The Division of Analytics and Surveillance (DAS) in the FERC Office of Enforcement and Regulatory Accounting (OERA) is seeking a motivated and skilled data scientist. Leverage your skills in Python, R, and SQL to contribute towards DAS’s wholesale electricity and natural gas surveillance and forensic analysis.

As a Data Scientist (Recent Graduate), some of your typical work assignments may include:

• Develop and maintain data pipelines using SQL/T-SQL, Python, R, Databricks, or Synapse
• Use Power BI, R, Python, SQL to analyze data and implement quality control checks
• Use GitHub for version control and collaborate with teammates
• Clearly present findings orally and in writing

The Recent Graduate Program lasts for one (1) year. You may be eligible for conversion to a permanent or term (1 – 4 years in duration) position once you complete the program, without further competition.

Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen or National.
• A one-year probationary period may be required.
• A background investigation is required.
• This is a bargaining unit position (AFGE Local 421).
• Generally, male applicants must be registered with the Selective Service.
• You must submit transcripts at the time of application.
• Relocation expenses will not be paid.
• If hired, you may be required to divest certain energy-related securities.
• Maximum of 2 page resume.

You must meet all eligibility and qualification (experience and/or education) requirements by the closing date of this announcement.

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary 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 your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

Qualifications

Eligibility: In order to be eligible for our Recent Graduates Program, you must:

• Be a recent graduate who has completed, within the last two years, a qualifying associates, bachelors, maters, professional, doctorate, vocational, or technical degree or certificate from a qualifying educational institution; AND
• Meet the qualification standards (e.g., series and grade).

Veterans unable to apply within two years of receiving their degree, due to military service obligations, have as much as six years after degree completion to apply. 

Qualifications: To view the qualification requirements of a Data Scientist (Recent Graduate), GS-1560, please visit: Data Scientist

In addition to the education required for this position, you must meet the qualifications outlined below: 

For the GS-7 level: You can qualify based on your education, OR one full year of specialized experience at or equivalent to the GS-05 level, OR have a combination education and experience. Specialized experience is defined as assisting in the aggregation and cleaning of data from multiple sources using Python, R, or SQL to support the development of standardized datasets for analysis.

For the GS-9 level: You can qualify based on your education, OR one full year of specialized experience at or equivalent to the GS-07  level, OR have a combination education and experience. Specialized experience is defined as experience extracting, aggregating, and cleaning complex data from relational databases via Python, R, or SQL to create standardized datasets for further analysis

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 any volunteer experience.

Please do not cut and paste  the position description, specialized experience, or occupational assessment questionnaire from this announcement into your resume, as this will not be considered a demonstration of your qualifications for this position.

How you will be evaluated

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

1. Once the vacancy announcement closes, we will review your resume and any supporting documentation to determine whether you meet the eligibility and minimum qualification requirements for the position. Your resume must address the following competencies (knowledge, skills, and abilities, and other characteristics):

   Data Management

   Problem Solving

   Technology Application

   Oral Communication

2. The online assessment is used to evaluate your relevant education and experience in relation to the required competencies for this position.
3. If you meet the eligibility and minimum qualification requirements, your application will be further evaluated based on your answers to the vacancy questionnaire, using the Category Rating Method. This means you will be placed into one of three categories: Best Qualified, Well Qualified, or Qualified, depending on your responses. Your rating may be lowered if your responses are not supported by the education and/or experience described in your resume. Veterans’ preference is applied by listing preference eligibles ahead of non-preference eligibles within the same category in which they are placed. Qualified preference eligibles with a compensable service-connected disability of at least 10 percent (CPS and CP) will be placed at the top of the highest quality category (Best Qualified), ahead of all other preference and non-preference eligibles, regardless of the quality category in which they are placed as a result of the assessment of their qualifications (excepted for scientific or professional at the GS-9 grade level and above). A selecting official may make selections from the highest quality category (Best Qualified), provided no preference eligibles in that category is passed over to select a non-preference eligible.
4. You may be required to participate in a selection interview. Please note - only your resume and cover letter will be forwarded to the selecting official.

Failure to submit all required documentation by the closing date of this vacancy announcement, including adhering to the maximum two-page resume requirement, will result in removal from consideration and loss of any special hiring preference (e.g., veterans’ preference, ICTAP/CTAP eligibility, Schedule A).

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS FOR ALL CANDIDATES:

1. RESUME (maximum of 2 pages in length): Your resume should describe your specialized experience and support your answers to the vacancy announcement questionnaire. You must ensure it contains the following information for each experience/position:
   • Position title
   • Name of employer
   • Beginning and ending dates of employment (Month/Day/Year format)
   • Hours worked per week
   • Detailed description of job duties, accomplishments, related skills, and responsibilities to include any supervisory/managerial responsibilities and number of staff supervised (if applicable)
   • Series and grade or equivalent (for federal positions)
   • If the position has an education requirement or you are qualifying based on your education, you must list your education history, including the type of degree and your major of study.
2. VACANCY QUESTIONNAIRE: You must submit and complete the online eligibility and vacancy questions.
3. TRANSCRIPTS: You MUST submit copies of your college transcripts to verify your eligibility. Unofficial copies are acceptable; however, if selected you will be required to provide official transcripts before your effective date.

OPTIONAL DOCUMENTS TO SUPPORT PREFERENCE OR ELIGIBILITY CLAIMS: 

1. VETERANS’PREFERENCE (DD-214, VA Disability Letter, etc.): If you are claiming veterans' preference, you must submit a copy of your Certificate of Release or Discharge From Active Duty, DD-214 (Member 4 copy), or other official documentation from a branch of the Armed Forces or the Department of Veterans Affairs showing dates of service and type of discharge. Ten-point preference eligibles must also submit an “Application for 10-point Veteran Preference” (SF-15), along with official VA letter and the required documentation listed on the back of the SF-15 form. For more information about veterans' preference, visit: https://www.usajobs.gov/Veterans.
2. CAREER TRANSITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (CTAP)/INTERAGENCY CAREER TRANSITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (ICTAP): These programs apply to employees who have been involuntarily separated from a Federal service position within the competitive service or Federal service employees whose positions have been deemed surplus or no longer needed. To receive selection priority for this position, you must: 1) meet CTAP or ICTAP eligibility criteria; 2) be rated “Well Qualified” for the position; and 3) submit the appropriate documentation to support your CTAP or ICTAP eligibility. For more information about CTAP/ICTAP, visit: http://www.opm.gov/rif/employee_guides/career_transition.asp. The following documents are required:
   • Reduction in Force or RIF notice – written notice of your expected separation, or other documentation of priority consideration status;
   • Latest SF-50 noting your current position, grade level, and duty location;
   • Last performance appraisal, including your rating; and
   • Any documentation from your agency showing your current promotion potential.

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