Data Scientist

Summary

This position is located in the Air Traffic Organization, Safety Service Unit, Policy & Performance Directorate (AJI-3). This Directorate collects safety data, tracks and monitors safety performance, analyzes risk for emerging trends, and evaluates emerging entrants, such as commercial space operations and Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), for safe integration into the NAS.

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Duties

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The Data Scientist applies experience and comprehensive technical knowledge of data science methods, algorithms, tools, and systems to extract and interpret findings from varied structured and unstructured data sets. Uses knowledge of computer science, mathematical and statistical theories, techniques and methods to gather, analyze, design and construct new processes for modeling, interpreting, and/or reporting quantitative information, trends, relationships and correlations among or within data sets. Performs multiple, varying and complex assignments under the minimal direction of a manager, project/program manager, team leader, or more experienced technical specialist. This work significantly impacts the National Airspace System (NAS) and the accomplishment of Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) strategic objectives.

Uses a combination of computational and machine learning methods to develop machine learning models. Evaluates model performance and selection through use of advanced programming languages such as R or Python. Extracts data without preset specifications. Develops computational algorithms and statistical methods to find patterns and relationships in large volumes of data. Uses statistical methods and machine learning techniques to perform statistical modeling, such as regression, classification, and anomaly detection to analyze various datasets from the aviation industry, which includes air navigation service providers, commercial air transportation service providers, general aviation, airports, and aviation support industries. This work requires skill working across functional/organizational lines to gather and evaluate data from across the ATO to compile, analyze and evaluate the effectiveness of organization based on data findings to improve operations.

The Data Scientist organizes and interprets data to inform decision makers. Leads risk identification efforts and mitigation assessments. Uses knowledge of the aviation industry, public and private sector entities that operate within the NAS to analyze occurrence and event data, electronically gathered data (such as radar), and voluntarily reported information. Identifies risks in the NAS through the use of data sets, such as voice data, monitor data, incident/accident data, maps, etc. Combines, analyzes, and interprets large and/or complex data sets to develop data-driven organizational solutions. Develops computational algorithms and statistical methods to find patterns and relationships in large volumes of data. Applies skill conducting quantitative analysis of safety risk efforts to evaluate success in meeting established goals and objectives. Provides guidance and instructions pertaining to the potential benefits/uses of new automation to improve the efficiency of program operations.

Contacts are internal and external to AJI and include representatives from other ATO Service Units, FAA Lines of Business, and members of the aviation industry. Works with safety groups within the ATO to identify and analyze safety issues and concerns. Coordinates with subject matter experts within the FAA and other Lines of Business on various issues related to the analysis of safety data. Often represents the FAA as senior technical point of contact for various statistical modeling and predictive analytics projects. Plays a lead role in preparing reports using machine learning, programming, and data visualization skills for final approval prior to external distribution. Presents briefings to obtain consensus/approval on policies. Communicates results to all levels internally and externally.

Although broad policies and objectives provide general guidance for addressing issues, the Data Scientist is allowed considerable discretion to develop new and innovative approaches. Resolves all but unique technical problems without the intervention of management or a more experienced technical specialist.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

• US Citizenship is required.
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
• Must submit an SF50 (See Required Documents).
• This position has a positive education requirement. Transcript(s) required.
• Some, all, or none of the applicants may be interviewed.
• Selectee(s) will be placed in any team within the Directorate.

Qualifications

Candidates must have one year (52 weeks) of SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE equivalent to at least the next lower grade level (FV-I or FG/GS- 13) that is typically related to the line of work of the position to be filled and which has equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the duties of the position successfully. To be creditable, specialized experience must have been at least equivalent to the next lower level in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization.

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE is defined as:

• Experience in statistical modeling techniques such as regression analysis and time series modeling.
• Experience with supervised and unsupervised machine learning (ML) algorithms, ML model development, and evaluation.
• Experience using R or Python programming languages to evaluates model performance and selection.

You should include relevant examples of the specialized experience in your work history. Errors or omissions may impact your rating or may result in you not being considered.

Answer all questions to the best of your ability. DO NOT ASSUME THAT BECAUSE YOU HOLD, OR HAVE HELD THIS POSITION, YOU WILL AUTOMATICALLY BE FOUND ELIGIBLE. You may be asked to provide evidence or documentation that you have this type of experience later in the selection process. Your responses are subject to verification through job interviews, or any other information obtained during the application process. Any exaggeration of your experience or any attempt to conceal information can result in disqualification.

* Applicants who fail to demonstrate possession of any of the above criteria AND who do not provide the required documentation will receive no further consideration for this position. *

Applicants may be asked to verify information on your application for employment with the FAA.

** All qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of this vacancy announcement. **

Eligible applicants meeting the minimum qualification requirements and/or selective placement factor(s) (SPF) may be further evaluated on the Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSA) and/or Quality Ranking Factor (QRF) listed in the announcement. Based on this evaluation, applicants will be placed in one of the following categories: (1) score order; (2) category grouping; or (3) alphabetical, and referred to the selecting official for selection consideration.

Education

This position has a positive education requirement: Applicants must submit a copy of their college or university transcripts(s) and certificates by the closing date of announcement to verify qualifications. If selected, an official transcript will be required prior to appointment. You may upload these documents with your application in USAJOBS or fax it to fax number provided in the announcement (please include announcement number on each page).

Failure to do so will result in loss of consideration.

Schools must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Accreditation may be verified at the following website:

Foreign education must be evaluated by a private professional organization specializing in interpretation of foreign education credentials or an accredited U.S. educational institution in terms of equivalence to a degree acquired at an American college or university. A copy of the evaluation results must be included, otherwise your foreign education will not be considered.

Foreign education must be evaluated by a private professional organization specializing in interpretation of foreign education credentials or an accredited U.S. educational institution in terms of equivalence to a degree acquired at an American college or university. A copy of the evaluation results must be included, otherwise your foreign education will not be considered.

If you are a current or former Federal employee and you currently hold or previously held a position classified in the 1500 occupational series, you are not required to submit a college transcript, provided you upload a copy of the SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action, verifying your classification in the 1500 occupational series.

Applicants who are not currently in the 1560 occupational series in the Federal Government and fail to provide a copy of an unofficial or official transcript will not receive further consideration for this vacancy. Upon selection, if not currently employed in the 1500 occupational series, you will be required to submit an official transcript prior to appointment. If you do not have an official transcript ( original, with the raised seal), you should contact your school immediately to request it.

Foreign Education: For additional information, visit:

Preview job questionnaire

Make sure your resume includes detailed information to support your qualifications and answers to the job questionnaire.

Additional information

We may use this vacancy to fill other similar vacant positions.

Position may be subject to a background investigation.

A one-year probationary period may be required.

The person selected for this position may be required to file a financial disclosure statement within 30 days of entry on duty. FAA policy limits certain outside employment and financial investments in aviation-related companies.

NOTES:

1) As a part of the Federal-Wide Hiring Reform Initiative (streamlining the hiring process), the FAA is committed to eliminating the use of Knowledge, Skills and Ability (KSA) narratives from the initial application in the hiring process for all announcements. Therefore, as an applicant, you are NOT required to provide a narrative response in the text box listed below each KSA.

In lieu of providing a KSA narrative response in the text box listed below each KSA section, in your work history, please include information that provides specific examples of how you meet the response level or answer you chose for each KSA. Your work history examples should be specific and clearly reflect the highest level of ability. Your KSA answers will be evaluated further to validate whether the level that you selected is appropriate based on the work history and experience you provided. Your answers may be adjusted by a human resource specialist as appropriate.

2) This Level 5 (Moderate Risk; Public Trust) position requires favorable adjudication of a Minimum Background Investigation (MBI) background investigation prior to appointment, unless a waiver is obtained.

3) This position is covered by the FAA Core Compensation plan. Additional information about core compensation is available on the following website:

This is not a bargaining unit position.

Links to Important Information: Locality Pay, COLA

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

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A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

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Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.