Supervisory Data Scientist Job in Washington, DC

Vacancy No. JD-1-2026-0003 Department Office of Inspector General
Salary $143,913.00 to $187,093.00 Grade 14 to 14
Perm/Temp Permanent FT/PT Full-time
Open Date 1/13/2026 Close Date 1/27/2026
Job Link Apply Online Who may apply Status Candidates
Locations:
Washington, DC


Summary

The Office of Inspector General (OIG), works within the U. S. Department of Transportation (DOT) to promote efficiency and effectiveness, and prevent or stop waste, fraud and abuse in departmental programs. OIG also consults with the Congress about programs in progress and proposed new laws and regulations. The Inspector General Act of 1978 gives the Office of Inspector General autonomy to do its work without interference.

This job is open to

Internal to an agency

Current federal employees of the hiring agency that posted the job announcement.

Clarification from the agency

This position is open to DOT-OIG employees only in all field/regional offices and HQ. If selected, applicant will remain at their current duty station.

Duties

As the Team Lead for the Data Science and Statistics (DSS) Group, you will personally guide and contribute to
projects while leading a team of data experts in supporting investigations, audits, and the broader OIG community. This position blends deep technical work with strategic project leadership and personnel management to drive data-driven decision-making across the agency. 


Major duties include, but not limited to the following:

  • Supervise data scientists and statisticians, handling administrative duties like hiring recommendations, work assignments, performance evaluations, and leave approvals.
  • Ensure research products are technically accurate, timely, and aligned with organizational priorities.
  • Set performance plans, conduct appraisals, and support team development through coaching and training.
  • Balance workload, set priorities, and adjust assignments as needed.
  • Lead project planning and execution for advanced data science initiatives, monitor progress, identify risks, and ensure successful delivery.
  • Serve as the primary supervisory and technical point of contact for customers regarding analytics capabilities, project scope, and deliverables.
  • Simplify complex analytical concepts for senior leaders and other stakeholders.
  • Brief management and customers on project status and findings.
  • Prepare and review analytic reports and visualizations.
  • Lead the team in applying data analytics techniques to solve oversight and investigative problems.
  • Develop high-quality data visualizations and dashboarding tools utilizing RShiny and Python.
  • Evaluate and recommend emerging analytics tools and methods, particularly in AI, for strategic mission value. 
  • Address complex analytical problems with expert solutions.
  • Review and approve analytical methodologies and products.
  • Mentor staff in novel approaches and software production.
  • Ensure compliance with laws, regulations, policies, and standards related to data privacy, security, and ethical use.
  • Implement data governance policies and approve data access requests and analytical methods.
  • Identify and mitigate data management risks.
  • Contribute to internal procedure development for analytics and data handling.
  • Collaborate with CIGIE and external partners on shared analytics projects and working groups.
  • Represent the organization in interagency forums on data analytics, innovation, and oversight modernization.
  • Translate complex analytical concepts for senior leaders and stakeholders in clear, mission-relevant language.

Requirements

Conditions of employment

  • U.S. Citizen
  • Random drug testing is required.
  • You must meet the specialized experience to qualify
  • Successful completion of a background security investigation
  • Required documents must be submitted by the closing date
  • Submit application and resume online by 11:59 PM EST on the closing date

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:

  • SELECTIVE SERVICE: Males Born after 12-31-1959 must be registered for Selective Service.
  • BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION: A background security investigation is required for all selected individuals. Appointment will be subject to the applicant’s successful completion of the security investigation and favorable adjudication. Failure to meet these requirements will be grounds for termination.
  • PRE-EMPLOYMENT/PRE-APPOINTMENT DRUG TESTING: Tentatively selected candidates are required to successfully complete a pre-employment undergo urinalysis in accordance with DOT 3910.1D entitled "Drug and Alcohol-Free Departmental Workplace", which includes testing for marijuana. Marijuana is legal in some states, however it’s still illegal at the federal level. Therefore, if selected for the position you will be required to submit to a pre-employment/pre-appointment drug test, you will also be subject to Random Drug Testing.
  • TIME-IN-GRADE: Federal applicants must have served 52 weeks at the next lower grade to satisfy time-in-grade restrictions contained in 5 CFR 300, Subpart F. 

Qualifications

Candidates must have one (1) year of specialized experience at least equivalent to the GS-13 grade level in the federal service. Non-government experience should be of similar complexity.

Examples of specialized experience includes:

  1. Leading data science projects to detect fraud, waste, abuse, or safety risks, and applying machine learning, statistical modeling, and data mining for audits and investigations.
  2. Managing large datasets for analysis and consulting with auditors and investigators to define data needs and retrieve information.
  3. Creating dashboards and visualizations with R or Python for monitoring and analytics, overseeing data projects, including planning and team coordination.
  4. Developing project plans, tracking progress, and translating complex data results for non-technical audiences.
  5. Briefing senior leadership on the status and outcomes of analytical initiatives.

Your resume will be evaluated based on the following competencies:

  • Workforce Management: Effectively plans, develops, and deploys people and resources to achieve agency goals.
  • Stakeholder Communication: Clearly conveys and exchanges information with stakeholders to support alignment and informed decision-making.
  • Applied Research / Technical Competence: Applies technical knowledge and research methods to solve problems and inform practical solutions related to data analytics.
  • Data Security / Governance: Ensures responsible, secure, and compliant management of data throughout its lifecycle.
  • Strategic Collaboration: Partners across teams or organizations to align efforts and achieve shared strategic objectives.
Applicants must meet qualification requirements by the closing date of this announcement.

Education

Education

This position has a Basic Education Requirement. Submission of unofficial or official transcripts is required with your application.

  1. Degree: Mathematics, statistics, computer science, data science or field directly related to the position (we will accept social and natural science degrees with statistical components such as sociology, criminology, political science, biology, chemistry, engineering, physics, immunology, genetics, ecology, etc.). The degree must be, at minimum, attained at the baccalaureate level.

    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.

Additional information

THIS ANNOUNCEMENT MAY BE USED TO FILL ADDITIONAL LIKE VACANCIES IN THE ANNOUNCED DUTY LOCATION.

DUTY LOCATION: If selected, applicant will remain at their current duty station. 

Relocation expenses will not be paid. 

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

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.

All applicants: Your application will be reviewed in two phases to determine how you move forward in the hiring process.

Phase I: Your resume will be reviewed to determine your technical qualifications for this position based on the required specialized experience. ONLY two (2) pages of your resume will be reviewed. Additional information beyond your resume (e.g., cover letter, links embedded in your resume) will not be reviewed. Applicants passing “Phase I” will move on to the “Phase II” of the assessment process where your application will be reviewed and rated based on the KSAs/Competencies listed in the vacancy announcement by a Subject Matter Expert (SME). Applicants who do not respond to the application questions may be rated ineligible.

Federal employees must meet Time-In-Grade (TIG) requirements for merit promotion consideration.  TIG is the 52-week requirement Federal employees in competitive service, General Schedule (GS) positions at GS-5 and above must serve before they are eligible for promotion to the next grade level. TIG requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement.


You may preview questions for this vacancy.

Required Documents

Résumé (required) -

Your resume must sufficiently describe how your experience fully meets the specialized experience requirements as stated in this announcement for each grade level(s) you are applying (see "Qualifications" section).**Please limit your résumé to 2 pages. If more than 2 pages are submitted, only the first 2 pages will be reviewed to determine your qualifications. Your resume must also support your responses to the assessment questionnaire. Credit will be given for paid and unpaid experience. We cannot assume you have performed the experience required for this position regardless of your employment history or academic career. We strongly recommend you use the USA Jobs online Resume Builder to submit a resume. If you choose to use your own formatted resume, you must ensure it contains all of the following for each experience/position listed: job title, name of employer, beginning and ending dates of employment (month/year format), hours worked per week, detailed description of duties performed, and if a Federal position, series and grade or equivalent. We will not access web pages linked on your resume to determine your qualifications. Do not include a photograph or video of yourself, or any sensitive information.

For additional information see:

Transcripts Verifying Basic Education Requirement (required) - You must submit unofficial or official transcripts verifying you meet the Basic Education Requirement. Ensure that the degree awarded and confer date are clearly stated on the transcript(s).


Merit Promotion - All current Federal employees must submit a recent Notification of Personnel Action (SF-50) documenting proof of competitive status, tenure, current grade level and full performance level of the position held.  All reinstatement eligibles/former Federal employees must submit a SF-50 documenting proof of competitive status, tenure, grade level and full performance level of the position.  

Non-competitive eligibles - must submit proof of eligibility (i.e., SF-50 documenting the full performance level of a position held on a permanent basis).

DD-214 and/or Vet Letter/SF-15 - To receive consideration including veteran's preference points, all veterans must submit a copy of their DD-214 (copy Member #4). If you are claiming 10-point preference, you must submit your SF-15 (revised 12/04) and Vet letter. The form is available at http://www.opm.gov/forms/html/sf.asp. If you are a current service member, in lieu of a DD-214, you may submit a statement from your military personnel center certifying the nature and dates of your service and expected date of separation.

VEOA - Preference Eligibles or veterans who have been separated from the armed forces under honorable conditions after substantially completing an initial three-year term may apply under the Veterans Employment Opportunity Act (VEOA). All veterans applying under the VEOA authority must submit a copy of their DD-214 (copy Member #4). If you are a current service member, in lieu of a DD-214, you may submit a statement from your military personnel center certifying the nature and dates of your service and expected date of separation.

SCHEDULE A - To receive consideration for Schedule A appointment, you must submit your certification from a State Vocational Rehabilitation Office or the Department of Veterans Affairs that you are likely to succeed in the performance of the position.

CTAP/ICTAP - If you are eligible under the Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) or the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP), a copy of your certificate of surplus status, certificate of expected separation, or a specific Reduction-in-Force notice establishing your eligibility under CTAP/ICTAP. CTAP/ICTAP candidates must meet all qualification requirements for the vacant position to include any selective factors; meet the definition of best qualified (GOLD Category); and be able to satisfactorily perform the duties of the position upon entry.

Supporting documents may either be uploaded or faxed to 571-258-4052. The requested information MUST be received by fax within 48 hours prior to the closing date of the vacancy announcement (not including Saturdays, Sundays or government holidays). The requested information MUST be received by fax within 48 hours prior to the closing date of the vacancy announcement (not including Saturdays, Sundays or government holidays).

NOTE: If you exaggerate or falsify your experience, education and/or your responses to questions, your ratings are subject to change or you may be removed from employment consideration.

Applicants who fail to submit all the required documentation listed above, in addition to their resumes, will be considered ineligible for further consideration for this announcement.

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

Applications submitted via WWW.USAJOBS.GOV must be received before midnight eastern time on the closing date of the announcement. No extensions will be granted.  If you fail to submit a COMPLETE on-line resume, you WILL NOT be considered for this position. Please make sure that the responses provided in the questionnaire are fully supported by your resume, that your resume is detailed and you have highlighted your most relevant experience for this position (to include starting and ending dates of employment for each position held), and education (if applicable) as it relates to this job opportunity. If you fail to provide this information, it may result in you being rated "ineligible" or "not qualified" for this position.

If you exaggerate or falsify your experience, education and/or your responses to questions, your ratings are subject to change or you may be removed from employment consideration.  Applicants who do not respond to the application questions will be rated ineligible.

If applying on-line poses a hardship to any applicant, the Servicing Personnel Office listed on the announcement will provide assistance to ensure that applications are submitted on-line by the closing date. Applicants must contact the Servicing Human Resources Office PRIOR TO THE CLOSING DATE to speak to someone who can provide assistance for on-line submission.  Requests for extensions will not be granted.

THIS ANNOUNCEMENT MAY BE USED TO FILL ADDITIONAL LIKE VACANCIES IN THE ANNOUNCED DUTY LOCATION.

Agency contact information

Karen Muller
Phone
202-366-1490
TDD
202-366-2136
Email
karen.muller@oig.dot.gov
Address
DOT, OFFICE OF THE INSPECTOR GENERAL
1200 New Jersey Ave SE
W71-123
Washington, District of Columbia 20590
United States

Next steps

Once your complete application is received, we will conduct an evaluation of your qualifications and determine your ranking. The most highly qualified candidates will be referred to the hiring manager for further consideration and possible interview. You will be notified of your application status by the servicing human resources specialist via e-mail. It is essential that you have a current e-mail address on file and remove any restrictions from your e-mail account that may prohibit our contacting you via e-mail. You may also check the status of your application at WWW.USAJOBS.GOV.


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