Data Scientist

Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met. Basic Requirements: United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. Individual Occupational Requirement (IOR): The 1560 series requires specific education or experience to be met in order to be appointed into a position of this series. You must meet the pre-determined education and/or experience Individual Occupational Requirement (IOR) below as set by Office of Personnel Management (OPM). A. Education: 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. May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria). Grade Determinations: GS-14: In addition to meeting the Individual Occupation Requirements (IOR) above, applicants must have one (1) full year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-13 grade level in the Federal service. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: – Serves as a resource and leader to federal and contractor staff on implementing, managing, tracking and evaluating large scale and extremely complex data analysis projects. – Provides technical advice serving as a subject matter expert (SME) in the development of new methods to automate reports, rapid analysis of pilot initiatives and applications and makes recommendations to management on the use of such technology as it related to Agency data. – Applies principles and practices of health care management in directing and supporting a health care delivery system – Studies, analyzes, evaluates, and formulates, makes recommendation on how improve data operating programs. – Analyzes multifunctional AI healthcare/electronic programs and functions on a VISN-wide or equivalent scope. – Evaluates Organizational analysis processes and makes recommendations for effective organizational changes. – Performs studies that analyze essentiality of work, workflow, and work controls, organizational structure. Preferred Experience: – Minimum of two years of experience in healthcare data science – Expertise in the use of Python-R, SAS and SQL – Demonstrated organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills. – Demonstrated ability in resource management – Demonstrated skills in critical thinking, strategic planning, group process, leadership and performance improvement. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-14. Physical Requirements: The work is primarily sedentary and does not require and special physical effort. Some periods of walking, standing, and bending. Driving a motor vehicle may be required. Employees frequently carry research records and other similar materials.
The Data Scientist serves as the subject matter expert (SME) in the highly technical and specialized area of data science serving as a Data Scientist with specific technical expertise in health sciences data. They will act as a key advisor to the National Artificial Intelligence Institute (NAII) National leadership and VISN 8 leadership, as well as internal and external stakeholders on all matters related to data science.