Data Scientist (DIRECT HIRE)

The Antitrust Division (ATR) is seeking highly qualified candidates to fill Data Scientist (DIRECT HIRE) positions in the Economic Analysis Group (EAG), Economic Policy Section (ELS). EAG is one of the world's leading venues for developing and applying economics to real world questions of competition.

Selectees will work alongside Ph.D. economists to identify, specify, process, verify, and analyze complex data produced to the Division in the course of its investigations and litigations.

Data relied upon most often comes from structured, relational databases, but can vary widely to include unstructured data and large, flat-file repositories of high-frequency data.

The right candidate will have the ability to think flexibly about how to extract and transform data, particularly when those data arrive in unfamiliar and unexpected formats, to enable the complex investigations that define the Antitrust Division's core mission.

The Data Scientists hired will play a vital role in developing the kind of evidence that plays a central role in enforcement efforts to protect competition and benefit consumers through low prices, high quality, product choice, and innovation.

As a Data Scientist (DIRECT HIRE), you will: Collaborate with Division economists and e-Discovery experts on which data and supporting documentation to demand of parties and the formats in which to receive those data.

Collaborate with Division economists and attorneys to formulate timely and precise written communication concerning databases and documentation, including identifying data most relevant to an investigation and determining how to best request and obtain such data from outside parties.

Engage with database specialists and attorneys representing outside parties. Work with the Division's Technology Directorate on hardware, software, and network resources. Assesses how to best organize data for analysis in both local and cloud environments.

Coordinate with the Division's Technology Directorate and economists to seamlessly roll out upgrades and new features. Prepare clear, high-quality graphical presentations of data utilizing summary tables, maps, and visual aids that effectively communicate insights from data to be presented to Division attorneys, economists, and senior management.

Apply statistical theory, methods, and techniques in performing critical analysis and evaluation of structured data received by parties in response to mergers.

Performs a variety of data manipulation tasks to support model development, including data cleaning, data summaries, diagnostics for model assessment, model evaluation, model selection, running simulation algorithms, and organizing simulation data.

Organize and manipulate large data sets, including spatial data, and runs computer-based simulation models, performs statistical analyses, and graphically summarizes model output data with summary statistics. Develop computer programs to perform analysis of statistical data and findings.

Use structured query language (SQL) queries and other tools to compile, clean, characterize, and extract data for both vetting the productions of outside parties and preparing those productions for investigatory analysis.

Apply data analytics tools and languages such as Python, PySpark, R, SparkR, Databricks, Snowflake, Stata, or SAS to collect and analyze data.

Use mapping software and other geospatial modeling tools to visualize information Performs other related duties as assigned Please note: Additional selections may be made beyond the total number of vacancies specified using this vacancy announcement.

Further selections may also be made for additional organizational divisions and/or units within the duty location(s) listed above.

Also, a writing sample and a combination of three to five business and academic references may be requested of individuals identified as best qualified, to be forwarded to the selecting official along with your application package, upon referral.

In order to qualify for this position, you must meet the Basic Educational Requirements AND Specialized Experience Requirements. BASIC EDCUATIONAL REQUIREMENTS: Qualifications Standard for Data Science Series, 1560 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 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 SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: Specialized experience is experience that has provided you with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position as described above, and that is typically in or related to this position being filled.

To qualify for this position at the GS-11 level, your resume must reflect at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-09 level.

GS-11 level: One full year of specialized experience, equivalent to the GS-09, performing ALL the following: Experience applying data analytic tools and languages such as SQL, Python, PySpark, R, SparkR, Stata, or SAS; and Experience assessing how to best organize data for analysis in both local and cloud environments.

An ideal candidate will also have the following experience: Experience using mapping software and geospatial modeling; and Experience communicating orally and in writing with professionals to discuss databases and documentation.

OR EDUCATION 3 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree OR PhD or equivalent doctoral degree OR COMBINATION OF EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE A combination of graduate level education beyond the second year of progressively higher graduate study and appropriate specialized experience.

IMPORTANT: A full year of work is 35-40 hours of work per week. All experience listed on your resume must include the month and year start/end dates. Part-time experience will be credited based on time spent in appropriate activities.

Applicants wishing to receive credit for such experience must clearly indicate the nature of their duties and responsibilities in each position and the number of hours a week spent in such employment. You must meet all qualification and eligibility requirements by the closing date of this announcement.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community; student; social).

Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.