Clarification from the agency

Recent Graduates: If you completed a qualifying degree within the previous two years, you may apply. If you are a veteran who was prevented from applying during the 2-year period due to your military service, you may apply if your degree was completed within the last 6 years. Enrolled students: If you will complete your degree requirements within 30 DAYS of the closing date of the announcement, you may apply.

This Notice is issued under the Expedited Hiring Authority for College Graduates which allows federal agencies to use strategic recruiting to hire college graduates into professional and administrative positions.

THIS VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT WILL CLOSE WHEN WE HAVE RECIEVED 150 APPLICATIONS WHICH MAY BE SOONER THAN THE CLOSING DATE. LEARN MORE

A few key facts about this notice:

• Recent Graduates:  If you completed a qualifying degree within the previous two years, you may apply.  If you are a veteran who was prevented from applying during the 2-year period due to your military service, you may apply if your degree was completed within the last 6 years.
• Enrolled students:  If you will complete your degree requirements within 30 DAYS of the closing date of the announcement, you may apply.

This is an entry-level developmental position that provides training and hands-on experience supporting data science functions across the data lifecycle. The role assists senior data science staff with the collecting, managing, modeling, analyzing and visualizating HR related data to support reporting, and operational decision-making.

As a Data Scientist, you will:

Duties at the GS-7 level

• Provide support to the Lead Data Scientist and the Chief of the Product Service Center. Facilitate entry level HR data assignments. Gather and review data and perform entry level work to ensure accuracy, quality, reliability, and readiness for analysis.
• Assist with supporting automated and manual processes to maintain HR data pipelines, integration workflows, and data systems to ensure data accuracy and consistency. Assist higher-graded staff in developing non-complex datasets and applying standard validation procedures.
• Gather data and participates in discussions with the Lead Data Scientist and team members, as appropriate. Supports IT teams to ensure data accuracy and alignment with organizational requirements. Create spreadsheets and performs non-complex data management activities to support understanding of data sources, limitations, and applications. 
• Assist in creating non-complex data science solutions and products that provide actionable insights to support organizational goals. Gather information to support the development, testing, and refinement of dashboards, visualizations, and analytical tools. 
• Collaborate with the Product Support Center team to assist in providing input in determining best practices, assist with processes, troubleshoot enhancements, and support work and related activities to ensure effectiveness in all Center processes and activities.

Duties at the GS-9 level

• Perform HR data preparation, validation, and data management activities. Assist in querying and extracting data from HR systems using SQL or other analytical tools. Supports the cleaning, organizing, and validation of datasets to ensure accuracy and consistency.
• Provide analytical support in developing data products, reports, charts, dashboards, and visualizations using analytical tools and established reporting methods. Applies statistical concepts to summarize data and identify trends or patterns. 
• Apply statistical concepts to summarize data and identify trends or patterns in support of reporting and analytical activities. 
• Support testing and validation of reports and dashboards to ensure accuracy, consistency, and usability of analytical products for HR programs and operations.
• Collaborate with team members and stakeholders to support data management activities, reporting processes, and knowledge-sharing efforts related to data science activities. 

Conditions of employment

• US Citizenship or National (Residents of American Samoa and Swains Island)
• Meet all eligibility requirements within 30 days of the closing date.
• Register with Selective Service if you are a male born after 12/31/1959

If selected, you must meet the following conditions:

Qualifications

For each job on your resume, provide:

• the exact dates you held  each job (from month/year to month/year)
• number of hours per week you worked (if part time).    

If you have volunteered your service through a National Service program (e.g., Peace Corps, Americorps), we encourage you to apply and include this experience on your resume.

The GS-7 salary range starts at $52,693 per year.  The GS-9 salary range starts at $64,453. Locality pay will be determined upon selection. 

If you are a new federal employee, your starting salary will likely be set at the Step 1 of the grade for which you are selected.

This position has a positive education requirement: Applicants must submit a copy of their college or university transcript(s) and certificates by the closing date of announcements to verify qualifications. If selected, an official transcript will be required prior to appointment.  

BASIC REQUIREMENT for Data Scientist positions:

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 above, plus additional education or appropriate experience.

To qualify at the GS-7 level: In addition to the Basic Requirements above, all candidates must possess one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-05 level or higher in the Federal service. Specialized experience is experience:

• Collecting, reviewing, or working with data to ensure accuracy and reliability;
• Perforning basic data analysis (e.g., identifying trends, patterns, or discrepancies) using established methods; 
• Creating or working with spreadsheets, datasets, or reports; and
• Using computer programs or tools (e.g., spreadsheets, databases, or data visualization tools) to organize, analyze, or present data. 

OR

Education: One full year of graduate level education or Superior Academic Achievement (SAA).

OR

Combination of Education & Specialized Experience: A combination of graduate level education and appropriate experience that together meet the qualification requirements of this position.

Superior Academic Achievement (SAA) at the baccalaureate level is fully qualifying at the GS-7 level.  To claim SAA, submit documentation of one of the following:

1.      Class standing -- You must be in the upper third of your graduating class in the college, university, or major subdivision, such as the College of Liberal Arts or the School of Business Administration, based on completed courses.

2.      Grade-point average (rounded to one decimal point) of:

1. 3.0 or higher out of a possible 4.0 ("B" or better) as recorded on your official transcript, or as computed based on 4 years of education, or as computed based on courses completed during the final 2 years of your curriculum; or
2. 3.5 or higher out of a possible 4.0 ("B+" or better) based on the average of the required courses completed in your major field or the required courses in your major field completed during your final 2 years of the curriculum.

3.      Election to membership in a national scholastic honor society in one of the national scholastic honor societies listed by the Association of College Honor Societies.

To qualify at the GS-9 level: In addition to the Basic Requirements above, all candidates must possess one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-07 level or higher in the Federal service. Specialized experience is experience:

• Performing data preparation, validation, analysis, and data management activities;
• Retrieving, organizing, and analyzing data from automated systems or databases;
• Developing reports, dashboards, charts or data visualizations using analytical tools or software (e.g., SQL, Excel, Tableau, Power BI, Python, or similar tools); and
• Reviewing datasets and reports to support data accuracy and consistency.  

OR

Education: Master's (or equivalent graduate degree) or have completed 2 years of progressively higher graduate education leading to a Master's or equivalent degree. 

OR

COMBINATION: Combination of graduate education and specialized experience that when combined fulfills the requirements.

How you will be evaluated

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

Your qualifications will be evaluated based on your application materials (e.g., resume, supporting documents), and responses you provide on the application questionnaire. In addition to the application and application questionnaire, this position requires an online assessment. The online assessment measures critical general competencies required to perform the job. You will not be considered for the position if you fail to complete the assessment. You will be assessed on the following competencies:

• Oral Communication, Writing, Interpersonal Skills, Problem Solving, Teamwork, Technology Orientation, Customer Service, Attention to Detail, Self-Management.

Additional hurdle assessments, such as narrative responses or other assessments, may be administered to applicants who meet the requirements of the first hurdle. If additional assessments are used, you will be provided with further instructions.