The United States Sentencing Commission is seeking an R/Python Programmer who will work within the Information Systems team of the Office of Administration and Technology to support the research work of the Commission. The incumbent will design, develop, and support advanced data extraction processes through the use of automated workflow solutions, AI-enhanced solutions, machine learning, and large language models (LLMs) to support business-critical processes and systems.
Summary
The United States Sentencing Commission is seeking an R/Python Programmer who will work within the Information Systems team of the Office of Administration and Technology to support the research work of the Commission. The incumbent will design, develop, and support advanced data extraction processes through the use of automated workflow solutions, AI-enhanced solutions, machine learning, and large language models (LLMs) to support business-critical processes and systems.
The R/Python Programmer, will work within the Information Systems team of the Office of Administration and Technology to support the research work of the United States Sentencing Commission. The incumbent will work closely with the Office of Research and Data by designing, developing, and supporting advanced data extraction processes through the use of automated workflow solutions, AI-enhanced solutions, machine learning, and large language models (LLMs) to support business-critical processes and systems. The position will develop methods for extraction of complex data variables from a variety of court-submitted, multi-page, multi-format forms, including the use of checkboxes, perform complex system changes, and ensure seamless automation and integration into existing operations through the use of R and Python.
The incumbent will:
Develop, maintain, and optimize analytic pipelines using R and Python in secure federal computing environments.
Design and develop programming to automate extraction of a wide-range of data variables from court-submitted, multi-page, multi-format forms and documents, leveraging advanced programming languages such as R and Python.
Ensure seamless integration of such processes into existing workflow in an Oracle-based coding environment, database and data warehouse.
Integrate systems using API-based interoperability and secure authentication strategies.
Utilize custom R or Python scripts to parse, extract, and standardize the required data into a structured datafile/table. The extracted data must be transformed into a standardized format, ensuring consistency and accuracy across all records.
Develop and implement projects from inception to delivery, including detailed times and resource planning.
Update and maintain existing R and Python processes used for data extraction and integration.
Apply secure coding practices in all R and Python development, including input validation, output sanitization, secure handling of credentials, and adherence to least-privilege access principles to ensure protection of sensitive data.
Identify, design, and implement process improvements to enhance the efficiency, reliability, and scalability of data extraction, transformation, and integration workflows, including automation of manual tasks, optimization of existing pipelines, and incorporation of modern tools and methodologies to reduce processing time, minimize errors, and support continuous improvement.
Recommend technical strategies for automation, governance, and AI adoption where applicable to support data extraction processes.
Build scalable data processing solutions using tools such as AI-enhanced solutions, machine learning, large language models, tidyverse, data.table, pandas, NumPy, SciPy, and scikit-learn.
Implement error handling and logging to track and resolve issues during the extraction process.
Assist with system troubleshooting, automation or integration failure scenarios, and root-cause corrective actions.
Develop data pipelines, data models, and ETL processes for business intelligence and reporting where necessary.
Assist in the preparation of technical documentation, briefing materials, and visual summaries for senior leadership.
Ensure compliance with federal data governance, privacy, and records management requirements.
Ensure all processes and methodologies, including use of AI-enhanced tools or LLMs, can be installed and utilized in a closed environment.
Provide guidance and support to research staff and other technical personnel on application development and automation workflows.
MANDATORY QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS
Applicants must have:
An undergraduate degree from an accredited university or college.
A minimum of 3 (three) years of R/Python computer programming experience.
At least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower level of the grade for which they are applying. For example, to qualify for the JS-12, one year of specialized experience must have been at the GS-11 level or equivalent.
Specialized Experience:
Experience in handling data extraction tasks, leveraging advanced programming languages such as R and Python.
Working with structured and unstructured data in secure or regulated environments.
Developing reproducible, well-documented code.
Communicating technical findings to non-technical audiences.
Competencies:
Advanced programming in R and Python.
Data engineering & workflow automation.
AI-Enhanced solutions, machine learning and large language modeling in data extraction processes.
Data visualization & communication.
Problem solving & technical leadership.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
Preference will be given to applicants with the following areas of experience:
Experience extracting data from multi-page, multi-format forms or documents.
Experience in complex extraction requirements, including extraction from checkbox forms.
Experience integrating R or Python programming in an Oracle-based system and database.
BENEFITS
The Commission participates in the following federal benefits: The Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) program; the Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance Program (FEDVIP), the Federal Employees Group Life Insurance (FEGLI) program, federal retirement, the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP), and the federal leave program. In addition, the Commission participates in the Judiciary's Flexible Spending Program for dependent care, health care, commuter reimbursement, the government-wide Long Term Care Insurance Program, unemployment, and workers' compensation benefits.
The Commission offers a monthly transit subsidy to employees who use mass transit to commute to and from work, subject to the availability of funds.
The Commission offers alternative work schedules (AWS), which are fixed work schedules that enable full-time employees to complete the basic 80-hour biweekly work requirement in less than 10 workdays.
The Commission offers regular telework (not full-time) to employees in positions deemed eligible by the staff director and who meet the requirements of an approved telework arrangement in which an employee performs official duties at home or at an approved telework site.
The Commission also offers training opportunities to employees through LinkedIn Learning, and the Judiciary's Online University, which offers academic credit and professional credit programs through web-based learning. These training tools assist Commission employees with taking online courses in a flexible way, by offering training courses in the areas of: staff training and development; credit toward undergraduate degree programs; continuing education and non-credit certificate programs; executive education; contract training; credit credentials courses for continuing professional education and credit for individuals who hold credentials and achieve certifications associated with several globally-recognized sponsored organizations.
Additional information
CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT
The selected applicant must relocate to the Washington DC Metropolitan area.
This position is in the excepted service and does not carry the tenure rights of positions in the competitive Civil Service.
All information is subject to verification. Applicants are advised that false answers or omissions of information on application materials or inability to meet the following conditions may be grounds for non-selection, withdrawal of an offer of employment, or dismissal after being employed.
Selection for this position is contingent upon completion of OF-306, Declaration for Federal Employment during the pre-employment process and proof of U.S. citizenship or, for noncitizens, proof of authorization to work in the United States and proof of entitlement to receive compensation. Additional information on the employment of non-citizens can be found at: https://help.usajobs.gov/working-in-government/non-citizensFor a list of documents that may be used to provide proof of citizenship or authorization to work in the United States, please refer to http://www.uscis.gov/files/form/i-9.pdf.
The Commission participates in E-Verify and will confirm your authorization to work in the United States.
A background security investigation is required for all selectees. Appointment will be subject to a selectee's successful completion of a background security investigation and favorable adjudication. Failure to successfully meet these requirements may be grounds for appropriate personnel action. A background security reinvestigation or supplemental investigation may be required at a later time.
All new Commission employees must identify a financial institution for direct deposit of pay before appointment, mandated by the Federal Compensation Act.
All new Commission employees, those converted from a temporary appointment to a permanent appointment, and all rehired former Commission employees are required to serve a one-year probationary period. The probationary period begins on the effective date of the employee's appointment, conversion, or rehire.
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.
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
How you will be evaluated
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
HOW YOU WILL BE EVALUATED
The Commission evaluates applicants through a structured interview, and practical assessments. Applicants may also be screened for some jobs through a narrative/application review, and/or a preliminary telephone interview. Applicants who do not address the qualification requirements (mandatory and preferred) in his or her application materials as stated in the vacancy announcement are automatically disqualified from consideration and must re-apply before the closing date to be considered for employment.
The Office of Human Resources:
Reviews the applicant's application to ensure the proper materials are submitted.
Ensures that the application addresses all the qualification requirements (mandatory and preferred) as stated in the vacancy announcement.
Determines whether the applicant meets the qualification requirements for the position and notifies the applicant about the status of his or her application.
Applicants who meet the mandatory qualification requirements will be considered and their application materials will be forwarded to the screening panel for review. Applicants who do not meet the mandatory qualification requirements for the position are automatically disqualified from consideration. In addition, applicants may be tested using various assessment tools not listed on the vacancy announcement to verify an applicant's experience, knowledge, and training directly related to the job to identify the best qualified applicants for consideration and selection.
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
In order to be considered, all applicants must submit an electronic resume (limited to 2 pages) and cover letter that address all of the qualification requirements listed in this announcement, and if available, provide a recent job performance evaluation and college transcripts. Applicants will also need to complete the online occupational questionnaire. All applications must be submitted at www.usajobs.gov.
United States Sentencing Commission
One Columbus Circle NE Suite 2-500
Washington, DC 20002
US
Next steps
Applicants who meet the mandatory qualification requirements will be considered and their application materials will be forwarded to the screening panel for review. Applicants who do not meet the mandatory qualification requirements for the position are automatically disqualified from consideration. In addition, some applicants may be tested using various assessment tools not listed on the vacancy announcement to verify an applicant's experience, knowledge, and training directly related to the job in order to identify the best qualified applicants for consideration and selection.
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
In order to be considered, all applicants must submit an electronic resume (limited to 2 pages) and cover letter that address all of the qualification requirements listed in this announcement, and if available, provide a recent job performance evaluation and college transcripts. Applicants will also need to complete the online occupational questionnaire. All applications must be submitted at www.usajobs.gov.
United States Sentencing Commission
One Columbus Circle NE Suite 2-500
Washington, DC 20002
US
Next steps
Applicants who meet the mandatory qualification requirements will be considered and their application materials will be forwarded to the screening panel for review. Applicants who do not meet the mandatory qualification requirements for the position are automatically disqualified from consideration. In addition, some applicants may be tested using various assessment tools not listed on the vacancy announcement to verify an applicant's experience, knowledge, and training directly related to the job in order to identify the best qualified applicants for consideration and selection.
Fair and transparent
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
