Data Scientist (Direct Hire)

Towson; United States; Hybrid; USD 65,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

The EPA Office of Inspector General seeks a Data Scientist to build data pipelines, develop ML models, and create visualizations in AWS and M365. You will review and optimize SQL, Python, and R code, and contribute to documentation and traceability of data products.

Roles vary by GS level, with responsibilities spanning data validation, testing, and reproducibility, ensuring robust analytics for audits, evaluations, and investigations.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mathematics, Statistics, Computer Science, Data Science, or related field (or combination of education and experience).
• Experience creating data analysis and statistical trends using data pipelines in AWS and M365 environments.
• Proficiency in SQL, Python, and R; ability to document methodologies and use version control for reproducibility.

Responsibilities

• Create and model data analyses and statistical trends using data pipelines (data cleaning, feature engineering, ML models, including generative/agentic AI).
• Develop visualizations using BI tools (PowerBI) and ML services (SageMaker, ArcGIS).
• Develop or optimize SQL, Python, and R code for efficient data access, processing, and reporting.

Skills

Data analysis

Machine learning

Visualization

SQL programming

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mathematics, Statistics, Computer Science, Data Science, or related field

Tools

PowerBI

SageMaker

ArcGIS Knowledge

ArcGIS Enterprise

SQL

Python

R

Job description

This position is located in the Office of Inspector General - Office of Data Analytics and Technology - Data Analytics Directorate. The OIG is an independent office within EPA that helps the agency protect the environment in a more efficient and cost-effective manner. We consist of auditors, program analysts, investigators, and others with extensive expertise. Although we are a part of EPA, Congress provides us with our funding separate from the agency, to ensure our independence.

As a Data Scientist (Direct Hire) GS-1560-09 your typical work assignments may include the following under supervision: At the direction of the Director or Team Lead and using established methods, create and model data analysis and statistical trends using data pipelines which includes data cleaning, feature engineering, design and implementation of machine learning models, including generative AI and agentic AI solutions, to support oversight projects and investigations in the Amazon Web Services (AWS) and Microsoft 365 (M365) environments. At the direction of the Director or Team Lead and using established methods, create visualizations for data analysis and findings using business intelligence tools, Link Analysis tools, and Machine Learning (ML) services such as Microsoft PowerBI, ArcGIS Knowledge, ArcGIS Enterprise, and Amazon SageMaker. At the direction of the Director or Team Lead, review and optimize SQL, Python, and R code related to (ML) models, queries, and database operations for efficient data access, processing, and reporting. Assists with technical documentation by creating data dictionaries, methodologies, and utilizing version control for traceability of the entire lifecycle of data and analytical models. Support data validation, testing, and monitoring of data analyses that support audits, evaluations, and investigations and participate in code reviews, quality assurance, lessons learned, and ensure reproducibility of the analyses. As a Data Scientist (Direct Hire) GS-1560-11 your typical work assignments may include the following under supervision: At the direction of the Director or Team Lead, create and model data analysis and statistical trends using data pipelines which includes data cleaning, feature engineering, design and implementation of machine learning models, including generative AI and agentic AI solutions, to support oversight projects and investigations in the Amazon Web Services (AWS) and Microsoft 365 (M365) environments. At the direction of the Director or Team Lead, create visualizations for data analysis and findings using business intelligence tools, Link Analysis tools, and Machine Learning (ML) services such as Microsoft PowerBI, ArcGIS Knowledge, ArcGIS Enterprise, and Amazon SageMaker. At the direction of the Director or Team Lead, develop or optimize SQL, Python, and R code related to (ML) models, queries, and database operations for efficient data access, processing, and reporting. Prepare and maintain technical documentation including data dictionaries and methodologies, and utilizes version control for traceability of the entire lifecycle of data and models. Support data validation, testing, and monitoring of data analyses that support audits, evaluations, and investigations and participate in code reviews, quality assurance, lessons learned, and ensure reproducibility of the analyses.

Requirements

Qualifications

BASIC REQUIREMENTS FOR DATA SCIENTIST: You must have either A or B: Degree: 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 the basic requirements: You may qualify for the GS-09 grade level, if you possess at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-07 grade level in the federal sector, or the equivalent in the private sector. Specialized experience is experience that has equipped the candidate with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position. For this position your specialized experience must demonstrate the following: Creating and modeling data analysis and statistical trends using data pipelines which includes data cleaning, feature engineering, design and implementation of machine learning models, including generative AI and agentic AI solutions, to support projects in Amazon Web Services (AWS) and Microsoft 365 (M365) environments; Creating visualizations for data analysis and findings using business intelligence tools, Link Analysis tools, and Machine Learning (ML) services such as Microsoft PowerBI, ArcGIS Knowledge, ArcGIS Enterprise, and Amazon SageMaker; Developing or optimizing SQL, Python, and R code related to (ML) models, queries, or database operations for efficient data access, processing, and reporting; and Assisting with technical documentation by creating data dictionaries, methodologies, and utilizing version control for traceability of the entire lifecycle of data and analytical models. You may qualify for the GS-11 grade level, if you possess at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-09 grade level in the federal sector, or the equivalent in the private sector. Specialized experience is experience that has equipped the candidate with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position. For this position your specialized experience must demonstrate the following: Creating and modeling data analysis and statistical trends using data pipelines which includes data cleaning, feature engineering, design and implementation of machine learning models, including generative AI and agentic AI solutions, to support projects in Amazon Web Services (AWS) and Microsoft 365 (M365) environments; Creating visualizations for data analysis and findings using business intelligence tools, Link Analysis tools, and Machine Learning (ML) services such as Microsoft PowerBI, ArcGIS Knowledge, ArcGIS Enterprise, and Amazon SageMaker; Developing or optimizing SQL, Python, and R code related to (ML) models, queries, and database operations for efficient data access, processing, and reporting; Preparing and maintaining technical documentation including data dictionaries, methodologies, and utilize version control of code for traceability of the entire lifecycle of data used and models produced Evidence of the above specialized experience must be supported by detailed documentation of duties performed in positions held. Your resume is the key means we have for evaluating your skills, knowledge, and abilities as they relate to this position. Therefore, we encourage you to be clear and specific when describing your experience. We will not make assumptions regarding your experience or based on job titles alone. If your resume does not support your questionnaire answers, we will not allow credit for your response(s). 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. Applicants must meet the qualifications for this position within thirty (30) days of the closing date of this announcement.

Education

ARE YOU USING YOUR EDUCATION TO QUALIFY? 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. 4 June 2025 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: https://www.ed.gov/laws-and-policy/higher-education-laws-andpolicy/college-accreditation.

Required Documents

Documents to be submitted online: NOTE: You should ensure your social security number, date of birth, and any other personal information are redacted. Your resume must not exceed two (2) pages. If your resume exceeds the two-page limit, you will be removed from consideration for this announcement. The resume and required supporting documentation should provide the minimum qualifications and relevant experience for the announced position. 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, and 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. Other supporting documents: Cover Letter, optional College Transcript(s), if qualifying based on education Veterans' Preference documentation, if applicable (e.g., DD-214 Member Copy 4 showing type of discharge/character of service, SF-15 Form and related documentation, VA letter, etc.) Career Transition Assistance Program/Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program documentation, if applicable (e.g., Certification of Expected Separation, Reduction-In-Force Separation Notice, or Notice of Proposed Removal; SF-50 that documents the RIF separation action noting position, grade level, tenure, and duty station; and most recent performance appraisal.)