Data Scientist

📍 Arlington County, Virginia · 🏛 Drug Enforcement Administration · 💰 $121,785–$158,322 per year · 🎓 GS 13 · 🧭 Data Science Series (1560) · ⏳ Closes Nov 13, 2026 · 2 days left · 🗓 Posted Oct 23, 2026
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Job details at a glance

AgencyDrug Enforcement Administration
DepartmentDepartment of Justice
LocationArlington County, Virginia
Salary$121,785–$158,322 per year
GradeGS 13
ScheduleFull-time
Occupation seriesData Science Series (1560)
Openings1
Hiring pathsCareer transition (CTAP, ICTAP, RPL), Internal to an agency
PostedOct 23, 2026
Application deadlineNov 13, 2026
Telework eligibleYes
Remote jobNo
Security clearanceSecret
Relocation expenses reimbursedNo
Promotion potential13
Apply on USAJobs (official) ↗

About this job

This position is located in the DEA, Office of Diversion Control Operations, Drug and Chemical Evaluation Section, Data Analysis Unit (DOED) This position(s) primary purpose is to devise methodologies, data structures, and coding techniques that efficiently organize raw data into usable information that can be analyzed using statistical or other mathematical concepts.

Duties

The closing date of the announcement was modified to extend the closing date to 11/13/2026. As a Data Scientist your typical work assignments may include: Compiling and organizing structured and unstructured program data into tangible and usable information that aids in criminal investigations and analysis of operations for agency personnel. Managing the hardware and software components used to gather, organize, store, and retrieve data ensuring that they are updated in accordance with established policies and procedures and operational requirements. Developing machine learning tools, algorithms, and queries that are used to analyze diverse, open source, commercial, and proprietary data both structured and unstructured, to identify connections and associations that are not easily observable. Devising informational resources, guides, and other reporting material using consistent formats, structure, and messaging to convey complex topics and subjects in easily digestible charts, diagrams, and graphs. Authoring formal analysis reports and assessments or findings under strict timelines used to facilitate decisions made at the leadership and executive level within the organization.

Qualifications

For more information on eligibility requirements see: DEA Employment Eligibility Applicants must meet the required qualification requirements described below by the closing date of the announcement. If you are qualifying based on education or if there are mandatory education requirements listed below, you MUST submit a copy of your college transcripts with your application. Basic Qualification Requirements: : The basic requirement for this position requires 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. -OR- A combination of education and experience: Courses equivalent to a major field of study (30 semester hours) as shown above, plus additional education or appropriate experience. In addition to meeting the basic requirement, applicants must possess at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level. Applicants applying for the GS-13 must meet the following requirements: Have at least one full year of specialized experience that is at least equivalent to work performed at the GS-12 grade level. Specialized 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. Qualifying experience must demonstrate the following: GS-13: Must have one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-12 level or pay band in the Federal service that includes performing the following duties: 1) utilizing data management systems to organize data into tangible and usable information to aid in analysis; 2) authoring formal analysis reports, assessments or findings used to facilitate decision making; 3) developing queries for data extraction; and 4) conducting studies to determine the validity of data, methodologies used, or results of information/analysis. Additional information on the position qualification requirements are located in the Office of Personnel Management's (OPM) Qualifications Standards Handbook. Time-In-Grade Requirement: Applicants must meet time-in-grade and time after competitive appointment requirements by the closing date of this announcement.

Education

See the qualification section of this vacancy announcement for education requirements. Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the education requirements if you can show that the foreign education is comparable to that received in an accredited educational institution in the United States. It is your responsibility to provide such evidence when applying. For a list of accredited organizations recognized as specializing in interpretation of foreign education credentials, visit: www.naces.org/members. If you are claiming education as any part of your qualifications for this position, you must submit an official transcript, unofficial transcript, or a list including courses, grades earned, completion dates, and quarter and semester hours earned.

Evaluations

You will be evaluated based on how well you meet the qualifications listed in this vacancy announcement. Your qualifications will be evaluated based on your application materials (e.g., resume, supporting documents) and assessment questionnaire. If you meet the eligibility and minimum qualification requirements for this position a panel of subject-matter-experts (SMEs) will perform a structured review of your resume to evaluate your knowledge, skills, abilities, and competences as they directly relate to the duties of this position. Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application materials or application questionnaire may result in your removal from consideration. Your qualifications will be evaluated on the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities and other characteristics): Data Extraction and Transformation Research Database Administration Writing The assessment questionnaire includes four short, free-response essay questions which provides an opportunity for you to highlight your dedication to public service for the hiring manager and agency leadership (or designee(s)). While your responses are not required and will not be scored, we encourage you to thoughtfully address each question in 200-words or less. You will be asked to certify that you are using your own words and have not used a consultant or artificial intelligence (AI) such as a large language model (LLM) like ChatGPT or Copilot. Applicants will only be considered for the Eligibilities for which they claim in the job questionnaire AND must provide the supporting documentation. Applicants will not be considered for Eligibilities for which they did not claim, regardless of the documentation submitted with the application. Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) candidates must be well qualified for the position to receive consideration for selection priority. Candidates are considered well qualified if their knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) exceed the minimum qualifications described in the announcement. ASSESSMENT QUESTIONNAIRE: You may preview the https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13094254.

How to apply

Prepare your application in USAJOBS During the application process you can review, edit, delete, and update your information. We'll automatically save your progress as you go, so you won't lose any changes. You have until 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time (ET) on the closing date of this announcement to complete the application process. STEP 1: Select the "Apply" button and follow the instructions to register or sign into USAJOBS. STEP 2: Submit your resume. Resume must not exceed two pages. Please see the Required Documents section for specific information that should be outlined in your resume. STEP 3: Complete the online assessment questions. STEP 4: Submit all required documentation applicable to you, as listed in the Required Documents section. Alternate Application Procedures: If applying online poses an extreme hardship, you may request alternate application procedures to submit your application package. Contact the Human Resources office listed on the announcement between the business hours of 8:15 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. ET at least 2 working days prior to the closing date of this announcement. The application package for alternate application procedures must be submitted and received in the Human Resources office no later than 11:59 p.m. ET on the closing date of this announcement. Paper applications and information sent by mail will not be accepted.

Applications are handled only on the official announcement. This page is a readable copy of the public announcement data — the official version controls if anything differs.

Apply on USAJobs (official) ↗

Required documents

All required documents listed below, that are applicable to you, must be submitted to our automated system by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time (ET) on the closing date of this announcement. Resume - must be no more than two pages in length; resumes exceeding two pages will be removed from consideration. Resume should include applicants' name, email address, phone number, relevant work/volunteer experience, education and training. Include the start and end dates (from month/year to month/year), work schedule (e.g. part or full-time), the number of hours per week worked/volunteered, job title and description of duties performed. Education/Certification/Licensure when relevant or required for position. See Guidance for Applicants on 2-Page Resume and visit the USAJOBS Help Center for more information. Transcripts, if applicable and you are qualifying based on education. See the Qualification and Education sections of this announcement for more information. If selected, an official/sealed college transcript(s) will be required to verify education prior to employment. SF-50 (Notification of Personnel Action): SF-50(s) must show the effective date, position title, series, grade, salary, tenure, competitive status, position occupied, full promotion potential, and name of agency. Multiple SF-50s may be needed to show all required information. Award SF-50s often do not show the required information. To verify the time in grade requirement, applicants must submit a SF-50 verifying the highest grade held for at least 52 weeks. Examples include, promotions with an effective date greater than one year, within grade increases demonstrating the highest grade held for at least 52 weeks or appointments/conversion of appointments with an effective date greater than one year. Career Transition Assistance Program documentation, if applicable. (e.g., reduction-in-force (RIF) separation notice, RIF separation SF-50 personnel action, certification of expected separation, etc.), most recent Performance Rating and more recent Notification of Personnel Action (SF-50) noting current position, grade level, and duty location. Other Qualification documents (e.g. certificates, certifications, etc.), if applicable. See the Qualification section of this announcement for more information.

What to expect next

Once the online application package is received, you will be notified through USAJOBS of your qualification status and referral or non-referral to the hiring official for further consideration. If further evaluation or interviews are required, you will be contacted. We will notify you by email the outcome after each of these steps has been completed. Your application status will be updated up to four times during the following hiring phases: After applications are received. After applications are assessed to determine qualifications. After candidates are referred to the hiring manager. If selected, candidates may receive additional notifications regarding the next steps in the hiring process. Your status will also be updated on your USAJOBS account throughout the process.

Other information

For reasonable accommodation at the Drug Enforcement Administration, please contact the Human Resources office listed in this announcement. Current or Former Political Appointees: The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) must authorize employment offers made to current or former political appointees. If an applicant is currently, or has been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES or Presidential Appointee employee in the Executive Branch, applicants must disclose this information to the Human Resources Office listed in this announcement. Multiple positions may be filled from this announcement. If eligible, applicants to this announcement may be referred to similar positions in any Division/Office listed in this announcement. Telework eligibility and security clearance requirements may vary for such similar positions. Relocation Incentives may be considered and approved if the DEA has determined that the position is likely to be difficult to fill in the absence of an incentive and funding for such an incentive is available. If eligible, telework agreements may be permitted with supervisory approval.

Frequently asked questions

How much does this Data Scientist job pay?

The announcement lists a salary of $121,785–$158,322 per year (GS 13).

When is the last day to apply?

Applications close on Nov 13, 2026 — 2 days from today.

Where is this job located?

This position is located in Arlington County, Virginia with the Drug Enforcement Administration.

How do I apply?

Applications are submitted through the official announcement on USAJobs. Use the Apply button on this page to go to the official posting — this site never takes applications itself.

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Data: USAJobs (U.S. Office of Personnel Management), retrieved 2026-11-11 · Announcement H-DEA-27-13094254-MP-RH · Official announcement. FederalJobs is unofficial and is not affiliated with OPM or the agency.
Data Scientist
Nov 13, 2026 deadlineApply