Data Scientist

Veterans Benefits Administration • Washington, DC

22d • Onsite

About The Position

This position is located in the Veteran Benefits Administration (VBA), Office of Performance Analysis and Integrity (PA&I), and organizationally aligned under the VBA Chief of Staff. The mission of PA&I's Advanced Analytics Staff is to provide analytical services, statistical analysis, and data products that support VBA's delivery of high-quality, timely benefits and services to Veterans and their families.

Requirements

• Must be a U.S. Citizen.
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
• May be required to serve a probationary period.
• Subject to background/security investigation.
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process.
• Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements I-9 Acceptable Documents.
• Education: 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.
• Time-in-grade requirements: Applicants who are current Federal employees and have held a GS grade any time in the past 52 weeks must also meet time-in-grade requirements.
• For a GS-11 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-09 level.
• For a GS-12 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-11 level.
• For a GS-13 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-12 level.
• GS-11 Grade Level: Specialized Experience: Candidates must have at least one year's professional experience using the SQL computer programming language at the GS-09 level OR Education Substitution: Applicants may substitute education for the experience required to qualify at the GS-09 grade level. Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree, if related (You must provide transcripts); OR Three (3) full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree.. OR Combination: The applicant has less than the one year of specialized experience as described in response "A" above, and less than the full amount of graduate education as described in response "B" above. However, when combined, they equal at least 100% of the total requirement. To calculate, first identify the percentage of required education you have earned. Then identify the percentage of required experience you possess. Add the two percentages. The total percentage must equal at least 100 percent to qualify. Only graduate level education can be used in combination with experience to qualify for a GS-11 grade level position.
• GS-12 Grade Level: Specialized Experience: Candidates must have at least one year's professional experience using the Python computer programming language.
• GS-13 Grade Level: Specialized Experience: Candidates must have at least one year's professional experience using both the SQL and Python computer programming languages.
• Combining Education & Experience: If you do not fully meet the length of experience and education described for a specific grade level (e.g. have six months of experience and some coursework but not a degree), the two can be combined to total 100% of the requirement.
• 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.

Nice To Haves

• The selectee is required to report to the official duty station each scheduled workday. Telework may be approved only on a case-by-case basis with supervisory approval. Routine or recurring telework is not authorized for this position.

Responsibilities

• Support the development and optimization of data sourcing, preparation, and analytical dataset construction processes and assist in performing data extractions using computer programming without preset specifications to source and prepare data from diverse systems.
• Assist with statistical analysis, working in established and emerging data science tools such as Toad, SAS, Python, Tableau, and cloud analytics platforms.
• Analyze and evaluate the effectiveness of VBA program operations in meeting business line or higher established goals and objectives, performing analyses of data and disseminating results to assigned project lead or supervisor.
• Evaluate models and findings of other VBA analysts and contractors in area of specialization to assist assigned project lead or supervisor.
• Support the creation and refinement of data visualizations, dashboards, and analytical summaries that clearly communicate findings and recommendations to technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Design and develop data sourcing, preparation, and analytical dataset construction processes; perform data extractions using computer programming without preset specifications; identify and resolve data quality issues, structural challenges, and non-routine extraction problems; validate data completeness and accuracy; and document methodologies for reproducibility and audit purposes.
• Work in established and emerging data science tools such as Toad, SAS, Python, Tableau, and cloud analytics platforms, building statistical models in support of VBA operations and developing algorithms or tools to support data manipulation and processing.
• Analyze and evaluate the effectiveness of VBA program operations in meeting business line or higher established goals and objectives, performing analyses of data and disseminating results.
• Conduct data science projects including problem definition, identification of key variables, development of analytical methodology, development of recommendations, and presentation of results.
• Create and refine data visualizations, dashboards, statistical reports, and presentations that clearly communicate analytical methodologies, data quality considerations, and findings to both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Design, develop, and optimize comprehensive data sourcing, preparation, and analytical dataset construction processes; oversee resolution of complex data quality and structural challenges; establish standards for data validation, documentation, and reproducibility; and ensure systems adequately support current and future analytical needs.
• Work in established and emerging data science tools such as Toad, SAS, Python, Tableau, and cloud analytics platforms, building statistical models in support of VBA operations and developing algorithms or tools to support data manipulation and processing.
• Analyze and evaluate the effectiveness of VBA program operations in meeting business line or higher established goals and objectives, performing analyses of data and disseminating results.
• Plan and conduct data science projects with detailed problem definition, identification of key variables, development of analytical methodology, development of recommendations, and presentation of results.
• Develop data products including dashboards, statistical reports, presentations, and visualizations that communicate analytical findings and support organizational decision-making, ensuring products are tailored to audience technical expertise.

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.
• Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee.
• VA may offer newly-appointed Federal employee's credit for their job-related non-federal experience or active duty uniformed military service.
• This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave.
• Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed.
• 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.

What This Job Offers

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