Data Scientist

Social Security Administration; Woodlawn (MD); On-site; USD 90,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

The Social Security Administration (SSA) is seeking a Data Scientist within the Office of the Inspector General, OIT BIAD, to lead data analysis across the data life cycle and to support data-driven decision making for SSA programs and operations.

You will conduct analyses with Excel, SQL, EDW, and AWS, develop advanced data systems, and translate results into actionable insights for digital product development and strategy, with regular briefings to leadership.

Qualifications

• 52 weeks of specialized experience at the GS-11 level or equivalent in machine learning and predictive modeling.
• Experience in data analytics and statistical analysis to uncover insights and solve complex problems.
• Experience in programming and data analysis (Python, SAS or SQL) and creating data pipelines to prep data for analysis.

Responsibilities

• Develops data analysis requirements across the data life cycle (collection, ingestion, storage, modeling, access, integration, analysis and decision support).
• Conducts analyses using Excel, SQL, EDW, and AWS to explore data, test hypotheses, predict outcomes, and support decisions.
• Develops and implements advanced systems for the Agency data management program, utilizing new technology such as AWS.
• Prepares and delivers written reports and oral presentations to leadership, supervisors, customers, and coworkers.
• Uses analytical software to clean, validate, and transform datasets, including handling missing values.
• Translates analytical results into actionable insights for data-driven decisions on digital product development and scientific strategy.
• Develops and implements ML models, including generative AI, to support business objectives.

Skills

Machine learning

Statistical analysis

Python

SQL

Data visualization

AWS

Education

Bachelor's degree in mathematics, statistics, computer science, data science or related field

Tools

Amazon QuickSight

AWS

SAS

Job description

Summary

This position is located in the Social Security Administration's (SSA) Office of the Inspector General (OIG), Office of Information Technology (OIT), Business Intelligence and Analytics Division (BIAD). The incumbent will be directly responsible for meeting the statutory mission of promoting economy, efficiency, and effectiveness in the administration of SSA programs and operations and to prevent and detect fraud, waste, abuse, and mismanagement in programs and operations.

Duties

• Serves as Data Scientist in OIG/OIT/BIAD. Examples of responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
• Develops, coordinates, and executes data analysis requirements that require technical expertise across the data life cycle (i.e., data collection, ingestion, storage, modeling, access, integration, analysis and decision support).
• Conducts analyses using tools and programming languages such as Excel, SQL, Enterprise Data Warehouse, and Amazon Web Services (AWS) platforms to explore and organize data, test hypotheses, predict outcomes, and support informed decisions.
• Develops and implements advanced systems for the Agency data management program. These systems are being designed, or redesigned, to utilize new technology such as Amazon Web Services.
• Prepares and delivers written reports and oral presentations, e.g., briefings, training sessions, and consultations. Regularly provides authoritative advisory discussions with leadership, supervisors, customers, and co-workers.
• Uses appropriate analytical and statistical software to prepare data for analysis by cleaning, validating, and transforming imperfect datasets using techniques such as probabilistic record matching and imputation of missing values.
• Translates analytical results into clear, actionable insights that enable decision-makers to make informed, data-driven decisions regarding digital product development and scientific strategy.
• Develops and implements advanced systems for the Agency data management program. Designs and implements machine learning models, including generative AI and agentic AI solutions, to support business objectives.

Qualifications

WHO MAY APPLY: Applications will only be accepted from applicants eligible for one of the following categories. Federal employees currently serving under career or career conditional appointments; Federal employees currently serving under the following types of appointments: Schedule A, Reg. 213.3102 (U) appointments for individuals with disabilities; time limited appointments for veterans with a compensable service-connected disability of 30% or more; Former Federal employees eligible for reinstatement (i.e., those who have career status or separated from a career-conditional appointment less than 3 years ago); Current or former Federal employees eligible under the Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) or Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP); or Veterans Employment Opportunity Act (VEOA) Eligibles (i.e., Preference-eligible veterans OR veterans who have been separated from the armed forces under honorable conditions after 3 years or more of continuous service). Federal employees serving under excepted service appointments with competitive service compatibility (e.g., Postal Service, Foreign Service, an agency with an interchange agreement, etc.) may be eligible to apply. Please visit Excepted Service Appointments with Competitive Service Compatibility for more information. NOTE: Excepted service employees serving under Schedule A appointments for Attorney positions or Pathways Programs appointments (Presidential Management Fellows, Recent Graduates, and Interns) are not eligible for consideration. HOW TO QUALIFY: Eligible applicants must meet the following qualification requirements. Applicants must have 52 weeks of specialized experience at the GS-11 level, or equivalent, which is in or related to the work of the position to be filled and has equipped applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position. Such experience must include three out of the four following elements: Experience in machine learning and predictive modeling, including developing, evaluating, and applying analytically models to identify trends and support data-driven decisions. Skill in data analytics and statistical analysis, using quantitive methods to uncover insights, measure performance, and solve complex business problems. Experience in at least one of the following areas: programming and data analysis, including Python, SAS or SQL, including the ability to manipulate data and develop data pipelines to prepare and transform data for analysis. Experience in data visualization and business intelligence, creating dashboards and analytical reports using tools such as QuickSight. Additionally, applicants must meet the following Individual Occupational Requirement (IOR): A degree in mathematics, statistics, computer science, data science or field directly related to the position.Note: The degree must be in a major field of study (at least at the baccalaureate level) that is appropriate for the position. OR A combination of education and experience. Note: Courses must be equivalent to a major field of study (30 semester hours) as shown in option 1 above, plus additional education or appropriate experience. You must submit transcripts to substantiate any claimed education. Qualification standards and additional information for this position can be found here: Data Science Series 1560 (opm.gov) Qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement. Applicants for promotion must have 52 weeks at GS-11. Time in grade requirement must be met by the closing date of this announcement. NOTE: If you are a current Federal employee eligible under VEOA, you are subject to the time-in-grade requirement and must submit an SF-50 as required below.

Education

PROOF OF EDUCATION: If you are qualifying on the basis of education or satisfying an educational requirement, submit a copy of your transcripts that includes your name, the name of the educational institution, course title(s), number of credits, grade, and date of completion. Unofficial transcripts or screenshots of electronic/web transcripts with the required information will be accepted at the time of application. You must submit your transcripts according to the application submission details of this announcement. Documents will not be accepted via email or regular mail. If selected, you may be required to provide your official college transcripts prior to the effective date of the personnel action placing you into the new position. Foreign Education: If your transcripts show education completed in foreign colleges or universities, you must also provide documentation that 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 a conventional/accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university.

Additional Information

This is a non-bargaining unit position to be filled under the provisions of the Management Officials Promotion Plan. The best-qualified list for this vacancy may be used to fill the same or similar positions in a component(s) under the same Deputy Commissioner. Additional selections may be made within 6 months of the date the best qualified list is issued. LOCALITY PAY: Salary will be set in accordance with locality pay provisions. Candidates currently receiving a higher locality pay than the office applied for are advised that should they be selected, they will lose entitlement to the higher locality pay. OTHER NOTES: The selectee may be required to file an OGE form 450, Confidential Financial Disclosure Report, in accordance with 5 CFR section 2634, subpart i. This position is eligible for telework in accordance with agency policy. Relocation expenses will not be paid. This is a high-risk public trust position. The selected employee will be required to complete a Standard Form 85P, Questionnaire for Public Trust Positions, in order to have the appropriate investigation conducted, unless the employee has been previously certified eligible to occupy a position at this level. This is a critical sensitive position. The selected employee will be required to complete a Standard Form 86, Questionnaire for Sensitive Positions, in order to have the appropriate investigation conducted, unless the employee has been previously certified eligible to occupy a position at this level.

Do you have a desire to: help SSA manage its Social Security programs? analyze and solve problems? help and advise millions of retired and disabled individuals? work on a team to make a difference in people's lives and your own? SSA OIG was established on March 31, 1995, pursuant to the Social Security Independence & Program Improvements Act of 1994. SSA OIG is responsible for promoting economy, efficiency, and effectiveness in SSA programs and operations, and preventing and detecting fraud, waste, abuse, and mismanagement. We direct, conduct, and supervise a comprehensive program of audits, evaluations, and investigations relating to SSA's programs and operations. We also report systemic weaknesses and recommend needed improvements and corrective actions. We strive for continual improvement in SSA's programs, operations, and management by proactively seeking new ways to prevent and deter fraud, waste, and abuse. We commit to integrity and excellence by supporting an environment that provides valuable public service while encouraging employee development.