Summary
Are you interested in helping to innovate the customer experience for the newly enacted Postal Service Health Benefits Program, which will provide health insurance options to more than 1 million postal service employees, annuitants and their family members. Join the team charged with quickly developing guidance and implementing technology solutions for a streamlined experience for these customers.
This job is open to
Clarification from the agency
This announcement will be used to fill vacancies through the Governmentwide Direct-Hire Authority (GW-007) due to Critical Hiring Need/Severe Shortage of Candidates. Veteran preference and traditional rating/ranking of applicants do not apply. For more information on OPM's authorization of Direct Hire Authority, please visit: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/hiring-information/direct-hire-authority
Duties
THIS IS A PUBLIC NOTICE: This Notice is issued under direct-hire authority (DHA) to recruit new talent for the positions listed below. This means that we can hire any qualified candidate, either from this notice or from any source.
Please note, there may or may not be actual/projected vacancies when you submit your application. Your resume and any supporting documentation will be retained with other applicants and reviewed as vacancies occur.
You will not receive a notice regarding your application's status.
Positions that may be filled are:
Position 24-SDI-DATA-SCI-JRT-SPLASH: Data Scientist: As a Data Scientist, you will be part of Program Development and Support (PDS), Healthcare and Insurance (HI), U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM). PDS is responsible for the operational, analytical systems support, policy development and implementation, and stakeholder outreach and education for Federal insurance benefits for all eligible individuals. This includes the Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program, the Postal Service Health Benefits (PSHB) Program, the Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance Program (FEDVIP), the Federal Employees' Group Life Insurance (FEGLI) Program, the Federal Long Term Care Insurance Program (FLTCIP), and the Federal Flexible Spending Accounts Program (FSAFEDS). PDS's work includes research and analysis of data collected across OPM, from FEHB and PSHB Carriers, Agencies, information technology automated systems, and data from other sources, including data from surveys. The work of PDS includes the use of data science tools and analyses to develop models, predictions, and counterfactual analyses that form the foundation for evidence- based policy making, to propose Federal management policy options, and guide regulatory and legislative changes.
Duties performed include:
- Serving as a technical expert in data science. Responsible for research, development, deployment, and enhancement of enterprise-wide analytics solutions using complex analytics techniques such as machine learning, natural language processing, robotics process automation, and artificial intelligence.
- Implementing computational and machine learning algorithms to big data to identify insights using next generation analytics tools to develop data-driven organization solutions.
- Using expert level knowledge to utilize common data science tools, including scripted languages (including but not limited to R, Python, SQL, and JavaScript), analytics platforms, opensource/ commercial off-the - shelf solutions to develop data science products.
- Developing and maintaining effective working relationships with HI and OPM staff and other agencies in order to share information and learn the latest developments in analytical tools and techniques to efficiently assist HI with mission-related work.
- Performing analysis of the data using techniques such as optimization methods, regression analysis, statistical analysis, mathematical modeling and programming, machine learning, natural language processing, deep learning, spatial analysis etc.
- Using advanced communication skills, data visualization, and written materials to convey in simple terms complex concepts and results to stakeholders to predict future events, explain past events, recommend the best alternatives, and present relevant tradeoffs and limitations so decision-makers can make informed choices or take appropriate action.
- Developing and implementing user-centric visualization solutions that provide business insights to decision makers using self-service data visualization tools including but not limited to Power BI, Tableau, and R Shiny applications.
- Implementing data science policies, standards, procedures, and processes related to HI data.
Requirements
Conditions of Employment
- Must be a U.S. Citizen or National
- Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective Service
- Suitable for Federal employment, determined by a background investigation
- May be required to successfully complete a probationary period
- This position is eligible for inclusion in the bargaining unit.
- if the duty station is finalized in the Washington, DC metropolitan area, employees in this position will be represented by the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local 32. (BU Code - 2286)
- if the duty station is finalized outside of the Washington, DC metropolitan area, this position will not be represented by a bargaining unit. (BU Code - 7777)
Qualifications
You must first meet the Basic Requirement:
A. 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.
In addition to the basic requirements stated above:
For the GS-11 Grade Level: You must haveone year of specialized experience at the GS-09 grade level (or equivalent) which includes the following experience:
- Utilizing data management technologies, such as SQL, Python, R or similar;
- Preparing technical/narrative reports for making program decisions; AND
- Utilizing principles, concepts, and theories of data science, operation research methodology, analysis, and evaluation.
-Or-
Have completed 3 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a PhD. degree OR possess a PhD or equivalent doctoral degree in a field that is directly related to the duties of this position.
-Or-
A combination of education and experience may be used to qualify for this position as long as the computed percentage of the requirements is at least 100%. To compute the percentage of the requirements, divide your total months of experience by 12. Then divide the total number of completed graduate semester hours (or equivalent) beyond the second year (total graduate semester hours minus 36) by 18. Add the two percentages.
For the GS-12 Grade Level: You must have one year of specialized experience at the GS-11 grade level (or equivalent) which includes the following experience:
- Developing a data warehouse using SQL, Python, R or similar data management technologies;
- Creating consumable data visualizations to promote understanding of results or trends (graphs, charts, dashboards); AND
- Developing mathematical, and/or statistical models for evaluation, identification, collection, and analysis of all data used to support assigned program(s).
For the GS-13 Grade Level: You must have one year of specialized experience at the GS-12 grade level (or equivalent) which includes the following experience:
- Performing quantitative and qualitative analysis to support executive decision making;
- Developing a data warehouse using SQL, Python, R or similar data management technologies;
- Preparing and delivering technical/narrative reports for making program decisions;
- Creating consumable data visualizations to promote understanding of results or trends (graphs, charts, dashboards); AND
- Performing scientific activities related to data modeling, forecasting, and/or statistical analyses for program(s).
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.
Education
This position has a basic education requirement listed under the Qualifications section of this announcement. Therefore, you MUST provide documentation supporting any education claims in your application. This documentation can include unofficial transcripts or any report listing institution, course title, credits earned and final grade.
Additional information
This announcement will be used to fill vacancies through the Governmentwide Direct-Hire Authority (GW-007) due to Critical Hiring Need/Severe Shortage of Candidates. Veteran preference and traditional rating/ranking of applicants do not apply. For more information on OPM's authorization of Direct Hire Authority, please visit: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/hiring-information/direct-hire-authority
Relocation expenses will not be paid.
Incentive payments may be considered.
- Benefits
How You Will Be Evaluated
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
Once the application process is complete, your resume and supporting documentation will be used to determine whether you meet the job qualifications for a position within the Office of Healthcare and Insurance. Applicants who meet minimum qualification requirements will be referred to the hiring manager for further consideration. The hiring manager may require you to submit a writing sample as part of the consideration process.
Required Documents
To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:
- Your Resume (no more than 5 pages) showing full legal name, email address, identify full or part time status for each job worked, dates of employment and duties performed. Resume must be submitted to the designated email address as an attached Word or PDF document. Submissions that include links to documents being stored in cloud storage will not be considered.
- Below are some useful links on how to write an effective federal resume.
Failure to submit any of the above-mentioned required documents may result in loss of consideration due to an incomplete application package. It is your responsibility to ensure all required documents have been submitted.
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
How to Apply
This Direct Hire Public Notice will be used to build a list/inventory of applicants that may be referred as vacancies become available. You must submit a resume before your eligibility can be confirmed. Errors or omissions may result in you not being considered for this vacancy. You can modify/complete your application any time before the vacancy date/time deadline.
Email your Resume to: hidirecthire1@opm.gov, and reference position of interest "(e.g., 24-SDI-DATA-SCI-JRT-SPLASH) " in the subject line. If no position is identified in the subject line, you will not be considered. See below:
For the Data Scientist position: The subject line should be: 24-SDI-DATA-SCI-JRT-SPLASH
Agency contact information
HI Direct Hire
Phone
Address
OPM Human Resources
1900 E St., NW
Washington, DC 20415
US
Next steps
This Notice is issued under Direct-Hire Authority (DHA) to recruit new talent to help with the implementation of the Postal Service Health Benefits Program (PSHBP). To help us fill these jobs, we have been granted "Direct Hire Authority" or DHA. This means that when we have a vacant job, we can hire any qualified candidate, either from this notice or from any source. The benefit of applying to this notice is that your application may be shared with a hiring manager if they request resumes. The following process is used if your application is submitted.
1. ELIGIBILITY/QUALIFICATIONS: Your resume will be reviewed for qualifications.
2. REFERRAL TO MANAGEMENT: If you meet all of the requirements, your resume will be passed to the hiring manager. You may be contacted for an interview.
3. SELECTION/TENTATIVE JOB OFFER: If you are selected, you will receive a tentative offer and start the suitability and/or security background investigation process.
4. FINAL JOB OFFER: Once our security office determines your suitability for employment, you will be given a final offer. This process may take up to 6 weeks.
We appreciate the time and effort you have taken to apply with the Office of Personnel Management.
Fair & Transparent
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.