Data Scientist at Air Force Civilian Career Training · Department of the Air Force
Grade: 7-9
Applications close 2027-09-30
Summary
The PALACE Acquire Program offers you a permanent position upon completion of your formal training plan. As a Palace Acquire Intern you will experience both personal and professional growth while dealing effectively and ethically with change, complexity, and problem solving. The program offers a 3-year formal training plan with yearly salary increases. Promotions and salary increases are based upon your successful performance and supervisory approval.
Duties
- 1. Performs developmental assignments in support of projects assigned to higher level analysts. Performs minor phases of a larger assignment or work of moderate difficulty where procedures are established, and a number of specific guidelines exist. Applies the various steps of accepted data science procedures to search for information and perform well precedented work. 2. Performs general operations and assignments for portions of a project or study consisting of a series of interrelated tasks or problems. The employee applies judgment in the independent application of methods and techniques previously learned. The employee locates and selects the most appropriate guidelines and modifies to address unusual situations. 3. Participates in special initiatives, studies, and projects. Performs special research tasks designed to utilize and enhance knowledge of work processes and techniques. Works with higher graded specialists in planning and conducting special initiatives, studies, and projects. Assists in preparing reports and briefings outlining study findings and recommendations. 4. Prepares correspondence and other documentation. Drafts or prepares a variety of documents to include newsletter items, responses to routine inquiries, reports, letters, and other related documents.
Qualifications
BASIC REQUIREMENT OR INDIVIDUAL OCCUPATIONAL 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. You may qualify if you meet one of the following: 1. GS-7: You must have completed or will complete a 4-year course of study leading to a bachelor's from an accredited institution AND must have documented Superior Academic Achievement (SAA) at the undergraduate level in the following: a) Grade Point Average 2.95 or higher out of a possible 4.0 as recorded on your official transcript or as computed based on 4 years of education or as computed based on courses completed during the final 2 years of curriculum; OR 3.45 or higher out of a possible 4.0 based on the average of the required courses completed in your major field or the required courses in your major field completed during the final 2 years of your curriculum. 2. GS-9: You must have completed 2 years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a master's degree or equivalent graduate degree: a) Grade Point Average - 2.95 or higher out of a possible 4.0 as recorded on your official transcript or as computed based on 4 years of education or as computed based on courses completed during the final 2 years of curriculum; OR 3.45 or higher out of a possible 4.0 based on the average of the required courses completed in your major field or the required courses in your major field completed during the final 2 years of your curriculum. If more than 10 percent of total undergraduate credit hours are non-graded, i.e. pass/fail, CLEP, CCAF, DANTES, military credit, etc. you cannot qualify based on GPA.
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. Professional knowledge of basic principles, concepts, and practices of data science to apply scientific methods and techniques to analyze systems, processes, and/or operational problems and procedures.
- 2. Knowledge of mathematics and analysis to perform minor phases of a larger assignment and prepare reports, documentation, and correspondence to communicate factual and procedural information clearly.
- 3. Skill in applying basic principles, concepts, and practices of the occupation sufficient to perform routine to difficult but well precedented assignments in data science analysis.
- 4. Ability to analyze, interpret, and apply data science rules and procedures in a variety of situations and recommend solutions to senior analysts.
- 5. Ability to analyze problems to identify significant factors, gather pertinent data, and recognize solutions.
- 6. Ability to plan and organize work and confer with co-workers effectively.
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.
As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider:
- your performance and conduct;
- the needs and interests of the agency;
- whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency of the Government; and
- whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency if the Federal service.
Upon completion of your probationary period OR trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.
Education
IF USING EDUCATION TO QUALIFY: If position has a positive degree requirement or education forms the basis for qualifications, you MUST submit transcripts with the application. Official transcripts are not required at the time of application; however, if position has a positive degree requirement, qualifying based on education alone or in combination with experience, transcripts must be verified prior to appointment. An accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education must accredit education. Click here to check accreditation.
FOREIGN EDUCATION: Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the requirements. You must show proof the education credentials have been deemed to be at least equivalent to that gained in conventional U.S. education program. It is your responsibility to provide such evidence when applying.
How to apply
To receive further consideration, YOU MUST log in to https://afciviliancareers.com/recentgraduates/#paq-cop Once there, select the "Apply Now" button. You will be directed to Hire Vue to begin your application. The complete Application Package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on 09/30/2027.
To preview the Application Questionnaire, please click the following link: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13069954
To receive further consideration, YOU MUST log in to https://afciviliancareers.com/recentgraduates and select the Palace Acquire (PAQ)/Copper Cap (COP) link at the bottom. Once there, select the "Apply Now" button. You will be directed to Hire Vue to begin your application. 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.
