Data Scientist with Security Clearance

External Header
Source: External Applicants Only
Open: 2026-10-19
Closed: 2027-09-30
Band: 03
Location: Springfield, VA, St Louis, MO
Cover Letter
Applicants are not required to submit a cover letter for employment consideration with the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency. However, a cover letter is recommended. Applicants will have the option to attach a cover letter in the Qualifications - Attachments step of the online application. Pay Band, Salary Range - Ext
2026 DC Salary Chart (Step 10 Max):
Band 3 $85,447 - $158,322 2026 St.

Louis Salary Chart (Step 10 Max)

Band 3 $76,573 - $141,880
Permanent Change in Station
PERMANENT CHANGE IN STATION: PCS expenses are not authorized. NGA Marketing Message
The National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) is the world leader in Geospatial Intelligence. We analyze imagery and data from many sources and incorporate it into visual displays of essential information for use in national defense, homeland security and safety of navigation. The extraordinary talents and skills of our teams of analysts and other professionals are vital to our success as the worldwide provider of GEOINT.

Know the World, Show the Way...from Seabed to Space!

Assignment Description
ASSIGNMENT DESCRIPTION: Data Scientists translate complex national defense and intelligence questions and business problems into actionable insights using advanced mathematical, statistical, and scientific techniques. They develop and apply methods (e.g., probabilistic modeling, artificial intelligence/machine learning (AI/ML), computer vision (CV)) to identify, collect, process, and analyze large volumes of data to inform and enhance the GEOINT mission.

Data Scientists interpret a variety of data sources, conduct data mining and retrieval, automate processes, and develop algorithms using a range of tools (e.g., coding languages, visualization software, Geographic Information Systems (GIS)). They document and communicate analytic results to technical and non-technical audiences, and share repeatable studies, analyses, and processes. Data Scientists also manage projects or teams and collaborate with stakeholders to design, develop, and refine products and services.

Promotion Opportunity
PROMOTION OPPORTUNITY: Promotion opportunities allow applicants at all band levels to be considered. Qualifications for NGA positions do not include specific time-in-band requirements. NGA will emphasize quality of experience, rather than duration, and assess how the quality of the experience demonstrates possession of the knowledge, skills, abilities, and competencies necessary for successful job performance in the NGA occupational structure.

Additional Information
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: This Open Continuous Job Announcement is used in building a pool of qualified applicants. There is no immediate job opening. Applications will be reviewed only when staffing needs arise. There will be multiple selections and placements for agency allocation as positions open. The jobs range from analytic operations teams working with GEOINT mission partners to analyze data ranging from imagery holdings, machine learning data outputs, computer vision results and other GEOINT mission datasets.

Data Scientists work on teams, integrated with analysts and other data professionals. Office missions range from business analytics, model development offices and GEOINT mission and data. Specific duties range from data analysis across different systems to modeling GEOINT mission data. Other responsibilities include working with mission partners on their data needs, comping up with complex solutions across deployed systems along with integrating new data into already developed workflows.

This position may be eligible for a RECRUITMENT INCENTIVE: selected candidates may be offered an incentive as part of the offer of employment. To receive the incentive, selected candidates must be eligible under 5 CFR Part 575, Subpart A, upon issuance of the Final Offer Letter. Changes in federal employment status prior to issuance of the Final Offer Letter may affect eligibility. To receive the incentive, selected candidates will be required to sign a service agreement to stay within the position at NGA for the agreed upon time.

If the service agreement is terminated before its completion, the employee may be required to repay a pro rata share amount of the incentive to the government. Additional information regarding recruitment incentives for current federal employees can be found in DoDI 1400.25, Volume 2006.

Qualifications Mandatory
MANDATORY QUALIFICATION CRITERIA: For this particular job, applicants must meet all competencies reflected under the Mandatory Qualification Criteria to include education (if required). Online resumes must demonstrate qualification by providing specific examples and associated results, in response to the announcement’s mandatory criteria specified in this vacancy announcement: Demonstrated experience utilizing structured or unstructured data for exploratory data analysis, classification, regression and/or other types of statistical analysis.

Experience analyzing, interpreting, and reporting on big data sets. Demonstrated experience cleaning, filtering, transforming, and/or enriching data. Demonstrated experience manipulating data using a programing language such as: Python, R, SQL or similar.

EDUCATION REQUIREMENT: A.

Education: Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in Mathematics, Data Science, Statistics, Computer Science, Geographic Information Science, Information Science, Informatics and Computing, or a related field that provided at least 6 semester hours in statistics and 9 additional semester hours in scientific or technical coursework such as engineering, medicine, physical, biological, or social sciences.

Statistics semester hours should be given for courses in which 50 percent of the course content appears to be statistical methods, e.g., courses that included studies in research methods in psychology or economics such as tests and measurements or business cycles, or courses in methods of processing mass statistical data such as tabulating methods or electronic data processing.

• OR- B.

Combination of Education and Experience: A minimum of 30 semester hours (45 quarter hours) of courses equivalent to a major field of study in any area listed in Option A plus experience that included programming for data science (e.g., Python, R) and a full range of professional statistical work such as: (a) intermediate and/or advanced statistics, (b) linear, semi-linear, and/or non-linear models, (c) working with a range of data types and statistical methods, or (d) data visualization capabilities. As a rule, every 30 semester (45 quarter) hours of coursework is equivalent to one year of experience. Candidates should show that their combination of education and experience totals 4 years.

Qualifications Desirable
DESIRABLE QUALIFICATION CRITERIA: In addition to the mandatory qualifications, experience in the following is desired: Ability to communicate technical methods and solutions to non-technical audiences verbally or in writing.
Experience collaborating with experts in other fields to analyze and respond to customer requirements.
Experience in applying analytic techniques (classification, regression, clustering, data reduction, or causal modeling) to solve data problems.
Demonstrated expertise with one or more visualization techniques and/or software tools (i.e., Tableau, matplotlib, etc.)
Special Info External
As a condition of employment at NGA, persons being considered for employment must meet NGA fitness for employment standards.

• U.S. Citizenship
• Security Clearance - Top Secret /Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI)
• Polygraph & Drug Test
• Direct Deposit
• Trial Period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. We may consider: performance conduct; needs and interests of the agency; and whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government and the efficiency of the Federal service

Applicant Evaluation Process
APPLICANT EVALUATION PROCESS: 1) All applicants will be evaluated using the Mandatory Qualification Criteria,
2) Qualified applicants will then be evaluated by an expert or panel of experts using a combination of qualification criteria to determine the best-qualified candidates,
3) Best-qualified applicants may then be further evaluated through an interview process. Military retiree applicants, if selected, may be impacted by the 180-day appointment restrictions of DODI 1402.01. HD personnel will provide additional information if applicable. Applicants are encouraged to carefully review the Assignment Description, Additional Information Provided By the Selecting Official, and the Qualification Requirements; and then construct their resumes to highlight their most relevant and significant experience and education for this job opportunity. This description should include examples that detail the level and complexity of the performed work. Applicants are encouraged to provide any education or degree information referenced in the announcement that is relevant. If education is listed as a mandatory requirement, only degrees obtained from an institution accredited by an accrediting organization recognized by the Secretary, US Department of Education will be accepted. You must use the NGA resume builder and limit your resume to 2 pages. In accordance with section 9902(h) of title 5, United States Code, annuitants reemployed in the Department of Defense shall receive full annuity and salary upon appointment. They shall not be eligible for retirement contributions, participation in the Thrift Savings Plan, or a supplemental or re-determined annuity for the reemployment period. Discontinued service retirement annuitants (i.e., retired under section 8336(d)(1) or 8414(b)(1)(A) of title 5, United Sta