Data Scientist (Direct Hire)

Summary

As a Data Scientist, you support mission and program needs by preparing and analyzing data, developing analytic methods, and assisting with model evaluation. You create summaries and visualizations to communicate findings. Higher-grade levels perform these tasks with increased independence, broader scope, and responsibility for coordinating technical work.

Duties

• Duties described below are at the highest grade advertised. Duties assigned at lower grade levels will be of more limited scope, performed with less independence and limited complexity; duties will be commensurate with the grade of selected employee.
• Design and operate production grade data and machine learning pipelines with data quality checks and documented lineage.
• Develop and deploy analytic models to meet mission needs and configure monitoring and alerting for performance.
• Prepare, transform, and integrate datasets from multiple sources and maintain reproducible documentation.
• Plan and conduct model validation, testing, and performance evaluation and share results with stakeholders.
• Implement role based access controls and data protection requirements and document practices for audits.
• Maintain metadata workflows, including tagging, classification, and lifecycle documentation.
• Publish optimized analytical datasets or models and define key performance indicators and data representations.
• Coordinate with stakeholders to define technical requirements and provide guidance to junior team members.

Qualifications

Specialized experience is experience that has equipped you with the particular ability, skill, and knowledge to successfully perform the duties of this position and is typically in or related to this line of work. To qualify for GS-12, you must have: a) One year of directly related specialized experience equivalent to the GS-11 level: Collecting, cleaning, transforming, and preparing structured and unstructured data for analytic projects. Assisting in building and maintaining data pipelines and supporting model testing by recording results and identifying issues. Writing, testing, and documenting code for data analysis or modeling and producing basic visualizations. OR b) Completed all requirements for a doctoral degree (i.e., Ph.D. or equivalent) in an appropriate field To qualify for GS-13, you must have one year of directly related specialized experience equivalent to the GS-12 level: Preparing, transforming, and integrating datasets from multiple sources and maintaining reproducible documentation. Designing and operating data and machine learning pipelines with defined data quality checks and lineage tracking. Conducting model validation, testing, and performance evaluation and presenting results to diverse audiences. Your resume must include a clear and detailed narrative description, in your own words, of how you meet the required specialized experience. Experience statements copied from a position description, vacancy announcement or other reference material constitutes plagiarism and may result in disqualification and losing consideration for the job. Please visit https://www.nasa.gov/careers/how-to-apply/#Artificial-Intelligence to review NASA's guidance on the use of artificial intelligent (AI) or AI-assisted tools during the application process.

Education

Basic Requirement: You must have successfully completed a full 4-year course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a bachelor's or higher degree with a major in mathematics, statistics, computer science, data science or field directly related to the position. OR Have a combination of education and experience equivalent to a major field of study (30 semester hours) equivalent to one of the majors shown above, plus additional education or appropriate experience. U.S. degrees must have been awarded from colleges or universities that are accredited by recognized accrediting organizations. For a list of schools that meet this criteria, go to http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show that the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs. These education credentials must be deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/. All degrees must have been received in the year of, or any year subsequent to the original date of accreditation. How You Will Be Evaluated

Direct Hire Authority: These positions will be filled through the Office of Personnel Management's Direct Hire Authority. Category rating and veterans' preference will not be considered in evaluating applicants. For more information on Direct Hire Authority, please see: OPM Direct Hire Fact Sheet. Veterans: Under the provisions of Direct Hire Authority, veterans' preference does not apply. However, applicants who are eligible for veterans' preference are encouraged to include that information in their application and submit supporting documentation (i.e. DD-214, or other substantiating documents). For more information please see: Veterans' Preference information on the FedsHireVets website. You will be evaluated for this position based on how well you meet the qualifications and eligibility requirements listed in this vacancy announcement. To determine your qualifications and referral status, we may review your resume and supporting documentation and compare it against your responses to the assessment questionnaire. Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application materials or assessment questionnaire may result in your removal from consideration. You will be assessed on the following competencies: Data Visualization Large Scale Data Systems Trend Analysis Data Systems Technology Application To preview the application questionnaire, click on the following link: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13049680 NASA considers paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. NASA will not ask you to disclose criminal history record information during the application process or before we make a conditional/tentative offer of employment. If you apply for this position and are selected, NASA will conduct a suitability/security background investigation after you accept a tentative job offer. If you feel you are asked to disclose your criminal history before you accept a tentative offer and wish to file a complaint within 30 days, please contact: [email protected]. Other Information

In the Announcement Questionnaire, you will be prompted to select the lowest grade you wish to be considered for. By applying, you agree to have your application shared with interested selecting official(s) within NASA. CTAP/ICTAP will be cleared for any additional selection from this announcement. If you have special priority selection rights under the Agency Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) or the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP), you must: - Indicate your eligibility when applying for a position. The questionnaire asks you to identify your ICTAP/CTAP eligibility. - Meet the minimum qualifications requirements for the position - Submit proof that you meet the requirements for CTAP/ICTAP as indicated in 'Required Documents. For additional information about CTAP/ICTAP eligibility, click here - https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/employee-guide-to-career-transition/#ictap. Any applicant that received a Voluntary Separation Incentive Payment (VSIP) from the federal government within the last five years based of the closing date of this announcement, if selected, may be required to repay the full amount prior to establishing a start date. For additional information on the VSIP repayment requirement, click here - https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/voluntary-separation-incentive-payments/. Per Executive Order 14343, this position is not part of a bargaining unit. Probationary Period You may be required to serve a one-year probationary period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. If selected, the requirement to serve such period will be determined by Title 5 of the Code of Federal Regulations, Part 11. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Upon completion of your probationary period your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest. Other duty locations not specifically listed on this announcement may be considered at management's discretion.