This position is within the Program Evaluation and Resource Center (PERC) and is under the direct supervision of the Director of PERC. PERC conducts nationwide evaluations of VA treatment methods, services, and programs for mental health, substance use disorders, and suicide prevention, supports compliance with Congressional mandates, develops safe tools used by providers throughout Veterans Heath Administration (VHA), The Data Scientist in this position works at the national level.

Duties

Duties to include but no limited to the following: Supports the knowledge management needs of multiple types of mental health data products including quarterly metrics, nighly updated clinical decision support tools, predictive models, and ad hoc data requests. Ability to code efficiently in Python, SQL, JavaScript, R and/or similar languages and experience with other programming and scripting languages (e.g., Visual Basic). Manages the life cycle of mental health data by providing data systems design, data management movement and storage, data integration and interoperability across multiple electronic health record systems, and data curation and standardization. Acts as an expert advisor and consultant on knowledge management of mental health data for diverse audiences. Develops project plans, coordinates overall team efforts, and maintains appropriate lines of communication to ensure projects are completed successfully. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday: 8:00am-4:30pm Telework: VA supports the use of telework as a way to help attract and retain talented individuals in public service, increase worker productivity, and better prepare the agency to operate during emergencies. This position may be authorized for telework. Telework eligibility will be discussed during the interview process. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Description/PD#: Data Scientist/PD03042O Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Approved Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

Requirements

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 12/16/2024. Supports the knowledge management needs of multiple types of mental health data products including quarterly metrics, nighty updated clinical decision support tools, predictive models, and ad hoc data requests. Ability to code efficiently in Python, SQL, JavaScript, R and/or similar languages and experience with other programming and scripting languages (e.g., Visual Basic). Manages the life cycle of mental health data by providing data systems design, data management movement and storage, data integration and interoperability across multiple electronic health record systems, and data curation and standardization. Acts as an expert advisor and consultant on knowledge management of mental health data for diverse audiences. Develops project plans, coordinates overall team efforts, and maintains appropriate lines of communication to ensure projects are completed successfully Time-In-Grade Requirement: Applicants who are current Federal employees and have held a GS grade any time in the past 52 weeks must also meet time-in-grade requirements by the closing date of this announcement. For a GS-14 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-13. The grade may have been in any occupation, but must have been held in the Federal service. An SF-50 that shows your time-in-grade eligibility must be submitted with your application materials. If the most recent SF-50 has an effective date within the past year, it may not clearly demonstrate you possess one-year time-in-grade, as required by the announcement. In this instance, you must provide an additional SF-50 that clearly demonstrates one-year time-in-grade. Note: Time-In-Grade requirements also apply to former Federal employees applying for reinstatement as well as current employees applying for Veterans Employment Opportunities Act of 1998 (VEOA) appointment. You may qualify based on your experience and/or education as described below: Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-13 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: Mastery of advanced principles, methods and techniques of data science, analytic, and statistical methods to accomplish program goals; Applying advanced management and leadership concepts, methods, standards, and practices sufficient to develop and interpret policies, procedures, and strategies governing the planning and delivery of services throughout the organization; Assess and improve program effectiveness, complex management processes, and systems; Ability to formulate and implement strategic goals, performance measures and guidelines for implementing Departmental or Governmentwide policy initiatives; Knowledge of the management and organizational structure of hospitals and health care institutions, with a specific knowledge of the structure and function of the Department of Veterans Affairs(VA) and the Veterans Health Administration (VHA); Plan, schedule, and carry out major projects concerned with the analysis and evaluation of programs, requirements, or organizational opportunities. OR, Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have an combination of specialized experience and education beyond successfully completed a degree in 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 will be rated on the following Competencies for this position: Creative ThinkingKnowledge ManagementPlanning and EvaluatingTechnical Competence 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; religions; 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. Note: A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. Part-time experience will be credited on the basis of time actually spent in appropriate activities. Applicants wishing to receive credit for such experience must indicate clearly the nature of their duties and responsibilities in each position and the number of hours a week spent in such employment. Physical Requirements: The work is primarily sedentary and requires only occasional travel. Work Environment: Almost all of the work is performed in offices at the VA Palo Alto Health Care System or in a typical virtual office setting. Occasionally, work may be conducted at other locations if the incumbent is on travel. For more information on these qualification standards, please visit the United States Office of Personnel Management's website at https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/.

Education

There is no educational substitution at this grade level.

A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.

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: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. 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: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.

Contacts

• Address Palo Alto VA Medical Center 3801 Miranda Avenue Palo Alto, CA 94304 US
• Name: Irene Palacios
• Phone: 650-694-6000
• Email: [email protected]