Data Scientist

Summary The Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board (FRTIB) is looking for a highly qualified and motivated individual to serve as a Data Scientist. This Job Opportunity Announcement (JOA) may be used to fill other Data Scientist, GS -1560- 14 positions within the FRTIB in the same geographical location with the same qualifications and specialized experience. Responsibilities The incumbent serves as a subject matter expert in the highly technical and specialized area of data sciences and is a key advisor to the Chief Data Officer and FRTIB senior leadership on all matters related to the application of mathematics, statistical analysis, modeling/simulation, machine learning, natural language processing, data and computer sciences. The major duties of the position are: Leads or consults with cross-functional teams to develop data-driven solutions that address business and user challenges. Directs internal and external process or system reviews, studies and data validation efforts which provide a means for evaluating system performance and effectiveness. Works alongside other data scientists, program subject matter experts, IT specialists, and others to recommend technical and analytical solutions that meet requirements for decision-making. Shares technical guidance and advises agency staff about federal government's requirements for data collection, data management, and advanced data analytics to include machine learning and artificial intelligence. Codes with languages such as python or R and uses SQL and other data processing and analytics tools and software to analyze data sets and uses data visualization tools such as MS Power BI, Tableau, MS Excel, and others to generate reports and develop compelling stories that convey statistical or technical information to non-technical audiences. Serves as a recognized expert and technical authority on analytical, statistical, and programming techniques necessary to collect, organize, analyze, and interpret unique and highly specialized data sets, which allows for the use and analysis of data and analytics for FRTIB decision-making. Identifies data that are available and relevant, including internal and external data sources, leveraging new automated data collection processes and performing all phases of the systems development life cycle required in the design, development, and implementation of features enabling data access. Uses statistical tools such as mathematics, statistics, performance measurement, and advanced analytics such as artificial intelligence, machine learning and natural language processing for cloud computing and analyzing data sets. Requirements Conditions of Employment U.S. Citizenship is required. All qualification requirements must be met by 05/16/2024. Your application package will not be considered if it is missing any of the required documents listed under the "Required Documents" tab. Probationary Period. One-year probationary period may be required. Selective Service. If you are a male applicant born after December 31, 1959, you must certify that you have registered with the Selective Service System, or are exempt from having to do so under the Selective Service Law. Background Suitability Investigation. Continued employment is contingent upon satisfactory completion of a background investigation and the granting of a federal suitability or security clearance. If selected, you may be offered tentative employment until the background investigation has been fully adjudicated. Qualifications This announcement is issued under the Direct-Hire Authority (DHA) to recruit for positions for which there is a critical hiring need. Appointee(s) will receive a career or career-conditional appointment in the competitive service and may be required to serve a one-year probationary period. Under this DHA announcement applicants who meet the basic qualification requirements will be forwarded to the Selecting Official. Veterans' preference, Category Rating and traditional rating and ranking of applicants does not apply under the Direct-Hire Authority. To qualify for this position applicants must meet the Individual Occupational Requirement, Specialized Experience and Selective Factor as described below. Individual Occupational Requirement: Applicants must meet A or B: A. 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 B. 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. Specialized Experience: Applicants must have at least one year of full-time specialized work experience comparable in scope and responsibility to the next lower level, GS-13, in the federal government. Specialized experience is defined as: developing algorithmic and programmatic approaches to gather, prepare, analyze, and visualize large data sets to provide insights and solve complex business and operational challenges; conducting analysis in a programming or statistical software: R, Python, Tableau, PowerBI, etc. and building predictive ML/AI, and natural language techniques and algorithms; directing multi-disciplinary and cross office teams on research studies or analytical projects requiring the use of the scientific method and advanced data science techniques to address complex business and operational challenges; or serving as a technical and scientific consultant and subject matter expert to a Chief Data Officer and executive leadership and, developing tailored presentations and data visualizations to present key findings and methodologies to executive and managerial audiences. Selective Factor: Experience with Amazon Web Services products including AWS Redshift and AWS Athena. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations. 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. A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. Part-time experience will be credited on the basis of time actually spent in appropriate activities. Applicants wishing to receive credit for such experience must indicate clearly the nature of their duties and responsibilities in each position and the number of hours a week spent in such employment. Education You must provide your transcripts to support your educational claims. Transcripts may be unofficial copies, but they must come from an accredited college or university, and they also must include course names and the number of credit/semester hours. Click here to search the database of accredited institutions. Foreign Education. If you are using education completed at foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show that the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in the interpretation of foreign education programs. Foreign education must be deemed equivalent to that gained at an accredited U.S. education program. For further information visit the U.S. Department of Education's website concerning foreign qualifications. Education may not be substituted for experience for this series and grade combination. Additional Information The FRTIB offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes paid time off , life insurance, health benefits, and participation in the 3-tier federal retirement system. The FRTIB also has wonderful benefits and work/life-balance flexibilities that may be right for you. We offer, if applicable: Flexible work schedule options. The FRTIB offers three flexible work schedules, the Gliding Schedule, the Flexible 5-4/9 Schedule, and the Maxiflex Work Schedule. All work schedules allow for an arrival time between 6:00 and 10:00 am. Employees on the Gliding Schedule work 8 hours. Employees on the Flexible 5-4/9 Schedule work eight 9-hour days and one 8-hour day in each biweekly pay period, and receive one scheduled day off. Employees on the Maxiflex Work Schedule work between 4 and 10 hours per day, and core work hours apply; the latest departure time under Maxiflex is 8 pm. FRTIB's telework policy allows for up to (3) days of telework per week for eligible positions. Employee Assistance Program (EAP). The EAP provides employees with free confidential assistance for help with personal issues that may be affecting work life. The program also provides consultation to supervisors who are trying to best help an employee with performance and/or attendance problems. Work Life 4 You. The FRTIB provides all employees and their family members with access to the Federal Occupational Health managed referral and information service to assist in dealing with life, family, health, education, work, and finance. This service is provided at no cost to the employee. *Annual and sick leave (paid time off). Employees of the FRTIB accrue both annual and sick leave depending on years of service with the federal government. Annual leave may be used for vacation or other personal reasons. Sick leave may be used when you are ill, when you have a doctor, dental, or optical appointment, or when you need to provide care to an ill family member. Fitness center. The FRTIB employees, at no cost, have access to the fitness center conveniently located on the main level of the building featuring state of the art weight training and cardiovascular equipment. Fitness Membership Reimbursement Program. FRTIB will reimburse employees up to $300 per year for an individual membership fee to a commercial, non-federally sponsored fitness center or virtual equivalent. Extensive training programs and tools supportive of enhancing organization effectiveness and employee development. A monthly transit subsidy for a portion of your commuting costs to help defray the commuting costs of employees who use mass transportation, including commuter bus, Metrorail or Metrobus, or commuter rail systems. Child care program. The FRTIB's childcare subsidy program offers up to $600 in monthly subsidy paid to qualified child care providers of employees meeting the eligibility requirements. Student loan repayment or recruitment bonus, when applicable. The FRTIB offices are conveniently located within a few blocks of the Union Station metro station. In addition, private parking is available in the building at the posted daily and monthly rates. Relocation expenses are not authorized for this position; however, other recruitment incentives may be authorized.