Duties

As a Data Scientist, you will be knowledgeable of data mining/data analysis methods, modeling, mathematics, statistics and artificial intelligence to collect, analyze, and interpret large data sets. You will assist in the coordination, planning, development, and technical direction of nuclear safety research programs. You will assist with providing direction and scientific expertise to a wide range of highly complex, highly visible initiatives and projects focused on creating algorithms and predictive models for other data scientists, analysts and engineers to easily access, store, analyze and exchange complex high-quality data.

Such duties include but are not limited to:
1. Conduct empirical studies and analyses using a variety of data mining/data analysis methods to analyze and interpret structured or unstructured data to inform regulatory decision making.
2. Evaluate research proposals and advise researchers who apply analytical, artificial intelligence, machine learning, natural language processing, and deep learning, mathematics, statistics, graph/network, visualization, and reporting tools to data sets to further scientific understanding.
3. Lead the development and implementation of artificial intelligence, mathematical, and/or statistical techniques and concepts that are applicable to data management, analysis, and research related to reactor system regulatory issues, including understanding the issues and limitations of these techniques.
4. Supports the development of solutions to reactor system regualtory issues using data mining/data analysis, visualization, mathematics, statistics, and artificial intelligence.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

• U.S. Citizenship Required
• This is a Drug Testing position.
• Background investigation leading to a clearance is required for new hires.

To ensure compliance with an applicable preliminary nationwide injunction, which may be supplemented, modified, or vacated, depending on the course of ongoing litigation, the NRC will take no action to implement or enforce the COVID-19 vaccination requirement pursuant to Executive Order 14043 on Requiring Coronavirus Disease 2019 Vaccination for Federal Employees. Therefore, to the extent that an NRC job announcement includes the requirement that applicants must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 pursuant to Executive Order 14043, that requirement does not currently apply.

You must meet the qualifications for this position by no later than 30 calendar days after the closing date of this announcement and before placement in the position.

Qualifications

In order to qualify for this position, you must have at least one year of specialized experience at the next lower grade level in the Federal service or equivalent experience in the private or public sector.

For the GG-11 Level

To qualify at the GG-11 grade level, you must have at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GG-09 grade level, which is defined as knowledge of data mining/data analysis methods (e.g., data cleansing, data management, analytics, visualization and engineering), modeling (e.g., model selection, training, evaluation and tuning), mathematics, statistics and artificial intelligence to collect, analyze, and interpret large data sets. Knowledge in programming languages and environments used to manipulate data and draw insights from large data sets (e.g., SQL, Python, R) as well as associated libraries (e.g., NumPy, Pandas, SciKit-Learn, Matplotlib). Knowledge of website development and familiarity with web-based applications (e.g., JavaScript, Java, Python, C/C++, R/Shiny apps) and platforms (e.g., Tableau, SharePoint, PowerBI) to support the development tools for processing, reporting, and visualizing of scientific data.

OR: 3 years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree OR a Ph.D. OR equivalent doctoral degree.

For the GG-12 Level

To qualify at the GG-12 grade level, you must have at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GG-11 grade level, which is defined as advising data mining/data analysis methods (e.g., data cleansing, data management, analytics, visualization and engineering), modeling (e.g., model selection, training, evaluation and tuning), mathematics, statistics and artificial intelligence to collect, analyze, and interpret large data sets. Knowledge in programming languages and environments used to manipulate data and draw insights from large data sets (e.g., SQL, Python, R) as well as associated libraries (e.g., NumPy, Pandas, SciKit-Learn, Matplotlib). Knowledge of website development and familiarity with web-based applications (e.g., JavaScript, Java, Python, C/C++, R/Shiny apps) and platforms (e.g., Tableau, SharePoint, PowerBI) to develop tools for processing, reporting, and visualizing of scientific data.

For the GG-13 Level

To qualify at the GG-13 grade level, you must have at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GG-12 grade level, which is defined as advising data mining/data analysis methods (e.g., data cleansing, data management, analytics, visualization and engineering), modeling (e.g., model selection, training, evaluation and tuning), mathematics, statistics and artificial intelligence to collect, analyze, and interpret large data sets. Basic knowledge in programming languages and environments used to manipulate data and draw insights from large data sets (e.g., SQL, Python, R) as well as associated libraries (e.g., NumPy, Pandas, SciKit-Learn, Matplotlib). Knowledge of website development and familiarity with web-based applications (e.g., JavaScript, Java, Python, C/C++, R/Shiny apps) and platforms (e.g., Tableau, SharePoint, PowerBI) to develop tools for processing, reporting, and visualizing of scientific data.

The ideal candidate will be able to demonstrate the following:

1. Demonstrated knowledge of and experience in applied programming or manipulation of data with a programing language (e.g., Python; R; SQL; or equivalent) to analyze large volumes of data to build and enhance products, processes, and systems.

Examples may include your experience of business needs, domain knowledge, analytical skills in mathematics, statistics and artificial intelligence that you have led or been involved to gather, analyze, design and construct new processes for modeling, interpret, and/or report quantitative information, trends, relationships and correlations among or within data sets. Examples may also include your specific role and specific work products that reflect your technical knowledge and contribution to the projects. Examples may also include your experience and knowledge in the field of data science and artificial intelligence to produce findings and insights from structured and unstructured data.

2. Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain effective work relationships with management and staff, coworkers, and personnel of other U.S. government agencies or equivalent industry organizations and/or international organizations.

Examples may include your ability to use informal and formal networks to build support for programs. This may include your experience to serve as a point of contact on data science and artificial intelligence for new and advanced reactor designs, with other program offices, the Commission or equivalent industry organizations, advisory groups, international organizations, and/or other stakeholders, and your experience providing advice and recommendations on research areas and initiatives to enhance regulatory effectiveness and efficiency. Provide examples of specific assignments that required you to work within a team environment, the techniques used to develop effective working relationships, and your role on the team.

3. Demonstrated ability to effectively communicate technical information both orally and in writing.

Examples may include your specific experience and accomplishments which demonstrate your ability to lead complex technical discussions and consolidate complex and diverse opinions into concise, balanced and well-founded recommendations; and communicate effectively in work relationships with subordinates, peers, management, and/or government or industry officials to develop solutions to technical and/or regulatory problems and issues. Describe the kinds of oral and written presentations you have made to represent agency positions to others and complex technical documents you have developed. Describe what editorial review of work prepared by technical staff you have conducted if any.

A description of how you possess the specialized experience as well as how you meet the qualifications desired in an ideal candidate should be addressed in your resume.

Education

Basic Requirements for Series 1501:

Degree: Mathematics, statistics, or actuarial science. 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 as shown in paragraph A above, plus additional education or appropriate experience.

Basic Requirements for Series 1515:

Degree: in operations research; or at least 24 semester hours in a combination of operations research, mathematics, probability, statistics, mathematical logic, science, or subject-matter courses requiring substantial competence in college-level mathematics or statistics. At least 3 of the 24 semester hours must have been in calculus.

Basic Requirements for Series 1550:

Bachelor's degree in computer science or bachelor's degree with 30 semester hours in a combination of mathematics, statistics, and computer science. At least 15 of the 30 semester hours must have included any combination of statistics and mathematics that included differential and integral calculus. All academic degrees and course work must be from accredited or pre-accredited institutions.

Basic Requirements for Series 1560:

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.

Additional information

Based on the staffing needs of the agency/area of consideration, additional selections may be made from this vacancy announcement.

The duty location of this position is Rockville, MD. In general, employees are expected to be in the office 4 days per pay period. Telework schedules are approved, on a case-by-case basis. If selected, telework will be determined in accordance with Agency policy and the Collective Bargaining Agreement, if applicable.

The NRC provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities where appropriate. Individuals with disabilities may contact the Selective Placement Coordinator for assistance with the application or hiring process via Disability.Resource@nrc.gov. Deaf applicants may contact the Disability Program Manager by calling the NRC videophone at 240-428-3217.

Individuals who are eligible for non-competitive appointment under an OPM special appointing authority may apply for consideration under a comparable NRC non-competitive appointing authority. Veterans, please visit: http://www.fedshirevets.gov/

Selectee's will be required to complete a "Declaration of Federal Employment", (OF-306), prior to being appointed to determine their suitability for Federal employment and to authorize a background investigation. False statements or responses on your resume or questionnaire can jeopardize your employment opportunity and subject you to disciplinary action, including removal from Federal service.

A transferable security clearance from another agency or a background investigation leading to a clearance is required for all new hires. To begin work at the NRC without a security clearance, you must be granted a temporary waiver of the required clearance, referred to as a 145(b) waiver. To be eligible for a 145(b) waiver you will need a favorable education verification, reference, credit, and criminal history checks. If a wavier is granted, the successful completion of a background investigation and favorable adjudication is required for continued employment. If you have resided outside the U.S. for an extended period of time, the agency may not be able to (1) grant the 145(b) waiver where the required investigation cannot be completed in a timely manner, or (2) achieve timely completion of the background investigation required for a security clearance.

The NRC is a zero tolerance agency with respect to illegal drug use. Individuals selected for this position will be subject to pre-appointment drug testing unless currently in a NRC position subject to random drug testing AND will be subject to random drug testing upon appointment to the NRC.