Ai-Ml Specialist)

Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency•Hanover, MD

About The Position

DCSA Acquisition and Technology, National Background Investigation Services (NBIS) is seeking a non-supervisory Data Scientist specializing in data architecture, data engineering, or AI/ML. The incumbent provides support, guidance, and expertise across data science functions and applies knowledge of data science applications, environments, and methods. The position may be filled at the GG-11 or GG-12 grade level; applicants should indicate the grade for which they wish to be considered. Advancement to the established target grade may be possible upon meeting applicable developmental benchmarks, performance requirements, and other requirements. At GG-11, the incumbent assists with professional work in data science, intelligence, AI/ML, and systems analysis; applies standard analytic methods to improve data reliability and quality; helps identify, collect, and analyze data for projects and programs; and works with team members to support accurate data and consistent reporting. At GG-12, the incumbent independently performs this work, selects and applies appropriate analytic methods, identifies, collects, and analyzes data, collaborates with stakeholders to ensure accuracy, and informs management of anticipated changes to methodologies or procedures. This is a Defense Civilian Intelligence Personnel System (DCIPS) position in the excepted service, designated as a STEM and/or Cyber position and paid under the STEM and Cyber Pay Table. The incumbent must obtain and maintain the appropriate security clearance. Applicable IT/security certifications or education identified in the Defense Cyber Workforce Annex must be completed within six months of appointment, and maintaining the required certification is a condition of employment. The position also requires DoD Acquisition Foundational certification in Engineering & Technical Management within 36 months after entry and 80 hours of continuous learning points every two years. The position is full-time, has a flexible tour of duty, and may involve occasional overtime. Situational telework may be approved temporarily on a case-by-case basis. Permanent change of station is not authorized. This is a drug-testing-designated position, subject to initial and random testing.

Requirements

Must be a U.S. citizen.
Must meet the 1560 basic education requirement: a degree in mathematics, statistics, computer science, data science, or a directly related field, with the major appropriate to the position at least at the baccalaureate level; alternatively, 30 semester hours of equivalent coursework plus additional education or appropriate experience.
Must provide transcripts when required; failure to provide them may result in being rated ineligible.
Must have directly applicable experience demonstrating the knowledge, skills, abilities, and competencies needed to perform the work.
For GG-11, generally at least one year of specialized experience equivalent in difficulty, responsibility, and complexity to GS/GG-09, including assisting with advanced analytics; supporting predictive model, quantitative analysis, and decision-support product design, development, and validation; and independently executing project components using tools such as SQL, Python, or Power BI.
For GG-12, generally at least one year of specialized experience equivalent in difficulty, responsibility, and complexity to GS/GG-11, including applying advanced analytical methods to complex structured and unstructured data problems; designing, developing, and refining predictive models and decision-support products; and leading project components from problem definition through modeling.
If substituting education for experience at GG-11, must have a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree, three full years of progressively higher graduate education leading to such a degree, or a related LL.M.; transcripts must be provided.
Must obtain and maintain the appropriate security clearance.
Must complete applicable IT/security certifications or education specified in the Defense Cyber Workforce Annex within six months of appointment and maintain the required certification.
Must complete DoD Acquisition Foundational certification in Engineering & Technical Management within 36 months after entry and earn 80 continuous learning points every two years.
Must satisfy the Selective Service requirement if applicable: males born after December 31, 1959 must be registered.
Must pass initial drug screening and may be subject to random testing thereafter.
May be required to serve a two-year trial period.
Must acknowledge the position's DCIPS excepted-service status if selected, as applicable.

Responsibilities

Support, guide, and provide expertise in data science functions.
Perform professional work in data science, intelligence, artificial intelligence/machine learning (AI/ML), and systems analysis.
Apply standard or appropriate analytic methods to improve data reliability and quality.
Identify, collect, and analyze data to support and advance projects or programs.
Collaborate with team members or stakeholders to ensure data accuracy and consistent reporting.
At GG-12, inform management of anticipated revisions to methodologies or procedures.
Apply statistical, machine learning, natural language processing, or other advanced analytical methods to structured and unstructured data.
Support or develop predictive models, quantitative analyses, and data-driven decision-support products.
Execute or lead components of data analysis projects from problem definition through data acquisition, preparation, and modeling.
Develop and apply quantitative and qualitative analytic methods to identify, collect, process, and analyze large data sets.
Leverage and optimize existing software and recommend future software options as needed.