Data Scientist

Summary

The Minneapolis VA Healthcare System (MVAHCS) is seeking a highly skilled and collaborative Data Scientist to support data, informatics, and technical needs across the Minneapolis VA Research and Development (R&D) Service. This individual will pay a key role in research data management, electronic health record (EHR) integration, database development, and informatics for investigators and research staff.

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Duties

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The incumbent works under the administrative direction of the supervisor, who outlines the resources and objectives for work assignments based on mission or functional goals. The incumbent has responsibility for independently planning, designing, and carrying out programs, projects, studies, or other work. Considerable tact, personal initiative, resourcefulness, independence, and professional judgment are used with respect to resolve most of the conflicts that arise.

The incumbent is responsible for the development of methodological approaches, study design, and advanced written, verbal, and visual communications of study/analysis output. The incumbent additionally contributes to the development of the design for advanced data systems, software, and complex programming specifications. Analyses generally inform decisions about how to design, implement, and evaluate administrative orders in the healthcare setting including, but not limited to analyzing electronic health record data to develop predictive analytics and medical image processing; high-impact AI technologies such as deep learning, trustworthy AI, privacy preserving AI, explainable AI, and multi-scale AI Analysis. The incumbent plans and implements research data strategies encompassing data monitoring, analysis, presentation, and interpretation to support study objectives. Collaborates with biostatisticians and research investigators to extract, mine, clean, analyze, and interpret research data; identifies, investigates and resolves data inconsistencies and errors in coordination with the research team.

Position requires work experience with use of large longitudinal medical databases, statistical/analysis software platforms (e.g., Statistical Analysis System (SAS), familiarity with queries using structured query language (SQL) and visual programming tools, SQL development tools, or others. Performs statistical and quantitative analysis utilizing specially developed software models or procedures.

Interpersonal communications and outreach, acquisitions and procurement, information technology, and financial management are the functional skills that will supplement those primary tasks. The incumbent leads or consults with cross-functional teams, staffed by federal civil servants and contractors, composed of professionals skilled in policy analysis, information technology, data engineering, and project management disciplines, in order to develop data-driven solutions that address the Department of Veterans Affairs (henceforth referred to as Agency ) program and business challenges. The above areas are subject to change as program emphasis and priorities change.

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00am - 4:30pm

Telework: Ad-hoc telework is authorized

Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Functional Statement #:99489-A

Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized

Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
• Must be proficient in written and spoken English.
• Subject to background/security investigation.
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements ( Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
• Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement.

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1 or 2-year trial 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 or the Government; and
• whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.

Upon completion of your trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

Qualifications

Basic Requirements:

• United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.

Individual Occupational 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.

Grade Determinations:

GS-13 Data Scientist - Research

Specialized Experience: 1 year equivalent to at least the next lower grade level (GS-12 Data Scientist).

Specialized Experience is experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled. To be creditable, specialized experience must have been equivalent to at least the next lower grade level in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization.

Selective Placement Factor: Skills using tools such as SQL, Python, R, or SAS to manage data from large databases is required.

Selective Placement Factor are defined as a competency/KSAs or special qualification without which a candidate could not perform the duties of a position in a satisfactory manner. Selective factors are applied in addition to minimum qualifications. Applicants who do not meet a selective factor are ineligible for further consideration.

Preferred Experience: 2 years or longer with direct experience in informatics, data analysis, or health information systems. Experience with research data management, EHR systems, or health IT platforms are strongly preferred.

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit ;br>
The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-14. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-13.

Physical Requirements: The work is primarily sedentary and does not require any special physical effort.

Education

If you are basing your qualifications on education (or a combination of education and experience) or if the position requires a college education to qualify, you must submit a copy of your transcripts with your application.

Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: ;br>
Additional information

Receiving Service Credit for Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed.

During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions.

This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.

This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status.

VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority.

If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement.

Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.

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Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

Benefits

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A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

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Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.