Data Scientist, GS-1560-12, FPL 12, (Direct Hire) Open Continuous

Clarification from the agency

This announcement is open to all U.S. Citizens. This position may be filled through the Direct Hire Authority. All applicants who meet the qualification requirements will be forwarded to the selecting official for further consideration. Category Rating, Veterans Preference, Schedule A and traditional rating and ranking of applicants does not apply to this vacancy.

APPLICATION LIMIT: This vacancy announcement will close at 11:59PM Eastern Time on the listed closing date July 24, 2026. 

We encourage you to read this entire vacancy announcement prior to submitting your application.

As a Data Scientist, GS-1560-12, you will be responsible for:

• Develops and administers data analysis and visualization products used to analyze datasets for mission-critical reporting requirements.
• Performs analysis and evaluation of business requirements and user needs during the planning and design phases. Performing analysis and evaluation of business requirements and user needs during planning and design phases. Conducts data extraction utilizing computer programming techniques without preset specifications. Utilizes Structured Query Language (SQL) to read, write, and modify queries involved in data extraction.
• Develops plans for and trains others on assembling, evaluating, analyzing, and visually representing data.
• Develops an intermediate level of skill in most agency data competencies and an advanced level of skills in competencies relevant to the position.

Conditions of employment

• Relocation will not be paid.
• You may be subject to serve a one-year probationary period.
• Males 18 and over must be registered with the Selective Service.
• Must be a US Citizen.
• Must complete a background investigation and fingerprint check.

Condition of Employment:

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you may be required to serve a probationary period or trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: • your performance and conduct; • the needs and interests of the agency; • whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and • whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Upon completion of your probationary period OR trial period your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

You must meet all qualification requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this vacancy announcement.

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. We will consider all qualifying experience, including any volunteer experience.

Qualifications

This is an open-continuous announcement with cutoff dates. Applications will be referred based on receipt of application and established cutoff dates as follows:

1st cutoff date: 06/29/2026

2nd cutoff date: 07/10/2026

Last cutoff date: 07/24/2026

Minimum Qualification Requirements
You may meet the minimum qualifications for the GS-12, if you possess the specialize experience.
Specialized Experience for the GS-12
One year of experience in either federal or non-federal service that is equivalent to at least a GS-11 performing two (2) out of three (3) of the following duties or work assignments:

1.  Experience reviewing and analyzes data trends to supporting mission goals and provided recommendation based on findings. 
2.  Experience developing plans and training others on assembling, evaluating, analyzing, and visually representing data.
3.  Experience using a range of operations research analyses and data science tools to perform advanced professional and scientific analyst work.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs) 
The quality of your experience will be measured by the extent to which you possess the following knowledge, skills and abilities (KSAs). You do not need to provide separate narrative responses to these KSAs, as they will be measured by your responses to the occupational questionnaire (you may preview the occupational questionnaire by clicking the link at the end of the Evaluations section of this vacancy announcement).

1. Ability to apply data visualization and integration services and techniques.
2. Knowledge of data analyses, mathematics, statistical analysis, modeling/simulation, or other scientific concepts 
3. Knowledge of concepts, principles, and practices related to data management, data reliability, data validity, and statistical analysis
4. Knowledge of higher education processes, industry best practices, and compliance requirements related to the administration of Federal Student Aid programs.

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 application and documentation submitted to ensure you meet the basic qualification requirements. You will be evaluated based on how well you meet the qualifications and competencies listed in this vacancy announcement. Your qualifications will be evaluated based on your application materials (e.g., resume, supporting documents), and the result of the Monster Competency Based Assessment(s) required for this position. You will be assessed on the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics):

Non-Supervisory: Oral Communications, Writing, Interpersonal Skills, Problem Solving, Teamwork, Technology Orientation, Customer Service, Attention to Detail and Self-Management

You will be evaluated to determine if you meet qualifications required, and on the extent to which your application shows that you possess the knowledge, skills and abilities associated with this position as defined in the Qualifications section. Please be sure to give examples in your resume and explain how often you used these skills, the complexity of the knowledge you possessed, the level of people you interacted with, and the complexity and sensitivity of the issues you handled.

Based on the outcome of this evaluation, your application data may be further assessed by a Subject Matter Expert (SME) panel.  If your qualifications are not substantiated by your submitted resume, you may be eliminated from receiving further consideration.

If you are found to be amongst the most highly qualified applicants, you will be referred to the selecting official. As part of the assessment and selection process, the selecting official may invite you to participate in a structured interview, check your references, and/or request that you submit a writing sample or complete a written assessment or exercise to further evaluate your qualifications for this position.

You must submit (REQUIRED FOR ALL APPLICANTS):

• A resume demonstrating your education, experience, training, and accomplishments as it relates to the qualifications for this position and substantiating your responses to the occupational questionnaire. 

  Please limit your resume to 2 pages with the font size no smaller than 10 points.  If your resume is more than 2 pages, only the first 2 pages will be reviewed and considered for the qualifications determination. 

• Transcript: This position has a positive education requirement and requires proof of education for eligibility. You must submit an unofficial transcript that includes the following information: name of accredited institution, major(s), grades earned, completion dates, and quarter and semester hours earned. If any required coursework is not easily recognizable on transcripts, or if you believe a portion of a particular course can be credited toward meeting an educational requirement, you must also provide a memorandum on letterhead from the institution's registrar, dean, or other appropriate official stating the percentage of the course that should be considered to meet the requirement and the equivalent number of units. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable; however, if you are selected for the position, you will be required to produce the original official transcripts. This also applies to ED employees.
• If you are claiming Veteran's Preference, you must submit: A copy of your DD-214 that shows active service and character of discharge, OR A certification of expected discharge or release from active duty under honorable conditions within 120 days from the date of application (Current Active Duty Members only); AND/OR The Application for 10-Point Veteran Preference (SF-15) AND all documents indicated on the form as proof of type of preference; AND/OR Proof of Sole Survivorship Preference (e.g., certificate of death or 100% disability as a result of serving in the armed forces).
• Are you claiming special priority selection rights under the Interagency/Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP/CTAP)?
• If you are a current or former Federal employee who was displaced (for example, due to a Reduction-in-Force) and want priority consideration, you must submit the documents listed below.
• Required documents for Interagency/Career Transition Assistance Plan consideration (All are required):

           1. Proof that you were displaced, such as Reduction-in-Force (RIF) notice or notice of proposed removal.

2. SF-50s (Notification of Personnel Action) showing:
• RIF as the Nature of Action (Box 5B)
• Career or career-conditional status (Box 24 must be 1 or 2)
• Competitive status (Box 34 must be 1)
• Promotion potential or full performance level of the position from which you were or are being displaced. This is likely your appointment SF-50 for that position.
• Duty location

3. Your most recent performance appraisal showing a rating of Fully Successful or higher.

• Your Federal position at the time you were displaced must be within the local commuting area for a location listed in this announcement. The definition of local commuting area varies based on duty location and hiring agency policy. To receive priority consideration, you must also be found well-qualified, which means you score 75 or higher based on this announcement's assessment rating criteria.

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