Data Analyst

Company: National Geospatial Intelligence Agency
Location: Potomac
Posted on: October 17, 2020

Job Description:

Job Summary

ASSIGNMENT DESCRIPTION: Data Analysts apply tools and algorithms to identify trends and patterns in data. They communicate with stakeholders and conduct research to develop an understanding of relevant programs and requirements. These analysts identify and collect data from various sources, evaluate the data to ensure that they meet analytic needs, and prepare the data for analysis. They also select, apply, and assess analytic models and techniques, and review and verify the results. They prepare reports and briefings and consult with stakeholders to communicate findings.

Additional Job Information

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: The National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) serves as the world leader in providing timely, relevant, accurate and actionable geospatial intelligence (GEOINT). NGA's civilian, military and contract personnel evaluate imagery, maps, charts, multiple layers of foundation data - such as terrain, elevation and gravity - and the full spectrum of visible and invisible light in order to help users visualize what is happening at a particular place and time. Our intelligence officers go beyond describing 'what, where and when' to revealing 'how and why.' Our work enables decision advantage for our policymakers, warfighters, intelligence professionals and first responders.

NGA is looking for Data Analysts who will work with mission and corporate-level data, and support non-data professionals on projects that solve data-related problems. Data Analysts engage with these professionals to rapidly understand their requirements and iteratively develop and release solutions to these problems. Data analysis projects are prioritized to achieve the Agency's mission - solutions that enhance mission capabilities and address key needs can and will scale throughout the Agency.

Data Analysts must possess the ability to think strategically; to operate in a dynamic environment; and to work with and among diverse colleagues to deliver interoperable, enterprise-wide solutions. They should also have demonstrated keen problem-solving skills and strong interpersonal skills to work internally with different stakeholders. Knowledge of emerging technical skills, tools, and best practices, and willingness to continue to evolve one's skills and abilities, is key.

Other duties may include:

* Analyze and interpret data and datasets to investigate trends or anomalies, establish relationships, or predict future patterns among events and develop recommendations.

* Access, convert, format, clean, merge, and normalize data in advance of scientific and/or quantitative analysis.

* Formats, catalogs, and/or filters data and information to facilitate data access, integration, and interpretation.

* Distribute information, intelligence, and data to mission partners, organizations, and individuals to support customer missions and requirements.

* Analyze data, processes, services, and products to ensure that they meet quality standards and requirements.

* Identify a need for and know where and how to gather relevant information. Obtain, evaluate, organize, and maintain information.

* Analyze and interpret statistical data to identify trends or relationships among variables and factors that could affect the results of research.

* Apply mathematical principles or statistical approaches to solve moderately complex problems in scientific or applied fields.

* Prepare statistical reports, to include graphics or other visual representations of information.

* Visualize information, using a moderate range of tools, scripts and algorithms, support the creation of explanatory and predictive models, and conduct comparative and alternative analysis to address complex military and intelligence challenges.

* Analyze and interpret statistical data to identify trends or relationships among variables and factors that could affect the results of research.

* Apply mathematical principles or statistical approaches to solve moderately complex problems in scientific or applied fields.

* Prepare statistical reports, to include graphics or other visual representations of information.

* Visualize information, using a moderate range of tools, scripts and algorithms, support the creation of explanatory and predictive models, and conduct comparative and alternative analysis to address complex military and intelligence challenges.

Additional Application Requirement: You may be asked to complete one or more assessments in addition to the application you submit on this website as part of your application to NGA. These assessments may include but are not limited to:

* Online questionnaires or assessments that require you to describe your job-related knowledge, skills, abilities, or other characteristics that are aligned with the mandatory and desirable qualifications of this job posting. The information you provide in the application you submit must support the response you provide to this questionnaire.

You will receive an email to describe any additional assessments required. Please monitor your emails and complete any required assessments as soon as possible.

Mandatory Qualifications

MANDATORY QUALIFICATION CRITERIA: For this particular job, applicants must meet all competencies reflected under the Mandatory Qualification Criteria to include education (if required). Online applications 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 analyzing and/or interpreting data to:

* identify patterns, trends, or relationships among variables to inform decisions and/or;

* find scalable solutions to complex problem-sets; and/or

* close knowledge gaps and address business issues and concerns.

* Knowledge of data visualization techniques to include the use of common software tools (e.g. Tableau, Power BI, matplotlib, ggplot2, Excel, etc.)

* Experience in at least one of the following languages: Python, R, JavaScript, SQL, MATLAB, or a similar language, as applied to computer programming/software engineering, process automation and/or data science/analysis.

* Knowledge of data analytic and statistical modeling techniques such as classification, regression, similarity matching, clustering, co-occurrence grouping, profiling, link prediction, data reduction, stochastic modeling, A-B testing, network analysis and/or causal modelling.

* Knowledge of math, statistics, and quantitative analysis concepts as demonstrated through formal education or professional experience.

EDUCATION REQUIREMENT: A. Education: Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in Mathematics, Statistics, Actuarial Science, Computer Science, Engineering, Operations Research, or a related field. -OR- B. Combination of Education and Experience: A minimum of 24 semester (36 quarter) hours of coursework in any area listed in option A, plus experience that requires the application of tools and algorithms to identify trends and patterns in data, or in a related area that demonstrates the ability to successfully perform the duties associated with this work. 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.

Highly Desired Qualifications

QUALIFICATION CRITERIA: In addition to the mandatory qualifications, experience in the following is desired:

* Demonstrated experience as an innovator and strategic problem solver.

* Ability to perform with minimal direct task supervision and in ambiguous/uncertain environments.

* Experience applying data visualization techniques and common software tools (e.g. Tableau, Power BI, matplotlib, ggplot2, Excel, etc.) to inform exploratory data analysis and/or generate data visualization products for internal/external audiences.

* Effective collaborator in high-performance, geographically-distributed team environments.

* Proven ability communicating ongoing work and findings to leadership and decision maker audiences through written, visual, and verbal reports and briefings.

* Proven ability communicating technical analysis and findings to technical and non-technical audiences through written, visual, and verbal reports and briefings.

Additional Job Requirements

You must be able to obtain and retain a Top Secret security clearance with access to Sensitive Compartmented Information. In addition, you are subject to a Counterintelligence Polygraph examination in order to maintain access to Top Secret information. All employees are subject to a periodic examination on a random basis in order to determine continued eligibility. Refusal to take the examination may result in denial of access to Top Secret information, SAP, and/or unescorted access to SCIFs.

Employees with SCI access and who are under NGA cognizance are required to submit a Security Financial Disclosure Report, SF-714, on an annual basis in order to determine continued eligibility. Failure to comply may negatively impact continued access to Top Secret information, Information Systems, SAP, and/or unescorted access to SCIFs.

Pay, Benefits, & Work Schedule

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.

Band 03 $64,948 - $133,465

PERMANENT CHANGE IN STATION: PCS expenses are not authorized.

Pay is only part of the compensation you will earn working for the Federal Government. We offer a broad array of benefits programs and family friendly flexibilities to meet the needs of you and your family.

For more information on the array of benefits programs, please visit https://www.intelligencecareers.gov/nga/ngabenefits.html

Cover Letter

Applicants are not required to submit a cover letter. The entire cover letter cannot exceed the specified limits provided in the Cover Letter field (3,000 characters). Pages exceeding this limit will not be considered. The cover letter is recommended but is not required for employment consideration with the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency. Applicants should place their narrative information in the Cover Letter / Other Professional Details field.

Who may apply

External Applicants Only

How to apply

Application submission involves applying using the Intelligence Community's Applicant Gateway on-line application process. ONLY ELECTRONIC SUBMISSIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED.

How will I be evaluated?

APPLICANT EVALUATION PROCESS: Applicants will be evaluated for this job opportunity in three stages:

* All applicants will be evaluated using the Mandatory Qualification Criteria,

* 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,

* 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 information referenced in the announcement. 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.

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 redetermined 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 States Code) appointed to the Department of Defense may elect to be subject to retirement provisions of the new appointment as appropriate. (See DoD Instruction 1400.25, Volume 300, at http://www.dtic.mil/whs/directives.)

All candidates will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, disability, or sexual orientation.

NGA provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. Applications will only be accepted online. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please notify us at recruitment@nga.mil. The decision on granting reasonable accommodation will be on a case-by-case basis.

Conditions of Employment

As a condition of employment at NGA, persons being considered for employment must meet NGA fitness for employment standards.

* U.S. Citizenship Required

* Security Clearance (Top Secret/Sensitive Compartmented Information)

* Polygraph Test Required

* Position Subject to Drug Testing

* Two Year Probationary Period

* Direct Deposit Required

DCIPS Disclaimer

NGA utilizes all processes and procedures of the Defense Civilian Intelligence Personnel System (DCIPS). Non-executive NGA employees are assigned to five distinct pay bands based on the type and scope of work performed. The employee's base salary is established within their assigned pay band based on their unique qualifications. A performance pay process is conducted each year to determine a potential base pay salary increase and/or bonus. An employee's annual performance evaluation is a key factor in the performance pay process. Employees on term or temporary appointments are not eligible to apply for internal assignment opportunity notices.

This position is a DCIPS position in the Excepted Service under 10 U.S.C. 1601. DoD Components with DCIPS positions apply Veterans' Preference to preference eligible candidates as defined by Section 2108 of Title 5 USC, in accordance with the procedures provided in DoD Instruction 1400.25, Volume 2005, DCIPS Employment and Placement. If you are an external applicant claiming veterans' preference, as defined by Section 2108 of Title 5 U.S.C., you must self-identify your eligibility in your application.

Keywords: National Geospatial Intelligence Agency, Potomac , Data Analyst, Other , Potomac, Maryland