Data Scientist

Summary

As a Data Scientist, you will be responsible for researching developments in finance, banking, food sector, and general and rural economy; and developing and maintaining tools and models for evaluating financial and economic impacts on the performance of Farm Credit System (FCS). This position is located in the Office of Data Analytics and Economics.

Duties

As a Data Scientist you will apply advanced quantitative, computer science, mathematical, and statistical skills to interpret large structured and unstructured data sets to support financial and economic analyses of factors impacting FCS institutions or the System and changes in finance, banking, food sector, and general and rural economy. Specific duties include: Architecting, deploying, and managing super intelligence (SI) and machine learning (ML) projects independently from conception to production, leveraging full-lifecycle expertise within the Databricks ecosystem. Developing, optimizing, and troubleshooting data and ML workflows utilizing PySpark, Spark SQL, and Delta Lake. Building and deploying autonomous agents for conversational data intelligence. Designing and implementing custom Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) pipelines. Analyzing a variety of data sources to provide data-driven insights to the organization. Qualifications

Desired Qualification: Expert knowledge of and experience with using cloud-based data analytics, data engineering, or machine learning platforms, such as Databricks with hands-on experience utilizing Spark/PySpark, Delta Lake, or similar technologies, to independently develop, optimize, and maintain data workflows. Basic Requirements: A bachelor's or higher degree in 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. In addition to meeting the basic requirements, you must meet the specialized experience statement noted below. You qualify at the VH-38 (GS-12) level if you have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the VH-37 (GS-11) level in the Federal service, or comparable experience not gained through Federal service. Specialized experience is experience that has equipped you with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the duties of the position. Examples include analyzing data to identify risks, trends, or opportunities; conducting research and evaluating economic, financial, banking, agricultural, or related issues; and developing, maintaining, or using data analytics, machine learning, or data engineering tools to support business decisions. You qualify at the VH-39 (GS-13) level if you have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the VH-38 (GS-12) level in the Federal service, or comparable experience not gained through Federal service. Specialized experience is experience that has equipped you with the skills, and abilities to perform the duties of the position. Examples include analyzing data to identify risks, trends, or opportunities; conducting research and evaluating economic, financial, banking, agricultural, or related issues; and developing, maintaining, or using data analytics, machine learning, or data engineering tools to support business decisions, and leading projects while providing technical direction. You qualify at the VH-40 (GS-14) level if you have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the VH-39 (GS-13) level in the Federal service, or comparable experience not gained through Federal service. Specialized experience is experience that has equipped you with the knowledge, skills, abilities and leadership to perform the duties of the position. Examples include analyzing data to identify risks, trends, or opportunities; conducting research and evaluating economic, financial, banking, agricultural, or related issues; and developing, maintaining, or using data analytics, machine learning, or data engineering tools to support business decisions, and leading teams and strategic initiatives by using data-driven insights to influence stakeholders and outcomes. Experience refers to 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. Time-In-Grade Requirements: Current and former Federal employees (including VEOA eligibles) must have served one-year (52 weeks) at the next lower grade in the Federal service to meet time-in-grade restrictions per 5 CFR 300, Subpart F, by the closing date of the announcement.

Education

You MUST provide transcripts or other documentation to support your educational claims. Unless otherwise stated: (1) official or unofficial transcripts are acceptable, or (2) you may submit a list with all your courses, grades, semester, year, and credit for the course. All materials must be submitted by the closing date of the announcement. PASS/FAIL COURSES: If more than 10 percent of your undergraduate course work (credit hours) were taken on a pass/fail basis, your claim of superior academic achievement must be based upon class standing or membership in an honor society. GRADUATE EDUCATION: One academic year of graduate education is the number of credits hours your graduate school has determined to represent one academic year of full-time study. Such study may have been performed on a full-time or part-time basis. If you cannot obtain your graduate school's definition of one year of graduate study, 18 semester hours (or 27 quarter hours) should be considered as satisfying the requirement for one year of full-time graduate study. FOREIGN EDUCATION: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been 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: College Accreditation | U.S. Department of Education How You Will Be Evaluated

Structured Resume Review: You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above. Once the announcement has closed, a review of your résumé (no more than 2 pages) and required supporting documentation will be used to determine whether you meet the minimum qualification requirements listed on this announcement. If you are minimally qualified, your résumé will be compared against your responses to the assessment questionnaire to determine your level of experience. If, after reviewing your résumé, a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications and/or experience, you may lose consideration for this position. Please follow all instructions carefully when applying, errors or omissions may affect your eligibility. You will be assessed on the following competencies: Data Science Oral Communication Written Communication This announcement uses the Rule of Many method under 5 CFR § 332.402. If set number/percentage: All applicants tied at the cut line will be referred. We will provide the selecting official a sufficient number of names, when available, to consider at least three candidates per vacancy. If fewer than three eligible and available candidates per vacancy result, we will expand the group in accordance with our pre-announced supplement strategy and OPM policy." Simultaneous Listing: "Candidates may be referred simultaneously on multiple certificates for which they are interested, eligible, and within reach. To preview the application questionnaire, click the following link: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13112144 Career Transition Assistance Programs: These programs apply to employees who have been involuntarily separated from a Federal service position within the competitive service or Federal service employees whose positions have been deemed surplus or no longer needed. To receive selection priority for this position, you must: 1) meet CTAP or ICTAP eligibility criteria; 2) be rated well-qualified for the position with a score of 85 or above based on the competencies listed above; and 3) submit the appropriate documentation to support your CTAP or ICTAP eligibility. For more information visit: http://www.opm.gov/rif/employee_guides/career_transition.asp Other Information

Salary Information: Base Salary Range VH-38: $78,504 to $129,532 Base Salary Range VH-39: $89,815 to $148,195 Base Salary Range VH-40: $102,757 to $169,548 Locality pay is added to base salaries using one the following locality rates: Bloomington, MN, 28.12%; Irving, TX, 27.76%; McLean, VA, 33.94%; Greenwood Village, CO, 31.02%; and Sacramento, CA, 30.26%. Locality rates are subject to change. If you are a veteran with preference eligibility and are claiming 5-points veterans' preference, you must submit a copy of your DD-214 or other proof of eligibility. If you are claiming 10-point veterans' preference, you must also submit an SF-15, "Application for 10-Point Veterans' Preference" plus the proof required by that form. For more information on veterans' preference visit: https://www.usajobs.gov/Veterans. Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered or exempt from Selective Service. For more information visit: https://www.sss.gov/verify/. Career Transition Assistance Programs: These programs apply to employees who have been involuntarily separated from a federal service position within the competitive service or Federal service employees whose positions have been deemed surplus or no longer needed. To receive selection priority for this position, you must: (1) meet CTAP or ICTAP eligibility criteria; (2) be rated well-qualified for the position with a score of 85 or above; and (3) submit the appropriate documentation to support your CTAP or ICTAP eligibility. For more information visit: http://www.opm.gov/rif/employee_guides/career_transition.asp. Only experience and education obtained by the closing date of this announcement will be considered. All FCA employees are subject to the conflict of interest laws and Standards of Ethical Conduct imposed upon all employees of the Executive Branch of the Federal Government and may be required to file a Financial Disclosure Report. FCA's supplemental ethics regulations restrict certain FCA employees concerning their direct or indirect interests in, or connections with, Farm Credit System institutions. These rules also require all employees to obtain approval for outside employment or business activities. Please contact the HR Division for additional information on these rules. FCA uses E-Verify to confirm the employment eligibility of all newly hired employees. This announcement may be used to fill similar vacancies. Applicants are encouraged to apply to all band/grade levels for which believe they are qualified for and wish to receive consideration. The Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs Act of 2019, with some exceptions, prohibits the Farm Credit Administration from requesting an applicant's criminal history record before that individual receives a conditional offer of employment. If you apply to this position and are selected, we will not ask about your criminal history before you receive a conditional job offer. If you believe you were asked about your criminal history improperly, visit our website at (Careers at FCA | Farm Credit Administration) for information on filing a complaint.