Summary
The Office of Inspector General (OIG) is an independent office whose mission is to promote excellence, integrity, and accountability throughout the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). In our dynamic environment, the OIG conducts investigations, audits, evaluations, and inspections to enhance program effectiveness and efficiency and to detect and prevent waste, fraud, and mismanagement in DHS programs and operations.
Duties
This announcement is for the DHS-Wide Career Expo in Buffalo, NY. Applicants must register for the Career Expo to apply and be considered. https://www.dhs.gov/homeland-security-careers/expo **This is an open continuous announcement with two cutoff Dates: 08/19/2026 09/02/2026 This position is in Office of the Chief Data Officer (OCDO), Office of Innovation (INN), Office of Technology & Innovation (OTI), Office of the Inspector General (OIG), Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The incumbent will serve as a Data Scientist, responsible for utilizing scientific methodologies, processes, algorithms, and systems to extract insights from structured and unstructured data and to provide guidance for data-driven decision making.in support of OIG investigations, audits, and inspections. Typical assignments for GS-7 include: Extracting data from internal/external data sources and provided files using prescribed tools, scripts, or step-by-step procedures; performing basic cleaning tasks; and loading into approved environments. Calculating basic descriptive statistics (e.g., counts, totals, averages, percentages) using spreadsheets or standard software functions and running predefined statistical routines or notebook templates. Creating simple charts, graphs, and tables (e.g., bar charts, line charts, pie charts) in tools such as Excel or introductory business intelligence tools using prepared data. Running existing scripts (e.g., Python, R, Perl, VBScript) to import, transform, or export data according to written instructions. Typical assignments for GS-9 include: Extracting, cleaning, transforming, and organizing data from internal and external data sources using established tools, scripts, and queries. Applying descriptive statistics (e.g., counts, means, medians, standard deviations), simple inferential techniques (e.g., t-tests, chi-square tests) or standard libraries or built-in functions (e.g. regression, classification, clustering) to answer defined questions. Building and updating dashboards, reports, and visualizations in tools such as Power BI, Tableau, or similar platforms using prepared or team-approved data models. Automating routine manual tasks (e.g., parsing large data files, merging files, recurring data quality checks, scheduled refreshes) to improve efficiency and reduce errors.
Education
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.
How you will be evaluated
We will review your resume and supporting documentation to ensure you meet the minimum qualification requirements. Your experience, education, and training will be rated using a job questionnaire that is based on the following competencies or knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to perform this job: Attention to Detail Flexibility Integrity/Honesty Interpersonal Skills Reading Comprehension Reasoning Teamwork If you meet the minimum qualifications, you will be placed in one of the following categories: Best-Qualified: Applicants possessing experience that substantially exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position and demonstrate high proficiency in all of the critical competencies, including all Selective Placement Factors (SPF) and appropriate Quality Ranking Factors (QRF) as determined by the job analysis. Well-Qualified: Applicants possessing experience that exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position and demonstrates acceptable proficiency in all of the critical competencies, including all SPFs and appropriate QRFs as determined by the job analysis. Qualified: Applicants possessing experience that meets the minimum qualifications of the position and demonstrate basic proficiency in most of the critical competencies, including all SPFs and appropriate QRFs as determined by the job analysis. If you are best qualified, you may be referred to the hiring manager for consideration and may be called for an interview. Preview the job questionnaire https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13021596. Veterans: Qualified veterans who have a compensable service-connected disability of at least 10% are listed in the best-qualified category, except when the position being filled is scientific or professional at the GS-09 grade level, or higher. (This position IS considered scientific/professional.) Other 10-point preference eligibles and veterans with 5-point preference who meet the eligibility and qualification requirements are placed above non-preference eligibles within the category in which they qualify. View information on veterans' preference. Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP) Eligibles: If you have never worked for the federal government, you are not ICTAP eligible. View information about ICTAP eligibility on OPM's Career Transition Resources website. To be considered eligible under ICTAP, you must be placed in the well-qualified category for this position, as described above. In addition, you must submit the supporting documents listed under the required documents section of this announcement.