Duties

Summary

The USPS OIG is seeking a highly qualified applicant to fill our Data Scientist position in the Research Insight Solution Center (RISC), located in Arlington, VA.
Learn more about this agency

Responsibilities

RISC Data Analytics conducts innovative research and analysis on Postal Service operations for investigations and audits. Our team develops analytical tools that assist investigators to identify leads and develop cases. We develop analytical methodologies for audit that frequently involve statistics or complex, multi-step analyses

The successful candidate will work extensively in a collaborative, team environment that involves audit and investigative clients, subject matter experts, project team leaders, and executive leaders. Our work involves a strong client-focus, requiring effective written and verbal communication skills to understand the needs of the client and to give structure to often undefined problems. Our team also requires candidates with strong analytical skills to develop fitting methodologies that maximize the impact for the client and allow successful project execution. The candidate will exhibit strong written and oral communications to document analytical methodologies, brief executive leadership, stakeholders, peers, and present results to various audiences.

Candidates will be evaluated on the skills that they possess that are directly related to the duties of the position and the experience, education and training that indicate the applicant's ability to acquire the particular knowledge and skills needed to perform the duties of the position. Only those candidates who meet all qualification and eligibility requirements and who submit the required information by 11:59 PM EST on 10/18/2021 will be considered.

The USPS OIG uses a Pay Banding system, which is equivalent to the Federal GS scale. Grade and salary determinations will be made based upon a candidate's education and professional experience.

This position is being advertised at the Journey Band level, equivalent to a GS-9 through a GS-13. The salary range for this position is $60,129.00 - $134,798.00. The salary figures include locality pay. Promotion potential to a GS-13 is at management's discretion.

Please note that the duties and responsibilities associated with this position may vary based upon the agency's needs at the time of hire. The following description of major duties and responsibilities is only intended to give applicants a general overview of the expectations.

• Research, design, develop, and enhance analytics solutions using a range of analytics techniques, methods, and tools.
• Actively participate in multiple projects that will vary in business knowledge.
• Responsible for researching data acquisition, documentation, technical analysis, visualization, and communication.
• Developing initial prototype analytics that employ statistical methodologies to fused data sources.
• Collaborates with internal clients and subject matter experts to understand business processes, gather requirements, develop methodologies, tools, and analyses and communicates results.
• Exhibits a problem-solving, collaborative, positive attitude to solving client problems using an analytical toolkit that includes computer-based modeling.
• Shows the commitment and a capacity to master conceptually complex methods and methodologies and communicate results simply and persuasively, without technical jargon.
• Educates and enables the organization to use new analytic tools and methodologies.
• Demonstrates ability for logical thinking and the clear and rigorous written documentation of methodologies.
• Ability to communicate results persuasively both verbally and in writing to technical and general audiences and in executive briefings.

Travel Required

Occasional travel - You may be expected to travel for this position.

Supervisory status
No

Promotion Potential
13

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

• Must be a U.S. citizen
• Must be able to pass a drug screening and medical assessment questionnaire.
• Must be able to obtain and maintain Moderate Background Investigation security clearance
• Must be able to obtain and maintain a government-issued credit card
• May be required to successfully complete a 12-month probationary period

Qualifications

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

You must meet ALL of the minimum qualifications listed below.

• Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college or university.

AND

• Must have 2 years of specialized experience with statistical applications such as SQL, R and/or Python.

AND

• Must possess the following:
• • Creativity
  • Initiative
  • Integrity
  • Leadership abilities
  • Problem solving skills
  • Ability to work independently and on a team

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

• Knowledge and or experience in the law enforcement and/or audit industry
• Certification or experience using statistical software for predictive analytics
• Knowledge or experience using analysis and visualization tools. (e.g., Power BI, Esri, MicroStrategy, Qlik)
• Programming experience (e.g., Python, VBA, SQL, and R)
• Knowledge and experience with Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML)

EVALUATION FACTORS
You must have the experience, knowledge and skills as listed in EACH of the evaluation factors. Failure to demonstrate that you meet all of the evaluation factor requirements as listed below will result in a score of zero (0); an ineligible status, and you will not be referred for further consideration. Include your major accomplishments relevant to the position requirements in your resume.

• Knowledge and / or experience in solving complex analytical problems involving computer-based modeling.
• Demonstrated continued, recent knowledge or skills development in analytical problem solving, data analytics, analysis tools (e.g., Esri, Power BI), programming (e.g., Python, VBA, SQL, R), writing, law enforcement, auditing, or the Postal Service industry.
• Ability to use logical reasoning skills, to communicate arguments and conclusions clearly and persuasively in writing.
• Strong oral communication skills in presenting and briefing stakeholders, peers and executives on analytical work products.
• Ability to set goals, priorities, and complete high-quality work in a timely, efficient, and professional manner.

You will no longer be considered for this position if you receive a zero (0) rating on any evaluation factor.

Failure to demonstrate that you meet all evaluation factor requirements will result in a score of zero (0). Upon receipt of a zero score, you will be deemed "not minimally qualified," and you will not be referred for further consideration.

Education

Education must be accredited by an institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Applicants can verify accreditation here: www.ed.gov/admins/finaid/accred. Special Instructions for Candidates with Foreign Education: Education completed outside the United States must be deemed equivalent to that gained in U.S. education programs. You must submit all necessary documents to a private U.S. credential evaluation service to interpret equivalency of your education against courses given in U.S. accredited colleges and universities. For further information visit: http://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html.

Additional information

Pay is only part of the compensation you will earn working for the USPS OIG. We offer a broad array of benefits programs:

Health, Dental, Vision, Life and Long Term Care Insurances with Flexible Spending options.

For more information about these programs visit www.opm.gov/insure.

Retirement and Thrift Savings. For more information about these programs see www.opm.gov/retire and http://www.tsp.gov/.

Flexible Work Schedules. USPS OIG offers a range of family friendly flexibilities including flexible work schedules, telework and employee assistance programs.

Leave and Holidays. In addition to 10 paid holidays each year, you will earn 13 days of paid sick leave and 13 to 26 paid vacation days each year depending on your years of service.

For further information, please refer to our website at:
https://www.uspsoig.gov/frequently-asked-questions

Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) Status: Exempt (Nonexempt employees are entitled to overtime pay; Exempt employees are not).

This agency provides Reasonable Accommodations to applicants with disabilities. If you require accommodations for any part of the application and/or hiring process, please send an email to jobs@uspsoig.gov. The decision on granting an accommodation request will be made on a case by case basis.

How You Will Be Evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

The Human Resources Office will review your resume and supporting documentation to ensure that you meet the minimum qualifications required for this position. You will no longer be considered for this position if you: receive a zero (0) rating on any evaluation factor; fail to attach all required documentation; if your application materials indicate that you are not minimally-qualified for this position; or if you fail to qualify on the interview. Only the top-rated candidates will be referred to a review official or the selecting official for further consideration. Top-rated applicants may be required to participate in an interview. Your rating may be further adjusted or rated as ineligible by the review official or the selecting official based on your interview performance. Once all applicant scores are finalized, the selecting official will make a final decision. NOTE: If you receive a zero (0) rating on any evaluation factor or on the interview, you will be considered NOT MINIMALLY QUALIFIED for the position and rated ineligible.

Background checks and security clearance

Security clearance
Other

Drug test required
Yes

Required Documents

You must submit all required documents by 11:59 PM EST on the closing date of this announcement, Vacancy Announcement 2021-155-11253379-PC, by closing date 10/18/2021.

1. RESUME. When completing your online application or uploading your resume, you must categorize it as a "Resume" document).

2. UPLOAD SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS which may include:

Certificates or Licenses, if applicable. Upload and save as "Other" document. Veterans Preference Documentation. If you are claiming veterans preference you must submit the Member 4 copy of your DD-214 Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, and/or other proof of veterans preference eligibility including your VA letter, form SF-15 (www.opm.gov/forms) and all required documents related to your SF-15 claim. Veterans can request the Member 4 copy of their DD-214 at http://www.archives.gov/veterans/military-service-records, and can download a copy of their VA letter from https://www.ebenefits.va.gov/ebenefits-portal/ebenefits.portal. (If applicable to you, you are required to upload each veterans' preference document and categorize as "DD-214" or "SF-15" or "Other Veterans Document") Reasonable Accommodation Documentation. If you are requesting a reasonable accommodation to the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, submit documentation to support your request, including the Reasonable Accommodation Request Form found at http://help.usastaffing.gov/Apply/index.php?title=Reasonable_Accommodations_for_USA_Hire .
• SF-50 if you are or have been a Federal employee to demonstrate tenure and competitive/excepted service for eligibility purposes. (If applicable to you, you are Required to upload each applicable SF-50 and categorize as a "SF-50" document.)

If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:

Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education .

Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.