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# Data Scientist

- **Company:** US Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
- **Location:** Fort Collins, CO, United States (Remote available)
- **Salary:** $111,147.0 - $154,280.0
- **Contract:** Permanent contract
- **Skills:** Data Governance, Data Systems, Data Visualization, R (Programming Language), Python (Programming Language), Machine Learning, Operational Data Store, Power BI, Data Streaming, RPL (Programming Language), Tableau (Software), Esri GIS (Software), Information Technology, Data Analytics
- **Published:** August 6, 2026
- **Apply:** https://www.indeed.com/viewjob?jk=afeb46e6b3a040ad

## About the Role

* You must be a US Citizen or US National.
 * Individuals who were born male after 12/31/1959 must be Selective Service registered or exempt.
 * Subject to satisfactory adjudication of background investigation and/or fingerprint check.
 * Successful completion of one-year probationary period, unless previously served. Refer to the Next Steps section for more information., 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., Combination of education and experience: Courses equivalent to a major field of study (30 semester hours) as shown in the paragraph above, plus additional education or appropriate experience. In addition to the basic requirement applicants must also possess, * This position requires specific coursework or a degree in a specific field to be basically qualified.
 * This education must have been successfully completed and obtained from an accredited school, college, or university.

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 and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience., Applicants who meet basic minimum qualifications will be placed in one of three categories: Best Qualified, Well Qualified, or Qualified. Within these categories, applicants eligible for veteran's preference will receive selection priority over non-veterans. Category placement will be determined based on applicants' quality of experience and the extent they possess the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities (KSAs), and other characteristics):

 * Attention to Detail
 * Customer Service
 * Decision Making
 * Flexibility
 * Integrity/Honesty
 * Interpersonal Skills
 * Learning
 * Reasoning
 * Self-Management
 * Stress Tolerance
 * Teamwork

## Description

The Data Scientist position is within an analytical unit, applying scientific and technical findings to risk analyses, policy decisions, operational data management, and analyses. Responsible for organizing, replicating, architecting, distributing, and reporting on PPQ and cooperator mission data, including geospatial and non-geospatial information., * The duties may include, but are not limited to:

 * Key contributions involve solving technical issues, such as designing data flows and using data systems to create new and modify existing tools for better customer experience.
 * Conducts statistical analyses and applies data science methods to support the transition to data-driven initiatives.
 * Creates interactive data visualization tools like Tableau, ESRI, R, Python, and Power BI to present analytical results with graphs, charts, dashboards, and other visualizations.
 * Follows all data governance, including standards, policies, and procedures and documentation to meet established requirements.
 * Offers management technical guidance and recommendations.
 * Communicates clearly and professionally with subject matter experts (SME), analysts, other data professionals, and stakeholders
 * Identifies problems, determines solutions, tests hypotheses, and evaluates results.
 * Works collaboratively with program and management staff to analyze issues, make and implement recommendations, achieve consensus, and deliver informed advice.
 * Performs other duties as assigned., * Direct Deposit: Per Public Law 104-134 all Federal employees are required to have federal payments made by direct deposit to their financial institution.
 * Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit E-Verify at https://www.e-verify.gov/
 * All USDA employees are required to be enrolled in Continuous Vetting, which authorizes government agencies to receive notifications of criminal activity on individuals who hold low risk, public trust, or national security positions.
 * May be required to successfully complete a probationary and a trial period. Refer to the Next Steps section for more information., FOR THE GS-13 LEVEL: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-12 level) that may have been obtained in the private or public (local, county, state, Federal) sectors which demonstrates:
 * Leading complex data science projects from design through deployment by applying analytical methods such as statistics or machine learning, maintaining high data quality, and coordinating with cross-functional teams to meet organizational needs.
 * Building and maintaining large-scale automated workflows to process, manage, and validate complex datasets.
 * Cataloging, documenting, and standardizing datasets and workflows to improve accessibility, discoverability, and reuse.
 * Clearly communicating analytical work to executives, technical staff, and non-technical stakeholders., * First time hires to the federal government normally start at the lowest rate of the salary range for the grade selected
 * Locality pay will vary based upon the selectee's duty location. A final salary determination will be made upon selection.
 * Reasonable Accommodation (RA) Requests: If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended, that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be granted the opportunity to request a RA in your online application. Requests for RA for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for RA must be received prior to starting the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. Decisions on requests for RA are made on a case-by-case basis. If you meet the minimum qualifications of the position, after notification of the adjudication of your request, you will receive an email invitation to complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, based on your adjudication decision. You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, if you received the link after
the close of the announcement. To determine if you need a RA, please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments here.

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., Your application, including the online Assessment Questionnaire, will be reviewed to determine if you meet (a) minimum qualification requirements and (b) the resume supports the answers provided to the job-specific questions. Your resume must clearly support your responses to all the questions addressing experience and education relevant to this position. Those determined to be in the best qualified category will be referred to the selecting official for consideration.

Note: If, after reviewing your resume and/or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications and or experience, your score may be adjusted to more accurately reflect your abilities, or you may be found ineligible. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your rating. Providing inaccurate information on Federal documents could be grounds for non-selection or disciplinary action up to including removal from the Federal service. Cheating on the online assessment may also result in your removal from consideration.

To preview the application questionnaire, please visit: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13030711

Required Documents

The following documents are required for your applicant package to be complete. Our office cannot be responsible for incompatible software, your system failure or downtime, etc. Encrypted documents will not be accepted. Failure to submit required, legible documents may result in loss of consideration.

 * Resume that includes: 1) personal information such as name, address, contact information; 2) education; 3) detailed work experience related to this position as described in the major duties including work schedule, hours worked per week, dates of employment; title, series, grade (if applicable); 4) other qualifications; and 5) supervisors name and phone number for each work period listed and whether or not they may be contacted for reference checks. Resume cannot exceed two pages. Only one resume will be reviewed.
 * If education is required or you are using education to qualify, you must submit a copy of your college transcripts. An unofficial copy is sufficient with the application if it includes your name and the necessary course information; however, if you are selected, you will be required to submit official transcripts prior to entering on duty. Education must have been successfully obtained from an accredited school, college or university. If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show that the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program. For further information, visit the following: Foreign Education Evaluation. All transcripts must be in English or include an English translation.
 * If claiming veterans' preference, you must submit a DD214, Certificate of Release from Active Duty, which shows dates of service and discharge under honorable conditions. If currently on active duty you must submit a certification of expected discharge or release from active duty service under honorable conditions within 120 days after the date the certification is submitted. The certification must be on the letterhead of the appropriate military branch and include the dates of military service. Veterans' preference must be verified prior to appointment. Without this documentation, you will not receive veteran's preference and your application will be evaluated based on the material(s) submitted.
 * If claiming 10-point veterans' preference you must provide the DD214 or certification requirements (see above bullet), plus the proof of entitlement of this preference as listed on the SF-15 Application for 10-point Veterans' Preference. The SF-15 should be included but is not required. Failure to submit these documents could result in the determination that there is insufficient documentation to support your claim for 10-point preference. For more information on veterans' preference visit FEDSHIREVETS
 * Surplus or displaced employees eligible for CTAP, RPL, or ICTAP priority must provide: proof of eligibility (RIF separation notice, notice of proposed removal for declining a transfer of function or directed reassignment to another commuting area, notice of disability annuity termination), SF-50 documenting separation (as applicable), last performance appraisal that is at least fully successful or its equivalent, and your most recent SF-50 noting position, grade level, and duty location with your application per 5 CFR 330.
 * Worker's Compensation Separation: Agency certification of inability to place employee AND Notification of Separation OR Separation SF-50.
 + Disability Annuity Termination: Notification from OPM of disability annuity termination AND Separation SF-50 of the last position held. Military Reserve or National Guard Technician Special Disability Retirement Annuity under 5 U.S.C. 8337(h) or 8456: Certification of special disability retirement annuity from a military department or National Guard Bureau AND Separation SF-50 of the last position held.


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