Clarification from the agency

Recent College Graduates from qualifying institutions within two years of degree or certification (Veterans precluded by their military service obligation, will have up to six years to apply).

• Performs advanced queries using database and analytical tools (e.g. SQL Server) and programming languages (e.g. Python, R, and Java) to analyze data and develop data-analytical visualizations.
• Provides data science expertise to a wide range of highly complex initiatives and projects focused on the development of cutting-edge tools and resources to easily access, store, analyze, and exchange complex, high-quality data.
• Defines data requirements and integration of enabling technologies to collect, extract, engineer, and transform data from traditional and non-traditional sources.
• Analyzes a variety of data sources to provide data-driven insights to the organization to streamline processes and evaluate the effectiveness of the program operations in meeting established goals and objectives.
• Designs, implements, and evaluates large, complex analytical applications, projects, and studies, applying a combination of computational and machine learning methods to new or Big Data using next generation analytical tools.

Conditions of employment

• Applicants must meet all qualification requirements by the closing date of this announcement.
• You must be a U.S. Citizen.
• You must successfully complete a background investigation.
• A one-year probationary period may be required. If non-competitively converted, the time spent as a Recent Graduate will count towards the probationary period.
• This position is in the excepted service.
• This is a bargaining unit position. This position is covered by one or more of the following bargaining units: American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local 2782(HQ) or AFGE Local 1438(DN).
• You must sign a Pathways Agreement.
• This announcement will close at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on the date the first 100 applicants are receive or on May 20, 2026 whichever comes first.
• You may be required to complete a financial disclosure (OGE-450).

Qualifications

MINIMUM QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:

Basic Entry Requirements for All Grade Levels:

You must be a Recent College Graduates from qualifying institutions within two years of degree or certification (Veterans precluded by their military service obligation, will have up to six years to apply).

Students with a transcript with a degree confer date on or before June 30, 2026, will be considered for the Recent Graduate Program. Graduation/expected graduation date MUST be indicated on your resume.

NOTE: To show proof of meeting the Basic Entry Requirements, all applicants MUST submit a copy of their college transcripts. See the Required Documents section for more information.

Minimum Education Requirement:
Individual Occupational Requirement for all grades:

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.

In addition to meeting the minimum education requirement listed above, applicants must have specialized experience and/or directly related education in the amounts listed below for each grade level.

GS-07:
SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: For the GS-07, you must have one year of experience at a level of difficulty and responsibility equivalent to the GS-05 in the Federal service. Experience for this position includes: (1) analyzing data modeling concepts and reviewing data for trends from multiple systems, (2) assisting in research and statistical analysis on available data to improve program materials and documentation, and (3) perform basic queries using various types of database and analytical tools.

OR YOU MAY QUALIFY FOR THE GS-07 BASED ON EDUCATION1 year of graduate-level education or superior academic achievement

Superior Academic Achievement: Bachelor's degree with superior academic achievement is defined as:(1) Class standing -- You must be in the upper third of the graduating class in the college, university, or major subdivision based on completed courses, (2) Grade-point average (G.P.A.) -- You must have 3.0 or higher out of a possible 4.0 based on 4 years of education, or as computed based on courses completed during the final 2 years of the curriculum OR 3.5 or higher out of a possible 4.0 based on the average of the required courses completed in the major field or the required courses in the major field completed during the final 2 years of the curriculum, or(3) Election to membership in a national scholastic honor society -- You are a member of one of the national scholastic honor societies recognized by the Association of College Honor Societies (https://www.achshonor.org/)

GS-09:
SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: For the GS-09, you must have one year of experience at a level of difficulty and responsibility equivalent to the GS-07 in the Federal service. Experience for this position includes: (1) providing support as a member of a team in the development, modification, and utilization of applications; database design and development; (2) participating in defining data requirements and the integration of enabling technologies to collect, extract, engineer, and transform data from traditional and non-traditional sources, (1) analyzing and interpreting data modeling, algorithms, and coding data requirements, (4) assisting in evaluating cutting-edge technological advances in products and technologies related to data and information technology sciences (e.g., cloud-based data-analytical frameworks and platforms; interoperability among platforms, ontologies/vocabularies, and other systems).

OR YOU MAY QUALIFY FOR THE GS-09 BASED ON EDUCATION:2 years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a master's degree or master's or equivalent graduate degree

NOTE: Education and experience may be combined for all grade levels for which both education and experience are acceptable.

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.

After you submit this application, you will receive an e-mail informing you that a USA Hire assessment is required. You will have 48 hours from the closing date of this announcement, 05/20/2026, to complete the assessment as this assessment is part of your application.

How you will be evaluated

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

You will be evaluated based on how well you meet the qualifications listed in this vacancy announcement. Your qualifications will be evaluated based on your application materials (e.g., resume, supporting documents), your responses on the application questionnaire, and your responses to all assessments required for this position.

Category Rating Procedures: If you meet the minimum qualifications stated in the job opportunity announcement and scoring requirements for all applicable assessments, you will be placed in one of three pre-defined categories. These categories are "gold," "silver," and "bronze." Candidates placed in the "gold" category will be identified for referral to the hiring manager and may be invited for an interview.

How you will be evaluated for preference eligibility: Within each category, those entitled to veterans' preference will be listed at the top of the pre-defined category for which they are placed. Preference eligibles with a service-connected disability of 10% or more will be listed at the top of the highest quality category (gold), except for Professional and Scientific positions at the GS-9 grade level and above. For more information on category rating, please go to: OPM: Competitive Hiring - Category Rating

Online Assessment: Applicants must complete the online USA Hire Competency Based Assessments measuring critical general competencies required to perform the job. Examples used in the assessment may include general situations not directly related to this position.Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application materials or application questionnaire may result in your removal from consideration. Cheating on an assessment may also result in your removal from consideration.

You will be assessed on the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics):

• Attention to Detail
• Flexibility
• Integrity/Honesty
• Interpersonal Skills
• Reading Comprehension
• Reasoning
• Teamwork

We recommend that you preview the online questions for this announcement before you start the application process.

Do NOT include the following types of information in your application if included on your resume you will not be considered for this position:

• Social Security Number (SSN)
• Date of Birth (DOB)
• Photos of yourself
• Personal information: such as age, gender, religious affiliation, etc.

To preview the application questionnaire, click the following link: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12906957.

The documents you are required to submit vary based on the authority you are using to apply. Your complete application includes your resume, your responses to the online questionnaire, and documents which prove your eligibility to apply. If you fail to provide these documents, you will be marked as having an incomplete application package and you will not be considered any further.

Your application package should include the following documents:

• Resume: Your resume must not exceed two (2) pages. If your resume exceeds the two-page limit, you will be deemed disqualified and removed from consideration. Your resume must include your educational and relevant work experience for the position for which you are applying to include the title and dates (mm/yy) of employment along with the number of hours worked per week. If your resume does not contain this information, your application may be marked as incomplete, and you will not receive consideration for this position.
• Veterans' Preference Documentation: Please indicate on your resume the type of veterans' preference you are claiming and provide the appropriate supporting documentation (DD-214 stating disposition of discharge or character of service, VA letter, SF-15, etc.) to validate your claim. For more information regarding eligibility requirements, please go to: Veteran's Resource Page.
• Education Documentation: If this position requires proof of higher education, or you are substituting education for experience, you must submit an unofficial transcript or a list of courses that includes the following information: name of accredited institution, grades earned, completion dates, and quarter and semester hours earned. This also applies to Census Bureau employees. Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the requirements. Please refer to OPM's Qualification Policy for more information.

You are not required to submit official documents at this time; copies are sufficient.It is the applicant's responsibility to provide documentation or proof that he or she has met the applicable educational provisions described. If you earned your degree in a foreign country, you must provide an U.S. equivalency evaluation of your education by a private U.S. organization (credential evaluation service).

Special Instructions for Foreign Education: Qualifying education from colleges and universities in foreign countries must be evaluated in terms of equivalency to that acquired in U.S. colleges and universities. Applicants educated in whole or in part in foreign countries must submit sufficient evidence, including transcripts, to an accredited private organization for an equivalency evaluation of course work and degree. You must provide a copy of the letter containing the results of the equivalency evaluation with a course-by-course listing along with your application. Failure to provide such documentation when requested will result in lost consideration. For further information on the evaluation of foreign education, refer to the U.S. Department of Education's web site at Academic and Professional Mobility | International Affairs Office (ed.gov).

NOTE: You will not be considered if you fail to provide all required documents.

• Resume

Next steps