Interdisciplinary (Data Scientist) Job in Anywhere in the U.S. (remote job)

Vacancy No. FSIS-25-MDH-12624388-JM Department Food Safety and Inspection Service
Salary $73,939.00 to $144,031.00 Grade 11 to 12
Perm/Temp Permanent FT/PT Full-time
Open Date 1/8/2025 Close Date 1/14/2025
Job Link Apply Online Who may apply Public
Locations:
Anywhere in the U.S. (remote job)


Summary

This position is located within the Office of Planning, Analysis, and Risk Management (OPARM)

OPARM performs complementary and collaborative work and is tasked with integrating and analyzing relational data. The program also provides data visualization and analytics services to support FSIS decision-making, policy development, risk management, and strategic planning.

This job is open to

Clarification from the agency

This position will be filled with either the Mathematical Statistics Series 1529 or the Data Science Series 1560 using the GW-007 Government-wide Direct Hire Authority for Scientific, Technical, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) positions. This announcement serves as public notice for the use of the direct hire authority. Category rating, veteran's preference, and traditional rating and ranking of applicants do not apply.

Duties

  • Analyze and interpret data to inform decision making.
  • Verify and validate analysis results.
  • Write statistical computer programs and algorithms using Python/Structured Query Language (SQL).
  • Use relational databases to extract and transform data.
  • Develop innovative approaches to analyze data.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

  • U.S. Citizenship is required.
  • Subject to satisfactory adjudication of background investigation and/or fingerprint check.
  • You may be subject to satisfactory completion of one year probationary or trial period.
  • If you are selected, you may need to complete a Declaration for Federal Employment (OF-306) prior to being appointed to determine suitability for federal employment and to authorize a background investigation.
  • False statements or responses on a resume or application can jeopardize employment and may be grounds for disciplinary action, including removal from federal service.
  • You must have your salary sent to your financial institution by direct deposit/electronic funds transfer.
  • If you are newly hired, the documentation you present for purposes of completing the Department Homeland Security (DHS) Form I-9 on your entry-on-duty date will be verified through the E-Verify system.
  • You must pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more, including your rights and responsibilities, visit E-Verify at https://www.e-verify.gov/
  • You must be able to obtain and maintain a security clearance. Failure to successfully meet these requirements could lead to adverse action proceedings including possible termination.
  • Male applicants born after December 31, 1959, must complete a pre-employment certification statement for Selective Service registration.

Qualifications

Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement.

In addition to the specialized experience requirement, both the Mathematical Statistics Series 1529 and the Data Science Series 1560 have an Individual Occupational Requirement (IOR) that you must meet to qualify for the position.

Mathematical Statistics Series 1529:
  • Degree: that included 24 semester hours of mathematics and statistics, of which at least 12 semester hours were in mathematics and 6 semester hours were in statistics.
or
  • Combination of education and experience -- at least 24 semester hours of mathematics and statistics, including at least 12 hours in mathematics and 6 hours in statistics, as shown in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education.
Follow this link for more information on the mathematical statistics series: OPM Mathematical Statistics Series

Data Science Series 1560:
  • 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
  • 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.
Follow this link for more information on the data science series: OPM Data Science Series 1560

Specialized experience: Your resume must show one year of experience equivalent to the GS-9 grade or its equivalent in the federal service. Your resume must show detailed descriptions of your experience to show that you meet all of the elements for each grade. You can also qualify at the GS-11 grade with education, as described in the Education section below.

To qualify at the GS-11 grade, you must have one year of experience at the GS-9 grade or its equivalent in the federal service in the following:
  • Writing computer programs and algorithms using Python and SQL.
  • Independently extracting and transforming data from relational databases using Python and/or SQL. You must show specific examples of your experience and describe the systems you have utilized.
  • Reviewing software coding for accuracy. Your resume should show specific examples of using Python and SQL.
  • Developing visualizations that combine data from multiple sources using tools such as SQL, R, Python, and Power BI.
  • Contributing to data analysis projects that are assigned by senior analysts. Your resume must show examples of those projects.
To qualify for the GS-12 grade, your resume must show one year of experience equivalent to the GS-11 grade or its equivalent in the federal service.
  • Writing computer programs and algorithms using Python and SQL.
  • Independently extracting and transforming data from relational databases using Python and/or SQL. You must show specific examples of your experience and describe the systems you have utilized.
  • Reviewing software coding for accuracy. Your resume should show specific examples of using Python and SQL.
  • Developing interactive visualizations that combine data from multiple sources using tools such as SQL, R, Python, and Power BI.
  • Designing and implementing plans to accomplish analytic or computer programming projects.
  • Leading data analysis projects to capture and implement data requirements and business rules.
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.

Education

You can qualify for the GS-11 grade with education as follows:

  • Three years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree or Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree
  • Combination of education and experience: Only education beyond the first two years of progressively higher education is creditable towards meeting the requirement. To determine if you qualify, calculate the percentage of the education you have completed towards the remaining requirement. Then calculate the percentage of the one year of professional work experience that you have completed. When added together, the combination of the two percentages must be at least 100%
To be creditable, the course of study must be directly related to this position.

Transcripts must be submitted to show that you meet the basic requirement. An unofficial copy is sufficient with the application; however, it must include student name, school name, and enough information to validate qualifications such as course names, prefixes, grades, semester or quarter credit hours, date degree was awarded, etc. Official transcripts must be submitted prior to entering on duty.

Education must have been obtained from an accredited school, college, or university, Follow this link to verify your institution's credentialing: Dept. of Education Accredited Schools

If any education was completed at a foreign institution, you must submit evidence that the institution is accredited by an accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education as equivalent to U.S. education standards. Follow these links to those credentialing organizations:

Additional information

This position is being concurrently announced at the GS-9 grade under delegated examining procedures (job announcement number FSIS-25-MCE-12661651-JM). Applying to both announcements may expand the possibilities for consideration since different referral criteria apply to each type of announcement.

This announcement may be used to additional similar vacancies.

Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP), Reemployment Priority List (RPL), or Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP): Visit the OPM website for information on how to apply as a CTAP, RPL, or ICTAP eligible.

To exercise selection priority for this vacancy, CTAP/RPL/ICTAP candidates must meet the basic eligibility requirements and all selective factors. CTAP/ICTAP candidates must be rated and determined to be well qualified (or above) based on an evaluation of the competencies listed in the How You Will Be Evaluated section. When assessed through a score-based category rating method, CTAP/ICTAP applicants must receive a rating of at least 85 out of a possible 100.

The federal government will not deny employment simply because an individual has been unemployed or has had financial difficulties that have arisen through no fault of the individual. To see more information visit CHCO Council.

If you are selected at the GS-11 grade, you will be placed under a career development plan, and may be non-competitively promoted if you successfully complete the requirements and if recommended by management. However, promotion is neither implied nor guaranteed.

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.

Review our benefits

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.

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



Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application materials or application questionnaire may result in your removal from consideration.

Your application, including the online assessment questionnaire will be reviewed to determine if you meet the minimum qualification requirements and determine if your resume supports your answers to the assessment questionnaire. Your resume must clearly support your responses to all the questions addressing experience and education relevant to this position. Applicants who meet the qualification requirements will be referred to the hiring manager for consideration.

Follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your rating. Providing inaccurate information on federal documents could be grounds for non-selection or disciplinary action up to including removal from the federal service.

Follow the link below to preview the online questionnaire. The preview does not initiate the application process.

https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12624388

Required Documents

To apply for this position, you must provide a complete application package which includes:

Resume with the following:

  • Personal information such as name, address, contact information.
  • Detailed work experience related to this position as described in the major duties, including work schedule.
  • Hours worked per week, dates of employment; and title, series, grade (if applicable).
  • Supervisor's phone number and whether or not the supervisor may be contacted for a reference check.
  • Other qualifications.
Your application may be disqualified if you include any of the information listed here: What should I leave out of my resume?

Follow this link if you need assistance creating a federal resume USAJOBS - writing a federal resume.

Transcripts are required. See the Education section for more information.

Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP), Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP), Reemployment Priority List (RPL):
  1. Proof of eligibility (RIF separation notice, notice of proposed removal for declining a transfer of function or directed reassignment to another commuting area, notice of disability annuity termination).
  2. SF-50 documenting separation (as applicable), and your most recent SF-50 noting position, grade level, and duty location with your application per 5 CFR 330.
  3. Most recently performance appraisal dated within 18 months showing the official rating of record. The appraisal must be signed by a supervisor, or you must submit statement explaining why the performance appraisal is unavailable. Do not submit a performance plan.

How to Apply

Read the entire announcement and all the instructions before you apply. Your application package must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST) to receive consideration. The application process is as follows:

1. Click the Apply Online button.

2. Answer the questions presented in the application and attach all necessary supporting documentation.

3. Click the Submit Application button prior to 11:59 p.m. (EST) on the announcement closing date.

To update your application, including supporting documentation: During the announcement open period, return to your USAJOBS account, find your application record, and click Edit My Application. This option will no longer be available once the announcement has closed.

To view the announcement status or your application status: Click on Job Status. Your application status page is where you can view your application status, USA Hire assessment completion status, and review your notifications sent by the hiring agency regarding your application.

Verify that documents you are uploading from USAJOBS transfer into the staffing system as there is a limitation to the number of documents that can be transferred. However, once in the staffing system, you will have the opportunity to upload additional documents. Uploaded resumes must be less than 5MB and in one of the following document formats: GIF, JPG, JPEG, PNG, RTF, PDF, TXT or Word (DOC or DOCX). Do not upload Adobe Portfolio documents because they are not viewable.

If you do not have access to the Internet, you are strongly encouraged to visit your library, state employment office, or another establishment that provides internet service to complete the online application and the assessment questionnaire. If you are unable to apply using the internet, please fax your request for an application package along with your name and mailing address to: HR (Branch 2), (833) 840-9219.

Agency contact information

James Morrin
Address
Food Safety and Inspection Service
1400 Independence Ave SW
Washington, DC 20250
US
Learn more about this agency

Next steps

Your application will be reviewed to verify that you meet the eligibility and qualification requirements for the position prior to issuing referral lists to the selecting official. If further evaluation or interviews are required, you will be contacted. Log into your USAJOBS account to check your application status. We expect to make a final job offer approximately 40 days after the deadline for applications.

Under the Fair Chance Act, agencies are not allowed to request information about an applicant's criminal history until a conditional offer of employment has been made, except as allowed for access to classified information; assignment to national security duties or positions; acceptance or retention in the armed forces; or recruitment of a Federal law enforcement officer. An applicant may submit a complaint or any other information related to an organization's alleged noncompliance with the Fair Chance Act. The complaint must be submitted within 30 calendar days of the date of the alleged noncompliance. To make a Fair Chance Act inquiry or complaint, send an email with the appropriate information to fsis.fca@usda.gov, subject line: Fair Chance Act.


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


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