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Data Scientist

Department of Defense
Defense Contract Audit Agency
DCAA-Headquarters

Summary

Reemployed annuitant: This vacancy does not meet the criteria for appointment of annuitants.

Overview

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Accepting applications
Open & closing dates
05/07/2026 to 05/21/2026
Salary
$125,776 - $163,514 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 14
Locations
1 vacancy in the following locations:
Anaheim, CA
Lone Tree, CO
Melbourne, FL
Indianapolis, IN
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
No
Travel Required
25% or less - You may be expected to travel for this position.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
Yes—You may qualify for reimbursement of relocation expenses in accordance with agency policy.
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
14
Job family (Series)
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Other
Drug test
Yes
Position sensitivity and risk
Noncritical-Sensitive (NCS)/Moderate Risk
Trust determination process
Financial disclosure
Yes
Bargaining unit status
No
Announcement number
DCAA-26-HQ-12953772
Control number
868333800

This job is open to

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Clarification from the agency

All U.S. Citizens

Duties

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  • Serves as a Data Scientist in DCAA, CDAO Division. Plans, directs, and coordinates data initiatives including pipelines, integration efforts, and enterprise data products, setting milestones, methods, resources, and data sources to support the Agency
  • Directs, plans, and conducts research and analytical studies of Agency data challenges. Recommends data collection, integration, and retention requirements, and communicates technical approaches and findings clearly to analysts and senior leaders.
  • Serves as team lead and SME integrating advanced software tools into DCAA decisions. Designs and optimizes data structures, transformations, and integration processes to curate large structured and unstructured datasets for analytics and ML use.
  • Leads discussions with stakeholders, senior leaders, stewards, architects, and partners to translate mission needs into scalable data solutions. Presents results and ensures delivered data products meet internal customer and decision-maker needs.
  • Externally – Initiates and maintains liaison with data science and engineering peers across agencies and societies to facilitate the mutual exchange of new analytical techniques, data modeling methodologies, and data governance frameworks.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • Must be a U.S Citizen as verified through E-Verify Program

Qualifications

All qualification and time-in-grade (if applicable) requirements must be met within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement.

You must meet the minimum qualification requirements as stated in the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Operating Manual, Qualification Standards for General Schedule Positions, http://www.opm.gov/qualifications/Standards/group-stds/gs-prof.asp.

Basic Requirement:

  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.

Specialized Experience:GS-14 - In addition to meeting the basic requirement you must have one year of specialized experience at the GS-13 or equivalent level. Specialized experience must be documented in your resume.
Specialized experience is defined as: directing and conducting complex data science and data preparation activities on large structured, semi-structured, and unstructured datasets, including designing and optimizing data integration processes, transformations, and data structures that enable analytics, automation, and machine learning use cases; OR applying advanced quantitative, machine learning, or predictive techniques to develop innovative, data-driven solutions that improve operational analytics and support critical business and audit decisions; OR leading the full lifecycle of data-centric projects, from defining objectives and recommending data collection, integration, and retention requirements, to presenting findings and providing authoritative policy recommendations to senior leadership; OR providing input to and supporting enterprise data governance frameworks, including data classification, lineage, metadata cataloging, and integration with enterprise data and governance platforms, using languages such as SQL, Python, or R and modern data platform tools.

Volunteer Experience: 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 to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

Education

Substitution of Education for Specialized Experience: There is no substitution of education for experience at this grade level.

Additional information

DCAA has a comprehensive benefits package that includes retirement, social security and thrift savings; health, life and long term care insurance; paid vacation, sick leave and holidays. DCAA employees enjoy our business-casual dress code, flexible work schedules, and transit subsidies.

Selective Service: Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered or exempt from Selective Service (see www.sss.gov).

Initial Trial Period: Accepting this position, you may be required to serve a I-year probationary period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest.

Background Investigation: All selectees will be subject to a personnel security investigation which must be favorably adjudicated for occupancy of a sensitive position and/or access to classified information. If you are selected for a critical/special sensitive position, you will be subject to a Single Scope Background Investigation (SSBI). For a critical sensitive position, you must be able to obtain and maintain security clearance eligibility at the Top-Secret level. For a special sensitive position, you must be able to obtain and maintain security clearance eligibility at the Top Secret/Sensitive Compartmented Information (TS/SCI) level AND you will be subject to a random counterintelligence scope polygraph.

Drug Testing: If you are given access to classified information, you will be subject to random drug testing. If you are selected for a critical/special sensitive position, you will be placed in a drug testing designated position. You must pass a drug test before your assignment to such a position and you will be subject to random drug testing subsequent to your assignment.

PCS: Relocation expenses reimbursed - Yes - You may qualify for reimbursement of relocation expenses in accordance with agency policy. Relocation expenses will be offered based on agency staffing needs and budgetary availability.

Performance Appraisal: If you are a current Federal employee, you must be rated fully successful or higher on your current performance rating to be eligible for promotion. You may be asked to provide a copy of your performance appraisal during the evaluation and selection process.

Telework: 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.

All applicants are encouraged to apply electronically. If you are unable to apply on-line, you may contact 317-212-0454 for assistance.

This position is not covered by a bargaining unit.

Are you looking for an inclusive and employee-friendly work environment, challenging assignments, specialized training and generous benefits? At DCAA you'll find all this in a progressive organization dedicated to continuous improvement. DCAA is ranked in the top third of the "Best Places to Work in the Federal Government." Join the elite cadre of professionals who have made DCAA their employer of choice. You will be providing a unique service to your country and making a difference in the lives of Americans everywhere!

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.

Your application will initially be reviewed to determine whether you meet the minimum eligibility and qualifications requirements. If you are qualified, you will then receive a numeric score based on the degree to which your background matches the knowledge, skills and abilities for the position listed below. If a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications, you will be assigned a rating commensurate with your background. Your final score will be used to determine if you are among the best qualified candidates.
Competencies:

  • Project Management
  • Communication
  • Data Analysis
  • Customer Service
  • Technical Competence

Criminal History Inquiries- If you apply to this position and are selected, we will not ask about your criminal history before you receive a conditional job offer. If you believe you were asked about your criminal history improperly, contact the agency @ dcaa.belvoir.hq.mbx.ask-lmer@mail.mil

Defense Contract Audit Agency

Agency contact information

HR Customer Care Center
Phone
(317) 212-0454
Email
dfas.indianapolis-in.zh.mbx.dfasmeritcc@mail.mil
Address
DCAA - HEADQUARTERS
8725 John J. Kingman Road
Ft. Belvoir, VA 22060
US

Visit our careers page

Learn more about what it's like to work at Defense Contract Audit Agency, what the agency does, and about the types of careers this agency offers.

http://www.dcaa.mil

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