Summary

This vacancy is being filled via the Direct-Hire Authority (DHA) for a Data Scientist position in the Decennial Census Management Division located at the U.S. Census Bureau Headquarters in Suitland, Maryland. The Census Bureau is accessible from the Metro Rail Green Line - Suitland Station.

Duties

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• Participates in planning, designing, developing, and implementing state- of-the-art data science applications, models, technologies, and guide principles for data use and analysis.
• Writes and executes program code to perform data processes that is clear and efficient, interprets and analyzes results, and uses data visualization to communicate insights and outcomes to stakeholders.
• Collaborates with other team members to support the aggregation of software and hardware technologies required to integrate resources and
  provide a useful, usable, and enabling framework for programs.
• Participates in the development of new user interfaces and supports adapting tools for displaying scientific information and implementing common data standards and metadata schema for discoverability and interoperability of data.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

• Applicants must meet all qualification requirements by the closing date of this announcement.
• U.S. Citizen.
• Suitable for Federal employment.
• Registered for Selective Service, if applicable (www.sss.gov).
• A one-year probationary period may be required.
• This is a term appointment not to exceed 4 years. At management's discretion, this appointment may be extended up to a maximum of 10 years from the original appointment date.
• This is a BARGAINING unit position.
• This position may be covered by one or more of the following bargaining units: American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local 2782(HQ) or AFGE Local 1438(DN). If you have specific questions, please contact the HR Specialist.
• This announcement will close at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on the date the first 150 applicants are received or on June 18, 2026, whichever comes first.
• A USA Hire assessment is required. An email will be sent with additional information after you submit your application. You will have 48 hours from the date you submit your application to complete the assessment.

Qualifications

Minimum Education Requirement:

A. 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

B. 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.

AND

Specialized Experience: For the GG-12, you must have one year of experience at a level of difficulty and responsibility equivalent to the GS/GG-11 in the Federal service. Experience for this position includes:

• Participating in research and statistical analysis on available data and evaluating the effectiveness of statistical programs/applications
• Modifying instructions, methodologies, and/or guidelines as necessary to achieve program objectives
• Developing improved program material and documentation. Developing or presenting training to internal or external audiences on data science topics
• Participating in the analysis of management information requirements to develop program or administrative reporting systems including the systems specifications, data gathering, analytical techniques, and systems evaluation methodology.
• Performing queries using various types of database and analytical tools (e.g., SQL Server)

Applicants must demonstrate and provide evidence in at least 3 of the above areas to be qualified.

Education: Education cannot be substituted at this level.

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.

Additional information

Direct-Hire: All candidates who meet all the qualification and other eligibility requirements may be referred for consideration. Competitive examining rules providing for rating and ranking and veterans' preference do not apply.

Appointments made under this authority will be processed as new appointments to the Civil Service. Current Civil Service employees would, therefore, be given new appointments to the Civil Service. Current Federal employees may be required to serve a new probationary period (5 CFR 315.802(b).

Individuals who have received a Voluntary Separation Incentive Payment, otherwise known as a buyout, must repay that incentive if they are reemployed by the Federal Government within five years of separation.

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.

The Department of Commerce also provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please notify the Human Resources Office. The decision on granting reasonable accommodation will be on a case-by-case basis. TTY users can contact the Human Resources Office via the Federal Relay Service, [redacted].

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.

Benefits

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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.

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.