Data Scientist

Summary

This position is located in the Social Security Administration's (SSA) Office of the Inspector General (OIG), Office of Information Technology (OIT), Business Intelligence and Analytics Division (BIAD). The incumbent will be directly responsible for meeting the statutory mission of promoting economy, efficiency, and effectiveness in the administration of SSA programs and operations and to prevent and detect fraud, waste, abuse, and mismanagement in programs and operations.

Duties

• Serves as Data Scientist in OIG/OIT/BIAD. Examples of responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
• Develops, coordinates, and executes data analysis requirements that require technical expertise across the data life cycle (i.e., data collection, ingestion, storage, modeling, access, integration, analysis and decision support).
• Conducts analyses using tools and programming languages such as Excel, SQL, Enterprise Data Warehouse, and Amazon Web Services (AWS) platforms to explore and organize data, test hypotheses, predict outcomes, and support informed decisions.
• Develops and implements advanced systems for the Agency data management program. These systems are being designed, or redesigned, to utilize new technology such as Amazon Web Services.
• Prepares and delivers written reports and oral presentations, e.g., briefings, training sessions, and consultations. Regularly provides authoritative advisory discussions with leadership, supervisors, customers, and co-workers.
• Uses appropriate analytical and statistical software to prepare data for analysis by cleaning, validating, and transforming imperfect datasets using techniques such as probabilistic record matching and imputation of missing values.
• Translates analytical results into clear, actionable insights that enable decision-makers to make informed, data-driven decisions regarding digital product development and scientific strategy.
• Develops and implements advanced systems for the Agency data management program. Designs and implements machine learning models, including generative AI and agentic AI solutions, to support business objectives.

Qualifications

Resumes exceeding two pages in length will not be considered. Please visit the new resume guidance for more information. READ ALL SECTIONS OF THIS ANNOUNCEMENT IN ITS ENTIRETY. THIS INFORMATION IS CRUCIAL TO SUBMITTING A SUCCESSFUL APPLICATION. WHO MAY APPLY: Applications will only be accepted from applicants eligible for one of the following categories. Federal employees currently serving under career or career conditional appointments; Federal employees currently serving under the following types of appointments: Schedule A, Reg. 213.3102 (U) appointments for individuals with disabilities; time limited appointments for veterans with a compensable service-connected disability of 30% or more; Former Federal employees eligible for reinstatement (i.e., those who have career status or separated from a career-conditional appointment less than 3 years ago); Current or former Federal employees eligible under the Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) or Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP); or Veterans Employment Opportunity Act (VEOA) Eligibles (i.e., Preference-eligible veterans OR veterans who have been separated from the armed forces under honorable conditions after 3 years or more of continuous service). Federal employees serving under excepted service appointments with competitive service compatibility (e.g., Postal Service, Foreign Service, an agency with an interchange agreement, etc.) may be eligible to apply. Please visit Excepted Service Appointments with Competitive Service Compatibility for more information. NOTE: Excepted service employees serving under Schedule A appointments for Attorney positions or Pathways Programs appointments (Presidential Management Fellows, Recent Graduates, and Interns) are not eligible for consideration. HOW TO QUALIFY: Eligible applicants must meet the following qualification requirements. Applicants must have 52 weeks of specialized experience at the GS-11 level, or equivalent, which is in or related to the work of the position to be filled and has equipped applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position. Such experience must include three out of the four following elements: Experience in machine learning and predictive modeling, including developing, evaluating, and applying analytically models to identify trends and support data-driven decisions. Skill in data analytics and statistical analysis, using quantitive methods to uncover insights, measure performance, and solve complex business problems. Experience in at least one of the following areas: programming and data analysis, including Python, SAS or SQL, including the ability to manipulate data and develop data pipelines to prepare and transform data for analysis. Experience in data visualization and business intelligence, creating dashboards and analytical reports using tools such as QuickSight. Additionally, applicants must meet the following Individual Occupational Requirement (IOR): A degree in mathematics, statistics, computer science, data science or field directly related to the position.Note: The degree must be in a major field of study (at least at the baccalaureate level) that is appropriate for the position. OR A combination of education and experience. Note: Courses must be equivalent to a major field of study (30 semester hours) as shown in option 1 above, plus additional education or appropriate experience. You must submit transcripts to substantiate any claimed education. Qualification standards and additional information for this position can be found here: Data Science Series 1560 (opm.gov) Qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement. Applicants for promotion must have 52 weeks at GS-11. Time in grade requirement must be met by the closing date of this announcement. NOTE: If you are a current Federal employee eligible under VEOA, you are subject to the time-in-grade requirement and must submit an SF-50 as required below.

Education

PROOF OF EDUCATION: If you are qualifying on the basis of education or satisfying an educational requirement, submit a copy of your transcripts that includes your name, the name of the educational institution, course title(s), number of credits, grade, and date of completion. Unofficial transcripts or screenshots of electronic/web transcripts with the required information will be accepted at the time of application. You must submit your transcripts according to the application submission details of this announcement. Documents will not be accepted via email or regular mail. If selected, you may be required to provide your official college transcripts prior to the effective date of the personnel action placing you into the new position. Foreign Education: If your transcripts show education completed in foreign colleges or universities, you must also provide documentation that 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 a conventional/accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university.

Evaluations

Applicants will be rated based on the following knowledge, skills, and abilities: Reasoning Decision Making Attention to Detail Customer Service Flexibility Integrity/Honesty Interpersonal Skills Learning Self-Management Stress Tolerance Teamwork The assessment includes a cut score based on the minimum level of required proficiency in these critical general competencies. You must meet or exceed the cut score to be considered. You will not be considered for the position if you score below the cut score or fail to complete the assessment. Your application will be compared to the requirements for the position. It is your responsibility to include all information in your application that is needed to evaluate your qualifications and determine if you meet the requirements for the position. If there is insufficient information, your application will be found ineligible. Please make sure you answer all questions and follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your evaluation. Cheating on the online assessment may result in your removal from consideration.

How to apply

Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your eligibility. When answering the questionnaire, remember that your experience is subject to verification by the selecting official. You may be asked to provide specific examples or documentation of experience to support your answers, or you may be required to verify a response by a practical demonstration of your claimed ability to perform a task. Notice Concerning Materially False, Fictitious, or Fraudulent Statements Anything you claim in the occupational questionnaire or in your SSA-45 may be subject to verification. By completing the electronic application process, you are certifying that any statements you make are true, complete, and correct to the best of your knowledge and belief and are made in good faith. Materially false, fictitious, or fraudulent statements or representations are subject to disciplinary action. To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes: A Resume (SSA employees may submit an SSA-45) The Occupational Questionnaire: Click on the Apply Online button to create an account or log into your existing USAJOBS account and follow the prompts to complete the occupational questionnaire. Additional Required Documents, if applicable (See Required Documents section). The complete Application Package must be submitted before 11:59 p.m. (EST) on 08/24/2026. Failure to upload any required documents will disqualify your application from consideration. If you use assistive software or an adaptive device, or you are experiencing some other type of technical difficulty and/or otherwise require assistance with the application process, please contact HR Staffing - Team Eight at 000-000-0000 or [email protected]. Individuals with hearing or speech disabilities may use the listed email or 7-1-1 for TTY-based Telecommunications Relay Services to call the listed phone number. Additional Telecommunications Relay Services options are available in each state: https://www.fcc.gov/general/trs-state-and-territories Due to our security procedures, our office will not accept any applications submitted via email, standard mail, or facsimile sent directly to the Servicing Personnel Office. Applicants are required to file through the online application process. The email address is listed only for inquiries about the position or the How to Apply process. To check the status of your application or return to a previous or incomplete application, log in to your USAJOBS account.

What to expect next

After all of the applications have been evaluated, you will receive notification via email explaining the status of your application. If you applied incorrectly or submitted an incomplete application, we will be unable to send you an electronic receipt of your application. Please read the How to Apply instructions carefully to ensure that you submit a complete application. To check the status of your application or return to a previous or incomplete application, log in to your USAJOBS account, select Application Status, and click on the more information link under the application status for this position. Selection interviews may be conducted with one or more of the candidates, but there is no requirement that interviews be conducted. The hiring office will contact candidates directly for interviews. Interviews may be conducted via video conferencing software, if technically feasible. Applicants referred for consideration will receive a final disposition notice after selections have been made.

Required documents

You must submit supporting documentation by the closing date of the vacancy announcement. Resumes exceeding two pages will not be considered. To be considered, your resume must: Be no longer than two pages Clearly demonstrate your qualifications for the position Include your contact information We recommend using a clear, easy-to-read format and focusing on information most relevant to the job announcement. RESUME: Include the following information: 1) personal information (full name, mailing address, work and home phone numbers); 2) education; 3) work experience (paid and unpaid, including clerkships/internships). Show job title, including series and grade if Federal employment, detailed duties and accomplishments, employer's name and address, supervisor's name and phone number, starting and ending dates (mm/dd/yy), hours per week, and salary; 4) other qualifications (skills, certifications/licenses, honors, awards, special accomplishments, and job-related training courses). Please note that providing the mm/dd/yy for all work experience is critical for evaluating your application. If actual dates are not known, provide your best-estimated timeframes. Please refer to How to Build a Resume for instructions. PROOF OF EDUCATION: See information provided in the Education section of this announcement for details and requirements. SF-50 If you are a current or former Federal employee, you must submit a Notification of Personnel Action (SF-50) that that reflects your grade/step, possession of time-in-grade (e.g., a Within-Grade Increase or Promotion/Reassignment dated more than one year ago), and career or career-conditional tenure in the competitive service. You may need to submit more than one SF-50 to prove possession of time-in-grade. If you are a former Federal employee with reinstatement eligibility, you must also submit your separation SF-50 showing your separation was not for performance or conduct reasons. PERFORMANCE APPRAISAL If you are a current Federal employee, you must submit a copy of your most recent performance appraisal. If you are a new or current Federal employee and have not received a performance appraisal from your agency, you must upload an explanation. Current SSA employees and VEOA applicants are not required to submit performance appraisals. NOTE: If you are a current Federal employee (non-SSA) applying under VEOA, you must submit a performance appraisal or explanation(s) as required above. VETERANS EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES ACT (VEOA) The Veterans Employment Opportunities Act (VEOA) includes those eligible for veterans' preference OR have been separated from the armed forces under honorable conditions after 3 or more years of continuous service, including veterans who were separated shortly before completing the required 3-year period. For more information visit the Vet Guide. If you are claiming veterans' preference, you must submit a copy of your military discharge certificate (DD-214 member 4 copy preferred) or an official statement of service from your command if you are currently on active duty. To be acceptable, the document must contain dates and show Character of Service. If you are claiming 10-point veterans' preference based on a service-connected disability, you must also submit an Application for 10-Point Veterans' Preference (SF 15) and the required documentation specified on the reverse of the SF-15. Preference will be granted based on the documents received. If you are a current active duty military member who does not have a DD-214 and are claiming preference under the Veterans Opportunity to Work (VOW) Act, you must submit certification from the Armed Forces indicating that you will be discharged or released under honorable conditions from active duty within 120 days of the date on the certification. Certifications must be on letterhead from the appropriate military branch and include the following information: military dates of service and expected discharge or release date, the character of service, military rank, type of discharge, and date when terminal leave will begin. Certifications must be signed by or under the direction of military members' military personnel offices, unit commanders, or higher headquarters. NOTE: If you are a current Federal employee eligible under VEOA, you are subject to the time-in-grade requirement and must submit an SF-50 as required above. INTERAGENCY CAREER TRANSITION ASSISTANCE PLAN (ICTAP) If you are applying for selection priority under ICTAP, you must submit one of the following as proof of eligibility: a separation notice; a Notice of Personnel Action (SF-50) documenting your separation; an agency certification that you cannot be placed after injury compensation has been terminated; an OPM notification that your disability annuity has been terminated; or a Military Department or National Guard Bureau notification that you are retired under 5 U.S.C. 8337(h) or 8456.

Other information

This is a non-bargaining unit position to be filled under the provisions of the Management Officials Promotion Plan. The best-qualified list for this vacancy may be used to fill the same or similar positions in a component(s) under the same Deputy Commissioner. Additional selections may be made within 6 months of the date the best qualified list is issued. LOCALITY PAY: Salary will be set in accordance with locality pay provisions. Candidates currently receiving a higher locality pay than the office applied for are advised that should they be selected, they will lose entitlement to the higher locality pay. OTHER NOTES: The selectee may be required to file an OGE form 450, Confidential Financial Disclosure Report, in accordance with 5 CFR section 2634, subpart i. This position is eligible for telework in accordance with agency policy. Relocation expenses will not be paid. This is a high-risk public trust position. The selected employee will be required to complete a Standard Form 85P, Questionnaire for Public Trust Positions, in order to have the appropriate investigation conducted, unless the employee has been previously certified eligible to occupy a position at this level. This is a critical sensitive position. The selected employee will be required to complete a Standard Form 86, Questionnaire for Sensitive Positions, in order to have the appropriate investigation conducted, unless the employee has been previously certified eligible to occupy a position at this level.