POSITION
Title: Statistician (Data scientist/quantitative ecologist)
Type: Full-time, term
Duty station: NWRC, Fort Collins (currently remote until at least Nov. 2021)
Announcement #: USDA-WS-NWRC-4WS788
Series: 1530
Grade: GS-9 ($58,585 annually with full benefits)
Closing date: 8/28/2021

We are looking for a data scientist or quantitative ecologist with knowledge of statistics to provide data analysis support for a collaborative project on optimizing control strategies of bovine tuberculosis at the deer-cattle interface. The position is located in Fort Collins, CO at the National Wildlife Research Center of USDA-APHIS- Wildlife Services (which is currently engaged in remote work). The position will involve frequent communication with applied scientists at USDA and Michigan State University as well as managers from the natural resource and agriculture state agencies in Michigan. It is being advertised using a standardized position description (PD) – a more nuanced description is above the Standardized PD (official announcement).

NUANCED DESCRIPTION

DUTIES
• Assist in research studies designed to organize, clean, and analyze wildlife disease surveillance data and associated data.
• Responsibilities will include: organization and manipulation of large data sets (especially spatial data), running computer-based simulation models, performing statistical analyses, and summarizing model output and data graphically and with summary statistics.
• Under the supervision of the Research Biologist, the incumbent is expected to perform a variety of data manipulation tasks to support model development, including but not restricted to: data cleaning, data summaries, diagnostics for model assessment, model evaluation, model selection, running simulation algorithms under different parameter values and organizing simulation data. At full performance, the incumbent is expected to work independently with minimal supervision.
• The incumbent is expected to prepare clear graphical presentations of data, keep records of data manipulations, maintain organized data summaries, write reports summarizing methods and results, and effectively communicate with supervisory staff and collaborators from other agencies.

REQUIREMENTS
• Proficiency with a programming language such as MATLAB®/R/C++/Python or equivalent to accomplish tasks.
• Ability to organize, clean, and manipulate large data sets and prepare summaries of the data.
• Ability to conduct statistical analyses of the data and write technical reports of the methods used and results obtained.
ADDITIONAL PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
• Proficiency with extracting and manipulating geographical information systems (GIS) and global positioning system (GPS) data.
• Knowledge of the principles of disease ecology and wildlife population dynamics and the scientific literature in these fields.
• Knowledge of control methodologies that are used for disease in wildlife species, livestock, and at the wildlife-livestock interface.

QUESTIONS and HOW TO APPLY
Send your cover letter, resume, and a copy of your transcripts to kim.m.pepin@usda.gov.

OFFICIAL ANNOUNCEMENT

OPEN DATE: 8/24/20
CLOSING DATE: 8/28/20
POSITION TITLE: Statistician

OF VACANCIES: 1

TYPE OF POSITION: Term; 13 Month Appointment; Excepted Service; Full Benefits; May be extended up to a total of 4 years
WORK SCHEDULE: Full-Time
ANNOUNCEMENT #: USDA-WS-NWRC -4WS788
SERIES/GRADE: GS-1530 -9
FULL PERFORMANCE LEVEL: GS-9
LOCATION: Fort Collins, Colorado
Relocation Expenses Authorized: No Relocation
SALARY: $ 58,585 to $76,160 / YEAR

WHO MAY APPLY/REQUIREMENTS
• Must be a U.S. Citizen
• Must be 18 years old
• If you are a male born after December 31, 1959 and are at least 18 years of age, civil service employment law (5 U.S.C. 3328) requires that you must be registered with the Selective Service System, unless you meet certain exemptions (proof of registration and/or exemption required). Website: http://www.sss.gov.
• Must possess or be able to obtain a valid driver’s license.

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS
• Resume
• Transcripts (If qualifying with education or combination of education & experience)
• DD-214 (Member 4 copy) and VA letter as required for Veteran preference. (If Applicable)
• Current active duty members must submit a certification that they are expected to be discharged or released from active duty under honorable conditions not later than 120 days after the date the certification is submitted. (If Applicable)

HOW TO APPLY
INTERESTED INDIVIDUALS SHOULD SEND A RESUME, TRANSCRIPTS, AND VETERAN DOCUMENTATION (IF APPLICABLE) TO:
Dr. Kim Pepin at kim.m.pepin@usda.gov

Applicants who do not submit the required items listed above may not be considered. Applications with all supporting documents must be submitted to the contact office and must be RECEIVED by the CLOSING DATE of this announcement. Additional materials not listed above (i.e. position descriptions, training certificates, etc.) may not be considered.

DUTIES
• Assist in research studies designed to organize, clean, and analyze wildlife disease surveillance data and associated data.

• Responsibilities will include: organization and manipulation of large data sets (especially spatial data), running computer-based simulation models, performing statistical analyses, and summarizing model output and data graphically and with summary statistics.

• Under the supervision of the Research Biologist, the incumbent is expected to perform a variety of data manipulation tasks to support model development, including but not restricted to: data cleaning, data summaries, diagnostics for model assessment, model evaluation, model selection, running simulation algorithms under different parameter values and organizing simulation data. At full performance, the incumbent is expected to work independently with minimal supervision.

• Be proficient with a programming language such as MATLAB®/R/C++/Python or equivalent to accomplish tasks.

• The incumbent is expected to prepare clear graphical presentations of data, keep records of data manipulations, maintain organized data summaries, write reports summarizing methods and results, and effectively communicate with supervisory staff.

QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED
In addition, to qualify at the GS-9 Grade Level: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-9 level) that may have been obtained in the private or public (local, county, state, federal) sectors which demonstrate experience in:

• Principles of wildlife biology, ecology, population dynamics, and wildlife management in order to resolve conflicts between wildlife and people while developing control methods for invasive mammals.
• Small mammal/rodent biology and damage management.
• Knowledge of wildlife damage management methodologies and field experience related to vertebrate pest problems in agriculture areas and natural settings.
• Must have knowledge of relevant scientific and technical literature related to wildlife, ecology, population dynamics, behavior, and wildlife damage management, and development of related methods for managing these conflicts to show a high degree of professionalism when implementing multi-use resource management plans.
• Skill in use of computers to record information, manipulate, statistically analyze data, and write publications including being able to present scientific reports from data.
• Knowledge of federal laws and regulations relating to wildlife damage management, such as the Animal Welfare Act, the National Environmental Policy Act, the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, Good Laboratory Practices, and the registration process for chemicals to be able to apply regulatory requirements in resource management.

HOW YOU WILL BE EVALUATED
Applicants who meet basic minimum qualifications may be referred to the hiring manager for selection. Qualified candidates eligible for veterans’ preference will receive referral and selection priority over non-veterans.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS
• As a condition of employment, an appropriate security clearance is required for this position. You must be able to pass a government background check and meet any additional requirements.
A background check will include answering questions about where you’ve lived, worked, went to school, and any military history or police records. Selection and retention in this position is contingent on a successfully adjudicated FBI National Criminal History Check (fingerprint check).
• Position is subject to random and applicant drug testing. (Applicable for positions handling firearms)
• Must possess or be able to obtain a valid driver’s license. Operation of Government-owned or leased vehicles is a requirement. (Applicable for positions utilizing government owned/leased vehicles)
• Must have the legal and physical ability to possess and use firearms. (If Applicable)
• Must demonstrate a respect for safety in all operations, including the operation of motor vehicles, control devices, and equipment.

Failure to follow application instructions regarding filing appropriate forms and answering questions may result in loss of employment considerations for this position. All applications must be signed, dated, and received by the closing date of this announcement.
Emergency Response

APHIS is an emergency response agency
This means that all Agency employees may be asked or assigned to participate in rotating temporary duty assignments to support emergency programs at some time during their careers with APHIS. It is difficult to predict the frequency with which such emergency situations may occur – and could range from several emergencies in a year to none over the course of many years. In the event that you are called upon to support an emergency program, this may require irregular working hours, including overtime, and may include duties other than those specified in your official position description. While some emergency program support assignments may be able to be performed at the employee’s current duty station, in other cases employees may be asked to go on-site to a temporary duty state location. In addition, it may be necessary for employees to participate in multiple rotations to an emergency program assignment. Attempts will be made to keep disruption to the employee to a minimum.

Reasonable Accommodation Policy
Federal agencies must provide reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities where appropriate. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process should contact the hiring agency directly. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a Case-by-Case basis.

A reasonable accommodation is any change in the workplace or the way things are customarily done that provides an equal employment opportunity to an individual with a disability. Under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) must provide reasonable accommodations:

• An applicant with a disability needs an accommodation to have an equal opportunity to apply for a job.
• An employee with a disability needs an accommodation to perform the essential job duties or to gain access to the workplace.
• An employee with a disability needs an accommodation to receive equal access to benefits, such as details, training, and office-sponsored events.

The United States Government does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service, or other non-merit factor.

More than one position may be selected from this announcement.
Additional Information:

• Work is performed in an office, laboratory and/or field locations. Temperature, weather and noise extremes will be encountered in the performance of field duties, which are often in remote and primitive areas.
• The work requires physical exertion such as walking over wet, rough, uneven or rocky surfaces, bending, crouching, stooping, stretching, reaching, or similar activities.

NOTE: APPLICANTS FOR THIS POSITION WILL BE REQUIRED TO SUBMIT TO URINALYSIS TO SCREEN FOR ILLEGAL DRUG USE PRIOR TO APPOINTMENT. APPOINTMENT TO THE POSITION WILL BE CONTINGENT UPON A NEGATIVE DRUG TEST RESULT. INCUMBENTS OF THIS POSITION WILL BE REQUIRED TO SUBMIT TO URINALYSIS TO SCREEN FOR ILLEGAL DRUG USE ON AN ONGOING BASIS AFTER APPOINTMENT, AS DIRECTED. Drug testing and fingerprint cards have been suspended until further notice due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In order to continue employment, selectees will still be required to successfully pass drug tests and submit fingerprint cards once these items are reinstated.