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Supervisory Data Scientist

Department of Transportation
Office of Inspector General

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. OIG also consults with the Congress about programs in progress and proposed new laws and regulations. The Inspector General Act of 1978 gives the Office of Inspector General autonomy to do its work without interference.

Overview

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Accepting applications
Open & closing dates
01/13/2026 to 01/27/2026
This job will close when we have received 100 applications which may be sooner than the closing date. Learn more
Salary
$143,913 to - $187,093 per year

Selectee's salary will be determined based on their current duty station pay scale.

Pay scale & grade
GS 14
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
Washington, DC
1 vacancy
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
Yes—This position may be eligible for situational telework. Telework approval will be determined by your immediate supervisor or manager following the agency’s telework policy and guidance. If participating in the telework program, you will be required to sign a telework agreement detailing agency telework policy requirements, working conditions, and expectations for the position.
Travel Required
Occasional travel - Occasional Travel may be required.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time - This is a full-time position.
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
14 - Position is at full performance level.
Job family (Series)
Supervisory status
Yes
Security clearance
Secret
Drug test
Yes
Position sensitivity and risk
Noncritical-Sensitive (NCS)/Moderate Risk
Financial disclosure
Yes
Bargaining unit status
No
Announcement number
JD-1-2026-0003
Control number
854309300

This job is open to

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Clarification from the agency

This position is open to DOT-OIG employees only in all field/regional offices and HQ. If selected, applicant will remain at their current duty station.

Duties

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As the Team Lead for the Data Science and Statistics (DSS) Group, you will personally guide and contribute to
projects while leading a team of data experts in supporting investigations, audits, and the broader OIG community. This position blends deep technical work with strategic project leadership and personnel management to drive data-driven decision-making across the agency. 


Major duties include, but not limited to the following:

  • Supervise data scientists and statisticians, handling administrative duties like hiring recommendations, work assignments, performance evaluations, and leave approvals.
  • Ensure research products are technically accurate, timely, and aligned with organizational priorities.
  • Set performance plans, conduct appraisals, and support team development through coaching and training.
  • Balance workload, set priorities, and adjust assignments as needed.
  • Lead project planning and execution for advanced data science initiatives, monitor progress, identify risks, and ensure successful delivery.
  • Serve as the primary supervisory and technical point of contact for customers regarding analytics capabilities, project scope, and deliverables.
  • Simplify complex analytical concepts for senior leaders and other stakeholders.
  • Brief management and customers on project status and findings.
  • Prepare and review analytic reports and visualizations.
  • Lead the team in applying data analytics techniques to solve oversight and investigative problems.
  • Develop high-quality data visualizations and dashboarding tools utilizing RShiny and Python.
  • Evaluate and recommend emerging analytics tools and methods, particularly in AI, for strategic mission value. 
  • Address complex analytical problems with expert solutions.
  • Review and approve analytical methodologies and products.
  • Mentor staff in novel approaches and software production.
  • Ensure compliance with laws, regulations, policies, and standards related to data privacy, security, and ethical use.
  • Implement data governance policies and approve data access requests and analytical methods.
  • Identify and mitigate data management risks.
  • Contribute to internal procedure development for analytics and data handling.
  • Collaborate with CIGIE and external partners on shared analytics projects and working groups.
  • Represent the organization in interagency forums on data analytics, innovation, and oversight modernization.
  • Translate complex analytical concepts for senior leaders and stakeholders in clear, mission-relevant language.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • U.S. Citizen
  • Random drug testing is required.
  • You must meet the specialized experience to qualify
  • Successful completion of a background security investigation
  • Required documents must be submitted by the closing date
  • Submit application and resume online by 11:59 PM EST on the closing date

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:

  • SELECTIVE SERVICE: Males Born after 12-31-1959 must be registered for Selective Service.
  • 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.
  • PRE-EMPLOYMENT/PRE-APPOINTMENT DRUG TESTING: Tentatively selected candidates are required to successfully complete a pre-employment undergo 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.
  • TIME-IN-GRADE: Federal applicants must have served 52 weeks at the next lower grade to satisfy time-in-grade restrictions contained in 5 CFR 300, Subpart F. 

Qualifications

Candidates must have one (1) year of specialized experience at least equivalent to the GS-13 grade level in the federal service. Non-government experience should be of similar complexity.

Examples of specialized experience includes:

  1. Leading data science projects to detect fraud, waste, abuse, or safety risks, and applying machine learning, statistical modeling, and data mining for audits and investigations.
  2. Managing large datasets for analysis and consulting with auditors and investigators to define data needs and retrieve information.
  3. Creating dashboards and visualizations with R or Python for monitoring and analytics, overseeing data projects, including planning and team coordination.
  4. Developing project plans, tracking progress, and translating complex data results for non-technical audiences.
  5. Briefing senior leadership on the status and outcomes of analytical initiatives.

Your resume will be evaluated based on the following competencies:

  • Workforce Management: Effectively plans, develops, and deploys people and resources to achieve agency goals.
  • Stakeholder Communication: Clearly conveys and exchanges information with stakeholders to support alignment and informed decision-making.
  • Applied Research / Technical Competence: Applies technical knowledge and research methods to solve problems and inform practical solutions related to data analytics.
  • Data Security / Governance: Ensures responsible, secure, and compliant management of data throughout its lifecycle.
  • Strategic Collaboration: Partners across teams or organizations to align efforts and achieve shared strategic objectives.
Applicants must meet qualification requirements by the closing date of this announcement.

Education

Education

This position has a Basic Education Requirement. Submission of unofficial or official transcripts is required with your application.

  1. Degree: Mathematics, statistics, computer science, data science or field directly related to the position (we will accept social and natural science degrees with statistical components such as sociology, criminology, political science, biology, chemistry, engineering, physics, immunology, genetics, ecology, etc.). The degree must be, at minimum, attained at the baccalaureate level.

    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.

Additional information

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

DUTY LOCATION: If selected, applicant will remain at their current duty station. 

Relocation expenses will not be paid. 

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

How you will be evaluated

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

All applicants: Your application will be reviewed in two phases to determine how you move forward in the hiring process.

Phase I: Your resume will be reviewed to determine your technical qualifications for this position based on the required specialized experience. ONLY two (2) pages of your resume will be reviewed. Additional information beyond your resume (e.g., cover letter, links embedded in your resume) will not be reviewed. Applicants passing “Phase I” will move on to the “Phase II” of the assessment process where your application will be reviewed and rated based on the KSAs/Competencies listed in the vacancy announcement by a Subject Matter Expert (SME). 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.


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