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# Data Scientist (Recent Graduate)

- **Company:** U.S. Census Bureau
- **Location:** Suitland-Silver Hill, MD, United States (Remote available)
- **Experience:** Starter
- **Salary:** $57,736 - $91,815
- **Contract:** Temporary to permanent
- **Skills:** Java (Programming Language), Business Analytics Applications, Data Analysis, Cloud Database, Databases, R (Programming Language), Python (Programming Language), Microsoft SQL Server, Information Technology, Programming Languages
- **Published:** October 16, 2026
- **Apply:** https://www.usajobs.gov/Applicant/Application/ApplyStart/889950600

## About the Role

Individuals who have graduated from an accredited educational institute or certificate program within the last 2 years or 6 years for Veterans.

Clarification from the agency

Recent College Graduates from qualifying institutions within two years of degree or certification (Veterans precluded by their military service obligation, will have up to six years to apply)., You must be a Recent College Graduates from qualifying institutions within two years of degree or certification (Veterans precluded by their military service obligation, will have up to six years to apply).

Students with a transcript with a degree confer date on or before (December 31, 2026), will be considered for the Recent Graduate Program. Graduation / expect graduation date MUST be indicated on your resume.

NOTE: To show proof of meeting the Basic Entry Requirements, all applicants MUST submit a copy of their college transcripts. See the Required Documents section for more information.

Minimum Education Requirement:

Individual Occupational Requirement for all grades:

 1. 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
 2. 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.

In addition to meeting the minimum education requirement listed above, applicants must have specialized experience and/or directly related education in the amounts listed below for each grade level.

GS-07:
Specialized Experience: For the GS-07, you must have one year of experience at a level of difficulty and responsibility equivalent to the GS-05 in the Federal service. Experience for this position includes:(1) analyzing data modeling concepts and reviewing data for trends from multiple systems, (2) assisting in research and statistical analysis on available data to improve program materials and documentation, and (3) perform basic queries using various types of database and analytical tools.

OR YOU MAY QUALIFY FOR THE GS-07 BASED ON EDUCATION: 1 full year of graduate-level education or superior academic achievement.

SUPERIOR ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT: Bachelor's degree with superior academic achievement is defined as:(1) Class standing -- You must be in the upper third of the graduating class in the college, university, or major subdivision based on completed courses, (2) Grade-point average (G.P.A.) -- You must have 3.0 or higher out of a possible 4.0 based on 4 years of education, or as computed based on courses completed during the final 2 years of the curriculum OR 3.5 or higher out of a possible 4.0 based on the average of the required courses completed in the major field or the required courses in the major field completed during the final 2 years of the curriculum, or (3) Election to membership in a national scholastic honor society -- You are a member of one of the national scholastic honor societies recognized by the Association of College Honor Societies (https://www.achshonor.org/)

GS-09:
SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: For the GS-09, you must have one year of experience at a level of difficulty and responsibility equivalent to the GS-07 in the Federal service. Experience for this position includes:(1) providing support in planning, designing, and implementing data science applications, models, and guiding principles for data use and analysis; (2) participating in defining data requirements and the integration of enabling technologies to collect, extract, engineer, and transform data from traditional and non-traditional sources; and (3) evaluating advances in products and technologies related to data and information technology sciences (e.g., cloud-based data-analytical frameworks and platforms; compatibility among platforms, and new ontologies/vocabularies).

OR YOU MAY QUALIFY FOR THE GS-09 BASED ON EDUCATION: 2 years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a master's degree or master's or equivalent graduate degree.

NOTE: Education and experience may be combined for all grade levels for which both education and experience are acceptable.

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., The Census Bureau is seeking bright, innovative, results-oriented individuals to join our Recent Graduates Program (RGP). The RGP is a one-year program that targets individuals who have recently graduated from qualifying educational institutions or programs. Successful applicants will be placed in a dynamic, one-year career development program. Throughout the program, you will participate in formal training, job assignments and receive a mentor to develop competencies applicable to the Census Bureau's mission and needs. These positions are at the grade 7/9 entry levels, with an opportunity for permanent or term appointment upon successful completion of the program.

To be eligible for conversion to a permanent or term position, Recent Graduates must:

 * Successfully completed at least 1-year of continuous service in addition to all requirements of the RGP.
 * Demonstrate successful job performance.
 * Meet the Office of Personnel Management's qualifications for the position to which the Recent Graduate will be converted., 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., You will be assessed on the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics):
 * Attention to Detail
 * Flexibility
 * Integrity/Honesty
 * Interpersonal Skills
 * Reading Comprehension
 * Reasoning
 * Teamwork

## Description

Help

 * Performs queries using database and analytical tools (e.g. SQL Server) and programming languages (e.g. Python, R, and Java) to analyze data and develop data-analytical visualizations.
 * Participate in defining data requirements and integration of enabling technologies to collect, extract, engineer, and transform data from traditional and non-traditional sources.
 * Analyzes data sources to provide data-driven insights on streamlining processes and evaluating the effectiveness of program operations., In accordance with Executive Order 14170, applicants are encouraged to respond to four short, free-response, essay questions in the questionnaire. Answer to these questions is not scored or rated. Your answers will be reviewed by the hiring manager and agency leadership if you are referred for selection consideration.

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 RA for Online Assessments.

Recent Graduates and their supervisors must sign Pathways Agreements setting forth expectations for the program. To find additional information regarding the Pathways RGP, please visit the following website: USAJOBS - Recent Grads