Data Scientist

About the role

This position is located in the Department of Health and Human Services, Center for Forecasting and Outbreak Analytics, headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia. This announcement will close at 11:59 PM, on the day that 50 applications have been received or on the closing date, whichever is first.

What you will do

• Research, Analysis, and Data Evaluation Consults and collaborates with statistical, data science, artificial intelligence and public health professionals in the collection, linkage, processing, mining, coding, classification, and analysis of public health surveillance, research, and administrative health data.
• Technical Consultation Brings and develops expertise in the fields of health science, artificial intelligence, and programming languages as applied to public health.
• Data Presentation and Dissemination Assists in preparing comprehensive reports that include discussion of substantive issues related to data science methodology for public health surveillance and related applications, assessment of the adequacy and quality of data used in the analyses, and explanation of the methods, results, and relevance to the health issue under study.
• Collaborates with Informatics and Information Technology professionals to develop data storage and management solutions that enable analysis of large structured and unstructured datasets.
• Participates as the expert in work groups focused on data science and statistical and machine learning, as applied to public health data.

Education

Foreign Education: 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; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university.

For further information, visit: ***

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated based on how well you meet the qualifications listed in this announcement. Evaluation will be based on your application materials (such as your resume and supporting documents), your responses to the application questionnaire, and the results of all required assessments. Resume Requirement Your resume must not exceed two (2) pages in length.

Basic Qualification Question As part of the application process, you must answer a question addressing whether you meet the Basic Requirement for this position, as described in this announcement.

Minimum Qualification Question As part of the application process, you must answer a minimum qualification question addressing whether you meet the Specialized Experience required for this position, as described in this announcement. Your response must be supported by the experience documented in your resume.

If your resume does not demonstrate the required Specialized Experience, you may be found not qualified.

Assessment Process USA Hire Technical Assessment You are required to complete a USA Hire technical assessment to evaluate the job-related knowledge, skills, and abilities required for this position.

HR Resume Review Human Resources Specilist will review your resume to determine whether you meet the required Specialized Experience. Applicants who successfully pass the assessment(s) may be referred to the Hiring Manager for consideration.

You must complete all required steps in the process, including submitting an application and resume and participating in the structured interview, to be considered for this position.

Additional selections may be made for similar positions across the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) within the local commuting area(s) of the location identified in this announcement. By applying, you agree to have your application shared with any interested selecting official(s) at HHS. Clearance of CTAP/ICTAP will be applied for similar positions across HHS.

In accordance with Executive Order 12564 of September 14, 1986, The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is A Drug-Free Federal Workplace. The use of illegal drugs, on or off duty, by Federal employees is inconsistent not only with the law-abiding behavior expected of all citizens, but also with the special trust placed in such employees as servants of the public.

For PHS Commissioned Corps (CC) Officers: PHS Commissioned Corps (CC) Officers interested in performing the duties of this position within the commissioned Corps may apply online to this announcement. Candidates will be referred as CC personnel and not as candidates for conversion to a permanent career or career-conditional appointment.

For Competitive Merit Promotion and Veterans Employment Opportunities Act (VEOA) Applicants: The highest rated candidates will be referred to the hiring agency. For Noncompetitive Applicants: All qualified candidates will be referred to the hiring agency.

Your qualifications will be evaluated on the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities and other characteristics): Attention to Detail Attention to Detail Customer Service Decision Making Decision Making Flexibility Integrity/Honesty Interpersonal Skills Interpersonal Skills Learning Reasoning Self-Management Stress Tolerance Teamwork To preview the application questionnaire, click the following link: ***

Documents you must provide

• Resume must not exceed two (2) pages and must support responses to the online application.
• Failure to submit a resume and all required documentation identified in this announcement may result in removal from further consideration.
• Use of the USAJOBS Resume Builder is encouraged to ensure all required information is included.
• Resumes must include duties, accomplishments, related skills, and start and end dates (month/day/year) for each position.
• Full-time employment will be assumed unless otherwise indicated; part-time experience will be prorated.
• Incomplete information may affect eligibility or rating.
• A complete online application (***) SF-50 (Notification of Personnel Action) - documentation supporting eligibility.
• If submitting a copy of your SF-50, or equivalent, submit one that shows the effective date of your current position, the full performance level, career or career conditional tenure and status in the competitive service.
• Other required supporting documents.
• Other Supporting Documents: (Only Submit if applicable to you.) College transcripts, if qualifying all or in part based on education CTAP RIF separation notice, notice of proposed removal for failure to relocate, notice of disability annuity termination, or certification from the National Guard Bureau or Military Department that you are eligible for disability retirement SF-50, showing positions, grade level, and duty location, and/or Agency certification of inability to be placed through RPL, etc Latest performance appraisal including rating Documentation from your agency showing current promotion potential PHS Commissioned Corps (CC) Officers must provide a copy of your current personnel order or other supporting documentation to be referred as CC.
• Veterans Employment Opportunities Act (VEOA) documentation, if applicable.
• For more information, please go to *** Documentation supporting eligibility for non-competitive appointment, (severely disabled, eligible veterans, certain military spouses, etc.) For Résumé Tips visit: For Application Tips visit: For additional information about USAJOBS visit the Help Center: *** Official documents are not required at this time; copies are sufficient; may be requested upon selection

What to expect next

Once the online questionnaire is received you will receive an acknowledgement email that your submission was successful. The best qualified candidates will be referred to the hiring manager for further consideration and possible interview. We expect to make a selection within 45 days of the closing date of this announcement.

You will receive notice via email or by mail, if no email address was provided by you during the application process, once this process is completed (generally 4-6 weeks). This vacancy may be eligible for use of Conditional Job Offers (CJOs) to help accelerate hiring and onboarding for eligible selectees.

Under this approach, selected candidates may receive an offer earlier in the hiring process while required suitability and onboarding activities continue.

You will be required to submit official documentation prior to appointment.

The agency will then verify the information provided on your application (i.e., degree, veterans' preference, disability, etc.). HHS has a Critical Preparedness and Response Mission: we protect the American people from health threats, research emerging diseases, and mobilize public health programs with domestic and international partners.

HHS' 24/7 Secretary's Operations Center (SOC) unites highly trained experts, well established processes, and state-of-the-art technology to coordinate resources and information as HHS responds to emergencies worldwide.

Every HHS employee has a role in supporting public health emergency management, whether through voluntary temporary assignments to emergency responses or sustaining other HHS programs and activities while colleagues respond.

In addition to their everyday work, HHS offers employees the opportunity to contribute their unique skills through voluntary temporary assignments to humanitarian emergencies or Departmental priorities countering new and emerging health, safety, and security threats.

Additional information

THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW Incentives may be authorized; however, this is contingent upon multiple factors, including funds availability. If authorized, certain incentives may require you to sign a service agreement to remain in the Federal government for a period of up to 3 years. Note: This statement does not imply nor guarantee an incentive will be offered and paid.

Incentives may include the following: moving expenses, recruitment or relocation incentive; student loan repayment, superior qualifications appointment, creditable service for annual leave for prior non-federal work experience or prior uniformed military service, etc. Bargaining Unit Position: No Research position: No Drug Screening Required: No Special Hiring Authorities for Veterans - *** Special Hiring Authorities for Military Spouses - *** People With Disabilities (Schedule A) - *** Career Transition Assistance Program/Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP/ICTAP): For information on how to apply as an CTAP/ICTAP eligible see ***

To be well-qualified and exercise selection priority for this vacancy, displaced Federal employees must be rated at 85.0 or above on the rating criteria for this position.

Beginning January 1, 2010, agencies must seek prior approval from OPM before they can appoint a current or recent political appointee to a competitive or non-political excepted service position at any level under the provisions of title 5, United States Code.

If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C, or Non-career SES employee in the executive branch, you MUST disclose that to the Human Resources Office.