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Data Scientist (Mathematical Statistician/Computer Scientist)

Passionate about public service and solving complex problems with data? Want to join a new organization dedicated to data-driven decisionmaking that helps protect public health? Join us as a Data Scientist (Mathematical Statistician/Computer Scientist)! This position is in the Food Safety and Inspection Service's (FSIS) Office of Planning, Analysis and Risk Management. FSIS is the public health agency within USDA. Multiple positions at multiple skill levels. Salary range: $59,534 to $112,240/year. Closes 8/13/20. Must apply via USAJobs only. See full vacancy announcement for more information on how to qualify and apply.

This is an interdisciplinary position and may be filled in any of the job series listed. In addition to the specialized experience requirements, applicants must meet the educational requirements for at least one of the series described in the announcement. Applicants may only be appointed to job series/position titles for which they meet all experience and educational requirements. Please read all of the information in the USAJobs announcement to ensure you demonstrate that you meet all of the requirements as well as provide required documentation at the time of application.




Summary

This position is in the Office of Planning, Analysis and Risk Management (OPARM), which oversees FSIS strategic planning, evaluations, surveys, enterprise risk management, internal controls, data collection and visualization, reporting, integration, and analysis. This is an interdisciplinary position and may be filled in any of the job series listed. In addition to the specialized experience requirements, applicants must meet the educational requirements for at least one of the series described in the announcement. Applicants may only be appointed to job series/position titles for which they meet all experience and educational requirements.





Responsibilities

  • Review, analyze, monitor, visualize and interpret data.
  • Verify and validate analyses results.
  • Assist in the planning, development, research, and evaluation of a broad range of analyses utilizing data and associated policies.
  • Provide input on guidelines and policies to enhance predictive analysis of data.
  • Carry out innovative approaches and methods of assessing and analyzing data.





Travel Required

25% or less - You may be expected to travel for this position.





Education

1529:
A. Degree: that included 24 semester hours of mathematics and statistics, of which at least 12 semester hours were in mathematics and 6 semester hours were in statistics.

or

B. Combination of education and experience -- at least 24 semester hours of mathematics and statistics, including at least 12 hours in mathematics and 6 hours in statistics, as shown in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education.

1550: Bachelor's degree in computer science or bachelor's degree with 30 semester hours in a combination of mathematics, statistics, and computer science. At least 15 of the 30 semester hours must have included any combination of statistics and mathematics that included differential and integral calculus. All academic degrees and course work must be from accredited or pre-accredited institutions.





How You Will Be Evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above. You will be evaluated based on your qualifications for this position as evidenced by the education, experience, and training you described in your application package, as well as the responses to the Occupational Questionnaire to determine the degree to which you possess the knowledge, skills, abilities and competencies listed below:
  • Mathematical Reasoning
  • Problem Solving
  • Self Management
  • Technical Competence

Your application, including the online Assessment Questionnaire, will be reviewed to determine if you meet (a) minimum qualification requirements and (b) the resume supports the answers provided to the job-specific questions. Your resume must clearly support your responses to all the questions addressing experience and education relevant to this position. Applicants who meet the minimum qualification requirements and are determined to be among the best qualified candidates will be referred to the hiring manager for consideration. Non-Competitive candidates and applicants under some special hiring authorities need to meet minimum qualifications to be referred.

Note: If, after reviewing your resume and/or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications and or experience, your rating may be lowered to more accurately reflect the submitted documentation. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your rating. Providing inaccurate information on Federal documents could be grounds for non-selection or disciplinary action up to including removal from the Federal service.

Clicking the link below will present a preview of the application form; i.e. the online questionnaire. The application form link below will only provide a preview and does not initiate the application process. To initiate the online application process, click the "Apply" button to the right within the announcement.

To view the application form, visit: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/10872452





This Job Is Open To:

  • The public
  • Military spouses
  • Career Transition (CTAP, ICTAP, RPL)
  • Individuals with disabilities
  • Note: Direct Hire Authority will be utilized for the GS-1529 Mathematical Statistician at the 11 and 12 grade levels only.


How to Apply

Please read the entire announcement and all instructions before you begin. You must complete this application process and submit all required documents electronically by 11:59p.m. Eastern Time (ET) on the closing date of this announcement.

Applying online is highly encouraged. We are available to assist you during business hours (normally 8:00a.m. - 4:00p.m., Monday - Friday). If applying online poses a hardship, contact the Agency Contact listed below well before the closing date for an alternate method. All hardship application packages must be complete and submitted no later than noon ET on the closing date of the announcement to be entered into the system prior to its closing.

This agency provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities on a case-by-case basis. Please contact us if you require this for any part of the application and hiring process.

To begin, click "Apply Online" and follow the instructions to complete the Assessment Questionnaire and attach your resume and all required documents.

Step 1: Create a USAJOBS account (if you do not already have one) at www.usajobs.gov. It is recommended that as part of your profile you set up automatic email notification to be informed when the status of your application changes. If you choose not to set up this automatic notification, then you will have to log into your USAJOBS account to check on the status of your application.

Step 2: In your USAJOBS account, you will have the opportunity to select your stored USAJOBS resume, create a new resume or upload a resume, and upload other relevant documents. All uploaded documents must be less than 3MB and in one of the following document formats: GIF, JPG, JPEG, PNG, RTF, PDF, or Word (DOC or DOCX). See "Required Documents" for details. Select the document you want to submit.

Step 3: Click "Apply Online," answer all required questions, verify the documents you selected from USAJOBS transferred into the Agency's staffing system, and attach any additional documents that may not have transferred or be required. If qualifying based on education, you must submit a legible copy of your college transcript(s), with your application package, showing your conferred degree (if any) and/or applicable coursework as proof that you qualify based on education. If you have not yet graduated, submit your current transcript.

NOTE: It is an applicant's responsibility to submit updated information. You can update your application or documents anytime while the announcement is open. Simply log into your USAJOBS account and click on "Application Status." Click on the position title, and then select "Update Application" to continue.

If you do not have access to the Internet, you are strongly encouraged to visit your library, state employment office, or another establishment that provides internet service to complete the online application and the assessment questionnaire. If this is not an option, refer to the Alternative Methods for Applying section below for specific instructions.

Alternative Methods for Applying: If you are unable to apply using the internet, please fax your request for an application package along with your name and mailing address to: 1-833-840-9219.




Conditions of Employment

  • Satisfactory background investigation and/or fingerprint check required.
  • U.S. Citizenship is required.
  • May be subject to satisfactory completion of one year probationary or trial period.
  • If you are selected, you may need to complete a Declaration for Federal Employment (OF-306) prior to being appointed to determine suitability for Federal employment and to authorize a background investigation.
  • False statements or responses on a resume or application can jeopardize employment and may be grounds for disciplinary action, including removal from Federal service.
  • Have your salary sent to a financial institution of your choice by Direct Deposit/Electronic Funds Transfer.
  • If you are newly hired, the documentation you present for purposes of completing the Department Homeland Security (DHS) Form I-9 on your entry-on-duty date will be verified through the DHS "E-VERIFY" system.
  • Federal law requires the use of E-VERIFY to confirm the employment eligibility of all new hires. Under this system, the new hire is required to resolve any identified discrepancies as a condition of continued employment.
  • Selectee must be able to obtain and maintain a security clearance. Failure to successfully meet these requirements could lead to adverse action proceedings including possible termination.
  • Male applicants born after December 31, 1959, must complete a Pre-Employment Certification Statement for Selective Service Registration.




Qualifications


IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. If your resume does not support your questionnaire answers, we will not allow credit for your response(s).

Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement including time-in-grade restrictions, specialized experience and/or education, as defined below.

Time in grade:
Applicants must meet one year at the next lower grade to be considered for the next higher grade (e.g. one year at the GS-07 grade level for consideration for the GS-09 grade level).

For the GS-09 level: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-07 level) that demonstrates at least 3 of the following:
  • Working knowledge of relational databases and/or large data warehouses;
  • Experience extracting and analyzing data;
  • Experience collaborating and teamwork within, between, and across organizational boundaries in data analytics projects;
  • Experience explaining technical data analysis content to non-technical audiences;
  • Experience engaging with leaders, colleagues, or clients to identify analytical needs or understand and define reporting requirements;
  • Preparing and delivering effective oral presentations;
  • Training, knowledge, experience in using relational databases, data structure, and data management;
  • Training and/or experience using data tools such as Tableau, SAS JMP, or ArcGIS.
To qualify for the GS-11: Must demonstrate at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-09 level in the Federal service. In addition to the above requirement for the GS-09 specialized experience for the GS-11 must include all of the following:
  • Assisting senior analysts working with relational databases and/or large data warehouses;
  • Identifying, extracting, and analyzing data to prepare reports;
  • Conduct policy or other targeted research.
To qualify for the GS-12: Must demonstrate at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-11 level in the Federal service. In addition to the above requirement for the GS-09 and GS-11 specialized experience for the GS-12 must include the following:
  • Developing automated scripts, developing analysis plans, managing projects from start to finish, reviewing peer-level analysis, and writing comprehensive reports that include the statistical methodology and results.
In addition to the specialized experience, applicants must also meet the below educational requirements for the specific series:

For more information on the qualifications for these positions, click here:

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 experience.




Required Documents

  • Resume that includes: 1) personal information such as name, address, contact information; 2) education; 3) detailed work experience related to this position as described in the major duties including work schedule, hours worked per week, dates of employment; title, series, grade (if applicable); 4) supervisor's phone number and whether or not the supervisor may be contacted for a reference check; 5) other qualifications. If you need assistance in creating a Federal resume see this click here.

  • College transcripts: If education is required or you are using education to meet a qualification requirement, you must submit a legible copy of your college transcripts. An unofficial copy is sufficient with the application; however, it must include student name, school name, and enough information to validate qualifications such as course names, prefixes, grades, semester or quarter credit hours, date degree was award, etc. Further, if you are selected, you will be required to submit official transcripts prior to entering on duty. Education must have been successfully obtained from an accredited school, college, or university, visit Dept of Education Accredited Schools. If any education was completed at a foreign institute, you must submit with your application evidence that the institute was appropriately accredited by an accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education as equivalent to U.S. education standards. There are private organizations that specialize in this evaluation and a fee is normally associated with this service. For a list of private organizations that evaluate education, visit NACES. All transcripts must be in English or include an English translation.

You must submit the documents below if you claim any of the following:
  • Veteran Hiring Authorities: VEOA, VRA and 30% Disabled Veterans: DD-214, Certificate of Release from Active Duty showing dates of service and discharge under honorable conditions. Disabled veterans must include VA letter & SF-15 if claiming 10 pt. preference. Current active duty members must submit certification that they are expected to be discharged or released from active duty under honorable conditions no later than 120 days after date the certification is submitted. Veterans Preference Information.
  • Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act:
  • a. Copies of Notification of Personnel Action(s) (SF-50s) showing the employee has served in appropriate appointment(s) for a period/periods that total more than 24 months without a break between appointments of two or more years. (Include initial hire actions, extensions, conversions and separation SF-50s for each period of work).
  • b. Documentation of Acceptable Performance for Service Time:
  • 1. Performance rating(s) showing an acceptable level of performance for period(s) of employment counted towards their eligibility, signed by supervisor(s); or
  • 2. If documentation of rating does not exist for one or more periods, a statement from the employee's supervisor(s) or other individual in the chain of command indicating an acceptable level of performance for the period(s) of employment counted towards their eligibility; or
  • 3. Applicants who do not provide a performance appraisal or other performance documentation for any period that they are using for eligibility under the LMWFA, shall provide:
  • a. A stated reason as to why the appraisal/documentation is not available; and
  • b. A statement that their performance for all periods was at an acceptable level, their most recent separation was for reasons other than misconduct or performance, and they were never notified that they were not eligible for rehire based on performance. This shall be in lieu of providing copies of the performance appraisals.
  • Schedule A, Persons with Disabilities Appointment: Sch A letter from a physician, local, state or federal rehabilitation office citing eligibility under 5 CFR 213.3102 (u). See eCFR Part 213.
  • Surplus or displaced employees eligible for CTAP, RPL, or ICTAP Priority: Proof of eligibility (RIF separation notice, notice of proposed removal for declining a transfer of function or directed reassignment to another commuting area, notice of disability annuity termination), SF-50 documenting separation (as applicable), and your most recent SF-50 noting position, grade level, and duty location with your application per 5 CFR 330.
  • Peace Corps Volunteers/Personnel: Documentation of no less than 36 months of continuous service without a break of 3 days or more and separated within the last 3 years.
  • Other Special Hiring Authorities: If claiming eligibility under a Special Hiring Authority not listed above submit appropriate supporting documentation. See Hiring Authorities.


Benefits

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. Learn more about federal benefits.




Next Steps

Your application will be reviewed to verify that you meet the eligibility and qualification requirements for the position prior to issuing referral lists to the selecting official. If further evaluation or interviews are required, you will be contacted. Log into your USAJOBS account to check your application status. We expect to make a final job offer approximately 40 days after the deadline for applications.

***MUST APPLY VIA USAJOBS only: https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/574945500. Applications will not be accepted via Handshake. See announcement for full job description and application requirements. ***APPLICANTS: Read all information very carefully, provide ALL requested documents by the closing date and ensure you demonstrate that you meet all minimum qualifications in order to be considered for this position. Contact Heather Schuldt via email (heather.schuldt@usda.gov) or by phone (612) 659-7050)*** if you have any questions on how to apply.***

The Food Safety and Inspection Service is the public health agency within the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) responsible for protecting the public's health by ensuring the safety of the Nation's commercial supply of meat, poultry, and processed egg products. For more information on USDA and the Food Safety and Inspection Service, visit FSIS.