Data Scientist

Serve as a Data Scientist supporting critical mission systems through data management, pipeline automation, and analytics for operational and organizational insights.

Responsibilities

• Develop data-driven solutions by converting raw structured or unstructured data into useful, actionable information for critical mission systems.
• Design, build, and maintain scalable data pipelines using commercial cloud, open source, and/or custom software to process large datasets.
• Implement data quality checks and procedures to maintain accuracy and consistency.
• Create and apply data governance practices to manage data access, usage, and security across the organization.
• Collaborate with teams to understand data needs, translate technical concepts, and align deliverables with business goals.
• Convert analysis results into clear, actionable communications for Agency decision makers supporting data-driven decisions for programmatic and administrative functions.

Requirements

• Degree: Bachelor’s degree in Mathematics, statistics, computer science, data science, or a field directly related to the position (at least at the baccalaureate level).
• Or education + experience: Courses equivalent to a major field of study (30 semester hours), plus additional education or appropriate experience.
• Citizenship: Must be a US Citizen or US National.
• Selective Service: Individuals born male after 12/31/1959 must be Selective Service registered or exempt.
• Background: Subject to satisfactory adjudication of background investigation and/or fingerprint check.
• Probationary period: Successful completion of one-year probationary period unless previously served.
• Direct Deposit: Required for Federal employees (per Public Law 104-134).
• E-Verify: Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check.
• MOU: Prior to an official offer, sign a memorandum of understanding acknowledging/accepting geographic mobility as a condition of employment.
• Continuous Vetting: All USDA employees must be enrolled in Continuous Vetting.

Technologies

• C++, Python, R, JavaScript, HTML, SQL
• AWS, Azure, GCP

Duties by Grade Level

• Full-performance level note: Duties listed are for the full-performance level; at developmental grade levels, assignments are more limited in scope, with less independence and limited complexity.
• GS-12 level (examples):
  • Assist in development of automated pipelines for data extraction from databases or publicly available sources to support statistical analysis, dataset construction, and data products (including spatial layers).
  • Contribute to software packages or interactive data visualizations (dashboards or analytic tools) enabling data exploration across multiple subsets.
  • Regularly use data science programming languages and related tooling, including C++/Python/R for statistical analysis; JavaScript/HTML for software or web application development; SQL for database management; and AWS/Azure/GCP for cloud platform work.
  • Assist with development/implementation of statistical models relevant to ecological systems or disease surveillance, potentially including research articles, prototypes, or internal analytical products.
  • Support research or software development projects, including communicating technical information to non-technical users and collaborating with teammates and end-users during iterative development.
  • Note: No education substitution for this grade level.
• GS-13 level (examples):
  • Develop automated pipelines to extract data from databases or publicly available sources, combining data for statistical analysis, new database construction, and creation of data products with spatial layers for further analyses.
  • Develop software packages and interactive data visualizations, including interactive dashboards and analytic tools, to visualize data in different subsets.
  • Regularly use programming languages across multiple data science areas, including statistical data analysis (C++/Python/R), software/web development (JavaScript/HTML), database management (SQL), and/or cloud platforms (AWS/Azure/GCP).
  • Develop statistical models of ecological systems, especially disease surveillance data, evidenced through authorship on research articles or software.
  • Lead research or software development projects, communicating technical information orally and in writing to non-technical end-users and building developer/end-user relationships for collaborative development.
  • Note: No education substitution for this grade level.

Benefits

• Comprehensive benefits package (contact the hiring agency for details on specific benefits).

Who Can Apply

• U.S. Citizens, Nationals, or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.
• Federal employees whose job, agency, or department was eliminated and are eligible for priority over other applicants.

Additional Information

• Applications accepted from any U.S. citizen.
• Direct Hire Authority will be used to fill this position.
• Veterans Preference and traditional rating and ranking of applicants do not apply due to the Direct Hire Authority for this vacancy.
• Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP), Reemployment Priority List (RPL), or Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP): see OPM website for how to apply.
• Selection priority for CTAP/RPL/ICTAP candidates requires meeting basic eligibility requirements and all selective factors; CTAP/ICTAP candidates must be well qualified and receive a rating of at least 85/100 for selection priority.
• First-time federal hires typically start at the lowest rate of the salary range for the selected grade.
• Travel, transportation, and relocation expenses will not be paid.
• Locality pay varies based on duty location.
• Current AMS employees selected for this position remain in their current USDA office location or official duty station of record, except National Capital Region.
• Promotion Potential: if selected for a position with further promotion potential, placement under a career development plan may enable non-competitive promotion if requirements are completed and management recommends.
• Reasonable Accommodation (RA): RA requests may be submitted if a disability (covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended) interferes with completing USA Hire Competency Based Assessments.

Required Documents

• Resume including personal information, education, detailed work experience related to major duties (with work schedule, hours worked per week, and dates), and title/series/grade (if applicable).
• Resume must include supervisor name and phone number for each work period and whether supervisors may be contacted for reference checks.
• Resume cannot exceed two pages; only one resume will be reviewed.
• If education is required or used to qualify, submit a copy of college transcripts.
• Applicants may provide documentation for veterans’ eligibility, although veterans’ preference does not apply under Direct Hire Authority.
• For CTAP/RPL/ICTAP priority: proof of eligibility, SF-50 documenting separation (as applicable), last performance appraisal at least fully successful (or equivalent), and most recent SF-50 with position, grade level, and duty location.
• Worker’s Compensation Separation: agency certification of inability to place employee AND notification of separation or Separation SF-50.
• Disability Annuity Termination: notification from OPM of disability annuity termination AND Separation SF-50 of last position held.

How You Will Be Evaluated

• Evaluated based on how well you meet the qualifications listed in the announcement and your application materials (resume, supporting documents), questionnaire responses, and required assessment responses.
• Direct-Hire Authority: applicants who meet minimum qualifications (including specialized experience and selective placement factors, if applicable) will be referred to the selecting official.
• A rating will not be used; veteran’s preference does not apply due to Direct Hire Authority.
• USA Hire Assessment includes a cut score for required proficiency in critical general competencies: Attention to Detail; Customer Service; Decision Making; Flexibility; Integrity/Honesty; Interpersonal Skills; Learning; Reasoning; Self-Management; Stress Tolerance; Teamwork.
• You must meet or exceed the cut score; you will not be considered if you score below it or fail to complete the assessment.