Statistician (Direct Hire Authority)_

Summary Help us fight fraud! SSA's Office of Program Integrity is searching for several new hires to help SSA detect and prevent fraud by performing data analysis and research using a variety of analytical techniques such as statistical modeling, machine learning, and/or geospatial analysis. STEM position(s) are being filled through the Office of Personnel Management's delegated Direct Hire Authority. Under the provisions of the DHA, Veterans Preference and the "Rule of Three" do not apply. Responsibilities This announcement serves as public notice. Applications submitted be placed into a pool and will remain on file for selection as positions become available. Vacancies may be filled for up to 6 months after the closing date of this announcement. Applicants may not receive notifications of referral status until the full 6-month eligibility period has elapsed. Applications may be gathered from additional recruitment sources. These will be added to the pool created by this announcement. Duties for the GS-11 and GS-12 include: Develops, implements, and refines projects and mathematical/statistical studies of SSA programs and develops models to correct deficiencies or improve the efficiency of SSA's processes, operations, . [CONT] and systems related to administering the program integrity program Determines methods and approaches to gather and develop required data to complete studies. Determines whether a problem is amenable to statistical inquiry; assesses the kinds of data needed; decides on necessary data sources; [CONT] explores new or improved methods for obtaining data, and their estimated cost and limitations; and determines the most appropriate methods for analyzing and interpreting data. Analyzes findings, evaluates the statistical limitations of available data, and specifies the range of logically possible explanations of the findings. Reviews and evaluates program integrity initiatives to improve targeting of resources and/or quality of operations, develops and applies advanced statistical profiling techniques to ensure potential for, or achievement of desired results. Duties for the GS-13 include: Develops, implements, and refines projects and statistical studies of SSA programs and develops models to correct deficiencies or improve the efficiency of SSA's processes, [CONNT] operations, and systems related to administering the program integrity program. Determines methods and approaches to gather and develop required data to complete studies. Serves as a source of advice and assistance to senior analysts within OPI on the validity of the data contained in the relevant data sources and their appropriate uses. Analyzes study findings, develops recommendations, and prepares and presents confidential in-depth reports and position papers to management officials regarding analyses of problems. Develops, reviews, and evaluates program integrity program management information. Applies best practices to develop and maintain reports on program integrity program initiatives for executive-level audiences. Reviews and evaluates program integrity initiatives to improve targeting of resources and/or quality of operations, develops and applies advanced statistical profiling techniques to ensure potential for, or achievement of desired results. Requirements Conditions of Employment Qualifications HOW TO QUALIFY: Eligible applicants must meet the following qualification requirements. Basic Requirements of the IOR: Degree: that included 15 semester hours in statistics (or in mathematics and statistics, provided at least 6 semester hours were in statistics), and 9 additional semester hours in one or more of the following: physical or biological sciences, medicine, education, or engineering; or in the social sciences including demography, history, economics, social welfare, geography, international relations, social or cultural anthropology, health sociology, political science, public administration, psychology, etc. Credit toward meeting statistical course requirements should be given for courses in which 50 percent of the course content appears to be statistical methods, e.g., courses that included studies in research methods in psychology or economics such as tests and measurements or business cycles, or courses in methods of processing mass statistical data such as tabulating methods or electronic data processing. or Combination of education and experience -- courses as shown in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education. The experience should have included a full range of professional statistical work such as (a) sampling, (b) collecting, computing, and analyzing statistical data, and (c) applying statistical techniques such as measurement of central tendency, dispersion, skewness, sampling error, simple and multiple correlation, analysis of variance, and tests of significance. Qualification standards and additional information for this position can be found here: OPM Statistics Series 1530 In addition to the minimum requirements listed above, applicants must meet the specialized experience statement for this series at the grade level they are applying: To Qualify for the GS-11grade level: To qualify at the GS-11 level, you must have one of the following: At least 52 weeks of specialized experience at the GS-9, or equivalent, which is in or related to the work of the position to be filled which has equipped me with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position. Such experience includes reviewing and summarizing datasets using standard statistical or machine learning analytical techniques and processes. Experience must also include assisting with transforming data into a form suitable for analysis using R, Python, SAS, or SQL; OR drafting research reports, technical papers, guidelines, or instructions for supervisory review; OR A Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree, if related. NOTE: Transcripts are required to substantiate education.; OR Completed 3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree, if related. NOTE: Transcripts are required to substantiate education.; OR When combined, graduate education and experience total 100% of the requirements. To qualify for the GS-12 Grade Level: the applicant must have 52 weeks of specialized experience at the GS-11 level, or equivalent, which is in or related to the work of the position to be filled, that has equipped you with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position. Such experience must include reviewing and summarizing large datasets using statistical or machine learning analytical techniques and processes. Experience must also include transforming unprocessed, incomplete, or unstructured data into a form suitable for analysis using R, Python, SAS, or SQL; OR preparing research reports, technical papers, guidelines, or instructions for higher-level analysis. To qualify for the GS-13 Grade Level: , the applicant must have 52 weeks of specialized experience at the GS-12 level, or equivalent, which is in or related to the work of the position to be filled, that has equipped you with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position. Such experience must include developing and refining studies involving large datasets and statistical or machine learning analytical techniques and processes. Experience must also include transforming unprocessed, incomplete, or unstructured data into a form suitable for analysis using R, Python, SAS, or SQL; or preparing research reports, technical papers, guidelines, or instructions for technical and non-technical audiences. Duties of this nature should be typical of your everyday work. If you perform this kind of work, your resume must provide details of the actual duties you perform that demonstrate the requirements above. Reviewers cannot assume you perform duties you don't describe. Education Providing Proof of Education For information on providing proof of education, visit pm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-policies#url=e4 To satisfy the educational requirement, submit a copy of your transcripts that includes your name, the name of the educational institution, course title(s), number of credits, grade, and date of completion. Unofficial transcripts or screenshots of electronic/web transcripts with the required information will be accepted at the time of application. You must submit your transcripts according to the application submission details of this announcement. Documents will not be accepted via email or regular mail. If selected, you may be required to provide your official college transcripts prior to the effective date of the personnel action placing you into the new position. Foreign Education: If your transcripts show education completed in foreign colleges or universities, you must also provide documentation 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 a conventional/accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. Note: One year of full-time graduate education is considered to be the number of credit hours that the school you attended has determined to represent one year of study. If this information cannot be obtained from your school, we will consider 18 semester/27 quarter hours to be equal to one year of full-time study. Additional Information STEM position(s) are being filled through the Office of Personnel Management's delegated Direct Hire Authority, open to all U.S. citizens. Selections made under this bulletin will be processed as new appointments to the civil service. Current civil service employees would, therefore, be given new appointments to the civil service. Under the provisions of the Direct Hire Authority, Veterans Preference and the "Rule of Three" do not apply. Additional selections may be made for this vacancy six months from the closing date of this announcement. This Direct Hire announcement may be used to fill the same or similar position in another office. This is a non-bargaining unit position. This position may be eligible for telework in accordance with agency and office policy. Duty Location and residency/commuting requirement: Woodlawn, MD; This is not a fully virtual/remote position - selectee(s) will be required to reside within a two hour maximum commuting distance from the SSA Headquarters campus located in Woodlawn, MD and report onsite at least 3 days per week. Selective Service: If you are a male applicant born after December 31, 1959, you must certify that you have registered with the Selective Service System, or are exempt from having to do so under the Selective Service Law. See www.sss.gov.