Data Scientist

US Patent and Trademark Office; Alexandria (VA); On-site; USD 144,000 - 187,000; Full time

Job summary

The US Patent and Trademark Office is seeking a data science professional to contribute advanced analytics across program management, performance measurement, and decision-making. You will build and apply tools to collect data, analyze IT systems, and support mission-driven improvements.

This role focuses on handling large datasets, using machine learning and visualization to inform leadership, guiding process enhancements, cost reductions, and compliance with federal requirements.

Qualifications

• Degree in mathematics, statistics, computer science, data science, or a related field at least at the baccalaureate level.
• OR education/experience combination: 30 semester hours of coursework plus additional education or experience.
• Specialized experience includes statistical/mathematical analyses to support IT needs, collecting/analyzing data from multiple sources, presenting findings to leadership, and developing tools to streamline workflows.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement tools, procedures, and systems to assess and collect data on program management process effectiveness, workload execution, and organizational requirements, including cloud-based and superintelligence (SI)-enabled programs and systems.
• Detect workflow deficiencies, operational risks, and automation challenges; evaluate their effects on identified IT systems; recommend improvements to increase process efficiency, reliability, and performance.
• Analyze and evaluate IT systems, product-line operations, and resource utilization using quantitative and qualitative methods to measure progress toward established goals, objectives, and performance requirements.
• Design and improve procedures and operational processes to enhance performance, reduce costs, and support efficient, productive operations while meeting applicable legislative and regulatory requirements.
• Review strategic and operational plans to assess impacts on existing processes, and identify feasibility, risks, resource requirements, and potential benefits of proposed modifications.
• Provide expert advisory support to leadership on systemic performance challenges, process-improvement opportunities, and strategic approaches to strengthen business operations and organizational outcomes.
• Partner with cross-functional teams to translate business and operational requirements into data solutions that improve processes and products/services, and to evaluate the effectiveness and impact of IT tools and systems.

Skills

Statistical analysis

Data integration

Machine learning

Data visualization

Executive reporting

Education

Bachelors in Math, Stats, CS, or Data Science

Tools

Cloud platforms

Job description

Contribute data science and analytics expertise to help the USPTO improve program effectiveness, operational performance, and mission‑aligned decision‑making.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement tools, procedures, and systems to assess and collect data on program management process effectiveness, workload execution, and organizational requirements, including cloud‑based and superintelligence (SI)‑enabled programs and systems.
• Detect workflow deficiencies, operational risks, and automation challenges; evaluate their effects on identified IT systems; recommend improvements to increase process efficiency, reliability, and performance.
• Analyze and evaluate IT systems, product‑line operations, and resource utilization using quantitative and qualitative methods to measure progress toward established goals, objectives, and performance requirements.
• Design and improve procedures and operational processes to enhance performance, reduce costs, and support efficient, productive operations while meeting applicable legislative and regulatory requirements.
• Review strategic and operational plans to assess impacts on existing processes, and identify feasibility, risks, resource requirements, and potential benefits of proposed modifications.
• Provide expert advisory support to leadership on systemic performance challenges, process‑improvement opportunities, and strategic approaches to strengthen business operations and organizational outcomes.
• Partner with cross‑functional teams to translate business and operational requirements into data solutions that improve processes and products/services, and to evaluate the effectiveness and impact of IT tools and systems.

Requirements

• Must be a United States Citizen or National (applications only accepted from US Citizens and Nationals).
• Resume and question responses must demonstrate job‑related competencies.
• Must meet the definition of specialized experience.
• Required to pass a background investigation and fingerprint check.
• Must be registered for Selective Service, if applicable (www.sss.gov).
• If selected, may be required to complete a one‑year probationary period.
• Must meet all qualification requirements by the closing date of the announcement.
• Suitable for Federal Employment.
• Position requires completion of OGE-450 Financial Disclosure.
• Degree requirement: Mathematics, statistics, computer science, data science, or a directly related field (at least at the baccalaureate level).
• OR education/experience combination: 30 semester hours of coursework equivalent to a major field of study, plus additional education or appropriate experience.
• Specialized experience includes:
  • Performing a variety of duties involving statistical and mathematical analyses to support a business unit’s IT needs.
  • Collecting, integrating, and analyzing large structured and unstructured data from internal/external sources (including automated systems and tools, internal IT systems, and public databases) to propose operational improvements.
  • Preparing reports using machine learning, programming, and data visualization to present organizational findings to senior leadership and executives.
  • Developing innovative tools and algorithms to streamline workflows, improve efficiencies, identify shortfalls and gaps, troubleshoot data issues, and propose ways to mitigate program risk.

Technologies

• Cloud‑based systems
• Superintelligence (SI)‑enabled programs
• Machine learning

Work Location and Telework

• Physical worksite: Alexandria, Virginia (onsite).
• Presence at the Alexandria, VA campus is required for in‑person functions.
• Situational telework may be available in accordance with agency policy and business unit discretion.
• Agency allows up to 52 hours of telework per leave year.

Benefits

• Comprehensive benefits package as a U.S. government employee.

Conditions of Employment

• Required to pass a background investigation and fingerprint check.
• If selected, may be required to complete a one‑year probationary period.
• Completion of OGE-450 Financial Disclosure required.

Education and Documentation Notes

• Education may not be substituted for specialized experience at this grade level.
• If substituting education for experience (or higher education proof is required), submit an unofficial transcript or a course list with accredited institution name, grades earned, completion dates, and quarter/semester hours earned.
• Only education and experience acquired before the filing deadline will be considered.
• Report only attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Additional Information

• Male applicants born after December 31, 1959 must certify Selective Service registration.
• Non‑Bargaining Unit position.
• If selected, may be required to complete the Fair Credit Act Memo for obtaining one or more consumer credit reports for employment purposes.
• Public Trust position with risk level: moderate risk.
• If selected, may be required to complete OF-306 (Declaration for Federal Employment), including fingerprint and credit check, to determine suitability and authorize a background investigation.
• USPTO participates in E-Verify.
• Federal salary payments required via direct deposit.
• Relocation expenses are not authorized.
• More than one selection may be made if additional identical vacancies occur within 90 days from the certificate date.
• All application materials become property of the USPTO.
• Reasonable Accommodation requests: if a disability may interfere with completing USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, RA may be requested in the online application.
• Assessments must be completed within 48 hours of receiving the USA Hire assessment access URL (if link received after the close of the announcement).

How You Will Be Evaluated

• Attention to Detail
• Customer Service
• Decision Making
• Flexibility
• Influencing/Negotiating
• Integrity/Honesty
• Interpersonal Skills
• Learning
• Reasoning
• Self-Management
• Stress Tolerance
• Teamwork

Required Documents

• Submit a two-page resume (must not exceed 2 pages).
• Provide 2–3 professional or academic references (name, phone, email); one must be your current supervisor.
• Veterans: submit a copy of DD‑214 with discharge disposition, dates of service, and rank (if applicable).
• Service‑connected disability (10% or more) with preference eligibility: submit documentation certifying current receipt of compensation.
• CTAP applicants must submit: copy of RIF separation notice or similar documents; copy of SF‑50 “Notification of Personnel Action”; copy of latest performance appraisal; documentation showing current promotion potential.
• ICTAP applicants must submit: copy of RIF separation notice or similar documents; notice of disability annuity termination; and additional ICTAP‑specific documentation as listed (text is truncated).

Additional Details

• Location: Alexandria, VA (onsite).
• Salary range: USD 143,913 - 187,093 per year.
• Minimum experience: 1 year.