Survey Statistician Job in Suitland, MD

Vacancy No. 24-BOC-12457727-DHA-MG Department U.S. Census Bureau
Salary $82,764.00 to $128,956.00 Grade 11 to 12
Perm/Temp Permanent FT/PT Full-time
Open Date 7/1/2024 Close Date 10/1/2024
Job Link Apply Online Who may apply Public
Locations:
Suitland, MD


Job Description (Please follow all instructions carefully)

Summary

This vacancy is for a Survey Statistician position in the Associate Director for Economic Programs located at the U.S. Census Bureau Headquarters in Suitland, Maryland. The Census Bureau is accessible from the Metro Rail Green Line - Suitland Station.

This Job Opportunity Announcement may be used to fill other Survey Statistician, 1530-11/12, FPL GS-12 positions within the Census Bureau in the same geographical location with the same qualifications and specialized experience.

Duties

  • Conduct various censuses and surveys that produce data about the American people and the economy.
  • Apply statistical theories, techniques, and methods to the full range of statistical studies, projects, and programs.
  • Conduct research to evaluate data quality and verify the validity of data.
  • Review and analyze survey data using statistical techniques and statistical software.
  • Develop data collection specifications, processing requirements, and survey documentation.
  • Build, and maintain schedules that govern data content, collections, dissemination, instrument design, analysis, and/or modification of system designs.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

  • Applicants must meet all qualification requirements by the closing date of this announcement.
  • U.S. Citizen.
  • Suitable for Federal employment.
  • Registered for Selective Service, if applicable (www.sss.gov).
  • A one-year probationary period may be required.
  • This is a BARGAINING unit position.
  • This is an open continuous announcement. The initial cutoff date for referral is 7/15/24. After this date, the cut off dates are as follows: 8/1/2024, 9/1/2024,10/1/2024, 11/1/2024, 12/1/2024, 1/2/2025.

Qualifications

Minimum Education Requirement:

Degree: that included 15 semester hours in statistics (or in mathematics and statistics, provided at least 6 semester hours were in statistics), and 9 additional semester hours in one or more of the following: physical or biological sciences, medicine, education, or engineering; or in the social sciences including demography, history, economics, social welfare, geography, international relations, social or cultural anthropology, health sociology, political science, public administration, psychology, etc. Credit toward meeting statistical course requirements should be given for courses in which 50 percent of the course content appears to be statistical methods, e.g., courses that included studies in research methods in psychology or economics such as tests and measurements or business cycles, or courses in methods of processing mass statistical data such as tabulating methods or electronic data processing.

OR

A combination of education and experience -- courses as shown in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education. The experience should have included a full range of professional statistical work such as (a) sampling, (b) collecting, computing, and analyzing statistical data, and (c) applying statistical techniques such as measurement of central tendency, dispersion, skewness, sampling error, simple and multiple correlation, analysis of variance, and tests of significance.

AND

Specialized Experience: For the GS-11, you must have one year of experience at a level of difficulty and responsibility equivalent to the GS-9 in the Federal service. Experience for this position includes: Providing technical advice, instruction, and training; Reviewing and analyzing data using statistical techniques and statistical software such as SAS, R or Python; Assisting with questionnaire design, instrument development and testing for automated and/web data collection instruments; Writing procedures, documentation, and/or training guides for data collection practices; and collecting, processing, and analyzing data to lead and coordinate simultaneous projects.

OR

Education: 3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a doctoral degree or you have a Ph.D. degree or equivalent doctoral degree.

Specialized Experience: For the GS-12, you must have one year of experience at a level of difficulty and responsibility equivalent to the GS-11 in the Federal service. Experience for this position includes: Providing technical advice, instruction, and training; Reviewing and analyzing data using statistical techniques and statistical software such as SAS, R or Python; Questionnaire design, instrument development and testing for automated and web data collection instruments; Writing procedures; documentation, and/or training guides for data collection practices; Conducting research to evaluate data quality and verify validity of data; and collecting, processing, and analyzing data to lead and coordinate simultaneous projects.

Education: Education cannot be substituted at this level.

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.

Additional information

If hired for this position with the Census Bureau, at its headquarters office located in Suitland, Maryland, you will be expected to temporarily telework to maximum extent while the headquarters building is being renovated. The renovations will be completed this summer and Reentry orientations will commence on a rolling basis by floor availability. After Reentry Orientation you will be expected to work from your duty station and at that time, you may be eligible to continue to telework up to 8 days a pay period depending on your respective work schedule with approval from your supervisor.

Given our continuing need for professionals in this field, we will routinely review applications and refer candidates for potential interviews multiple times during the open period of the announcement. This is an open continuous announcement. The initial cutoff date for referral is 7/15/2024. After this date, the cut off dates are as follows:

  • 8/1/2024
  • 9/1/2024
  • 10/1/2024
  • 11/1/2024
  • 12/1/2024
  • 1/2/2025



Additionally, the following links provide information on various hiring authorities that may enable you to apply through merit assignment procedures or be eligible for a non-competitive appointment.

The Department of Commerce provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please notify the Human Resources Office. The decision on granting reasonable accommodation will be on a case-by-case basis. TTY users can contact the Human Resources Office via the Federal Relay Service, 1-800-877-8339.

How You Will Be Evaluated

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

Your resume, optional cover letter and supporting documentation will be reviewed to determine if you meet the minimum qualification requirements for the position. Under the provisions of the Direct-Hire Authority (DHA), rating, ranking and veterans' preference does not apply; therefore, your responses to the questionnaire will not be used to determine a scored rating. All applicants who meet the minimum qualification requirements, as defined in the job opportunity announcement, will be referred for selection consideration. While veterans' preference does not apply in DHA, preference eligibles are encouraged to submit their supporting documentation (DD-214 stating disposition of discharge or character of service, VA letter, SF-15, etc.).

Applicants applying as CTAP or ICTAP candidates, and are determined CTAP or ICTAP eligible, must exceed the minimum qualification requirements to be referred under this selection priority placement program by attaining at least a rating of 85 out of 100. For those deemed eligible and who meet the minimum qualifications, we will compare your resume, optional cover letter and supporting documentation to your responses on the scored occupational questionnaire (True/False, Yes/No, Multiple Choice questions). Your resume and/or optional cover letter must support your responses to the scored occupational questionnaire, or your score may be lowered. CTAP/ICTAP eligibles who are not determined well-qualified by scoring at least 85 will not be referred under the CTAP/ICTAP selection priority placement program; however, will be referred for selection consideration with other minimally qualified applicants. The scored occupational questionnaire will evaluate you on the following competencies, please do not provide a separate written response.

Individuals invited for an interview may be asked to conduct a Job Talk presentation or submit a writing sample on research conducted such as a non-proprietary work assignment or a school project/thesis/dissertation. More information to be provided if applicable.

The scored occupational questionnaire will evaluate you on the following competencies; please do not provide a separate written response:

  • Knowledge of Statistical Theories, Techniques and Methodologies
  • Oral Communication
  • Project Management
  • Technical/Data Analysis

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:

  • Social Security Number (SSN)
  • Date of Birth (DOB)
  • Photos of yourself (if included on your resume you will not be considered for this position)
  • Personal information: such as age, gender, religious affiliation, etc.
You may view the https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12457727 for this vacancy.

Required Documents

A complete application consists of the following:

  • Resume showing relevant experience; cover letter optional. Your resume must list your educational and work experience including the dates (mm/dd/yy) of each employment along with the number of hours worked per week. If applying under CTAP/ICTAP your resume may be used to validate your responses to the scored occupational questionnaire. Your resume should indicate your citizenship and if you are registered with the Selective Service System if you are a male born after 12/31/59.
  • Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) and Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) documentation, if applicable (see other information).
  • 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 includes Census Bureau employees. Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the requirements. Please refer to http://www.opm.gov/qualifications/policy/ApplicationOfStds-04.asp for more information.

You are not required to submit official documents at this time; copies are sufficient.

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).

CTAP and ICTAP candidates:

CTAP and ICTAP candidates will be eligible for selection priority if it is determined that they have exceeded the minimum qualifications for the position by attaining at least a rating of 85 out of 100. Information about CTAP and ICTAP eligibility is on the Office of Personnel Management's Career Transition Resources website at: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/employee-guide-to-career-transition/ctap_guideline.pdf.

CTAP applicants MUST submit the following documents:

  1. A copy of your RIF separation notice; notice of proposed removal for declining a directed geographic relocation outside of the local commuting area; a Certificate of Expected Separation (CES); or certification that you are in a surplus organization or occupation (this could be a position abolishment letter, a notice of eligibility for discontinued service retirement, or similar notice).
  2. A copy of your SF-50 "Notification of Personnel Action" noting current position, grade/band level, and duty location;
  3. A copy of your latest performance appraisal including your rating; and
  4. Any documentation from your bureau/operating unit that shows your current promotion potential.

ICTAP applicants MUST submit the following documents:

  1. A copy of your RIF separation notice; notice of proposed removal for declining a directed geographic relocation outside of the local commuting area; notice of disability annuity termination; certification from your former agency that it cannot place you after your recovery from a work-related compensable injury; or certification from the National Guard Bureau or Military Department that you are eligible for disability retirement.
  2. A copy of your SF-50 "Notification of Personnel Action", documenting your RIF separation, noting your position, grade/band level, and duty location, and/or Agency certification of inability to place you through RPL, etc.;
  3. A copy of your latest performance appraisal including your rating; and
  4. Any documentation from your agency that shows your current promotion potential.

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

  • Resume
  • Transcript

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

Your complete application, including required documents, must be received by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time (ET) on 01/02/2025.
To apply on-line, you must complete and submit an application by accessing the USAJOBS website at https://www.usajobs.gov.

  1. To begin, click Apply Online to create a USA JOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USA JOBS resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the occupational questionnaire.
  2. Click Submit My Answers to submit your application package.
USAJOBS Help Center | How to see your application and job status

To return to your saved application, log in to your USAJOBS account at https://www.usajobs.gov/ and click on "Applications." Click on the position title, and then select "Update Application."

Applicants are strongly encouraged to apply online; however, if you are unable to apply online, please contact: Michelle Gamble at michelle.gamble@census.gov.

Agency contact information

Michelle Gamble
Address
Associate Director for Economic Programs
4600 Silver Hill Road
Washington, DC 20233
US
Learn more about this agency

Next steps

You will be notified of your application status through USAJOBS at four points during the hiring process, as applicable. You can check the status of your application by accessing the USAJOBS website at https://usajobs.gov and clicking on "Applications." The status will be visible next to the corresponding positions. The four points of notification are:

  1. Application Received or Application Incomplete;
  2. Minimum Qualification Requirement Met or Minimum Qualification Requirement Not Met;
  3. Referred or Not Referred; and
  4. Selected or Not Selected.

By submitting your application, you are certifying the accuracy of the information contained in your application. If you make a false statement in any part of your application, you may not be hired; you may be terminated after you begin work; or you may be fined or jailed. After making a tentative job offer, we will conduct a suitability/security background investigation.

You will be required to submit official documentation prior to appointment. The agency will then verify the information provided on your application (i.e., degree, veterans' preference, disability, etc.).


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