Data Scientist

Drug Enforcement Administration • Arlington County, VA

7d

About The Position

This position is in the DEA’s Office of Diversion Control Operations, Drug and Chemical Evaluation Section, Data Analysis Unit. Its primary purpose is to devise methodologies, data structures, and coding techniques that organize raw data into usable information for statistical or other mathematical analysis. The Data Scientist compiles and organizes structured and unstructured program data for criminal investigations and analysis of agency operations; manages hardware and software used to gather, organize, store, and retrieve data; develops machine-learning tools, algorithms, and queries to analyze diverse data sources and identify otherwise difficult-to-observe connections; creates informational resources and reporting materials that present complex topics in accessible charts, diagrams, and graphs; and writes formal analyses, assessments, and findings under strict timelines to support leadership and executive decisions.

Applicants must meet the position’s basic education or education-and-experience requirements and have at least one year of specialized experience at the next lower grade level. GS-13 applicants must have at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-12, including data management, formal analysis reporting, query development, and studies evaluating data validity, methodologies, or analytical results. The position requires U.S. citizenship, successful completion of a background investigation, the ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance, random drug testing, and successful E-Verify verification. Time-in-grade and time-after-competitive-appointment requirements apply. Telework may be permitted with supervisory approval, and relocation incentives may be considered if eligibility and funding requirements are met.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship.
• Successfully complete a background investigation.
• Be able to obtain and maintain a security clearance.
• Be subject to random drug testing.
• Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check.
• Meet the basic education requirement: a degree at least at the baccalaureate level in mathematics, statistics, computer science, data science, or a directly related field; alternatively, have courses equivalent to a 30-semester-hour major in a relevant field plus additional education or appropriate experience.
• Have at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level.
• For GS-13, have at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-12, including organizing data using data management systems, authoring formal analysis reports or assessments, developing data-extraction queries, and conducting studies on data validity, methodologies, or analytical results.
• Meet applicable time-in-grade and time-after-competitive-appointment requirements.
• Submit college transcripts if qualifying based on education or if education is a mandatory requirement.
• Provide evidence that foreign education is comparable to education from an accredited U.S. institution if relying on foreign education.

Responsibilities

• Compile and organize structured and unstructured program data into usable information to aid criminal investigations and analysis of agency operations.
• Manage hardware and software components used to gather, organize, store, and retrieve data, keeping them updated in accordance with policies, procedures, and operational requirements.
• Develop machine-learning tools, algorithms, and queries to analyze structured and unstructured open-source, commercial, and proprietary data and identify connections and associations.
• Create informational resources, guides, and reporting materials that communicate complex topics using consistent formats, charts, diagrams, and graphs.
• Author formal analysis reports, assessments, and findings under strict timelines to support leadership and executive decision-making.
• Conduct studies to determine the validity of data, methodologies, or analytical results.
• Develop queries for data extraction.

Benefits

• Comprehensive federal employee benefits package for employees and their families.
• Relocation incentives may be considered and approved if the position is difficult to fill and funding is available.

What This Job Offers

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