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Data Scientist

Department of Transportation
Federal Aviation Administration
ATO, Safety & Technical Training, Policy & Performance Dir, Safety Performance Group, AJI-3400
This job announcement has closed

Summary

This position is located in the Air Traffic Organization (ATO); Safety and Technical Training Service Unit (AJI), Policy and Performance Directorate, Safety Performance Group (AJI-3400). This Group is responsible for creating and managing safety performance metrics and for incorporating human performance management programs, data and efforts to maximize safety performance.

Overview

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Hiring complete
Open & closing dates
08/13/2024 to 08/22/2024
Salary
$92,964 to - $144,121 per year

The salary listed above does not include locality. Locality will be determined based on the duty location of the selectee.

Pay scale & grade
FV J
Locations
1 vacancy in the following locations:
Washington, DC
Atlanta, GA
Atlantic City, NJ
Oklahoma City, OK
Telework eligible
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Travel Required
25% or less - The job may require up to 25% travel.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Excepted
Promotion potential
NA
Job family (Series)
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Other
Drug test
No
Announcement number
AWA-AJI-24-7425MN-91686
Control number
804312900

This job is open to

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Clarification from the agency

Also open to former Excepted service federal employees eligible under an interchange agreement. Current or former federal employees must have met a one-year probationary period or trial period in the competitive or excepted service. Applications will be accepted from preference eligible and veterans who are honorably discharged from the Armed Forces after completing at least 3 years of continuous active duty service.

Duties

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The Data Scientist performs multiple, varying and complex assignments under the minimal direction of a manager, project/program manager, team leader, or more experienced technical specialist. Applies experience and comprehensive knowledge of computer science, along with mathematical and statistical theories to examine unique and highly specialized data sets to support Air Traffic Organization (ATO) Safety and Technical Training safety risk management efforts. This work significantly impacts the National Airspace System (NAS) and the accomplishment of Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) strategic objectives.

Identifies the methods, processes, algorithms, tools, and systems to extract and interpret findings from varied structured and unstructured data sets related to the data science life-cycle. Develops machine learning (ML) models using advanced computational and machine learning methods. Utilizes programming languages such as R or Python to evaluate model performance and selection. Creates computational algorithms and statistical methods to identify patterns and relationships in large datasets. Employs comprehensive technical knowledge in statistical modeling, including regression, classification, and anomaly detection, to analyze aviation industry datasets. Corresponds with air navigation service and commercial air transportation service providers, general aviation, airports, and aviation support industries to obtain data.

The Data Scientist acts as principal technical specialist, in leading risk identification efforts and mitigation assessments and to identify risks in the NAS through the use of data sets, such as voice data, track data, incident/accident data, maps, etc. Designs and implements automated data collection and processing to improve efficiency and accuracy. Conducts quantitative analysis of aviation safety risk efforts to evaluate success in meeting established goals and objectives. Defines, organizes, and assigns resources to accomplish organizational objectives. Allocates resources to accomplish large work activities within established schedules.

Possesses knowledge of the aviation industry, public and private sector entities that operate within the NAS to analyze occurrence and event data, electronically gathered data, and voluntarily reported information. Works and coordinates with subject matter experts within the FAA and other Lines of Business on various issues related to the analysis of safety data and to identify and analyze safety issues and concerns. Develops, integrates, and evaluates predictive models and algorithms to solve diverse, complex problems and improve processes. Creates clear and insightful visualizations and dashboard to organize and present data findings to inform decision makers.

Contacts are internal and external to AJI and include representatives from other ATO Service Units, FAA Lines of Business, and members of the aviation industry. Often represents the FAA as senior technical point of contact for various statistical modeling and predictive analytics projects. Plays a lead role in preparing reports using machine learning, programming, and data visualization skills for final approval prior to external distribution. Presents briefings to obtain consensus/approval on policies. Communicates results to all levels internally and externally. Presents briefings to obtain consensus/approval on policies. Coordinates significant technical matters with representatives of external organizations.

Work is reviewed rarely, typically though status reports and at project completion, to ensure technical compliance and alignment with the requirements of the project or other work activity. The work activities typically support and may be vital to the success of projects or activities of one or more organizational units, subdivisions, and LOB's/SO's. In some areas, the work may affect the safety and security of customers.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • US Citizenship is required.
  • Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
  • Must submit an SF50 (See Required Documents).
  • This position has a positive education requirement. Transcript(s) required.

Qualifications

IN ADDITION TO MEETING THE BASIC EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS SPECIFIED BELOW IN THE EDUCATION SECTION:

To qualify for this position, you must demonstrate in your application that you possess at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the FV-I, FG/GS-13 level. This experience is typically related to the line of work of the position to be filled and which has equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position. To be creditable, specialized experience must have been at least equivalent to the next lower level in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization.

Specialized experience is defined as:

Experience using statistical modeling techniques to analyze datasets from the aviation industry.

Experience with machine learning (ML) algorithms, ML model development, and evaluation.

Experience using programming languages to evaluate model performance and selection.

You should include relevant examples of the specialized experience in your work history. Errors or omissions may impact your rating or may result in you not being considered.

Answer all questions to the best of your ability. DO NOT ASSUME THAT BECAUSE YOU HOLD, OR HAVE HELD THIS POSITION, YOU WILL AUTOMATICALLY BE FOUND ELIGIBLE. You may be asked to provide evidence or documentation that you have this type of experience later in the selection process. Your responses are subject to verification through job interviews or any other information obtained during the application process. Any exaggeration of your experience or any attempt to conceal information can result in disqualification.

*Applicants who fail to demonstrate possession of any of the above criteria AND who do not provide the required documentation will receive no further consideration for this position. *

Applicants may be asked to verify information on their application for employment with the FAA.

*All qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of this vacancy announcement. *

Eligible applicants meeting the minimum qualification requirements and/or selective placement factor(s) (SPF) may be further evaluated on the Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSA) and/or Quality Ranking Factor (QRF) listed in the announcement. Based on this evaluation, applicants will be placed in one of the following categories: (1) score order; (2) category grouping; (3) alphabetical; or (4) priority grouping and referred to the selecting official for selection consideration.

Education

This position has a positive education requirement: Applicants must submit a copy of their college or university transcripts(s) and certificates by the closing date of announcement to verify qualifications. If selected, an official transcript will be required prior to appointment. You may upload these documents with your application in USAJOBS or fax it to fax number provided in the announcement (please include announcement number on each page).

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 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.

Basic Requirements:

  1. 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

  2. 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.

If you are a current or former Federal employee, and you currently hold or previously held a position classified in the 1560 occupational series, you are not required to submit a college transcript provided you upload a copy of the SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action, verifying your classification in the 1560 occupational series.

Applicants, who are not currently in the 1560 occupational series in the Federal Government and fail to provide a copy of an unofficial or official transcript will not receive further consideration for this vacancy. Upon selection, if not currently employed in the 1560 occupational series, you will be required to submit an official transcript before appointment. If you do not have an official transcript (original, with the raised seal), you should contact your school immediately to request it.

Foreign Education: For additional information, visit: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html.

Preview job questionnaire

Make sure your resume includes detailed information to support your qualifications and answers to the job questionnaire.

Additional information

We may use this vacancy to fill other similar vacant positions.
Position may be subject to a background investigation.
A one-year probationary period may be required.

The person selected for this position may be required to file a financial disclosure statement within 30 days of entry on duty. FAA policy limits certain outside employment and financial investments in aviation-related companies. www.faa.gov/jobs/workinghere/financial-disclosure-requirements

The U.S. Department of Transportation strives to ensure that equity, transparency, accountability, collaboration, and communication permeate all that we do for the betterment of the Department, the traveling public, and our nation. As such, DOT values a highly diverse workforce of persons who promote a culture of belonging by respecting the personal dignity and worth of each individual and fostering a positive environment where all feel safe and welcome. If these commitments coincide with your personal ideals and professional aspirations, please consider joining the DOT family.

his position may become permanent without further competition. This is not a remote position.

1. This position is covered by the FAA Core Compensation plan. Additional information about Core Compensation is available at: https://www.faa.gov/jobs/working_here/benefits.

2. As a part of the Federal-Wide Hiring Reform Initiative (streamlining the hiring process), the FAA is committed to eliminating the use of Knowledge, Skills, and Ability (KSA) narratives from the initial application in the hiring process for all announcements. Therefore, as an applicant, you are NOT required to provide a narrative response in the text box listed below each KSA.

In place of providing a KSA narrative response in the text box listed below each KSA section, in your work history, please include information that provides specific examples of how you meet the response level or answer you chose for each KSA. Your work history examples should be specific and reflect the highest level of ability. Your KSA answers will be evaluated further to validate whether the level that you selected is appropriate based on the work history and experience you provided. Your answers may be adjusted by a human resource specialist as appropriate.

3. AFSCME Interview Criteria: Article 42, Section 13 states: If the selecting official decides to interview any employee on the selection list for a vacancy, then all who remain under consideration for the position at that point in the process must be interviewed. If the selection list is shortened to a best-qualified list through a comparative process, then the best-qualified list shall be considered to be the selection list. If it is determined that interviews are required and telephone interviews are not utilized, travel expenses incidental to these interviews will be paid in accordance with the Agency's travel regulations and this Agreement.

4. This Level 5 (Moderate Risk; Public Trust) position requires favorable adjudication of a Minimum Background Investigation (MBI) background investigation before appointment unless a waiver is obtained.

5. Selectee will be assigned to the Safety Measurement & Metrics Team, AJI-3410; CAN: 0048331.



This is not a bargaining unit position.

Links to Important Information: Locality Pay , COLA

How you will be evaluated

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



IMPORTANT: Applicants may be rated on the extent and quality of experience, education, and training relevant to the duties of the position(s). All answers provided in the on-line process must be substantiated. Ensure that your application package/resume supports your responses.

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