Data Scientist

Full Job Description

The position is responsible for providing technical expertise aggregating, collating, and analyzing data from databases including, but not limited to, the development, implementation and updating of data extraction queries, data mining and, developing strategies, action plans, data queries modification and maintenance, quality control and validation of collected data.

The position works as part of a study team and contributes to the design for advanced data systems.

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 04/09/2026.

NOTE: Applicants must meet both the Individual Occupation Requirements (IOR) and the Specialized Experience as stated for the grade levels as listed below.

This position has an Individual Occupation Requirement (IOR). You must meet the following: A. 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 B.

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 IOR above, you must meet the experience as described below: Specialized Experience: To qualify for the grade level GS-09: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade (GS-07) or a comparable pay band in federal or other service that demonstrates the particular competencies necessary to perform the work of this position, and that is typically in or related to the position to be filled.

Specialized experience for this position is defined as: Providing technical expertise aggregating, collating, and analyzing data from databases including, but not limited to, the development, implementation and updating of data extraction queries, data mining and, developing strategies, action plans, data queries modification and maintenance, quality control and validation of collected data.

Generating and managing datasets, using SQL, R, SAS, SPSS, STATA and VINCI.

To qualify for the grade level GS-11:Applicants must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade (GS-09) or a comparable pay band in federal or other service that demonstrates the particular competencies necessary to perform the work of this position, and that is typically in or related to the position to be filled.

Specialized experience for this position is defined as: Providing technical expertise aggregating, collating, and analyzing data from databases including, but not limited to, the development, implementation and updating of data extraction queries, data mining and, developing strategies, action plans, data queries modification and maintenance, quality control and validation of collected data.

Generating and managing datasets, using SQL, R, SAS, SPSS, STATA and VINCI.

OR Education Substitution: Applicants may substitute education for experience with an awarded master's or equivalent graduate degree (such as an LL.

B or J.D.) from an accredited college or university.

This graduate degree must meet the IOR with a degree Mathematics, statistics, computer science, data science or field of study directly related to the position.

To qualify for the grade level GS-12: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade (GS-11) or a comparable pay band in federal or other service that demonstrates the particular competencies necessary to perform the work of this position, and that is typically in or related to the position to be filled.

Specialized experience for this position is defined as: Providing technical expertise aggregating, collating, and analyzing data from databases including, but not limited to, the development, implementation and updating of data extraction queries, data mining and, developing strategies, action plans, data queries modification and maintenance, quality control and validation of collected data.

Generating and managing datasets, using SQL, R, SAS, SPSS, STATA and VINCI. OR Education Substitution: Applicants may substitute education for experience with an awarded Ph.D.

or equivalent doctoral degree from an accredited college or university.

This graduate degree must meet the IOR with a degree Mathematics, statistics, computer science, data science or field of study directly related to the position.

OR Applicants may substitute a combination of graduate education and specialized experience to qualify for GS 11 and or GS-12.

If you have some, but not all, of the graduate education described above AND less than one full year of the specialized experience described above, you may qualify by combining the amount of creditable education and experience that you do have.

Only graduate education in excess of the amount required for the next lower grade level may be used to qualify applicants for positions, and per the IOR this education must contain courses equivalent to a major field of study as appropriate for the position, at grade GS-12.

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-12. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-09 to GS-12.

Preferred Experience: Generates and manages datasets from the VA Corporate Data Warehouse (a national data repository for VA) using SQL, R, SAS, SPSS, STATA, and VINCI.

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; religions; 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. Note: A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week.

Part-time experience will be credited on the basis of time actually spent in appropriate activities.

Applicants wishing to receive credit for such experience must indicate clearly the nature of their duties and responsibilities in each position and the number of hours a week spent in such employment.

Physical Requirements: The work is primarily sedentary and does not require any special physical effort.

For more information on these qualification standards, please visit the United States Office of Personnel Management's website at https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/.

Major Duties:

Duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to: Serves as a Data Analyst, managing data acquisition, storage, and retrieval to support agency projects.

Generates and manages datasets from VA's Data Warehouse using SQL, R, SAS, SPSS, STATA, and VINCI.

Addresses data interface and storage issues by applying data management principles, modeling, backup, recovery, warehousing, and standardization.

Builds scalable data pipelines using appropriate tools and techniques. Supports enterprise analytics projects led by investigators.

Applies data science techniques such as pooling and visualization, integrating them into user-focused solutions.

Creates presentations and visualizations tailored to diverse audiences, using storytelling and interactivity.

Collaborates with team members, stakeholders, and customers in organized, reproducible workflows.

Performs exploratory analysis using R, Python, Stata, SAS, or SQL to test hypotheses, predict outcomes, and inform decisions.

Prepares and cleans data programmatically, handling imperfect data with techniques like imputation and probabilistic matching. Synthesizes analysis results to facilitate data-driven decisions.

Conveys findings through visualizations, reports, and operational insights. Presents quantitative results to both technical and non-technical audiences.

Contributes to developing and implementing new data science tools and methods. Ensures compliance with IT security policies for data protection.

Works with senior staff to analyze, interpret, and communicate insights. Supports system reviews, performance evaluations, and data validation efforts.

Merges, cleans, standardizes datasets, and develops metrics using automation tools. Provides analytical support for conferences and presentations.

Participates in meetings, seminars, and professional development related to data science. Assists in packaging research findings into reports, publications, and presentations for stakeholders.

Work Schedule: Full Time, Monday - Friday, 7:30AM to 4:00 PM Compressed/Flexible: This position is not authorized a compressed/flexible schedule.

Telework: This position may be authorized for a Ad-Hoc telework. This is determined by the Service Line Manager. Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Position Description/PD#: Data Scientist/PD93309A, PD93310A, and PD93311A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized. Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized.