Data Scientist Advisor

GD Information Technology • Fort Bragg, NC

5d • $128,039 - $173,229 • Onsite

About The Position

The Data Science Advisor (DSA) leads the POTFF Enterprise Data and Analytics function and serves as the primary analytical advisor to the Enterprise POTFF Director, Domain Leads, and the Human Factors Council on research methodologies, data collection strategies, study design, and program evaluation. The DSA coordinates and directs the technical work of Data Engineers, Data Scientists, and Senior Data Scientists under their purview, subject to Government direction; sets the analytical agenda in response to Government priorities; ensures analytical methods are sound, reproducible, and defensible; and delivers findings to Government leadership to support decision-making.

The role supports Government-directed analyses, evaluations, and experiments measuring the validity, efficacy, and return on investment of POTFF interventions. It establishes analytical standards, data governance practices, reporting methodologies, and performance-measurement frameworks, while ensuring compliance with DoW Impact Level 5, HIPAA, the Privacy Act, and applicable DoW AI/ML policy. The position also supports strategic planning, enterprise performance measures, executive dashboards, readiness metrics, and coordination with Government data organizations.

This is a contingent posting expected to start in 2027. The position is onsite at Hurlburt Field, Florida, with additional work locations in San Diego, California; Fort Bragg, North Carolina; and Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington. Scheduled hours are 40 per week, with less than 10% travel required. The likely salary range is $128,039–$173,229, subject to experience, location, and contractual requirements. A Secret or Top Secret clearance, or the ability to obtain a clearance, is required; the posting also lists Top Secret as the clearance level currently required and Top Secret/SCI as obtainable.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship is required.
• A master’s degree in a quantitative discipline with documented coursework or professional application in statistics, programming, and quantitative analysis; alternatively, a bachelor’s degree in a listed quantitative discipline with the additional experience specified in the posting.
• With a master’s degree, at least seven years of professional experience applying data science, statistics, or research methods to real-world problems, including at least two years supervising or leading analysts.
• With a bachelor’s degree, at least ten years of professional experience applying data science, statistics, or research methods to real-world problems, including at least two years supervising or leading analysts.
• At least three years of hands-on work as a data scientist, statistician, or equivalent analyst personally performing analyses; supervisory or advisory work alone does not meet this requirement.
• Degree-program work does not count toward the Data Science Advisor experience requirement.
• Expertise in research methods, study design, and program evaluation, including quantitative and qualitative methods, sufficient to design defensible evaluations and advise senior leaders on limitations.
• Advanced proficiency in Python or R and in SQL.
• Demonstrated experience delivering statistical or predictive models and decision-support products to organizational leadership.
• Demonstrated supervisory experience leading a data science, analytics, or research team, and experience running a program or project of comparable scope.
• Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing with senior leadership, negotiate complex issues, develop alternatives where there is no single solution, and maintain good working relationships with stakeholders.
• Secret or Top Secret clearance, or the ability to obtain clearance.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with human performance, sports science, health, clinical, or biomedical data or research.
• Agile or Scrum certification, such as Certified ScrumMaster or PMI Agile Certified Practitioner, or comparable training.
• A doctoral degree in one of the listed disciplines or a history of peer-reviewed publications.
• Familiarity with the Government-furnished technology stack, such as Databricks and Apache Spark, Power BI, and Microsoft Power Platform, and with Palantir Foundry.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Enterprise Data and Analytics function by planning, prioritizing, assigning, and reviewing the work of assigned Data Engineers, Data Scientists, and Senior Data Scientists in response to Government-directed requirements.
• Manage the analytical backlog using an Agile or comparable framework.
• Advise the Enterprise POTFF Director, Domain Leads, and Human Factors Council on research methodologies, data collection strategies, study design, and program evaluation.
• Design and oversee Government-directed program evaluations, analyses, and experiments measuring the validity, efficacy, and return on investment of POTFF interventions.
• Select appropriate statistical models and study designs and ensure data quality and defensible, reproducible methodology.
• Establish and maintain analytical standards, data governance practices, reporting methodologies, and performance-measurement frameworks in coordination with Government data governance.
• Ensure compliance with DoW Impact Level 5, HIPAA, the Privacy Act, and applicable DoW AI/ML policy.
• Translate Government priorities into analytical requirements and support POTFF strategic planning with data-driven decision support.
• Support development of enterprise performance measures, executive dashboards, and readiness metrics.
• Prepare and deliver reports, briefings, and decision-support products that accurately communicate findings, limitations, and recommendations to Government leadership.
• Consult with supported units and POTFF staff on capturing data about programs and initiatives and interpreting analytical products.
• Coordinate with the USSOCOM Enterprise Data Team and other Government data organizations on data access, standards, and shared platforms, as directed by the Government.
• Perform advanced analysis personally when required and maintain currency in statistical analysis, data science, AI/ML, data engineering, and visualization technologies.
• Coordinate and advise on training and professional development for assigned data science personnel, subject to Government approval.

Benefits

• 401(k) with company match.
• Comprehensive health and wellness packages, including medical plan options, some with Health Savings Accounts, dental plans, and vision plans.
• Professional growth opportunities, including paid education and certifications.
• Paid vacation, sick and personal time, and holidays; the posting says new employees typically receive 15 days of paid leave per calendar year and 10 paid holidays per year, prorated based on hire date.
• Paid parental leave, military leave, bereavement leave, and jury duty leave.
• Paid Family Leave of up to 160 hours in a rolling 12-month period for eligible employees.
• Short- and long-term disability benefits, life insurance, and other accident and critical illness insurance offerings.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior