Data Scientist

Summary

Organizational Location: This position is with the Department of Homeland Security, within U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Office of Human Resources Management, People Analytics Division, in the following locations:

• Indianapolis, IN
• Minneapolis, MN
• Washington, D.C.

Salary: Salary listed reflects the rest of U.S. scale and, if applicable, will be adjusted to meet the locality pay or cost of living expenses of the duty location upon selection.

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Duties

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As a Data Scientist you will serve as an expert analyst and senior management, with a primary function of providing objectively based information derived from the use of advanced scientific, mathematical, and statistical work to support data-driven decision making across HRM related areas such as the recruiting, hiring, and retention of the workforce. This position starts at a salary of $74,678.00 (GS-11, Step 1) to $138,370.00 (GS-13, Step 10).

Typical duties include:

• Providing expertise to management through the application of advanced data science techniques including data extraction, transformation, cleaning, modeling, machine learning, and artificial intelligence (AI) to processing and extracting insights from structured and unstructured data and providing guidance for solutions to a variety of complex challenges to the Agency's Human Capital programs that have a significant impact on personnel decisions.
• Applying advanced quantitative, computer science, mathematical, and statistical skills to interpreting extremely large and unstructured data sets, the results of which will be used for forecasting critical problems and making data-driven decisions regarding the administrative and programmatic aspects of HRM and CBP's operations and management.
• Advising and developing innovative strategies on measurement of the design, development, deployment, maintenance, and enhancement of large-scale projects to analyzing programmatic data and forecasting the effects of alternative courses of actions and programmatic gaps.
• Performing quantitative and qualitative analysis and data quality assurance using statistical, business intelligence, data analysis, and/or AI software and computer programs (e.g., R, Python, ChatGPT, PowerBI, Tableau, Cognos, SQL, Databricks).

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this position
• Males born after 12/31/1959 must be registered with Selective Service
• Primary U.S. residency for at least three of the last five years (additional details below)
• All pre-employment processes will be conducted in English
• You may be required to pass a background investigation
• CBP follows the DHS Drug-Free Workplace Plan for drug testing procedures
• As an employee of CBP, you will be joining a workforce that is dedicated to accomplishing our mission while maintaining the trust of our Nation by strictly adhering to all government ethics standards. Your conduct will be subject to the ethics rules applicable to all Executive Branch employees, and to CBP employees specifically, as well as the criminal conflict of interest statutes. Once you enter on duty, these rules include obtaining approval for outside employment or business activity, to ensure such employment or business activity is not prohibited and does not interfere or conflict with performance of your official duties. Please review further details via the following link.
• DHS uses E-Verify, an Internet-based system, to confirm the eligibility of all newly hired employees to work in the United States. Learn more about E-Verify including your rights and responsibilities.
  Bargaining Unit: This position is not covered under the bargaining unit.

Qualifications

Basic Requirements:

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.

AND

You qualify for this position if you meet the basic requirement listed above and possess the experience as described below:

Experience: You qualify for the GS-11 grade level if you possess 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level, performing duties such as:

• Participating in the use of data science techniques to assist in processing and extracting insights from structured and unstructured data using statistical software and programming languages such as R or Python.
• Assisting with identifying and addressing statistical problems in data collection and summarization processes by following established procedures.
• Supporting the creation of basic dashboards for analytical and data-related projects using tools such as Power BI, Tableau, or Qlik.
• Utilizing foundational data science concepts, including introductory machine learning or statistical algorithms, to assist in producing insights that inform organizational activities.
• Assisting in the preparation of briefings, presentations, and technical reports to communicate technical and analytical findings to audiences with varying technical backgrounds.

Experience: You qualify for the GS-12 grade level if you possess 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level, performing duties such as:

• Assisting in the application of data science techniques to process and extract insights from structured and unstructured data using statistical software and programming languages such as R or Python.
• Supporting the resolution of statistical problems encountered in data collection and summarization processes by applying established methods and recommending improvements.
• Contributing to the development and maintenance of dashboards for analytical and data related projects using tools such as Power BI, Tableau, or Qlik, with oversight from higher-level analysts.
• Applying established data science concepts, including basic machine learning or statistical algorithms, to generate insights that support organizational decision making.
• Preparing and delivering technical and analytical findings through briefings, presentations, and technical reports to audiences with varying levels of technical expertise, with review by senior staff.

Experience: You qualify for the GS-13 grade level if you possess 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level, performing duties such as:

• Applying data science techniques to process and extract insights from structured and unstructured data using statistical software and programming languages such as R or Python.
• Solving statistical problems that occur in data collection and summarization processes.
• Creating dashboards, using solutions such as Power BI, Tableau, or Qlik, on analytical and data-related projects.
• Leveraging advanced data science concepts, including machine learning or statistical algorithms to produce insights that improve organizational outcomes and decision making.
• Communicating technical and analytical findings through briefings, presentations, and technical reports to individuals with varying levels of technical expertise.

NOTE: Your resume must explicitly indicate how you meet this requirement, otherwise you will be found ineligible. Please see the "Required Documents" section below for additional resume requirements.

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.

You must meet all qualification requirements, including education if applicable to this position, subject to verification at any stage of the application process by 06/10/2026.

The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) must authorize employment offers made to current or former political appointees. If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES or Presidential Appointee employee in the Executive Branch, you must disclose this information to the Human Resources Office.

Background Investigation: U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is a federal law enforcement agency that requires all applicants to undergo a thorough background investigation prior to employment in order to promote the agency's core values of vigilance, service to country, and integrity. During the screening and/or background investigation process, you will be asked questions regarding any felony criminal convictions or current felony charges, the use of illegal drugs (e.g., marijuana, cocaine, heroin, LSD, methamphetamines, ecstasy), and the use of non-prescribed controlled substances including any experimentation, possession, sale, receipt, manufacture, cultivation, production, transfer, shipping, trafficking, or distribution of controlled substances. For additional information on the preemployment process, review the following link: Applicant Resources | CBP Careers

Residency: There is a residency requirement for all applicants not currently employed by CBP. Individuals are required to have physically resided in the United States or its protectorates (as declared under international law) for at least three of the last five years. If you do not meet the residency requirement and you have been physically located in a foreign location for more than two of the last five years, you may request an exception to determine if you are eligible for a residency waiver by meeting one or more of the following conditions:

• Working for the U.S. Government as a federal civilian or as a member of the military
• A dependent who was authorized to accompany a federal civilian or member of the military who was working for the U.S. government
• Participation in a study abroad program sponsored by a U.S. affiliated college or university
• Working as a contractor, intern, consultant or volunteer supporting the U.S. government

Probationary Period: All employees new to the federal government must serve a one year probationary period during the first year of his/her initial permanent federal appointment to determine fitness for continued employment. Current and former federal employees may be required to serve or complete a probationary period.

Education

Please see the Qualifications and Required Documents sections for more information if education is applicable to this position.

Additional information

The vacancy questionnaire includes four short, free-response essay questions. This provides an opportunity for you to highlight your dedication to public service for the hiring manager and agency leadership (or designee(s)). While your responses are not required and will not be scored, we encourage you to thoughtfully address each question. Please provide a response of 200 words or less to each question. You will be asked to certify that you are using your own words and did not use a consultant or artificial intelligence (AI) such as a large language model (LLM) like ChatGPT or Copilot.

Positions with known promotion potential do not guarantee promotion, nor is the promise of promotion implied.

The Department of Homeland Security encourages persons with disabilities to apply, to include persons with intellectual, severe physical or psychiatric disabilities, as defined by 5 CFR § 213.3102(u), and/or Disabled Veterans with a compensable service-connected disability of 30 percent or more as defined by 5 CFR § 315.707. Veterans, Peace Corps/VISTA volunteers, and persons with disabilities possess a wealth of unique talents, experiences, and competencies that can be invaluable to the DHS mission. If you are a member of one of these groups, you may not have to compete with the public for federal jobs. To determine your eligibility for non-competitive appointment and to understand the required documentation, click on the links above or contact the Servicing Human Resources Office listed at the bottom of this announcement.

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.