Data Analyst

Summary

This position is located in the Division of Consumer Response and Operations (DCRO) in the Bureau of Consumer Protection (BCP) at the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) in Washington, D.C. The Bureau of Consumer Protection investigates and litigates civil actions to enforce federal consumer protection laws. For more information visit https://www.ftc.gov/about-ftc.

Duties

• If selected for the position of Data Analyst, you will provide analysis and intelligence concerning consumer reports, information obtained during law enforcement investigations and actions, and other data maintained by the FTC. As part of your responsibilities, you will support the Consumer Sentinel Network (CSN) and other law enforcement efforts and agency priorities. Consumer Sentinel is a secure online tool available to law enforcement authorities throughout the United States and abroad. It includes a searchable data bank of consumer reports about fraud, scams, and bad business practices received by the FTC and external data contributors. In this position, you will support multiple FTC/BCP program areas, including anti-fraud, identity theft, Do Not Call, and Take it Down Act enforcement, as well as the consumer redress program. You will perform the following duties: - Under supervision of DCRO management, develop methods to extract and analyze data from CSN or from data obtained during the course of investigations and to transmit this information to the appropriate internal and external users, including FTC management and staff at all levels. - Leverage analytics and visualization tools (Tableau) to present information in a way that drives fact-based decision-making. - Automate and optimize data extraction, cleaning, processing, and analysis functions. - Analyze, clean, and process sensitive consumer data collected in various mediums, converting the data into a uniform standardized format for use in redress activities. - Produce descriptive statistics to support law enforcement efforts. - Query and mine datasets, including text data, to discover patterns, using traditional or advanced techniques such as large language models. - As needed, use various relational databases, SQL Server, MYSQL, etc. to query databases. - Use MS Excel, Python (including Pandas, Numpy), R, and other programming languages to analyze datasets of structured or unstructured data. - Energetically collaborate with other data analysts and teams to create data products for a wide range of stakeholders, including drafting declarations and other written materials that clearly and accurately describe data findings and analytical conclusions to prove allegations in court.

Qualifications

To qualify for a Data Analyst position at the GS-11 level, you must meet the following requirements: You must demonstrate in your resume at least one (1) year of qualifying experience equivalent to at least the GS-09 level in the Federal service obtained in either the private or public sector, performing the following types of tasks: using databases, analyzing data with statistical software, and presenting data to internal audiences. OR You can qualify based on education for the GS-11, if you have completed:-Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree, in a field that is directly related to the duties of the position, or-3 full years of progressively, higher level, directly related graduate education leading to such a degree. OR A combination of graduate level education and specialized experience that equals 100% of the requirements for the GS-11 level as outlined above. 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.

Education

If you qualify on the basis of education in lieu of experience, you must submit a copy of your transcripts . Unofficial transcripts will be accepted in the application package; however, official transcripts will be required prior to receiving an official offer. If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. For further information, visit: https://www.ed.gov/about/initiatives/international-affairs/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications.

Evaluations

Once the announcement has closed, your resume and supporting documentation will be used to determine if you meet the qualifications listed on this announcement. If you are found qualified, your resume and supporting documentation will be compared to your responses on the assessment questionnaire to determine your level of experience. If you rate yourself higher than is supported by your application package, you may be excluded from consideration for this position. If you are found to be among the top qualified candidates, you will be referred to the selecting official for employment consideration. Performance Appraisals: In the evaluation process, due weight will be given to job related experience, education, training, incentive awards and performance appraisals. Applicants must have a performance rating of at least the equivalent of fully successful to be eligible for promotion or placement. Applicants may provide a copy of a performance appraisal of record dated within the last 18 months. If the applicant is unable to provide a performance appraisal of record dated within the last 18 months, the applicant may provide a written explanation as to why. Your qualifications will be evaluated on the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities and other characteristics): Skill in data analysis and data manipulation (conversion, cleansing, standardization, etc.). Intermediate knowledge of data science principles. Ability to plan, organize, and manage complex data-related projects. Skill in communication with individuals and groups.

How to apply

To apply for this position, you must complete the online application and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section above. A complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on the closing date of the announcement to receive consideration. To begin, click Apply to access the online application. You will need to be logged into your USAJOBS account to apply. If you do not have a USAJOBS account, you will need to create one before beginning the application. Follow the prompts to select your resume and/or other supporting documents to be included with your application package. You will have the opportunity to upload additional documents to include in your application before it is submitted. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process. After acknowledging you have reviewed your application package, complete the Include Personal Information section as you deem appropriate and click to continue with the application process. You will be taken to the online application which you must complete in order to apply for the position. Complete the online application, verify the required documentation is included with your application package, and submit the application. To verify the status of your application, log into your USAJOBS account (https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login), all of your applications will appear on the Welcome screen. The Application Status will appear along with the date your application was last updated. For information on what each Application Status means, visit: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/how-to/application/status/. To preview the Assessment Questionnaire, click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12974365.

What to expect next

Once your online application is submitted you will receive a confirmation notification by email. Your application will be evaluated by the Human Resources Office to determine your eligibility for the position. After the evaluation is complete, you will receive another notification regarding the status of your application.

Required documents

To apply for this position, you must submit a complete application package which includes: 1. Your resume showing work schedule, hours worked per week, dates of employment and duties performed. 2. Other supporting documents: - Cover Letter, optional - College transcript(s), if qualifying based on education - Most recent SF-50, "Notification of Personnel Action" showing you are/were in the competitive service and the highest grade or promotion potential held (if applying as a status candidate with current or former Federal Service) - Most recent Performance Appraisal, if applicable - DD-214, SF-15 Form and VA letter, or certification of expected discharge or release from active duty from Veterans for consideration under Veteran hiring authorities - Noncompetitive appointment authority documentation, if applicable - Career Transition Assistance Program/Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program Documentation, if applicable (e.g. Certification of Expected Separation, Reduction-In-Force Separation Notice, or Notice of Proposed Removal; SF-50 that documents the RIF separation action; and most recent performance appraisal.) FEDERAL APPLICANTS: You must submit SF-50(s) that verify your highest competitive grade, full performance level, and eligibility as a federal applicant. DO NOT submit an award SF-50 as these often do not verify grade or eligibility. For consideration for a promotion, Box 4 of the SF-50 must show a date that is at least 52 weeks prior to the job announcement closing. We recommend submitting your last promotion SF-50 or within-grade increase SF-50. Pay adjustment raise SF-50s for the current year will not support the 52 weeks' time-in-grade requirements. https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/working-in-government/service/SF-50/ - Schedule A- In order to receive consideration under the Schedule A authority, you must provide a certification of job readiness printed on a medical professional's letterhead and signed. For more information, please visit USAJOBS Individuals with Disabilities (https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/working-in-government/unique-hiring-paths/individuals-with-disabilities/).

Other information

Veterans Employment Opportunity Act (VEOA): To be eligible for a VEOA appointment under Merit Promotion procedures, you must be a preference eligible or a Veteran separated after 3 years or more of continuous active service performed under honorable conditions. Career Transition Assistance Programs: These programs apply to employees who have been involuntarily separated from a Federal service position within the competitive service or Federal service employees whose positions have been deemed surplus or no longer needed. To receive selection priority for this position, you must: (1) meet Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) or Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP) eligibility criteria; (2) be rated well-qualified for the position with a score of 87 or above; and, (3) submit the appropriate documentation to support your CTAP or ICTAP eligibility. For more information visit: ICTAP/CTAP Non-competitive Appointment Authorities: For more information on non-competitive appointment authority eligibility requirements: - Persons with Disabilities-Schedule A - Special Hiring Authorities for Veterans - Special Hiring Authority for Certain Military Spouses - Other Special Appointment Authorities