Summary

This vacancy is for a Data Scientist position in the Department of Commerce 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 Data Scientist, 1560-12, FPL GS-13, positions within the Census Bureau in the same geographical location with the same qualifications and specialized experience.

This job is open to

• Career transition (CTAP, ICTAP, RPL)
  
  Federal employees who meet the definition of a "surplus" or "displaced" employee.
• Federal employees - Competitive service
  
  Current or former competitive service federal employees.
• Individuals with disabilities
• Land & base management
  
  Certain current or former term or temporary federal employees of a land or base management agency.
• Veterans

Clarification from the agency

Current Federal employees serving under a career/career-conditional appointment in the competitive service; Former Federal employees with reinstatement eligibility; CTAP/ICTAP eligibles; Applicants eligible under special hiring authorities; Veterans who are preference eligible, or separated from the U.S. Armed Forces under honorable conditions after 3 years or more of continuous active service may apply under the Veterans Employment Opportunity Act.

Duties

• Performs advanced queries using database and analytical tools (e.g. SQL Server) and programming languages (e.g. Python, R, and Java) to analyze data and develop data-analytical visualizations.
• Provides data science expertise to a wide range of highly complex initiatives and projects focused on the development of cutting-edge tools and resources to easily access, store, analyze, and exchange complex, high-quality data.
• Defines data requirements and integration of enabling technologies to collect, extract, engineer, and transform data from traditional and non-traditional sources.
• Analyzes a variety of data sources to provide data-driven insights to the organization to streamline processes and evaluate the effectiveness of the program operations in meeting established goals and objectives
• Designs, implements, and evaluates large, complex analytical applications, projects, and studies, applying a combination of computational and machine learning methods to new or Big Data using next generation analytical tools.

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).
• Time-in-grade/band requirements must be met by closing date.
• This is a BARGAINING unit position.
• This position may be covered by one or more of the following bargaining units: American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local 2782(HQ). If you have specific questions, please contact the HR Specialist.
• This is an open continuous announcement. The initial cutoff date for referral is 6/17/24. After this date, the cut off dates are as follows: 7/16/24 and 8/16/24.

Qualifications

This vacancy is advertised under 2 different announcements. Please read the 'Who May Apply' section carefully to determine your eligibility. If you are not eligible under this announcement, please see 24-BOC-12386287-DHA-KC.

Minimum Education Requirement:

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.

AND

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: participating in research and statistical analysis on available data and evaluates the effectiveness of statistical programs/applications; modifying instructions, methodologies, and/or guidelines as necessary to achieve program objectives; developing program material and documentation; developing or presenting training to internal or external audiences on data science topics; participating in the analysis of management information requirements to develop program or administrative reporting systems including the systems specifications, data gathering and analytical techniques, and systems evaluation methodology; performing queries using various types of database and analytical tools (e.g., SQL Server).

Education cannot be substituted for experience at this grade 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. Once renovations are completed for your area, you will be notified when to return to the office. At that time, you will be expected to work from your duty station, and you may be eligible to telework, up to 8 days a pay period depending on your respective work schedule, with approval from your supervisor.

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.

• VEOA
• 30% or more disabled
• Persons with Disabilities
• CTAP
• ICTAP

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.

• Benefits
  
  Review our benefits

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 qualifications for the position. If you meet the minimum qualifications stated in the job opportunity announcement, 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. The best qualified candidates will be identified for referral to the hiring manager and may be invited for an interview.

You will be evaluated against your responses to the online questionnaire and the use of a Structured Resume Review. Your resume will be evaluated to measure your responses to the online assessment questions. We will compare your responses on the scored occupational questionnaire (True/False, Yes/No, Multiple Choice questions. Your resume must support your responses to the scored occupational questionnaire. If you rated yourself higher on the questionnaire than what is supported by your resume, your overall qualifications assessment score may be lowered.

During the Structured Resume Review, a Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) will review your resume to determine your technical qualifications for this position based on the required specialized experience. Applicants passing the structured resume review will move on to the next phase of the assessment process.

Upon completion of the Structured Resume Review, all candidates meeting the specialized experience requirements will be referred to the hiring manager and may be invited for an interview.

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 can be found at: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/employee-guide-to-career-transition/ctap_guideline.pdf.

Due weight shall be given to performance appraisals and awards in accordance with 5 CFR § 335.103(b)(3).

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

We recommend that you preview the online questions for this announcement before you start the application process.

• Data Management
• Data Science Management
• Knowledge Management
• Program Management

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/12398631 for this vacancy.

• Benefits
  
  Review our benefits
• Required Documents
  
  As a new or existing federal employee, you and your family may have access to a range of benefits. Your benefits depend on the type of position you have - whether you're a permanent, part-time, temporary or an intermittent employee. You may be eligible for the following benefits, however, check with your agency to make sure you're eligible under their policies.
  
  A complete application consists of the following:
  
  
  • Resume showing relevant experience: 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. For work in the Federal service, please include the grade level for the position(s). Your resume may be used to validate your responses to the scored occupational questionnaire. Your resume should also indicate your citizenship and if you are registered with the Selective Service System if you are a male born after 12/31/59.
  • SF-50, "Notification of Personnel Action," supporting your eligibility, with the exception of current Census Bureau employees. You must provide the most current SF-50 that verifies career/career-conditional status, title, series and grade, such as within-grade increase/within-range increase, promotion, initial appointment, reassignment, realignment (Performance Award and General Adjustment SF-50s do not satisfy this requirement). Also provide the SF-50 that reflects the highest grade level held on a permanent basis or the full performance level of your current position, whichever is higher. Failure to do so will result in an ineligible rating.
  • Veterans Employment Opportunities Act (VEOA) documentation, if applicable. For more information, please go to https://www.fedshirevets.gov/job-seekers/veterans/special-hiring-authorities/#VEOA.
  • Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) and Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) documentation, if applicable.
  • Documentation supporting eligibility for non-competitive appointment (Schedule A disability, 30 percent disabled veteran, certain military spouses, etc).
  • 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. Further information on the evaluation of foreign education, can be found at Academic and Professional Mobility | International Affairs Office (ed.gov).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 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 documenting your RIF separation, noting your position, grade/band level, 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 08/16/2024.
  
  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: Kyva Carroll, kyva.carroll@census.gov
  
  Agency contact information
  
  
  
  Kyva Carroll
  
  Phone
  
  301-763-9744
  
  Email
  
  kyva.carroll@census.gov
  
  Address
  
  Chief Administrative Officer
  
  4600 Silver Hill Road
  
  Washington, DC 20233
  
  US
  
  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.).
• Fair and Transparent
  
  The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
  
  
  • Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Policy
  • Criminal history inquiries
  • Reasonable accommodation policy
  • Financial suitability
  • Selective Service
  • New employee probationary period
  • Signature and false statements
  • Privacy Act
  • Social security number request

Required Documents

A complete application consists of the following:

• Resume showing relevant experience: 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. For work in the Federal service, please include the grade level for the position(s). Your resume may be used to validate your responses to the scored occupational questionnaire. Your resume should also indicate your citizenship and if you are registered with the Selective Service System if you are a male born after 12/31/59.
• SF-50, "Notification of Personnel Action," supporting your eligibility, with the exception of current Census Bureau employees. You must provide the most current SF-50 that verifies career/career-conditional status, title, series and grade, such as within-grade increase/within-range increase, promotion, initial appointment, reassignment, realignment (Performance Award and General Adjustment SF-50s do not satisfy this requirement). Also provide the SF-50 that reflects the highest grade level held on a permanent basis or the full performance level of your current position, whichever is higher. Failure to do so will result in an ineligible rating.
• Veterans Employment Opportunities Act (VEOA) documentation, if applicable. For more information, please go to https://www.fedshirevets.gov/job-seekers/veterans/special-hiring-authorities/#VEOA.
• Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) and Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) documentation, if applicable.
• Documentation supporting eligibility for non-competitive appointment (Schedule A disability, 30 percent disabled veteran, certain military spouses, etc).
• 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. Further information on the evaluation of foreign education, can be found at Academic and Professional Mobility | International Affairs Office (ed.gov).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 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 documenting your RIF separation, noting your position, grade/band level, 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 08/16/2024.

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: Kyva Carroll, kyva.carroll@census.gov

Agency contact information



Kyva Carroll

Phone

301-763-9744

Email

kyva.carroll@census.gov

Address

Chief Administrative Officer

4600 Silver Hill Road

Washington, DC 20233

US

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.).

Fair & Transparent

The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.

• Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Policy
• Reasonable accommodation policy
• Criminal history inquiries
• Financial suitability
• Selective Service
• New employee probationary period
• Signature and false statements
• Privacy Act
• Social security number request