Data Scientist (Recent Graduate)

About the role

This vacancy is for a Data Scientist (Recent Graduate) position in the Human Resources 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.

This Job Opportunity Announcement may be used to fill other Data Scientist (Recent Graduate), 1560-7/9, FPL GS-13, positions within the Census Bureau in the same geographical location with the same qualifications and specialized experience.

What you will do

• 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.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated based on how well you meet the qualifications listed in this vacancy announcement. Your qualifications will be evaluated based on your application materials (e.g., resume, supporting documents), your responses on the application questionnaire, and your responses to all assessments required for this position.

Category Rating Procedures: If you meet the minimum qualifications stated in the job opportunity announcement and scoring requirements for all applicable assessments, you will be placed in one of three pre-defined categories.

These categories are "gold," "silver," and "bronze." Candidates placed in the "gold" category will be identified for referral to the hiring manager and may be invited for an interview. How you will be evaluated for preference eligibility: Within each category, those entitled to veterans' preference will be listed at the top of the pre-defined category for which they are placed.

Preference eligibles with a service-connected disability of 10% or more will be listed at the top of the highest quality category (gold), except for Professional and Scientific positions at the GS-9 grade level and above.

For more information on category rating, please go to: OPM: Competitive Hiring - Category Rating Online Assessment: Applicants must complete the online USA Hire Competency Based Assessments measuring critical general competencies required to perform the job. Examples used in the assessment may include general situations not directly related to this position.

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 Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application materials or application questionnaire may result in your removal from consideration.

Cheating on an assessment may also result in your removal from consideration. We recommend that you preview the online questions for this announcement before you start the application process.

Do NOT include the following types of information in your application if included on your resume you will not be considered for this position: Social Security Number (SSN) Date of Birth (DOB) Photos of yourself Personal information: such as age, gender, religious affiliation, etc. To preview the application questionnaire, click the following link: ***

Documents you must provide

• Your complete application includes your resume, your responses to the online questionnaire, and documents which prove your eligibility to apply.
• If you fail to provide these documents, you will be marked as having an incomplete application package and you will not be considered any further.
• Your application package should include the following documents: Resume: Your resume must not exceed two (2) pages.
• If your resume exceeds the two-page limit, you will be deemed disqualified and removed from consideration.
• Your resume must include your educational and relevant work experience for the position for which you are applying to include the title and dates (mm/yy) of employment along with the number of hours worked per week.
• If your resume does not contain this information, your application may be marked as incomplete, and you will not receive consideration.
• Veterans' Preference Documentation: Please indicate on your resume the type of veterans' preference you are claiming and provide the appropriate supporting documentation (DD-214 stating disposition of discharge or character of service, VA letter, SF-15, etc.) to validate your claim.
• For more information regarding eligibility requirements, please go to: Veteran's Resource Page.
• Education Documentation: If this position requires proof of higher education, or you are substituting education for experience, you must submit an unofficial transcript or a list of courses that includes the following information: name of accredited institution, grades earned, completion dates, and quarter and semester hours earned.
• This also applies to Census Bureau employees.
• Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the requirements.
• Please refer to OPM's Qualification Policy for more information.
• You are not required to submit official documents at this time; copies are sufficient.
• It is the applicant's responsibility to provide documentation or proof that he or she has met the applicable educational provisions described.
• If you earned your degree in a foreign country, you must provide an U.S. equivalency evaluation of your education by a private U.S. organization (credential evaluation service).
• Special Instructions for Foreign Education: Qualifying education from colleges and universities in foreign countries must be evaluated in terms of equivalency to that acquired in U.S. colleges and universities.
• Applicants educated in whole or in part in foreign countries must submit sufficient evidence, including transcripts, to an accredited private organization for an equivalency evaluation of course work and degree.
• You must provide a copy of the letter containing the results of the equivalency evaluation with a course-by-course listing along with your application.
• Failure to provide such documentation when requested will result in lost consideration.
• For further information on the evaluation of foreign education, refer to the U.S. Department of Education's web site at Academic and Professional Mobility | International Affairs Office (ed.gov).
• NOTE: You will not be considered if you fail to provide all required documents.

What to expect next

You will be notified of your application status through USAJOBS at four points during the hiring process, as applicable. You can check the status of your application by accessing the USAJOBS website at *** and clicking on "Applications." The status will be visible next to the corresponding positions.

The four points of notification are: Application Received or Application Incomplete; Minimum Qualification Requirement Met or Minimum Qualification Requirement Not Met; Referred or Not Referred; and Selected or Not Selected. By submitting your application, you are certifying the accuracy of the information contained in your application.

If you make a false statement in any part of your application, you may not be hired; you may be terminated after you begin work; or you may be fined or jailed. After making a tentative job offer, we will conduct a suitability/security background investigation.

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.).

Additional information

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.

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 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, ***.