Essay Consultant Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Summary
The National Counterterrorism Center (NCTC) leads the nation's effort to protect the United States from terrorism by integrating, analyzing and sharing information to drive whole-of-government action and achieve our national CT objectives.
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Duties
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Leads data science projects by identifying strategic methodological issues and areas of focus to support decision making by the most senior policymakers.
Engages with customers to understand and participate changing needs and requirements; anticipate substantive questions. Offer recommendations for resolution based on quantitative analysis.
Applies quantitative analysis, ensuring that all products incorporate multiple lines of inquiry and are fully coordinated with all stakeholders.
Determines approaches and strategies to market statistical and methodological services to new or potential partners or customers.
Coordinates the compilation and review of often disparate and inconsistent data to address the most complex intelligence issues or problems for the most senior internal and external customers.
Coordinates accurate, timely, and sophisticated data analysis in support of the most complex key ODNI, United States national security and foreign policy objectives and to shape Intelligence Community analysis priorities. Conducts complex statistical, mathematical, geospatial modeling, and data mining analysis independently or in partnership with other Data Scientist or Analyst colleagues.
Assists in building the conception, preparation, and communication of an extensive range of strategic, highly complex graphics, computational models and tools, or written or oral assessments on significant or contentious issues for the most senior internal and external customers (e.g., policymakers, IC components, Agency executives).
Mentor the full range of data scientist to support employee and product development. Facilitate exploitation of quantitative and computational models, analytic methods and tools, geospatial modeling, and data/or data mining.
Other duties, as assigned.
Requirements
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Conditions of employment

• Must be a U.S. Citizen residing in the United States
• Appointment is subject to a suitability or fitness determination, as determined by a completed background investigation.
• Must be able to obtain and maintain a Top Secret security clearance based on an SBI with eligibility for sensitive compartmented information (SCI)
• Male applicants born after December 31, 1959, must complete a Pre-Employment Certification Statement for Selective Service Registration.
• A two-year trial period is required for all new permanent appointments to the ODNI.

Qualifications
FREE RESPONSE ESSAY QUESTIONS
All applicants must answer the following four short, free response essay questions. The responses cannot exceed 200 words per question. By submitting your responses to the following questions, you certify that you are using your own words and did not use a consultant or AI (such as a large language model [LLM]).

1. How has your commitment to the Constitution and the founding principles of the United States inspired you to pursue this role within the Federal government? Provide a concrete example from professional, academic, or personal experience.
2. In this role, how would you use your skills and experience to improve government efficiency and effectiveness? Provide specific examples where you improved processes, reduced costs, or improved outcomes.
3. How would you help advance the President's Executive Orders and policy priorities in this role? Identify one or two relevant Executive Orders or policy initiatives that are significant to you and explain how you would help implement them if hired.
4. How has a strong work ethic contributed to your professional, academic or personal achievements? Provide one or two specific examples and explain how those qualities would enable you to serve effectively in this position.

Mandatory Requirements
Demonstrated ability to code in Python, including working knowledge of artificial intelligence and machine learning capabilities.
Familiarity with data visualization tools, such as Tableau.
Demonstrated ability to work effectively both independently and in a team or collaborative environment, and mentor junior colleagues.
Creative problem-solving skills and initiative in carrying out mission responsibilities.
Extensive knowledge of individual, organizational, and technical or transnational issues of national security concern.
Extensive knowledge of business operations and associated processes.
Extensive knowledge of appropriate analytic methods and methodological tools in one or more of the following areas: Applied Mathematics (e.g. probability and statistics, formal modeling, computational social sciences); Computer Programming (e.g. programming languages, math/statistics packages, computer science, machine learning, scientific computing); and Visualization (e.g. GIS/geospatial analysis, telemetry analysis).
Extensive knowledge of research designs. Demonstrated ability to develop comprehensive computer software applications, as needed.
Demonstrated ability to leverage multiple data management tools to organize relevant information and make decisions.
Demonstrated ability to apply intellectual curiosity; creativity and innovation to go beyond current tools to deliver the best solution to complex problems.
Demonstrated ability to effectively communicate complex, multi-disciplinary ideas and insights.
Demonstrated ability to identify and/or develop business opportunities.
Demonstrated ability to translate complex, technical findings into an easily understood narrative (i.e., tell story with data).
Demonstrated analytical and critical thinking skills, including superior ability to think strategically.
Demonstrated ability to multitask and change focus quickly as demands change.
Demonstrated ability to evaluate data drawing pertinent inferences from data trend analysis, and interpretation of such inferences in keeping with the requirements of officials responsible for planning or for making policy decisions.
Desired Qualifications
Bachelor's degree in quantitative or technical field of study (e.g., statistics, mathematics, computer science, physical science, economics, Geographic Information Systems).
10 years of related data science experience is preferred.
Education
Do NOT submit transcripts.
Additional information
JOB INTERVIEW TRAVEL
Candidates from outside the Washington Metropolitan Area (WMA) may be selected for a telephone, teleconference, or in-person interview.
SALARY DETERMINATION
The ODNI uses a rank-in-person system in which rank is attached to GS employees on the basis of individual qualifications, experience, and performance. Individuals whose current GS grade is equivalent to the grade of the advertised position will retain their current grade and step. Individuals who transfer to the ODNI from a non-GS pay scale will have base pay converted to the appropriate GS grade and step as determined by the Chief of Human Resource Management.
Current federal employees whose current GS grade is lower than the grade of the advertised ODNI position will have pay set at his or her current grade and step.
In some cases when a current federal civilian employee applies for an ODNI position that is a lower grade than his or her personal grade, the candidate's personal grade will be downgraded to the grade of the advertised ODNI position and pay will be set at the step that is closest to, and not less than, the employee's current annual base rate of pay, not to exceed the maximum step rate of the GS grade to which assigned.
RELOCATION EXPENSES
For new ODNI employees, reimbursement for relocation is discretionary based on availability of funds.
REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS
The ODNI provides reasonable accommodations to otherwise qualified applicants with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please notify the Reasonable Accommodations Office Representative by email at DNI_COO_HRM_RA_ALL@odni.gov, by telephone at (703)275-3900 or by FAX at (703)275-1277. Your request for reasonable accommodations will be addressed on a case-by-case basis. PLEASE DO NOT SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION TO THE REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION EMAIL ADDRESS. THIS EMAIL IS FOR REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION REQUESTS ONLY.
The ODNI is an equal opportunity employer and abides by applicable employment laws and regulations.
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Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.
Benefits
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A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
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Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.