DATA SCIENTIST

Filled
February 24, 2026
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Job Description

The PALACE Acquire (PAQ) Program offers a unique opportunity to begin your career as a Data Scientist with a permanent position upon successful completion of a formal 3-year training plan. As a Palace Acquire Intern, you will experience both personal and professional growth while learning to navigate complex challenges, problem-solving scenarios, and organizational change.

The program includes:

  • A structured 3-year training plan
  • Annual salary increases
  • Promotion opportunities based on performance and supervisory approval
  • Hands-on experience with real-world data science projects

Basic Qualification Requirements

Degree Requirement:
A bachelor’s degree or higher in one of the following fields (or closely related discipline):

  • Mathematics
  • Statistics
  • Computer Science
  • Data Science
  • Related quantitative field

The degree must include a major field of study appropriate to the position.

Qualification Levels

GS-7 Level

Applicants must meet one of the following:

  • Completion (or expected completion) of a 4-year bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution AND
  • Documented Superior Academic Achievement (SAA):
    • GPA 2.95 or higher overall (4.0 scale), OR
    • GPA 3.45 or higher in major field courses or final two years

Note: Applicants cannot qualify based on GPA if more than 10% of undergraduate credits are non-graded (pass/fail, CLEP, military credit, etc.).

GS-9 Level

Applicants must meet one of the following:

  • Completion of 2 years of graduate education leading toward a master’s degree (or equivalent), AND
  • GPA requirements identical to GS-7 criteria.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs)

Candidates will be evaluated on their ability to demonstrate:

  1. Knowledge of data science principles, methods, and analytical techniques.
  2. Mathematical and analytical skills to support project assignments and reporting.
  3. Ability to perform routine to moderately complex data science analyses.
  4. Skill in interpreting data science rules and recommending solutions.
  5. Problem-solving ability to identify key factors and develop solutions.
  6. Strong organizational, planning, and teamwork capabilities.

Experience Considerations

Credit will be given for:

  • Part-time or unpaid work experience
  • Internship experience
  • Volunteer experience (including programs such as Peace Corps, AmeriCorps, or community organizations)

Applicants must clearly document duties, responsibilities, and hours worked per week.

Education Documentation Requirements

If qualifying based on education:

  • Transcripts must be submitted with the application.
  • Official transcripts are required before appointment.
  • Institutions must be accredited by an organization recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Foreign Education

Applicants with international degrees must provide proof of equivalency to U.S. education standards.

Employment Type

Other (PALACE Acquire Developmental Program leading to permanent employment)