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PATHWAYS RECENT GRADUATE - Data Scientist

Department of Transportation
Federal Transit Administration
This job announcement has closed

Summary

This position is for RECENT GRADUATES.  For additional information regarding the Recent Graduates program visit: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/hiring-information/students-recent-graduates/#url=graduates. 

This position is located in the Department of Transportation (DOT), Federal Transit Administration (FTA), Office of the Chief Data Officer (OCDO). 

Overview

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Reviewing applications
Open & closing dates
11/07/2024 to 11/13/2024
Salary
$82,764 to - $107,590 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 11
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
Washington, DC
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Travel Required
Occasional travel - Some travel will be required.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Recent graduates - Recent Graduate - Paid Excepted Service Appointment.
Work schedule
Full-time - Full Time -
Service
Excepted
Promotion potential
13
Job family (Series)
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Other
Drug test
No
Financial disclosure
Yes - The Ethics in Government Act of 1978 requires the applicant selected for this position to submit a Confidential Financial Disclosure Report (OGE Form 450) within 30 days of appointment and annually thereafter.
Bargaining unit status
Yes - This is a Bargaining unit position represented by AFGE, local 3313.
Announcement number
FTA.TOA-2025-0002
Control number
818089400

This job is open to

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Clarification from the agency

This position is part of the Pathways Program and is open to Recent Graduates Eligibles only. For additional information please visit:https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/hiring-information/students-recent-graduates/#url=graduates

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Duties

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The Chief Data Officer (OCDO) develops strategic approaches to leveraging FTA’s data assets, manages FTA’s data governance, builds a strong data culture, manages data as a strategic asset, and uses data to improve mission delivery, operational efficiency, and actionable decision-making data, including via advanced analytics techniques and AI.

The Recent Graduate:

  • Assists with translating complex concepts, findings, and limitations into concise, plain language. Closely ties findings and conclusions into the agency mission, original problem statement and team objectives.
  • Assists in building the foundation of scientific and technical capabilities within FTA to support ongoing and future data analytics projects. Educates others on technology, tools, and best practices.
  • Tests, and evaluates new theories related to supervised and unsupervised machine learning, artificial-intelligence, and new frontiers of predictive analytics and data science.
  • Assists in conducting tests to measure data quality and compliance with internal policy. Performs data wrangling and develops broadly applicable recommendations to deal with imperfections in data.
  • Skill and ability to facilitate, communicate, and work with individuals and groups constructively and collaboratively.

The ideal candidate for this position is a Recent Graduate and will contribute to project teams using outstanding analytical and problem-solving skills, performing sophisticated data analysis, and developing data visualizations.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • You must be a U.S. Citizen and meet Pathways Recent Graduate requirement.
  • Submit application and resume online by 11:59 PM EST on the closing date.
  • Review Required Documents Section as documents are required by closing date
  • Must meet Recent Grad requirements by closing date.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:

PATHWAYS RECENT GRADUATE PROGRAM ELIGIBILITY - You must:

  • Provide required documentation to verify degree has been, or will be, completed prior to appointment.
  • Meet the basic qualification standards outlined under the Qualifications section for this series and grade level.
  • Exceptions are made for veterans, as defined in 5 USC 2108, who, due to military service obligations, were precluded from applying to the Program during the two-year eligibility period described above. These individuals have a full two-year period of eligibility upon their release or discharge from active duty. In no event, however, may their eligibility period extend beyond six years from the date on which they completed their academic requirements.

If selected, you: 

  • Must sign a Pathways Recent Graduate Program Participant Agreement;
  • Will serve on an excepted service appointment for at least a two year trial period; 
  • Will enter a formal training program with a mentor and execute an Individual Development Plan outlining training requirements and program expectations;
  • Must be provided at least 40 hours of interactive training, directly linked to your employment field, within 45 days of appointment;
  • Will be assigned a mentor within 90 days of appointment;
  • Will be evaluated for conversion to a term or permanent appointment in the competitive service at the end of two years.
  • SELECTIVE SERVICE: Males born after 12/31/1959 must be  registered for the Selective Service.
  • DECLARATION FOR FEDERAL EMPLOYMENT: Selectee is required to complete a Declaration for Federal Employment (OF-306) to determine suitability for federal employment.

Qualifications

To determine which eligibility, review the following grade specific details.  You will be asked questions as part of your application but make sure to verify how you meet this experience and/or education in your resume and/or uploaded transcripts or you may be deemed ineligible. 

To meet the minimum qualifications for this position, you must meet the education requirement AND experience qualifications.

  • Experience in applying statistical and analytic methods to discover patterns for streamlining operations or improving programs.
  • Experience with Python, R, SQL, or other analytical tools to develop analyses, reports, or data products.
  • Experience collaborating with and coordinating with other stakeholders in or outside of an organization.

To qualify for the GS-11 on Education alone, you must have:
3 years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree or Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree.
You can also qualify based on a combination of higher level graduate education and experience. This must be fully supported by your resume and transcripts, provided with your application.

RECENT GRADUATE PROGRAM ELIGIBILITY:
*Applicants must have obtained a qualifying associates, bachelors, master's, professional, doctorate, vocational or technical degree or certificate from a qualifying educational institution, within the previous 2 years unless military service interfered with a veterans eligibility to apply during that two year time frame. Veterans meeting the above exclusion may apply within 2 years of discharge or 6 years from the date of receipt of the degree whichever comes first.

(http://www.opm.gov/qualifications/policy/ApplicationOfStds-04.asp) for information on crediting education.

You must provide a copy of ALL of your college/vocational/technical transcript(s). See  "Required Documents" section for additional information.

Applicants may refer to the U.S. Department of Education’s Institutional Accreditation System to determine whether their school/program is accredited: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/Search.aspx.

Education completed outside of the United States must be deemed equivalent to that gained in conventional/accredited U.S. education programs to be acceptable for Federal employment. See OPM's General Policies (http://www.opm.gov/qualifications/policy/ApplicationOfStds-04.asp) for information on crediting education.

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).  Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment.  You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

Accreditation: Only education from an accredited college or university recognized by the Department of Education is acceptable to meet education requirements or to substitute for experience, if applicable. For additional information, please go to the Office of Personnel Management at http://www.opm.gov/qualifications/ and U.S. Department of Education website at http://www2.ed.gov/admins/finaid/accred/index.html.

Foreign Education: If your education was completed or is from 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://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES (KSAs): Your qualifications will be evaluated on the basis of your level of knowledge, skills, abilities and/or competencies in the following areas:

  • Customer Service - Anticipates and meets the needs of both internal and external customers. Delivers high-quality products and services; is committed to continuous improvement.
  • Written Communication - Writes in a clear, concise, organized, and convincing manner for the intended audience.
  • Learning - Uses efficient learning techniques to acquire and apply new knowledge and skills; uses training, feedback, or other opportunities for self-learning and development.

For all types of consideration, 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).  Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment.  You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience

Students enrolled in a qualifying degree program can apply if the anticipated graduation date is within six months. Graduation transcript must be received before start date. Other applicants must meet all qualification requirements by the closing date of this announcement.

Education

EDUCATION:

A. 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

B. 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.

College or university education -- Educational course work may be at either the undergraduate or graduate level. Successful completion of graduate level courses will be accepted as evidence that an applicant also possesses the knowledge taught in courses at lower levels in the same field.

Additional information

ADDITIONAL CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:

  • BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION: A background security investigation is required for all selected individuals. Appointment will be subject to the applicant’s successful completion of the security investigation and favorable adjudication. Failure to meet these requirements will be grounds for termination.
  • PCS/RELOCATION/RECRUITMENT:  Permanent Change of Station (PCS), Relocation, and Recruitment Incentive authorization varies by position/selection and a service agreement may be required.
  • GOVERNMENT TRAVEL CARD: A government contractor-issued travel card will be issued and must be retained for official business only.
  • TRIAL PERIOD: The recent graduate is in a trial period throughout the entire Pathways Recent Graduate/FHWA PDP appointment.
  • PHYSICAL LOCATION: The recent graduate will be required to work onsite.
  • TELEWORK ELIGIBILITY: This position is approved for occasional telework. The number of telework days approved is determined by the agency policy, emergency situations, the approval of your immediate supervisor, and if applicable, approval of additional officials. You are required to report to the office on a regular basis since this is not a full-time telework position, or approved as a remote work position.

For more information on the Pathways Program, please visit: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/hiring-information/students-recent-graduates/#url=Program-Fact-Sheets.

The Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs Act prohibits the Department of Transportation and its Operating Administrations from requesting an applicant's criminal history record before that individual receives a conditional offer of employment. In accordance with 5 U.S. Code § 9202(c) and 5 C.F.R § 920.201 certain positions are exempt from the provisions of the Fair Chance to Compete Act. Applicants who believe they have been subjected to a violation of the Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs Act, may submit a written complaint to the Department of Transportation by email at, FairChanceAct@dot.gov. To learn more, please visit our page at: The Fair Chance to Compete Act | US Department of Transportation

This announcement may be used to fill additional positions if similar vacancies occur within 90 days of the issue date of the referral certificate.

How you will be evaluated

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

All applicants will be reviewed to determine if they meet the DOT Pathways Recent Graduate Program requirements, then the education qualifications for this series, and finally if they meet the education and/or specialized experience requirements for the grade(s). 

All answers provided in the on-line process must be substantiated by a resume. If, upon review, it is determined that your resume and/or supporting documents do not support your answer choices, your application may be removed from consideration.

You will not be considered for the position if any part of the application or supporting documentation is incomplete.  Falsifying your background, education, and/or experience is cause for not hiring you or adverse action after hiring.

Ultimately, the Automated Staffing Office is responsible for determining an applicant's eligibility. All applications that are verified to meet all of the requirements will be referred to the selecting official.

Applicants will not be rated or ranked. Qualified Recent Graduates will be referred to the hiring manager in unranked order by veteran preference status:  (1) Preference eligible having a compensable, service-connected disability of 10 percent or more; (2) all other candidates eligible for 10-point veteran preference; (3) candidates eligible for 5-point veteran preference; and (4) candidates not eligible for veteran preference.


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