Department of the Air Force

DATA SCIENTIST

Nellis AFB, Nevada Full time

DATA SCIENTIST

Department: Department of the Air Force

Location(s): Nellis AFB, Nevada

Salary Range: $128473 - $167020 Per Year

Job Summary: The primary purpose of this position is to provide authoritative direction and data science expertise to a wide range of highly complex, highly visible initiatives and projects focused on the discovery and development of cutting-edge tools and resources to easily access, store, analyze, and exchange complex, high quality data. Click on "Learn more about this agency" button below to view Eligibilities being considered and other IMPORTANT information.

Major Duties:

  • Provides the development and implementation of Data Science solutions. Leverages the latest data science innovations in alternative data sourcing, such as the use of administrative records and other data sources. Exercises supervisory personnel management responsibilities. Advises and provides counsel to employees regarding policies, procedures, and directives of management. Evaluates and Assessment of New Technologies. Develops, implements and maintains a mission-driven enterprise data strategy that supports the identification of methods, processes, algorithms, tools, and systems to extract and interpret findings from varied structure data set related to data science lifecycle.

Qualifications: In order to qualify, you must meet the specialized experience requirements described in the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualification Standards for General Schedule Positions, Qualification Standard for Data Science Series, 1560; Group Coverage Qualification Standard for Professional and Scientific Positions. BASIC REQUIREMENT: 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. In addition to meeting the basic requirement above, to qualify for this position you must also meet the qualification requirements listed below: SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: Applicants must have at least one (1) year of specialized experience at the next lower grade GS-13, or equivalent in other pay systems. Examples of specialized experience includes skill in applying broad areas of classical and modern advanced actuarial science, operations research, mathematics, or statistics, or specialized areas within the respective disciplines sufficient to complete assignments that involve initiating, applying, and planning major developmental studies; experience with executing and controlling projects that represent an important segment of the agency's operating programs and/or projects; and serving as a consultant and technical advisor to senior subject matter specialists and/or agency officials responsible for broad program operations. FEDERAL TIME-IN-GRADE (TIG) REQUIREMENT FOR GENERAL SCHEDULE (GS) POSITIONS: Merit promotion applicants must meet applicable time-in-grade requirements to be considered eligible. One year at the GS-13 level is required to meet the time-in-grade requirements for the GS-14 level. TIG applies if you are in a current GS position or held a GS position within the previous 52 weeks. NOTE: Applicants applying as VEOA candidates who are current GS civil service employees or are prior GS civil service employees within the past 52 weeks must also meet time-in-grade requirements. KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES (KSAs): Your qualifications will be evaluated on the basis of your level of knowledge, skills, abilities and/or competencies in the following areas: 1. Expert professional knowledge of quantitative techniques and methods used to conceptualize, develop, adapt, modify and apply new models to resolve the most difficult problems and to achieve support for alternative solutions within the scientific community. 2. Advanced knowledge and skill of a broad range of defense department or private sector C4 systems, data scientist Big Data analytics, machine learning, AI, cognitive science, programs, operations, strategies, tactics, resource and information processes, force structure, and weapons systems. Includes operations research analysis techniques and mastery of scientific and analytical capabilities. 3. Advanced skill in articulating and negotiating very complex and sensitive issues with officials of diverse perspectives and often with different or opposing views. Expert ability to negotiate and defend findings and gain executive support for new program concepts. 4. Skill in leading advanced study teams composed of industry, government, and academic experts; originate new ideas, projects, and methodologies; and execute projects and/or studies within established financial and/or time constraints. 5. Skill to develop and utilize appropriate data collection techniques and design, build and use models and simulation techniques. 6. Ability to plan, organize, direct and lead the functions and staff and/or study team tasked to originate new ideas, projects and methodologies. Communicates in a way to negotiate complex and/or sensitive issues and maintain good working relations. PART-TIME OR UNPAID EXPERIENCE: Credit will be given for appropriate unpaid and or part-time work. You must clearly identify the duties and responsibilities in each position held and the total number of hours per week. VOLUNTEER WORK EXPERIENCE: Refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service Programs (i.e., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community; student and social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge and skills that can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

How to Apply: The complete Application Package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on 01/23/2026 To preview the Application Questionnaire, please click the following link: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12862619 To begin the process, click the Apply Online button to create an account or log in to your existing USAJOBS account. Follow the prompts to complete the application questionnaire. Please ensure you click the Submit My Application button at the end of the process. To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes: 1. Your Resume. If you submit more than one resume, only the most recent will be reviewed. The "most recent" is considered the resume with the latest timestamp. Resumes may not exceed two pages. The two-page resume ensures the most relevant experience is reviewed and considered, which is a common practice in both the public and private sectors. Resumes exceeding two pages will be removed from consideration. Additional information on how to complete or update your resume may be located here. For qualification determination your resume must contain hours worked per week and dates of employment (i.e., month/year to month/year or month/year to present). If your resume does not contain this information, your application may be marked as insufficient, and you will not receive consideration for this position. If you are a current Federal employee or previous Federal employee, provide your pay plan, series and grade, i.e. GS-0301-09. Current Federal Civilian Employees may list any relevant performance related rating (given within the last three years) and/or incentive awards in your resume. Do NOT include photographs, inappropriate material, inappropriate content, nor personal information such as age, gender, religion, social security number, etc., on your resume. If the resume you submit contains such information you will not be considered for this vacancy. Your name, first and last, MUST be included on your resume. 2. A complete Application Questionnaire 3. Additional Required Documents (see Required Documents section). Ensure all submitted documents contain your full name. 4. Help recruiters find you. Make your resume and profile searchable, which means recruiters may contact you about possible jobs. Additional information may be located here. PLEASE NOTE: It is the applicant's responsibility to verify that information entered and/or uploaded, (i.e., resume) is received, accurate, and submitted by the closing date. You may verify your documents have been processed with your application package successfully. You can access your USAJOBS account to do so by clicking here. Uploaded documents may take up to one hour to clear the virus scan. Human Resources WILL NOT modify or change any answers submitted by an applicant.

Application Deadline: 2026-01-23