R/Python Programmer

JobSummary

The United States Sentencing Commission is seeking an R/Python Programmer who will work within the Information Systems team of the Office of Administration and Technology to support the research work of the Commission. The incumbent will design, develop, and support advanced data extraction processes through the use of automated workflow solutions, AI-enhanced solutions, machine learning, and large language models (LLMs) to support business-critical processes and systems.

LowGrade

12

HighGrade

13

PromotionPotential

13

OrganizationCodes

JL/JL05

Relocation

False

HiringPath

• public

MCOTags

TotalOpenings

1

AgencyMarketingStatement

The United States Sentencing Commission is an independent federal agency in the Judicial Branch of government consisting of a bi-partisan group of seven members appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate, and two non-voting ex-officio members. The agency staff consists of approximately 100 employees. The Commission develops and revises guidelines for federal district court judges to consider in sentencing offenders convicted of federal crimes. The Commission monitors and evaluates the use of the guidelines, conducts research and education programs on guideline application and sentencing matters generally, produces sentencing-related reports, and recommends improvements in federal sentencing practices and policies. Additional information about the Commission can be accessed via the Commission's website at http://www.ussc.gov. The Commission is conveniently located next to Union Station on Capitol Hill, and is easily accessible by public transportation, including the Metro, and the MARC and VRE commuter trains. In addition to the federal benefits package, the Commission's location in the Thurgood Marshall Federal Judiciary Building offers various amenities such as a health unit, credit union, day care center, food services, and free on-site fitness center.

TravelCode

0

ApplyOnlineUrl

https://apply.usastaffing.gov/Application/Apply

DetailStatusUrl

https://apply.usastaffing.gov/Application/ApplicationStatus

MajorDuties

• The R/Python Programmer, will work within the Information Systems team of the Office of Administration and Technology to support the research work of the United States Sentencing Commission. The incumbent will work closely with the Office of Research and Data by designing, developing, and supporting advanced data extraction processes through the use of automated workflow solutions, AI-enhanced solutions, machine learning, and large language models (LLMs) to support business-critical processes and systems. The position will develop methods for extraction of complex data variables from a variety of court-submitted, multi-page, multi-format forms, including the use of checkboxes, perform complex system changes, and ensure seamless automation and integration into existing operations through the use of R and Python. The incumbent will: Develop, maintain, and optimize analytic pipelines using R and Python in secure federal computing environments. Design and develop programming to automate extraction of a wide-range of data variables from court-submitted, multi-page, multi-format forms and documents, leveraging advanced programming languages such as R and Python. Ensure seamless integration of such processes into existing workflow in an Oracle-based coding environment, database and data warehouse. Integrate systems using API-based interoperability and secure authentication strategies. Utilize custom R or Python scripts to parse, extract, and standardize the required data into a structured datafile/table. The extracted data must be transformed into a standardized format, ensuring consistency and accuracy across all records. Develop and implement projects from inception to delivery, including detailed times and resource planning. Update and maintain existing R and Python processes used for data extraction and integration. Apply secure coding practices in all R and Python development, including input validation, output sanitization, secure handling of credentials, and adherence to least-privilege access principles to ensure protection of sensitive data. Identify, design, and implement process improvements to enhance the efficiency, reliability, and scalability of data extraction, transformation, and integration workflows, including automation of manual tasks, optimization of existing pipelines, and incorporation of modern tools and methodologies to reduce processing time, minimize errors, and support continuous improvement. Recommend technical strategies for automation, governance, and AI adoption where applicable to support data extraction processes. Build scalable data processing solutions using tools such as AI-enhanced solutions, machine learning, large language models, tidyverse, data.table, pandas, NumPy, SciPy, and scikit-learn. Implement error handling and logging to track and resolve issues during the extraction process. Assist with system troubleshooting, automation or integration failure scenarios, and root-cause corrective actions. Develop data pipelines, data models, and ETL processes for business intelligence and reporting where necessary. Assist in the preparation of technical documentation, briefing materials, and visual summaries for senior leadership. Ensure compliance with federal data governance, privacy, and records management requirements. Ensure all processes and methodologies, including use of AI-enhanced tools or LLMs, can be installed and utilized in a closed environment. Provide guidance and support to research staff and other technical personnel on application development and automation workflows. Perform other duties as assigned.

Education

Requirements

Evaluations

HOW YOU WILL BE EVALUATED The Commission evaluates applicants through a structured interview, and practical assessments. Applicants may also be screened for some jobs through a narrative/application review, and/or a preliminary telephone interview. Applicants who do not address the qualification requirements (mandatory and preferred) in his or her application materials as stated in the vacancy announcement are automatically disqualified from consideration and must re-apply before the closing date to be considered for employment. The Office of Human Resources: Reviews the applicant's application to ensure the proper materials are submitted. Ensures that the application addresses all the qualification requirements (mandatory and preferred) as stated in the vacancy announcement. Determines whether the applicant meets the qualification requirements for the position and notifies the applicant about the status of his or her application. Applicants who meet the mandatory qualification requirements will be considered and their application materials will be forwarded to the screening panel for review. Applicants who do not meet the mandatory qualification requirements for the position are automatically disqualified from consideration. In addition, applicants may be tested using various assessment tools not listed on the vacancy announcement to verify an applicant's experience, knowledge, and training directly related to the job to identify the best qualified applicants for consideration and selection.

HowToApply

In order to be considered, all applicants must submit an electronic resume (limited to 2 pages) and cover letter that address all of the qualification requirements listed in this announcement, and if available, provide a recent job performance evaluation and college transcripts. Applicants will also need to complete the online occupational questionnaire. All applications must be submitted at www.usajobs.gov.

WhatToExpectNext

Applicants who meet the mandatory qualification requirements will be considered and their application materials will be forwarded to the screening panel for review. Applicants who do not meet the mandatory qualification requirements for the position are automatically disqualified from consideration. In addition, some applicants may be tested using various assessment tools not listed on the vacancy announcement to verify an applicant's experience, knowledge, and training directly related to the job in order to identify the best qualified applicants for consideration and selection.

RequiredDocuments

Resume (limited to 2 pages) Cover Letter If available, college transcripts If available, a recent job performance evaluation

Benefits

OtherInformation

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT The selected applicant must relocate to the Washington DC Metropolitan area. This position is in the excepted service and does not carry the tenure rights of positions in the competitive Civil Service. All information is subject to verification. Applicants are advised that false answers or omissions of information on application materials or inability to meet the following conditions may be grounds for non-selection, withdrawal of an offer of employment, or dismissal after being employed. Selection for this position is contingent upon completion of OF-306, Declaration for Federal Employment during the pre-employment process and proof of U.S. citizenship or, for noncitizens, proof of authorization to work in the United States and proof of entitlement to receive compensation. Additional information on the employment of non-citizens can be found at: https://help.usajobs.gov/working-in-government/non-citizensFor a list of documents that may be used to provide proof of citizenship or authorization to work in the United States, please refer to http://www.uscis.gov/files/form/i-9.pdf. The Commission participates in E-Verify and will confirm your authorization to work in the United States. A background security investigation is required for all selectees. Appointment will be subject to a selectee's successful completion of a background security investigation and favorable adjudication. Failure to successfully meet these requirements may be grounds for appropriate personnel action. A background security reinvestigation or supplemental investigation may be required at a later time. All new Commission employees must identify a financial institution for direct deposit of pay before appointment, mandated by the Federal Compensation Act. All new Commission employees, those converted from a temporary appointment to a permanent appointment, and all rehired former Commission employees are required to serve a one-year probationary period. The probationary period begins on the effective date of the employee's appointment, conversion, or rehire.

KeyRequirements

WithinArea

False

CommuteDistance

0

ServiceType

02

AnnouncementClosingType

01

AgencyContactEmail

hr@ussc.gov

AgencyContactPhone

202-502-4500

SecurityClearance

Other

DrugTestRequired

False

PositionSensitivitiy

Moderate Risk (MR)

AdjudicationType

• Suitability/Fitness