The Bureau of Labor Statistics measures labor market activity, working conditions, price changes, and productivity in the U.S. economy to support public and private decision making. This position is located in the Department of Labor (DOL), Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Office of Prices and Living Conditions (OPLC). This position is inside the bargaining unit.

Duties

Duties include, but are not limited to the following: Uses large data tools to process very large datasets into structured format that can be easily analyzed and used to produce estimates. Utilizes scientific methodologies, processes, algorithms, and systems to extract insights from structured and unstructured data and to provide guidance for data informed decision-making in support of BLS goals and objectives. Develops and maintains appropriate methods to track and document data, analysis, and tools used in professional work, including but not limited to documentation describing the development, operation and maintenance of data transfer, manipulation, analytical modeling, data quality assessment, and actions taken to ensure appropriate data security and disclosure avoidance. Participates in designing, implementing, and evaluating analytical applications, projects, and studies, ranging from simple to very complex, applying a combination of analytical skills including but not limited to descriptive analysis, computational methods, natural language processing (NLP), and machine learning (ML) methods. Analyzes, extracts and compiles data into a useful format using web scraping, API, and/or machine learning. Supports the development of and adheres to guidelines for data science activities and applications while ensuring implementation of, and compliance with, data ethics and data science-related regulations, policies, and other guidelines issued by Federal, Departmental, and standard-setting bodies. Conducts comprehensive evaluations and assessments of statistical programs/applications, the proposed methodology, suitability of data, and anticipated effectiveness of data science proposals and solutions. Creates and refines analytical models, writes algorithms, and transforms data into knowledge (e.g. dashboards) that guide data-informed decision making and insights. Uses R, Python, SQL, Java, or other programming languages to extract and load data from and to relational databases and to create web applications with API. Utilizes open-source languages, such as R or Python, to manage data, assess fitness for analysis, and prepare for and apply quantitative techniques (e.g., descriptive analysis, sampling, correlation, regression, and prediction) using both traditional inferential statistics and their machine learning analogs. Coordinates and participates in meetings and other activities with stakeholders within BLS as well as with others in the government community determining and communicating effective and efficient methods to acquire and ingest external data to incorporate to further support BLS's mission. Provides advice and guidance for leadership and program officials to define data requirements for structured and unstructured data sources to better deliver integrated data to use in a variety of analytical software tools, including but not limited to statistical analysis, geospatial software, visualization software, and natural language processing software.

Requirements

• Must be a U.S. Citizen.
• Must be at least 16 years old.
• Requires a probationary period if the requirement has not been met.
• Candidate required to obtain the necessary security/investigation level.

Qualifications

BASIC REQUIREMENTS: 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. SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: In addition to the above basic requirements, applicants must have 52 weeks of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level, GS-12, in the Federal Service. Specialized Experience is the experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSA's) to perform the duties of the position successfully, and that is typically in or related to the position to be filled. Qualifying specialized experience for GS-13 includes: Using big data tools to process very large datasets into structured formats for matching, analysis, or estimation. Developing, maintaining and implementing machine learning and natural language processing systems. Creating and maintaining computer applications, scripts, and models using the Python and R programming languages.

Education

Any applicant falsely claiming an academic degree from an accredited school will be subject to actions ranging from disqualification from federal employment to removal from federal service.

If your education was completed at a foreign college or university, you must show comparability to education received in accredited educational institutions in the United States and comparability to applicable minimum coursework requirements for this position. Click Evaluation of Foreign Education for more information.

Contacts

• Address Bureau of Labor Statistics 200 Constitution Avenue NW Washington, DC 20210 US
• Name: Sarah Chow
• Phone: 646-264-3622
• Email: [email protected]