Federal

DATA SCIENTIST

Defense Information Systems Agency ยท Department of Defense
๐Ÿ“ Scott AFB, Illinois GG-13 $109,137 - $141,880/yr
Posted: Feb 9, 2026 Deadline: Feb 19, 2026 (Closes in 4 days days left)

About This Position

This position is being recruited under 10 USC 1599f into the Cyber Excepted Service and does NOT convey eligibility to be converted to the Competitive Service. It has been identified as a position necessary to carry out and support the mission of the US Cyber Command. It is in the Professional Work Category at the Senior Work Level within the CES Occupational Structure. It is located in the DISA OC/DISA GLOBAL.

Qualifications

In order to qualify for this position, you must meet the requirements described below. Basic Requirements: 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 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. AND Qualifying Experience: To qualify at the GG-13, your resume must describe at least one year of experience that demonstrates the competencies necessary for immediate success in the position. Experience refers to any paid or unpaid experience, including volunteer work and Military service, that would be considered equivalent to work normally performed at the next lower grade level in the federal service. For this position, qualifying experience is defined as: Experience performing exploratory analysis and critical thinking on new and archival data sources collected from network devices to solve complex problems. Experience preparing and disseminating analytical reports, dashboards, and visualizations to support data-driven decision making by senior leadership. Volunteer Experience: 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 to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Candidates must describe how they meet the qualifying experience and/or selective placement factor(s) within the body of their resume. All qualifications must be met within 30 days after the closing date of this announcement.

Major Duties

Serve as technical advisor on data management and data analytics related to network operations and cyber security of a global communications network.
Apply professional knowledge of computer science, mathematical, and statistical theories to gather, analyze, design, and construct new processes for modeling, interpreting, and reporting security alert and system log data.
Identify data sources, develop complex data models to create relationships and correlations between data sources and data points, and create data visualizations and reports that provide insights to stakeholders.
Incorporate programming language and machine learning to improve data reliability, efficiency, and quality for analysis missions, organizational goals, and future planning.
Conduct data collection, cleaning and integration for multiple complex data sets, including working with both structured and unstructured data to complete qualitative and quantitative statistical analysis.

Education

There is no substitution of education for the qualifying experience at the GG-13 grade level.

How You Will Be Evaluated

Once the application process is complete, a review of your resume and supporting documentation will be made and compared against your responses to the applicant questionnaire to determine if you are qualified for this job. If, after reviewing your resume and or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications and or experience, you may lose consideration for this position. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your rating. COMPETENCIES: TECHNICAL PROFICIENCY SELF MANAGEMENT You can preview the Questionnaire here:https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12871879 Criminal History Inquiries- If you apply to this position and are selected, we will not ask about your criminal history before you receive a conditional job offer. If you believe you were asked about your criminal history improperly, contact the agency @ [email protected]

Additional Information

This is an Excepted Service position and does not confer eligibility to be converted to the Competitive Service. It is being recruited under 10 U.S.C. 1599f into the Cyber Excepted Service (CES) personnel system. If you are a current Federal Career/Career-Conditional employee, you will be placed on an Excepted appointment under 10 U.S.C. 1599f. Telework availability will be based upon the mission requirements and supervisory determination. This is a mission essential position. The nature of the position's duties and the organization's operational mission requires the incumbent to physically report to their duty station in certain situations where non-essential employees are excused, such as during national emergencies, extreme weather situations, mission critical systems outages, and/or other scenarios as deemed appropriate at the highest levels of the organization's chain of command Subject to pre-employment and random drug testing. This position requires the incumbent to travel away from their normal duty station to other locations within the continental United States (CONUS) and/or other locations outside the continental United States (OCONUS) up to 10 percent of the time. In accordance with DoD 8140 policy series, the position is subjected to completing Foundational Qualifications in 9 months and completing Residential Qualification requirements in 12 months and any future Cybersecurity Workforce qualification/credentialing requirements as defined by the DoD 8140 policy series for the position's required CYBER Work Role(s) A three year trial period may be required if you have not previously completed a trial or probationary period in the excepted or competitive service. Individuals tentatively selected for drug testing designated positions at the Defense Information Systems Agency will be required to submit to urinalysis for illegal drugs prior to appointment or placement. We may use this announcement to fill additional vacancies within 90 days of the closing date. Moving costs MAY be paid. Recruitment, relocation, or retention incentives MAY be authorized. For more information on veterans' preference click here. The Department of Defense (DoD) policy on employment of annuitants issued March 18, 2004 will be used in determining eligibility of annuitants. This position is NOT subject to the limitations imposed by the DOD Priority Placement Program per Secretary of Defense Memorandum dated 09 MAR 2018. For more information on the Cyber Excepted Service Personnel System, click here. All applicants are encouraged to apply electronically. If you are unable to apply on-line, you may contact 317-212-0454 for assistance. If selected, the authorized rate of pay may exceed the stated maximum salary rate range under certain circumstances.

How to Apply

To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package. See required documents below. Your Resume Your resume MUST include the following information for each job listed: Job title; duties (be as detailed as possible); month & year start/end dates (e.g. June 2007 to April 2008); and full- time or part-time status (include hours worked per week). Read more about what should I include in my federal resume at USAJOBS. DO NOT include the following information: Classified or government sensitive information; Social Security Number; Photos of yourself; Personal information, such as age, sex, religious affiliation, etc.; or encrypted and digitally signed documents. Read more about what should I leave out of my resume? at USAJOBS A complete Assessment Questionnaire (if applicable) Other required supporting documents: (SEE THE SECTION OF THIS ANNOUNCEMENT ENTITLED "REQUIRED DOCUMENTS" FOR MORE INFORMATION ON WHAT SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS MAY BE NEEDED) Click 'Apply Online' to create an account or log in to your existing USAJOBS account. Follow the prompts to complete the assessment questionnaire and upload required documents. Please ensure you click the Submit My Answers button to submit your application. Check application status by logging into your USAJOBS account, clicking Application Status, then More Information for this position. Return to an incomplete application by logging into your USAJOBS account and clicking Update Application in the vacancy announcement. You must re-select your resume and other documents from your USAJOBS account or your application will be incomplete.

Required Documents

FOR THIS JOB ANNOUNCEMENT THE FOLLOWING SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS ARE REQUIRED AS THEY APPLY STATED BELOW AND MUST BE RECEIVED BY THE CLOSE OF THE ANNOUNCEMENT. NOT ALL DOCUMENTS WILL APPLY TO EVERYONE. Resume: A two-page maximum resume is required. Applicant guidance on the two page resume requirement may be found at https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/hiring-information/merit-hiring-plan-resources/applicant-guidance-on-the-two-page-resume-limit/ Learn more about the new resume requirements Complete initial Eligibility Questionnaire: Your resume must demonstrate the quality of your work as it relates to the experience requirements outlined in the job announcement. Transcripts (if applicable) If you are substituting education for specialized experience you must submit all of your transcripts. The absence of this information will result in an ineligible rating. SF-50 - Current and former federal employees, including those currently working for the agency, must submit their SF-50 (Notification of Personnel Action) reflecting their highest grade held on a permanent basis for at least 52 weeks, tenure, and appointment type. Failure to provide this document may result in disqualification. Veterans Preference Documentation (if applicable): Candidates claiming Veterans Preference must submit a DD-214 (Member Copy 4), or, if you are CURRENTLY serving on active duty, a statement of service from your unit which states the date you entered on active duty, the date you are separating, and the campaign medals you have received. For those supplying the statement of service, preference will be verified by a DD-214 (Member Copy 4) upon separation from the military. Veterans with a service-connected disability must also submit a VA letter dated 1991 or later. DoD Components with CES positions apply Veterans' Preference to preference eligible candidates, as defined by Section 2108 of the Title 5 U.S.C. in accordance with the procedures provided in DoD Instruction 1400.25, Volume 3005, "CES Employment and Placement." Military Spouse Preference (MSP) Eligible: Military Spouse Preference applicants, must be selected and placed at the highest grade level for which they have applied and been determined best qualified up to and including the full performance level. You must include a completed copy of the Military Spouse PPP Self-Certification Checklist dated within 30 days along with the documents identified on the checklist to verify your eligibility for Military Spouse Preference. To download the checklist, select "Save" or "Save As" instead of "Open." https://www.esd.whs.mil/Directives/forms/dd3000_3499/DD3145-4/ Military Reserve (MR) and National Guard (NG) Technicians PPP Eligible: MR and NG technicians PPP applicants must be selected and placed at the full performance level if determined well qualified. You must include a completed copy of the Military Reserve and National Guard Technician PPP Self-Certification Checklist to verify your eligibility for Military Reserve and National Guard Technician preference. Click here to obtain a copy of the Military Reserve and National Guard Technician PPP Self-Certification Checklist. Military Reserve (MR) and National Guard (NG) Technicians Receiving Disability Retirement PPP Eligible: MR and NG technicians receiving disability retirement PPP applicants must be selected and placed at the full performance level if determined well qualified. You must include a completed copy of the Military Reserve and National Guard Technician Disability PPP Self-Certification Checklist to verify your eligibility for Military Reserve and National Guard Technician Disability preference. Click here to obtain a copy of the Military Reserve and National Guard Technician Disability PPP Self-Certification Checklist. Retained Grade PPP Eligible: Retained Grade PPP applicants, must be selected and placed at the full performance level if determined well qualified. You must include a completed copy of the Retained Grade PPP Self-Certification Checklist to verify your eligibility for Retained Grade preference. Click here to obtain a copy of the Retained Grade PPP Self-Certification Checklist. Your complete Application Package (containing the above required documents) must be received no later than 11:59 pm Eastern Time on 02/19/2026.WARNING: Failure to submit a complete application package including any required documentation by 11:59 PM (EST) on 02/19/2026, or at the time of application for announcements with an extended closing date, may result in an ineligible rating and loss of consideration. To verify that your application is complete, log into your USAJOBS account, select Application Status and More Information. The Details page will display the status of your application. It is the applicant's responsibility to verify that information entered, uploaded is received, legible and accurate. HR will not modify answers submitted by an applicant.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the salary for the DATA SCIENTIST position at Defense Information Systems Agency?
The salary range for this position is $109,137 - $141,880/yr. This is a GG-13 position on the General Schedule pay scale. Actual pay may vary based on locality adjustments.
Where is the DATA SCIENTIST job located?
This position is located in Scott AFB, Illinois. This is an on-site position.
What qualifications do I need?
In order to qualify for this position, you must meet the requirements described below. Basic Requirements: 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 Combinati...
How do I apply for this position?
Apply through USAJobs.gov by clicking the 'Apply on USAJobs' button. You'll need a USAJobs account, a federal-style resume, and supporting documents. The deadline is Feb 19, 2026.
Is a security clearance required?
Yes, a Sensitive Compartmented Information clearance is required.
What does GG-13 mean?
GG-13 refers to the General Schedule grade level. Higher grades require more experience and offer higher pay. Visit our GS Pay Scale page for full salary tables by grade and locality.
What benefits do federal employees receive?
Federal employees receive comprehensive benefits including health insurance (FEHB), retirement through FERS, Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) with government matching, paid annual and sick leave, paid parental leave, life insurance, and student loan repayment programs.