Data Scientist

Summary

This position is located in the Veteran Benefits Administration (VBA), Office of Performance Analysis and Integrity (PA&I), and organizationally aligned under the VBA Chief of Staff. The mission of PA&I's Advanced Analytics Staff is to provide analytical services, statistical analysis, and data products that support VBA's delivery of high-quality, timely benefits and services to Veterans and their families.

Duties

The data scientist will specialize in data extraction, sample design, and dataset development for analysis by VBA's Quality Assurance teams. Specific duties include: GS-11: Support the development and optimization of data sourcing, preparation, and analytical dataset construction processes and assist in performing data extractions using computer programming without preset specifications to source and prepare data from diverse systems. Assist with statistical analysis, working in established and emerging data science tools such as Toad, SAS, Python, Tableau, and cloud analytics platforms. Analyze and evaluate the effectiveness of VBA program operations in meeting business line or higher established goals and objectives, performing analyses of data and disseminating results to assigned project lead or supervisor. Evaluate models and findings of other VBA analysts and contractors in area of specialization to assist assigned project lead or supervisor. Support the creation and refinement of data visualizations, dashboards, and analytical summaries that clearly communicate findings and recommendations to technical and non-technical stakeholders. GS-12: Design and develop data sourcing, preparation, and analytical dataset construction processes; perform data extractions using computer programming without preset specifications; identify and resolve data quality issues, structural challenges, and non-routine extraction problems; validate data completeness and accuracy; and document methodologies for reproducibility and audit purposes. Work in established and emerging data science tools such as Toad, SAS, Python, Tableau, and cloud analytics platforms, building statistical models in support of VBA operations and developing algorithms or tools to support data manipulation and processing. Analyze and evaluate the effectiveness of VBA program operations in meeting business line or higher established goals and objectives, performing analyses of data and disseminating results. Conduct data science projects including problem definition, identification of key variables, development of analytical methodology, development of recommendations, and presentation of results. Create and refine data visualizations, dashboards, statistical reports, and presentations that clearly communicate analytical methodologies, data quality considerations, and findings to both technical and non-technical audiences. GS-13: Design, develop, and optimize comprehensive data sourcing, preparation, and analytical dataset construction processes; oversee resolution of complex data quality and structural challenges; establish standards for data validation, documentation, and reproducibility; and ensure systems adequately support current and future analytical needs. Work in established and emerging data science tools such as Toad, SAS, Python, Tableau, and cloud analytics platforms, building statistical models in support of VBA operations and developing algorithms or tools to support data manipulation and processing. Analyze and evaluate the effectiveness of VBA program operations in meeting business line or higher established goals and objectives, performing analyses of data and disseminating results. Plan and conduct data science projects with detailed problem definition, identification of key variables, development of analytical methodology, development of recommendations, and presentation of results. Develop data products including dashboards, statistical reports, presentations, and visualizations that communicate analytical findings and support organizational decision-making, ensuring products are tailored to audience technical expertise. Work Schedule: Full time, Monday through Friday. Compressed/Flexible: Available. Telework: This position is eligible for situational (ad hoc) telework only. The selectee is required to report to the official duty station each scheduled workday. Telework may be approved only on a case-by-case basis with supervisory approval. Routine or recurring telework is not authorized for this position. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Description/PD#: Data Scientist; GS-1560-11 PD# 39796A, GS-1560-12 PD# 39795A,GS-1560-13 PD# 39794A. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized. Financial Disclosure Report: Not Required.

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement:10/19/2026. INDIVIDUAL OCCUPATIONAL REQUIREMENT (IOR): This position does have an IOR (Individual Occupational Requirement) that must be met in addition to the basic Specialized Experience qualifications. In order to qualify for this position, you must have the education or experience listed below: Education: 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 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 TIME-IN-GRADE REQUIREMENT: Applicants who are current Federal employees and have held a GS grade any time in the past 52 weeks must also meet time-in-grade requirements (unless if in the commuting area and eligible for a non-competitive hiring authority such as Schedule A, VRA, or 30% or more disabled Veterans). For a GS-11 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-09 level. For a GS-12 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-11 level. For a GS-13 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-12 level. The grade may have been in any occupation, but must have been held in the Federal service. An SF-50 that shows your time-in-grade eligibility must be submitted with your application materials. These requirements also apply to former Federal employees applying for reinstatement and those applying for a Veterans Employment Opportunities Act of 1998 (VEOA) appointment. MINIMUM QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENT: You may qualify based on your experience and/or education as described below: GS-11 Grade Level: Specialized Experience: Candidates must have at least one year's professional experience using the SQL computer programming language at the GS-09 level OR Education Substitution: Applicants may substitute education for the experience required to qualify at the GS-09 grade level. Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree, if related (You must provide transcripts); OR Three (3) full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree.. OR Combination: The applicant has less than the one year of specialized experience as described in response "A" above, and less than the full amount of graduate education as described in response "B" above. However, when combined, they equal at least 100% of the total requirement. To calculate, first identify the percentage of required education you have earned. Then identify the percentage of required experience you possess. Add the two percentages. The total percentage must equal at least 100 percent to qualify. Only graduate level education can be used in combination with experience to qualify for a GS-11 grade level position. NOTE: Your application must include an official or unofficial copy of graduate level transcripts that demonstrate this information if this response is selected. GS-12 Grade Level: Specialized Experience: Candidates must have at least one year's professional experience using the Python com