Clarification from the agency

All U.S. Citizens

This position is part of the Department of Defense (DoD), Missile Defense Agency (MDA). The incumbent will be responsible for: designing, developing, and implementing advanced data pipelines for the acquisition, cleaning, transformation, and feature engineering of complex, high-volume, and unstructured data from dissimilar sources. Developing and applying advanced computational and machine learning algorithms to conduct exploratory data analysis and uncover novel patterns.

This is a Direct Hire Authority (DHA) solicitation utilizing the DHA for Acq Demo Business and Technical Management to recruit and appoint qualified candidates to positions in the competitive service.

This position is being filled under AcqDemo Direct Hiring Authority (DHA) for non-acquisition positions involving 51% or more of time in direct support of acquisition positions within Business and Technical Management Professional Career path.

As a Data Scientist at the NH-1560-3 broadband level, some of your typical work assignments may include:

• Designing, developing, and implementing advanced data pipelines for the acquisition, cleaning, transformation, and feature engineering of complex, high-volume, and unstructured data from dissimilar sources.
• Developing and applying advanced computational and machine learning algorithms to conduct exploratory data analysis and uncover novel patterns, anomalies, and previously unknown vulnerabilities indicative of fraud, waste, and abuse.
• Creating and validating predictive models to forecast areas of emerging risk, allowing for proactive fraud prevention and the strategic allocation of oversight resources.
• Serving as a technical expert and consultant to auditors and investigators to design and implement data-driven approaches for detecting anomalies and inefficiencies in agency programs and operations.
• Leading the design and application of custom analytical models and experiments to test hypotheses, assess program effectiveness, and quantify the impact of potential and implemented policy changes.
• Translating complex model outputs and analytical findings into strategic and operational insights for stakeholders at all levels, from senior leadership to program managers.
• Developing and maintaining interactive data visualizations, applications, and dashboards to enable self-service analytics and data exploration by non-technical users.
• Researching, testing, and validating emerging data science methodologies, computational techniques, and machine learning/AI frameworks to continuously enhance the agency's analytical capabilities.
• Developing and prototyping new analytical tools, reusable code libraries, and scalable data products for use across the organization, promoting data literacy and data-informed decision-making.

Conditions of employment

• Must be a U.S. Citizen
• Occasional Travel
• Work Schedule: Full-time
• Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective Service
• Suitable for Federal employment, determined by a background investigation
• May be required to successfully complete a probationary period
• Overtime: Occasionally
• Tour of Duty: Maxi Flex
• Recruitment Incentives: Certain incentives (such as Recruitment, Relocation or Student Loan Repayment) may be authorized to eligible selectees based on agency policy and availability.
• Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA): Exempt
• Financial Disclosure: Not Required
• Telework Eligibility: This position is situational telework eligible.
• This is a drug testing designated position.
• Must be able to obtain/maintain a Top Secret/Sensitive Compartmented Investigation (TS/SCI) clearance

Qualifications

You may qualify at the NH-03 Broadband Level, if you fulfill the following qualifications:

A. One year of specialized experience equivalent to the NH-02/GS-11 grade level in the Federal service as listed below and must meet 3 of the 6 specialized experience listed below to be qualified:

• Conceptualizing, developing, adapting, modifying, and applying new models to resolve difficult problems and to achieve support for alternative solutions within the commercial and government technical community.
• Performing data management activities.
• Assessing stakeholder requirements, advising and executing on specific courses of action through data visualization and analytics principles, concepts, environments, and applications.
• Supporting data management through database design, conceptual and logical data modeling, data organization structures, structural relationships, and data dictionaries/directories.
• Translating complex analytical results into a clear, concise, and compelling narrative for non-technical audiences.
• Using modern data visualization tools and libraries to create impactful charts, graphs, and interactive dashboards that reveal insights at a glance.

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.


In addition to meeting qualifications, your application package must reflect the applicable experience to meet the Individual Occupational Requirements for the 1560, series as listed below:

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.

NOTE: Failure to provide transcripts will result in you being rated ineligible for this position. All materials must be submitted by the closing date of the announcement.

How you will be evaluated

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

We will review your resume and supporting documents, to ensure you meet the basic qualification requirements. We will evaluate each applicant who meets the basic qualifications on the information provided and evaluate your relevant work experiences as it relates to fundamental competencies, identified below, required for this position.

Traditional rating and ranking of applications does not apply to this vacancy. Your application (resume and supporting documentation) will be evaluated to determine if you meet the minimum qualifications required as listed on the announcement under qualification requirements.

Veterans Preference: If you are entitled to veterans preference, you should indicate the type of veterans' preference you are claiming on your resume. Your veterans' preference entitlement will be verified by the employing agency.

For information on entitlement see http://www.fedshirevets.gov/job/vetpref/index.aspx

Appointment of Military Spouses (5 CFR 315.612) (NonComp Mil Sp): To receive this preference, you must choose to apply using the " Appointment of Military Spouses (5 CFR 315.612) (NonComp Mil Sp)" eligibility. If you are claiming Military Spouse eligibility and are determined to be Well Qualified (score of 85 or above) for the position, you will be referred to the hiring manager. Information and required documentation for claiming Military Spouse eligibility may be found at the General Applicant Information and Definitions link below.

Appointment of Department of Defense Spouses: You are required to submit proof of marriage AND permanent change of station (PCS) orders: spouse's PCS orders (showing you as a dependent) and/or copy of marriage certificate. If you are a current or previous Federal employee, please include your most recent SF-50.