Summary

The Division of Trading and Markets seeks a dynamic Data Science expert for its SK-16 Data Scientist (AI) position. You will use modern data science, quantitative models, and analytical tools to interpret financial and market data, improve workflows, and advance the SEC's data-driven initiatives. This role blends technical, financial, and legal expertise with strong collaboration and communication skills.

Duties

Help

In this role as a Data Scientist (AI), you will:

• Function as a senior advisor and be recognized as a subject matter expert in the science of data analysis, text analytics, artificial intelligence, and machine learning for the assigned SEC organization.
• Develop and prepare guidance on a variety of complex data science issues which have been referred to because of the complexity or sensitivity of the topics involved, precedent setting implications, short suspense time for response, deviation from established regulations, or other unusual actions.
• Monitor technological developments and industry trends that impact SEC operations utilizing and developing technological tools or analytical methods and models, anticipating trends and practices in the industry and develop novel and non-traditional pro-active approaches to data related challenges, maintaining productive working relationships with other offices within the SEC, Federal and state agencies and with industry.
• Collaborate with leadership and senior staff on the design, development, and execution of highly complex projects/studies; the conduct quantitative and qualitative analyses and evaluations by Division/Office staff; the design, development, maintenance, and modification to datasets and quantitative standards, models, metrics and reports that support a variety of data analysis areas; the implementation of new models, metrics and reports; and provide advice and assistance and recommendations concerning methods and procedures as applied to analysis of data or to the development of analytical standards, models, products, and solutions and related technology.
• Identify and develop ways to resolve problems or cope with data science related issues that affect the accomplishment of organizational goals and objectives.
• Plan and carry out projects to provide comprehensive data science-related services on a variety of highly complex interrelated issues.
• Conduct fact-finding analysis of issues surrounding the matter at hand to identify and clarify problems or relevant issues and communicate the results of the analysis with a wide variety of audience clearly and in a timely manner

Requirements

Help

Conditions of employment

• CITZENSHIP: You must be a US Citizen.
• SELECTIVE SERVICE: Males born after 12/31/59 must be registered or exempt from Selective Service (see https://www.sss.gov/).
• SECURITY CLEARANCE: Entrance on duty is contingent upon completion of a pre-employment security investigation. Favorable results on a Background Investigation may be a condition of employment or selection to another position.
• PERMANENT CHANGE OF STATION (PCS): Moving/Relocation expenses are not authorized.
• DIRECT DEPOSIT: All Federal employees are required to have Federal salary payments made by direct deposit to a financial institution of their choosing.
• PROBATIONARY PERIOD: This appointment may require completion of a one-year probationary period.
• The selectee is required to report to the duty station(s) listed.

Qualifications

Applicants are responsible for confirming all required materials are submitted by the closing date of the announcement. Please check the HowYou Will Be Evaluated and Required Documents sections carefully, as missing documents will render the application incomplete and ineligible for review.

Qualifying experience may be obtained in the private or public sector. 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. All qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement.

BASIC REQUIREMENT:

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.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENT: In addition to meeting the basic requirement, applicants must also meet the minimum qualification requirement

SK-16: Applicant must have at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS/SK-14 level:

1. Providing leadership on financial data initiatives, leveraging expertise in data standards, machine-readable languages, and analytical methods to strengthen organizational analytical capabilities; AND
2. Applying AI tools and analytical methods to strengthen evaluation of structured and unstructured data, improving workflow efficiency, and supporting modernization efforts as a recognized technical resource; AND
3. Leading the development and enhancement of data infrastructure to support analytical processing, data ingestion pipelines, and modernization activities across diverse technical platforms, databases and storage architectures including cross platform migrations and transformations; AND
4. Supporting long-range planning, strategic decision making and policy interpretations, using and communicating analytical findings on structured and unstructured data, analytics, and cloud systems to leadership, program staff, and external stakeholders.

ACCOMPLISHMENT RECORD COMPETENCIES: Your Accomplishment Record narratives should address the following competencies. See the How You Will Be Evaluated section below for more information:

• AI/ML Application & Responsible Use - Uses appropriate AI/ML methods and tools-including code assist and information processing automation-to enhance analysis of structured data, increase workflow efficiency, and modernize analytical or review processes while following responsible AI practices.
• Technology Awareness and Innovation - Maintains awareness of emerging analytics and AI/ML technologies and uses this knowledge to introduce and share relevant advancements that strengthen organizational capabilities.
• Teamwork and Collaboration - Interacts with internal and external others in a manner that advances SEC goals and objectives.
• Technical Quality and Reproducibility - Applies structured engineering practices and quality control techniques and methods across the development lifecycle, producing well documented code, maintaining version controlled artifacts, and creating reproducible workflows.

Education

You MUST provide transcripts or other documentation to support your educational claims. Unless otherwise stated: (1) official or unofficial transcripts are acceptable, or (2) you may submit a list with all your courses, grades, semester, year, and credit for the course. If you are qualifying for this position by substituting education or training for experience, you must submit a copy of your unofficial transcripts or equivalent by the closing date of the announcement. Qualifying education must have been obtained from an accredited college or university recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Internal Applicants: OHR will verify education qualifications for internal applicants using documents in the Electronic Official Personnel Folder (eOPF). If required transcripts or certificates are not present in your eOPF, you will be required to provide them to OHR. If selected, a start date will not be established until official transcripts are received.

FOREIGN EDUCATION: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs. For more information, click here.

Applicants may also find the following helpful:

National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) is an association of 19 credential evaluation services with admission standards and an enforced code of good practice.

Association of International Credentials Evaluators (AICE) is an association of 10 credential evaluation services with a board of advisors and an enforced code of ethics.

Additional information

Supplementary vacancies may be filled in addition to the number stated in this announcement and may be filled from any division or office within the agency.

SEC COMPENSATION PROGRAM: Total salary (base pay + locality) is dependent upon duty location. The overall salary range listed above is provided for informational purposes; a selectee's initial pay will be established below the maximum rate of the range. The pay for current SEC employees will be determined according to the procedures specified in the agency's policy. Please click here for a compensation overview.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR SURPLUS OR DISPLACED FEDERAL EMPLOYEES: If you have never worked for the federal government, you are not I/CTAP eligible. To receive selection priority for this position, you must: (1) meet CTAP or ICTAP eligibility criteria; the questionnaire asks you to identify your ICTAP/CTAP eligibility (2) be rated well-qualified; and, (3) submit the appropriate documentation to support your CTAP or ICTAP eligibility. View information about I/CTAP eligibility on OPM's Career Transition Resources website.

Benefits

Help

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.

Review our benefits

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.