This position is part of the Defense Threat Reduction Agency, Defense Threat Reduction Agency. The incumbent will be responsible for applying specialized knowledge of the design, capabilities, and limitations of various Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (AI/ML) to model how adversaries may utilize these technologies to conduct influence operations with a focus on identifying and countering the effects of foreign malign influence.

Duties

As a COMPUTER SCIENTIST (ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE/MACHINE LEARNING) at the GS-1550-15 some of your typical work assignments may include: Apply specialized knowledge of the design, capabilities, and limitations of various Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (AI/ML) to model how adversaries may utilize these technologies to conduct influence operations with a focus on identifying and countering the effects of foreign malign influence. Identify risks posed to mission and personnel by malicious exploitation of emerging AI/ML capabilities, and develop actionable strategies that DTRA may implement to mitigate the identified risk to maintain information advantage. Design and implement AI/ML concepts and identify capabilities to accurately predict and understand near-future information trends, as well as population susceptibility to foreign malign influence by conducting sentiment modeling and analysis utilizing AI/ML tools and capabilities. Conducts research into application of AI/ML to solve complex problems, including understanding and simulating human behavior and intelligence. Develops algorithms to detect AI/ML signatures within "human attributable" content, and architects, develops and acquires (in concert with academia) computer systems that model the effect of AI/ML generated content. Incumbent is a recognized as a Subject Matter Expert at the nexus of artificial intelligence and national security concerns with a specific emphasis on countering foreign malign influence, modeling influence pathways, and simulation of online social behavior and content exploitation. Contributes to the scientific body of knowledge through journal articles, monographs, and presentations at conferences and symposia, advancing the understanding across the public and private sectors about how AI may contribute to foreign malign influence operations, as well as proactive measures that the United States and its partners may take to counter their potential effect. Models the information environment as it pertains to DTRA's mission to better understand the impacts of foreign malign influence operations on specific regions or populations. Integrates advanced machine learning to identify influence pathways, and simulate message propagation, effects on social behavior, online perceptions and media uptake. Establishes, oversees, and manages a portfolio of artificial intelligence capability acquisitions, leveraged in support of all Agency missions and personnel. Develops acquisition plans, strategies, solicitations, and completes technical evaluations for candidate solutions. Establishes work plans, milestones, project plans and performance metrics for selected capabilities, and conducts annual programmatic assessment of the Agency's suite of capabilities designed to counter effects of foreign malign influence. Incumbent integrates work efforts across a consortium of Inter- and Intra-governmental partners, Services and Combatant Commands, Federally Funded Research and Development Centers, University Affiliated Research Centers, performing contractors, industry, and academia.

Requirements

• Must be a U.S. Citizen
• Occasional Travel - Occasional travel required (up to 25%) CONUS/OCONUS. Valid Passport Required.
• Work Schedule: Full-time
• Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective Service
• Suitable for Federal employment, determined by a background investigation. Must be capable of obtaining and maintaining a TOP SECRET/SCI security clearance.
• May be required to successfully complete a probationary period
• Overtime: Occasionally - Must be willing to work overtime to accommodate operational needs of the office.
• Tour of Duty: Flexible
• Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
• Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA): Exempt/Non-Exempt
• Financial Disclosure: Required/Not Required
• Telework Eligibility: This position is telework eligible - Situational Telework Position
• Must consent to and pass pre-employment drug testing and be subject to periodic drug testing thereafter.
• Incumbent is required to submit a Confidential Financial Disclosure Form, OGE 450, within 30 days of entering the position, annually and upon termination of employment in accordance with DoD Directive 5500.7-R, Joint Ethics Regulation, Aug 30, 93.
• In order to maintain credibility, incumbent should be a published expert in application of artificial intelligence concepts.
• And recognized as a thought leader in the area of national security concerns with a specific emphasis on countering foreign malign influence.
• This is an Acquisition Workforce position in the Engineering and Technical Management career field. The incumbent will be required to become certified in the Practitioner tier within 5 years.
• The incumbent is required to acquire a minimum of 40 continuous learning points (CLPs) every fiscal year as a goal and 80 CLPs being mandatory within 2 years.
• PhD in Computer Science is preferred.
• Knowledge and expertise in Program Design and Program Management.

Qualifications

You may qualify at the GS GS-15, if you fulfill the following qualifications: A. One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-14 grade level in the Federal service as listed below: Experience in managing a portfolio of advanced computing, and/or research programs examining the intersection of technology and foreign malign influence, and capabilities to detect and counter the effects of Influence Operations. Demonstrated subject matter expertise in: Artificial Intelligence and associated disciplines (such as Machine/Deep Learning, Neural Networks, and Natural Language Processing); Modeling and Simulation of human and societal interaction with AI-generated content; Development of computational forecasting models; and, Establishing metrics and baselines for technical evaluation of machine-based capabilities. Investigating or managing efforts examining the implications of Gray Zone competition in the information environment. 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. In addition to meeting qualifications, your application package must reflect the applicable experience to meet the Individual Occupational Requirements for the 1550, series as listed below: Computer Science Series 1550 Individual Occupational Requirements Series Definition: This series includes professional positions which primarily involve the application of, or research into, computer science methods and techniques to store, manipulate, transform or present information by means of computer systems. The primary requirements of the work are (a) professional competence in applying the theoretical foundations of computer science, including computer system architecture and system software organization, the representation and transformation of information structures, and the theoretical models for such representations and transformations; (b) specialized knowledge of the design characteristics, limitations, and potential applications of systems having the ability to transform information, and of broad areas of applications of computing which have common structures, processes, and techniques; and (c) knowledge of relevant mathematical and statistical sciences. Basic Requirements: Bachelor's degree in computer science or bachelor's degree with 30 semester hours in a combination of mathematics, statistics, and computer science. At least 15 of the 30 semester hours must have included any combination of statistics and mathematics that included differential and integral calculus. All academic degrees and course work must be from accredited or pre-accredited institutions. Evaluation of Education: Applicants should have sufficient knowledge to understand the fundamental concepts and techniques of computer science. Courses designed to provide an introduction to computer science techniques and methodologies, to problems of system design, and to other specialized fields are acceptable. Courses or experience in teaching elementary, business, or shop mathematics are not acceptable.

Education

Substitution of education may not be used in lieu of specialized experience for this grade level.

You MUST provide transcripts or other documentation to support your educational claims.

All materials must be submitted by the closing date of the announcement.

GRADUATE EDUCATION: One academic year of graduate education is considered to be the number of credits hours that your graduate school has determined to represent one academic year of full-time study. Such study may have been performed on a full-time or part-time basis. If you cannot obtain your graduate school's definition of one year of graduate study, 18 semester hours (or 27 quarter hours) should be considered as satisfying the requirement for one year of full-time graduate study.

FOREIGN EDUCATION: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show that the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. For further information, visit: https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html

Contacts

• Address Defense Threat Reduction Agency 8725 JOHN J KINGMAN ROAD MSC 6201 FT BELVOIR, VA 22060-6201 US
• Name: DTRA Servicing Team
• Phone: 614-692-0259
• Email: [email protected]