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Interdisciplinary Data Scientist/Operations Research Analyst

Department of Homeland Security
Customs and Border Protection
Immediate Office of Executive Assistant Commissioner

Summary

Organizational Location: This position is with the Department of Homeland Security, within U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Enterprise Services, Immediate Office of Executive Assistant Commissioner, Workforce Care Directorate, located in

  • Indianapolis, IN
  • Minneapolis, MN
  • Washington DC.

Overview

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Accepting applications
Open & closing dates
02/23/2026 to 02/27/2026
Salary
$121,785 to - $158,322 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 13
Locations
1 vacancy in the following locations:
Washington, DC
Indianapolis, IN
Minneapolis, MN
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
No
Travel Required
25% or less - You may be expected to travel for this position.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
13
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Not Required
Drug test
No
Financial disclosure
No
Bargaining unit status
Yes
Announcement number
EAC-IMP-12883437-SR
Control number
858331500

This job is open to

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Clarification from the agency

Current U.S. Customs and Border Protection employees who are currently working in a permanent competitive service position; Career Transition Assistance Plan CBP employees.

Duties

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In this position you will serve as a Data Scientist/Operations Research Analyst, applying advanced analytical methods and techniques to a wide range of complex datasets to support data-driven decision-making across the agency. The position is responsible for extracting, processing, and integrating data from multiple sources, developing advanced statistical and computational models, and conducting research and evaluation projects to address critical agency challenges. You will play a key role in identifying data-driven solutions, providing expert guidance to junior analysts, and collaborating with agency directorates to improve operational efficiency and effectiveness.

This position starts at a salary of $121,785.00 (GS-13, Step 1) to $158,322.00 (GS-13, Step 10).

Major duties include:

  • Leading agency-wide research and evaluation projects that address complex workforce care and wellness issues, including the design of study approaches, coordination of data sources, and dissemination of findings to senior leadership.
  • Serving as a technical authority and subject matter expert on data science and operations research, advising leadership on the use of enterprise data, models, and analytical methods to support administrative, programmatic, and financial decisions.
  • Developing and refining data governance frameworks, policies, and standards for data classification, management, quality assurance, and access to ensure compliance with agency regulations and promote consistent data practices.
  • Designing, building, and maintaining enterprise-level dashboards, decision-support tools, and analytic products that communicate trends (e.g., wellness indicators, negative outcomes, and resource utilization) to non-technical stakeholders.
  • Representing the organization in interagency working groups, professional conferences, and internal cross-directorate initiatives, sharing best practices, promoting data literacy, and fostering collaboration on data-driven solutions.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this position
  • Males born after 12/31/1959 must be registered with Selective Service
  • Primary U.S. residency for at least three of the last five years (additional details below)
  • All pre-employment processes will be conducted in English
  • You may be required to pass a background investigation
  • CBP follows the DHS Drug-Free Workplace Plan for drug testing procedures.
  • As an employee of CBP, you will be joining a workforce that is dedicated to accomplishing our mission while maintaining the trust of our Nation by strictly adhering to all government ethics standards. Your conduct will be subject to the ethics rules applicable to all Executive Branch employees, and to CBP employees specifically, as well as the criminal conflict of interest statutes. Once you enter on duty, these rules include obtaining approval for outside employment or business activity, to ensure such employment or business activity is not prohibited and does not interfere or conflict with performance of your official duties. Please review further details via the following link.
  • DHS uses E-Verify, an internet-based system, to confirm the eligibility of all newly hired employees to work in the United States. Learn more about E-Verify including your rights and responsibilities.
  • Bargaining Unit: This is a bargaining unit covered position, represented under the National Treasury Employees Unions - NTEU. For local chapter contact information see Chapter Websites - National Treasury Employees Union - NTEU

Qualifications

Basic Requirements: To be considered for the position, you must meet one of the following:

  • Operations Research Analyst (1515): Degree: in operations research; or at least 24 semester hours in a combination of operations research, mathematics, probability, statistics, mathematical logic, science, or subject-matter courses requiring substantial competence in college-level mathematics or statistics. At least 3 of the 24 semester hours must have been in calculus.
  • Data Scientist (1560): 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.
  • Data Scientist (1560) 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.

You qualify for this position if you meet one of the basic requirements, as described above and one year of specialized experience listed below.

Experience: You qualify for the GS-13 grade level if you possess 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level, performing duties such as:
  • Extracting, cleaning, validating, and integrating large structured and unstructured datasets from multiple enterprise systems to prepare reliable data for analysis and reporting.
  • Applying statistical and mathematical techniques (e.g., regression, forecasting, hypothesis testing) and use tools such as Python/R/SQL and visualization platforms (e.g., Tableau or Power BI) to analyze data and present results to stakeholders.
  • Developing, adapting, or applying quantitative models (e.g., simulations, optimization, or predictive models) to evaluate alternative courses of action, forecast outcomes, or assess program or operational performance.
  • Planning and conducting data-driven research or evaluation projects from problem definition through methodology design, analysis, interpretation of results, and preparation of technical reports or briefings.
  • Providing technical guidance or mentoring to other analysts or staff, and collaborate with program offices or leadership to translate analytical findings into recommendations that inform programmatic, operational, or resource decisions.
NOTE: Your resume must explicitly indicate how you meet this requirement, otherwise you will be found ineligible. Please see the "Required Documents" section below for additional resume requirements.

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.

You must:
  • Meet all qualification requirements, including education if applicable to this position, subject to verification at any stage of the application process; and
  • Meet all applicable Time in Grade requirements (current federal employees must have served 52 weeks at the next lower grade or equivalent grade band in the federal service) by 02/27/2026.
The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) must authorize employment offers made to current or former political appointees. If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES or Presidential Appointee employee in the Executive Branch, you must disclose this information to the Human Resources Office.

Please see the Qualifications and Required Documents sections for more information if education is applicable to this position. This position will be filled under any of the following titles and occupational series, depending on the qualifications of applicant and the needs of the agency:
  • Operations Research Analyst, 1515
  • Data Scientist, 1560
Transcripts: Positions which are scientific or technical in nature often have specific educational requirements. You must submit an official transcript, unofficial transcript, or a list including courses, grades earned, completion dates, and quarter and semester hours earned.

Background Investigation: U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is a federal law enforcement agency that requires all applicants to undergo a thorough background investigation prior to employment in order to promote the agency's core values of vigilance, service to country, and integrity. During the screening and/or background investigation process, you will be asked questions regarding any felony criminal convictions or current felony charges, the use of illegal drugs (e.g., marijuana, cocaine, heroin, LSD, methamphetamines, ecstasy), and the use of non-prescribed controlled substances including any experimentation, possession, sale, receipt, manufacture, cultivation, production, transfer, shipping, trafficking, or distribution of controlled substances. For additional information on the preemployment process, review the following link: Applicant Resources | CBP Careers

Residency: There is a residency requirement for all applicants not currently employed by CBP. Individuals are required to have physically resided in the United States or its protectorates (as declared under international law) for at least three of the last five years. If you do not meet the residency requirement and you have been physically located in a foreign location for more than two of the last five years, you may request an exception to determine if you are eligible for a residency waiver by meeting one or more of the following conditions:
  • Working for the U.S. Government as a federal civilian or as a member of the military
  • A dependent who was authorized to accompany a federal civilian or member of the military who was working for the U.S. government
  • Participation in a study abroad program sponsored by a U.S. affiliated college or university
  • Working as a contractor, intern, consultant or volunteer supporting the U.S. government
Probationary Period: All employees new to the federal government must serve a one year probationary period during the first year of his/her initial permanent federal appointment to determine fitness for continued employment. Current and former federal employees may be required to serve or complete a probationary period.

Education

Please see the Qualifications and Required Documents sections for more information if education is applicable to this position.

Additional information

The Department of Homeland Security encourages persons with disabilities to apply, to include persons with intellectual, severe physical or psychiatric disabilities, as defined by 5 CFR § 213.3102(u), and/or Disabled Veterans with a compensable service-connected disability of 30 percent or more as defined by 5 CFR § 315.707. Veterans, Peace Corps/VISTA volunteers, and persons with disabilities possess a wealth of unique talents, experiences, and competencies that can be invaluable to the DHS mission. If you are a member of one of these groups, you may not have to compete with the public for federal jobs. To determine your eligibility for non-competitive appointment and to understand the required documentation, click on the links above or contact the Servicing Human Resources Office listed at the bottom of this announcement.

Interdisciplinary Qualifications: Qualifications are based on the series the applicant is selected for, if you are selected or reassigned to a series below, you would be required to have the qualifications for that series.

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.

Applicants will only be considered for the Eligibilities for which they claim in the job questionnaire AND must provide the supporting documentation. Applicants will not be considered for Eligibilities for which they did not claim, regardless of the documentation submitted with the application. https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12883437

Your resume and supporting documentation will be reviewed to ensure you meet the minimum qualification(s). Your resume must support that you meet both specialized experience requirements described in the qualifications section and are proficient in the skills/competencies. If you meet the minimum qualifications, your experience, education, and training will be rated using a Structured Resume Review process.
Your final rating will be based on a Structured Resume Review conducted by Subject Matter Experts (SME). This Structured Resume Review requires that candidates resume must demonstrate the competencies noted below:

  • Data Management
  • Modeling and Simulation
  • Research
  • Decision Support
Failure to demonstrate sufficient detail in the body of your resume may impact your final rating. Please note you are not required to provide specific narrative responses to the skills and competencies described in this section. If you are best qualified, you may be referred to the hiring manager for consideration and may be contacted for an interview.

Agency Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) Eligibles: If you have never worked for the federal government, you are not CTAP eligible. View information about CTAP eligibilityon OPM's Career Transition Resources website. You must submit the supporting documents listed under the Required Documents section of this announcement. To be considered well qualified under CTAP, you must be rated at a minimum score of 85 for this position.

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