Data Scientist, CG-1560-11/12/13 Job in Washington, DC

Vacancy No. 2024-DIR-DHB514 Department Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation
Salary $91,143.00 to $211,867.00 Grade 11 to 13
Perm/Temp Permanent FT/PT Full-time
Open Date 6/13/2024 Close Date 6/27/2024
Job Link Apply Online Who may apply Public
Locations:
Washington, DC


Job Description (Please follow all instructions carefully)

Summary

This position is located in the Division of Insurance and Research, Center for Financial Research, and conducts and publishes research on the banking industry, bank regulation, financial markets, and deposit insurance.

Additional selections may be made from this vacancy announcement to fill identical vacancies that occur subsequent to this announcement.

This job is open to

Clarification from the agency

All U.S. Citizens. This is a Direct-Hire Public Notice.

Duties

  • Conducts analyses for complex data analysis projects, including projects that use leading-edge analytic approaches common to the field of data science, including the Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (AI/ML) techniques, Natural Language Processing (NLP) and Large Language Model (LLMs), statistical analysis, geographic analysis, data visualizations, and application/model development.
  • Uses computational, statistical, and machine learning methods to conduct in-depth analyses and derive insights from large and complex data sources in multiple formats including structured, unstructured, semi-structured, transactional, and survey data using statistical software and/or programming languages. Develops custom computer program code to extract, combine, analyze, and interpret large and/or complex datasets to derive data-driven conclusions and solutions.
  • Develops and maintains comprehensive, up-to-date knowledge of large, complex datasets related to the banking and financial system, including the uses and limitations of these datasets for a variety of different types of analyses.   
  • Develops and maintains expertise in the efficient use of a variety of high-performance computing environments (including cloud platforms and technologies), statistical programming languages and software (such as Python, R, and SQL), and distributed computing software and databases (such as Apache Spark and Greenplum).
  • Develops and maintains advanced proficiency in evolving Geographic Information System (GIS) analytic capabilities for using spatial data in analyses including the use of internal and external spatial data and GIS software (such as Google Maps API, ArcGIS, ArcPy, or QGIS).
  • Clearly and concisely communicates analytic results, conclusions, and AI/ML concepts orally and in writing to technical and non-technical audiences both internally and externally.
  • Participates in agency-wide and interagency forums covering data science, analytics, and other data-related topics.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

Registration with the Selective Service.

U.S. Citizenship is required.  

Employment Conditions.

Completion of Financial Disclosure may be required.

Minimum Background Investigation (MBI) required.

Qualifications

Qualifying experience may be obtained in the private or public sector. 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.  Additional qualifications information can be found here.
Basic Requirement for CG-11:
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.

AND 

Specialized Experience: To qualify, applicants must have completed at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the 9 grade level or above in the Federal service.  Specialized experience is defined as experience writing code in either Python or R to conduct economic, statistical, or machine-learning analyses.
OR 
By Substituting Education: Applicants must possess a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree or 3 years of progressively higher level full-time graduate education leading to such a degree. Major field of study: mathematics, statistics, computer science, data science or field directly related to the position. 
OR 
By Combination of Education and Experience: A combination of graduate level education beyond the second full year of graduate level education, and specialized experience as described above, that together meet the qualification requirements for this position.
Basic Requirement for CG-12:
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.

AND 

Specialized Experience: To qualify, applicants must have completed at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the 11 grade level or above in the Federal service. Specialized experience is  defined as experience conducting economic, statistical, or machine-learning analyses by writing code in Python or R; and conducting economic, statistical, or machine-learning analyses using either unstructured data or Linux-based high-performance computing clusters or cloud platforms (such as AWS, Azure, Databricks, etc.).

Basic Requirement for CG-13:
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.

AND

Specialized Experience: To qualify, applicants must have completed at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the 12 grade level or above in the Federal service.  Specialized experience is defined as experience is writing code in either Python or R to conduct machine learning analyses including using at least one of the following: neural networks, random forest, boosting, K nearest neighbors, support vector machines, K-means clustering, and Natural Language Processing.

YOU MUST PROVIDE ALL TRANSCRIPT(S) (unofficial copy is acceptable).

Education

See requirements stated under QUALIFICATIONS.

Additional information

Selectee(s) for this position will be required to report to their duty station office at least 1 day per pay period beginning January 2, 2024, and at their supervisor’s direction to support mission and project needs. In person reporting requirements are expected to increase in July 2024.

To read about your rights and responsibilities as an applicant for Federal employment, click here.

If selected, you may be required to serve a probationary period.

Benefits

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.

In addition to the regular benefits offered by Federal agencies, the FDIC offers additional benefits to its employees. These benefits, some at minimal cost, are some of the best and most competitive in both the private and public sectors.

To find out more, click here.

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.

This is a Direct-Hire Public Notice.  Applications will be accepted for the location identified in the public notice.  Veteran’s preference and traditional rating and ranking of applicants DO NOT apply to positions filled under this public notice. 

All complete applications (transcripts must be included, if applicable) will be verified for eligibility requirements and will be submitted to the hiring official upon request.

https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/hiring-information/direct-hire-authority/#url=Governmentwide-Authority

Upon the submission of your application package to USAJobs.gov, you will receive an automatic reply informing you that your application has been submitted, received and is being processed. If you provided an email address, you will receive an email message acknowledging the receipt of your application. Your application will remain active through the open period of this Public Notice. You will not receive any additional notifications, and your resume may not be reviewed for qualifications unless a position is requested to be filled by the hiring official. After you submit your application, you will be contacted only if further evaluation or interviews are required or upon your selection.”

If requested by Management, your application will be reviewed to determine whether you meet the qualification requirements outlined in this announcement. Therefore, it is imperative that your resume contain sufficiently detailed information upon which to make the qualification determination. Please ensure that your resume contains specific information such as position titles, beginning and ending dates of employment for each position, average number of hours worked per week, and if the position is/was in the Federal government, you should provide the position series and grade level.

You do not need to respond separately to these KSAs. Your resume will serve as responses to the KSAs.

1. Skill interpreting the results of AI/ML analytic techniques, including supervised, unsupervised, and reinforcement learning, and NLP, using statistical programs and programming languages (such as Python and R).

2. Knowledge of the assumptions underlying AI/ML and NLP techniques and LLMs, and the limitations of these techniques.

3. Knowledge of statistics, economics, and modeling, to analyze data pertaining to the operations and performance of financial institutions and the financial system.

4. Knowledge of the tools and techniques for combining and analyzing datasets (including structured, semi-structured, unstructured, transactional, and survey data) in distributed or high-performance computing (HPC) environments (i.e., Spark, Greenplum, etc.).

5. Ability to develop and implement automated solutions to analytical problems including the identification and on-boarding of relevant data sources; manipulation, and creation of derived metrics; identification and implementation of AI/ML, GIS and task automation methodologies; and visualization and communication of analytical results.

6. Ability to organize, prioritize, and complete data analytic tasks with limited supervision.

7. Ability to communicate analytic results, conclusions, and AI/ML, and NLP concepts

8. Knowledge of communication and negotiation techniques to establish and maintain relationships within the Agency and Division as well as other Federal regulators, government agencies, and private sector organizations.


You may preview questions for this vacancy.

Required Documents

INTERAGENCY TRANSITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (ICTAP): If you are a displaced Federal employee eligible for consideration under ICTAP, you must submit proof of eligibility. For more information, click here

EDUCATION DOCUMENTS:  If you are using education to meet all or part of the qualification requirements, submit a copy of your college transcript (an unofficial transcript is acceptable). Education must be from accredited institutions. For a listing of accredited educational institutions, click here. An official transcript will be required if you are selected. If you attended more than one university and need to send multiple transcripts, please upload/fax all transcripts as one document.

Foreign Education:  If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show that the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program. For more information, click here.

If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:

Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

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.

How to Apply

To begin, click the “Apply” button and follow the prompts. If you haven’t already, register and establish a USAJOBS account. After you register online, click the “Apply” button to complete the online assessment questionnaire, and submit all required documents. Please be sure to click “Submit Application” to complete the application process. You must apply online.

Applicants requesting an exception from the online process must contact the Human Resources Specialist or point of contact listed in this announcement prior to 12:00 noon local time on the closing date.

To return to your saved application, log in to your USAJOBS account and click on “Applications” tab. Click on the “Position Title,” and then select “Update Application” or “Additional Application Information” to continue.

You have until 11:59 p.m. ET (Eastern Time) on the closing date of this announcement to complete the application process.

Please ensure you have completed the application process by verifying the status of your application on-line to reflect: “Received”. Failure to complete the application process will result in an incomplete application and you will not be considered for the position.

Agency contact information

Engelbert Espiritu
Phone
415-808-8182
TDD
1-800-925-4618
Fax
000-000-0000
Email
eespiritu@fdic.gov
Address
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation
FDIC Human Resources Branch
25 Jessie Street at Ecker Square
Suite 904
San Francisco, CA, California 94105
United States
Learn more about this agency

Next steps

You may check the status of your application on-line 24 hours a day, 7 days a week through USAJOBS by signing in and selecting "Application Status." Thank you for your interest in working for the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation.


Note: We cannot accept applications on behalf of Federal Agencies. Application instructions are listed within the Job Description.