Data Scientist - Office of Inspector General

Summary

The GSA Office of Inspector General (OIG) is seeking a highly motivated and qualified Data Scientist for our Cyber and Data Analytics team in the Office of Investigations.

We are currently filling one vacancy that will be located in one of the following locations, but additional vacancies may be filled as needed.

Washington, DC

Boston, MA

Chicago, IL

Fort Worth, TX

Kansas City, MO

Lakewood, CO

Philadelphia, PA

Tacoma, WA

Learn more about this agency

Duties

As a Data Scientist with the GSA OIG Office of Investigations, you will make use of scientific methodology, processes, algorithms, and systems to collect, analyze, evaluate, and maintain data to yield actionable information; develop data mining and predictive analytics tools to identify indicators of fraud, waste, abuse, and mismanagement; and to support OIG investigations using data analytics, link analysis, and data mining. Some of the responsibilities of this position may include the following duties:

• Providing expert design and development of data models and statistical analyses.
• Developing new and improved concepts, principles, and techniques to advance the body of business and data analytics knowledge within the OIG.
• Collecting and analyzing unstructured and structured data using a variety of methods, including data cleansing, and producing coherent data sets.
• Performing data analyses and applying methods including classical statistics, spatial statistics, optimization, supervised and unsupervised modelling as necessary to complete projects.
• Converting user stories and project requirements to model design, code, and visualizations. Performing data discovery, data mining, analytic modeling, and visualization to provide insights and drive decisions.
• Designing, developing, and deploying data-driven models to solve problems and answer questions using data mining, statistical modeling, analytics, and business intelligence techniques and tools.

The Office of Inspector General (OIG) for the General Services Administration (GSA) is one of the original OIGs established by the Inspector General Act of 1978. The OIGs were created as independent and objective entities within an agency to (a) promote economy, efficiency, and effectiveness in the administration of the agency, and (b) to prevent and detect fraud and abuse in agency programs and operations. The OIGs report to the agency head and Congress through semi-annual and other reports. The GSA OIG operates as an autonomous entity within GSA under a presidentially appointed, Senate confirmed Inspector General who supervises a diverse team of approximately 300 professionals in headquarters' administrative, legal, and operational components and in regional operational offices throughout the country. The GSA OIG is dedicated to protecting the public interest by bringing about positive changes in the performance, accountability, and integrity of GSA programs and operations. Oversight is provided through auditing, inspections and evaluations, and investigations of GSA extensive procurement, real property, and related programs and operations, which primarily support other federal agencies. OIG oversight components report their findings and recommend courses of action to promote efficiency and economy in the GSA’s activities. Applicants are encouraged to review the work and accomplishments of the GSA OIG on our website, https://www.gsaig.gov/.

Requirements

Conditions of employment

• US Citizens and National (Residents of American Samoa and Swains Island)
• Meet all eligibility criteria within 30 days of the closing date
• Register with Selective Service if you are a male born after 12/31/1959

If selected, you must meet the following conditions:

• Current or Former Political Appointees: The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) must authorize employment offers made to current or former political appointees. If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C or Non­Career SES employee in the Executive Branch, you must disclose this information to the HR Office. Failure to disclose this information could result in disciplinary action including removal from Federal Service.
• Serve a one year probationary period, if required.
• Undergo and pass a background investigation (Tier 5 investigation level).
• Have your identity and work status eligibility verified if you are not a GSA OIG employee. We will use the Department of Homeland Security’s e-Verify system for this. Any discrepancies must be resolved as a condition of continued employment.
• Complete a financial disclosure report to verify that no conflict, or an appearance of conflict, exists between your financial interest and this position.

Qualifications

Starting Pay for all locations will be dependent upon the associated GS-Locality Pay Table for that area. If you are a new federal employee, your starting salary will likely be set at the Step 1 of the grade for which you are selected.

BASIC REQUIREMENTS DATA SCIENTISTS: All candidates for Data Scientists must meet one of the following basic requirements.

• 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

• 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.

This position has a positive education requirement: Applicants must submit a copy of their college or university transcript(s) and certificates by the closing date of announcements to verify qualifications. If selected, an official transcript will be required prior to appointment.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS TO QUALIFY AT THE GS-13 LEVEL:

In addition to the Basic Requirements listed above, you must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-12 in the Federal service. Specialized experience is technical data analytics expertise in working with teams to develop data-driven solutions, products and definitions that address program and business challenges. This experience must include: Gathering and compiling data from a variety of business data systems; Consulting with diverse stakeholders and using analysis tools to design and implement data analyses; Using appropriate analytic and statistical software to programmatically prepare data for analysis and clean imperfect data; Translating data analyses into meaningful, easily understood communications; Conducting observational analyses using software and/or programming languages including R, Python, Microsoft Power BI, and SQL to explore/group data, test hypotheses, predict outcomes, and inform decisions; Developing automated data solutions (including dashboards and visualizations); and Providing input to management for decisions on an organization's enterprise data environment and/or data management practices.

Additional information

Candidates will not be hired based on their race, sex, color, religion, or national origin.

Relocation-related expenses are not approved and will be your responsibility.

Applicants are encouraged to make their resume searchable in their USAJOBS.gov profile. This will allow Federal hiring specialists and hiring managers across agencies to find their resume as part of agency recruitment campaigns or staffing searches.

GS-12:

If you apply to this position and are selected, we will not ask about your criminal history before you receive a conditional job offer. If you believe you were asked about your criminal history improperly, contact the OIG HR point of contact listed on this vacancy announcement.

In the event that this position cannot be filled by the initial selection, alternate selections may be made from this announcement. Management also has the right to not fill this position or to fill additional vacancies through this announcement as needed.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

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. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

You will have access to many benefits including:

• Health insurance (choose from a wide range of plans)
• Life insurance coverage with several options
• Sick leave and vacation time, including 11 paid holidays per year
• Thrift Savings Plan (similar to a 401(k) plan)
• Flexible work schedules
• Transit and child care subsidies
• Flexible spending accounts
• Training and development

Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.