation, and artificial intelligence, to include the research, design, development, deployment, and enhancement of enterprise-wide analytics solutions.

Works on data management issues to include data interface and storage, as well as the application of data and statistical analysis principles, procedures, and tools such as modeling techniques, data analysis, data dictionaries, data warehousing, data mining, data disposal, and data standardization processes.

Translates complex concepts, findings, and limitations into concise, plain language, closely tying findings and conclusions into the Agency mission, original problem statement, and team objectives. Research and designs presentations and interpretations of analytical outputs tailored to specific audiences including the use of interactivity and narrative storytelling, where appropriate.

Uses appropriate analytic and statistical software to programmatically prepare data for analysis and clean imperfect data such as probabilistic matching and imputation of missing values, and translates the results of analysis into clear, actionable communications that equip decision makers to make informed, data-driven decisions.

Applies a combination of computational and machine learning methods to new or big data to identify new insights using next generation analytical tools; Conduct in-depth analysis of data and disseminate the results of those analyses; Exploring data using various means available to find insights and trends that may go undiscovered in traditional research and uses existing and new data sources to extract new information and convey that information according to the audience to the data.

Identifies, adapts, and manages changes to data analysis tools in response to evolving user needs. As the data science field is constantly evolving, the incumbent documents data definitions and issues for future reference; Develops data usage and access control policies and systems in collaboration with cybersecurity staff and partners with stakeholders in continuous improvement processes impacting data quality, performance enhancements, and overall user experience.

Research, designs, and develops user-centric interactive reports, dashboards, and visualization solutions that provide business insights to decision makers using Microsoft Power BI and other tools.

Designs, develops, and operates systems for ingesting, storing, and analyzing data at scale. Uses data parallelization techniques or streaming technologies to process data. Monitors data flows and stored datasets to make improvements to data collection and ingestion mechanisms. Ensures that data sources are fit for their intended purpose through assessment of potential bias in data ingestion and transmission mechanisms, current data quality, monitoring for incoming changes in data quality, and improvement of data quality. Recommends improvements to upstream processes to improve data quality. Performs other duties as assigned.

Writes reports that are factually supported, organized, concise, and understandable, for Office of Investigations criminal investigators and investigative analysts on the results of data mining and analytics activities, reviews the work of others performing similar work and assists others in the use of the data mining and analytics applications, including others using data mining and analytics results in the performance of audits and investigations.

Plans, organizes, conducts or coordinates advanced data analytics activities. This includes data mining initiatives, cross-checking this data with other publicly and privately available databases, conducting sophisticated link analysis, and ultimately generating productive investigative referrals for Investigative field offices and respective audit areas of focus. Coordinates and collaborates with audit on joint data analytics projects when applicable.

Requirements

Help

Conditions of employment

  • Must be a U. S. Citizen
  • A pre-employment drug test is required
  • Successful completion of a background security investigation
  • Successful completion of an extensive Pre-Employment Reference Checks

  • PRE-EMPLOYMENT  DRUG TESTING: Tentatively selected candidates are required to successfully complete a pre-employment urinalysis in accordance with DOT 3910.1D entitled "Drug and Alcohol-Free Departmental Workplace", which includes testing for marijuana. Marijuana is legal in some states, however it’s still illegal at the federal level. Therefore, if selected for the position you will be required to submit to a pre-employment/pre-appointment drug test, you will also be subject to Random Drug Testing.

(continued under 'Other Information')

Qualifications

Federal experience is not required. The experience may have been gained in the public sector, private sector, or Volunteer Service. One year of experience refers to full-time work; part-time work is considered on a prorated basis. To ensure full credit for your work experience, please indicate dates of employment by month/year, and indicate the number of hours worked per week, on your resume.

You must meet the following requirements by the closing date of this announcement:

Basic Requirements:
A Bachelor's or higher degree in 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 above, plus additional education or appropriate experience.

For more information on qualifications please refer to OPM's Qualifications Standards.

In addition to meeting the basic requirement above, to qualify for this position you must also meet the qualification requirements listed below:

Specialized Experience:

GS-12 grade level, you must have one year of specialized experience at least to the GS-11 grade level in the Federal service. Examples of Specialized experience for this position includes: Experience with data science and analytical methods from conducting machine learning, Natural Language Processing, and technical procedures such as, solution design, implementation, and deployment. Experience using one or more relevant data science programming languages such as, R, Python, SQL; the use of an integrated development environment (IDE) such as, RStudio. Experience with evaluative methods based on analytical skills and experiences balancing project and technological risk of the advanced solution's design, development and implementation. Experience with data preparation methods such as, feature creation, exploratory data analysis, model creation, and data visualization. Experience developing machine learning and AI models. Experience using data analysis, data visualization, and data reporting tools such as Power BI or Tableau. Experience serving as technical lead responsible for assisting in coordinating and executes studies of marked difficulty and responsibility that address advanced data modeling techniques and procedures, data trend analysis and the development of mathematical data algorithms.


GS-13:To qualify at the GS-13 grade level, you must have one year of specialized experience at a level of difficulty and responsibility equivalent to the GS-12 grade level in the Federal service. Examples of Specialized experience for this position includes: Experience with data science and analytical methods from conducting machine learning, Natural Language Processing, and technical procedures such as, solution design, implementation, and deployment. Experience using one or more relevant data science programming languages such as, R, Python, SQL; the use of an integrated development environment (IDE) such as, RStudio. Experience leading the development and documentation of tools for assigned data programs and projects. Experience with evaluative methods based on analytical skills and experiences balancing project and technological risk of the advanced solution's design, development and implementation. Experience serving as subject matter expert identifying, developing, and integrating pertinent information, including internal and external sources, through various data collection procedures and technologies, including emerging data science and big data methodologies. Experience defining data science problems and generating solution designs. Experience applying effective communication, both orally and in writing to articulate findings and recommendations. Experience with data preparation methods such as, feature creation, exploratory data analysis, model creation, and data visualization. Experience developing machine learning and AI models. Experience using data analysis, data visualization, and data reporting tools such as Power BI or Tableau. Experience researching and applying internal guidelines, policies, and procedures in order to adapt them to varying circumstances, including resolving conflicts between directives and guidance from different sources.

Education:

This position has a positive education requirement: A copy of your transcripts or equivalent documentation is required for positions with an education requirement, or if you are qualifying based on education or a combination of education and experience. An official transcript will be required if you are selected.

Failure to do so will result in loss of consideration.

Schools must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Accreditation may be verified at the following website: www.ed.gov/accreditation.

FOREIGN EDUCATION: Foreign education must be evaluated by a private professional organization specializing in interpretation of foreign education credentials or an accredited U.S. educational institution in terms of equivalence to a degree acquired at an American college or university. A copy of the evaluation results must be included, otherwise your foreign education will not be considered. For positions with an education requirement, or if you are qualifying for this position by substituting education or training for experience, submit a copy of your transcripts or equivalent. An official transcript will be required if you are selected.

Additional information

Preference Eligibles or veterans who have been separated from the armed forces under honorable conditions after substantially completing an initial three-year term may apply under the Veterans Employment Opportunity Act (VEOA).

Candidates will be asked to fill out a Declaration for Federal Employment (Optional Form 306).

APPLICANTS MUST MEET QUALIFICATIONS AND TIME-IN- GRADE REQUIREMENTS BY THE CLOSING DATE OF THIS VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT.

Conditions of Employment Continued:

THIS ANNOUNCEMENT MAY BE USED TO FILL ADDITIONAL LIKE VACANCIES IN THE ANNOUNCED DUTY LOCATION.

Best-qualified candidates will be responsible for arranging and paying for their own travel expenses in conjunction with any required interviews, unless they are already employed by the Office of Inspector General at the U. S. Department of Transportation.



Applications will not be accepted from non- status candidates. Non-status candidates are those individuals who do not have competitive status (e.g., reinstatement eligibility, transfer eligibility from another government agency, etc.) Except for disabled individuals, non-status candidates must be in the area of consideration. Competitive status is not required if applicant is a disabled individual who may be eligible for appointment under a special Schedule A appointing authority in the excepted service. Applicants who meet this provision may apply even if they are outside the area of consideration.

Candidates eligible for reinstatement must submit an SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action, from their last appointment. All status candidates must submit a copy of their most recent SF-50, and/or a copy of the last SF-50 that indicates they have competitive status.

Any male applicant who was born after December 31, 1959, and who is subsequently selected for this position must certify that he is registered for the military selective service by the date he is to enter on duty. False certification may result in termination after appointment.

Relocation Expenses will not be paid.  

If selected for this position, you will be subject to favorable adjudication of an employment suitability determination.

Best qualified candidates will be responsible for arranging and paying for their own travel expenses in conjunction with any required interviews, unless they are already employed by the Office of Inspector General at the U. S. Department of Transportation.
ent based upon financial difficulties that have arisen through no fault of the individual. Information about an individual's employment experience should be used only to determine the person's qualifications and to assess his or her relative level of knowledge, skills, and abilities. Although an individual's personal conduct may be relevant in any employment decision, including conduct during periods of unemployment or evidence of dishonesty in handling financial matters, financial difficulty that has arisen through no fault of the individual will generally not itself be the basis of unfavorable suitability or fitness determination.

How you will be evaluated

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

Applicants will be rated on the extent and quality of experience, education, and training relevant to the duties of the position. Applicants who meet the qualification requirements will be further evaluated on their responses to the on-line announcement questions.

Eligible applicants will receive a numerical rating based on their responses to the application questions for this position submitted on-line via WWW.USAJOBS.GOV. These responses must be substantiated by your on-line resume. Applicants who do not respond to the application questions may be rated ineligible.

Federal employees must meet Time-In-Grade (TIG) requirements for merit promotion consideration. TIG is the 52-week requirement Federal employees in competitive service, General Schedule (GS) positions at GS-5 and above must serve before they are eligible for promotion to the next grade level. TIG requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement.
You may preview questions for this vacancy.

Your session is about to expire!

Your USAJOBS session will expire due to inactivity in 8 minutes. Any unsaved data will be lost if you allow the session to expire. Click the button below to continue your session.