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Posted: January 9, 2026 (6 days ago)

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DATA SCIENTIST

Air Combat Command

Department of the Air Force

Fresh

Location

Salary

$128,473 - $167,020

per year

Closes

January 23, 2026

GS-13 Pay Grade

Base salary range: $88,520 - $115,079

Typical requirements: 1 year specialized experience at GS-12. Expert-level knowledge in field.

Note: Actual salary includes locality pay (15-40%+ depending on location).

Job Description

Summary

This job involves leading complex projects to create advanced tools for handling large amounts of data, helping the Air Force make better decisions through analysis and innovation.

It focuses on developing ways to store, analyze, and share high-quality data for defense purposes.

A good fit would be someone with strong expertise in math, statistics, or computer science, plus experience managing big projects in a technical or government setting.

Key Requirements

  • Bachelor's degree in mathematics, statistics, computer science, data science, or a related field (or equivalent combination of education and experience)
  • At least one year of specialized experience at GS-13 level or equivalent, involving advanced quantitative methods, operations research, or statistics
  • Expert knowledge of quantitative techniques for developing models to solve complex problems
  • Advanced skills in big data analytics, machine learning, AI, and operations research analysis
  • Experience executing and controlling major projects in defense or related programs
  • Strong negotiation and communication skills for advising senior officials and leading diverse teams
  • Meet federal time-in-grade requirements (one year at GS-13 for GS-14 eligibility)

Full Job Description

The primary purpose of this position is to provide authoritative direction and data science expertise to a wide range of highly complex, highly visible initiatives and projects focused on the discovery and development of cutting-edge tools and resources to easily access, store, analyze, and exchange complex, high quality data.

Click on "Learn more about this agency" button below to view Eligibilities being considered and other IMPORTANT information.

In order to qualify, you must meet the specialized experience requirements described in the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualification Standards for General Schedule Positions, Qualification Standard for Data Science Series, 1560; Group Coverage Qualification Standard for Professional and Scientific Positions.

BASIC REQUIREMENT: 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 meeting the basic requirement above, to qualify for this position you must also meet the qualification requirements listed below: SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: Applicants must have at least one (1) year of specialized experience at the next lower grade GS-13, or equivalent in other pay systems.

Examples of specialized experience includes skill in applying broad areas of classical and modern advanced actuarial science, operations research, mathematics, or statistics, or specialized areas within the respective disciplines sufficient to complete assignments that involve initiating, applying, and planning major developmental studies; experience with executing and controlling projects that represent an important segment of the agency's operating programs and/or projects; and serving as a consultant and technical advisor to senior subject matter specialists and/or agency officials responsible for broad program operations.

FEDERAL TIME-IN-GRADE (TIG) REQUIREMENT FOR GENERAL SCHEDULE (GS) POSITIONS: Merit promotion applicants must meet applicable time-in-grade requirements to be considered eligible.

One year at the GS-13 level is required to meet the time-in-grade requirements for the GS-14 level. TIG applies if you are in a current GS position or held a GS position within the previous 52 weeks.

NOTE: Applicants applying as VEOA candidates who are current GS civil service employees or are prior GS civil service employees within the past 52 weeks must also meet time-in-grade requirements.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES (KSAs): Your qualifications will be evaluated on the basis of your level of knowledge, skills, abilities and/or competencies in the following areas: 1.

Expert professional knowledge of quantitative techniques and methods used to conceptualize, develop, adapt, modify and apply new models to resolve the most difficult problems and to achieve support for alternative solutions within the scientific community.

2.

Advanced knowledge and skill of a broad range of defense department or private sector C4 systems, data scientist Big Data analytics, machine learning, AI, cognitive science, programs, operations, strategies, tactics, resource and information processes, force structure, and weapons systems.

Includes operations research analysis techniques and mastery of scientific and analytical capabilities. 3.

Advanced skill in articulating and negotiating very complex and sensitive issues with officials of diverse perspectives and often with different or opposing views.

Expert ability to negotiate and defend findings and gain executive support for new program concepts. 4.

Skill in leading advanced study teams composed of industry, government, and academic experts; originate new ideas, projects, and methodologies; and execute projects and/or studies within established financial and/or time constraints.

5. Skill to develop and utilize appropriate data collection techniques and design, build and use models and simulation techniques. 6.

Ability to plan, organize, direct and lead the functions and staff and/or study team tasked to originate new ideas, projects and methodologies.

Communicates in a way to negotiate complex and/or sensitive issues and maintain good working relations.

PART-TIME OR UNPAID EXPERIENCE: Credit will be given for appropriate unpaid and or part-time work.

You must clearly identify the duties and responsibilities in each position held and the total number of hours per week.

VOLUNTEER WORK EXPERIENCE: Refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service Programs (i.e., 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 that can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment.

You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Major Duties:

Provides the development and implementation of Data Science solutions.

Leverages the latest data science innovations in alternative data sourcing, such as the use of administrative records and other data sources.

Exercises supervisory personnel management responsibilities. Advises and provides counsel to employees regarding policies, procedures, and directives of management.

Evaluates and Assessment of New Technologies.

Develops, implements and maintains a mission-driven enterprise data strategy that supports the identification of methods, processes, algorithms, tools, and systems to extract and interpret findings from varied structure data set related to data science lifecycle.

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Posted on USAJOBS: 1/9/2026 | Added to FreshGovJobs: 1/10/2026

Source: USAJOBS | ID: 9H-AFPC-12862619-058943-MMT