In an era defined by rapid technological evolution, the ability to convert raw data into actionable intelligence is a cornerstone of national security. Within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), data is not just a collection of numbers; it is a vital asset used to protect American interests, secure international borders, and maintain public safety. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is currently offering an extraordinary career opportunity for a Senior Data Scientist (GS-14) to join its Chief Financial Officer (CFO) division in Washington, D.C.

This high-level federal role is designed for senior analytical professionals who want to apply advanced statistical modeling, data engineering, and automation directly to the financial operations of a massive federal agency. Utilizing Direct Hire Authority (DHA), this position streamlines the federal application process, allowing highly qualified candidates to bypass traditional competitive rating steps. For data science professionals looking to make a profound public impact while enjoying federal job security, competitive compensation, and excellent benefits, this GS-14 role represents the peak of federal career opportunities.

Job Responsibilities

As a GS-14 Data Scientist within the ICE Chief Financial Officer’s team, you will not simply manage databases; you will shape the financial strategies that support national security operations. This role is a mixture of hands-on data engineering, predictive modeling, process automation, and high-level stakeholder management.

Key responsibilities include:

Advanced Financial Analytics: Extracting and analyzing complex, multi-source qualitative and quantitative data to inform high-stakes budget formulations, resource allocations, and financial policy decisions. This involves cleaning, wrangling, and transforming disparate datasets into unified analytical structures.
Data Product Development: Designing, building, and deploying interactive data products. You will create predictive forecasting models, interactive KPI dashboards, automated report generators, and cost-projection calculators to present key insights directly to OCFO executive leadership.
Process Automation: Reviewing current operational and analytical workflows, identifying inefficiencies, and designing automated pipelines to replace manual processes. You will champion the adoption of these modern tools across the division.
Inter-Agency Collaboration & Data Engineering: Collaborating with external and internal data owners to secure access, negotiate data-sharing agreements, and implement strict data governance and management protocols to guarantee the integrity and reliability of critical data assets.
Outreach and Training: Leading training sessions and building the data literacy of OCFO team members. You will act as a resident expert, elevating the analytical capabilities of staff across the entire department.

Requirements & Qualifications

To be considered for this GS-14 Data Scientist position, candidates must meet both the general federal occupational requirements and the specialized experience criteria for the GS-14 grade level.

Basic Educational Requirements

Candidates must hold an appropriate baccalaureate or higher degree from an accredited institution in a major field of study directly related to data science. Acceptable majors include:

Mathematics
Statistics
Computer Science
Data Science

Alternatively, applicants may qualify through a combination of education and experience, provided they have completed at least 30 semester hours of coursework equivalent to a major in one of the fields listed above, combined with professional experience that demonstrates equivalent technical proficiency.

Specialized Experience

In addition to the educational requirements, you must possess at least one full year (12 months) of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-13 grade level in the federal service. Qualifying specialized experience must demonstrate your ability to:

Plan and lead complex studies to answer rapid, ad-hoc inquiries from senior executive leadership.
Build custom applications or tools designed to streamline the collection, storage, and processing of organizational data.
Draft and execute data management, data security, and data governance frameworks across an enterprise.

Strict Resume Standards

One of the most critical aspects of this job posting is the resume limitation. Your resume must not exceed two pages. If you submit a resume that is three pages or longer, only the first two pages will be read by human resources. Any information, accomplishments, or qualifications listed on page three or beyond will be completely disregarded, which could result in disqualification.

Additionally, you must not copy text directly from this job posting, the occupational questionnaire, or duties sections, as doing so will lead to your application being excluded from consideration.

Salary Overview and Grade Comparison

The Data Scientist position is offered at the GS-14 grade level, representing a senior professional career tier in the federal government. The salary range for this position in Washington, D.C., is $143,913 to $187,093 per year.

To help understand how this career path compares to a traditional private-sector equivalent, review the comparison table below:

Feature	Federal Data Scientist (GS-14)	Private Sector Senior Data Scientist
Salary Structure	Defined General Schedule ($143,913 - $187,093)	Highly variable base salary plus equity/bonuses
Core Mission	Enhancing national security and public service	Maximizing corporate profits and shareholder value
Job Stability	Exceptional; highly protected career status	Subject to tech sector market cycles and layoffs
Retirement Plan	FERS Pension + Thrift Savings Plan (5% Match)	401(k) matching without guaranteed pension options
Work-Life Balance	Highly structured hours with predictable schedules	Variable hours, frequent overtime, and on-call expectations

Benefits

Working for the Department of Homeland Security provides access to one of the most comprehensive benefits packages in the country. Key benefits include:

Healthcare & Insurance: Choose from a wide array of premium health, dental, vision, life, and long-term care insurance options for yourself and your family.
Retirement Security: Enjoy a dual-benefit system consisting of the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) pension and the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP), which functions similarly to a 401(k) with up to 5% agency matching.
Paid Time Off: Benefit from structured personal leave accrual, separate sick leave, and 12 fully paid federal holidays annually.
Workplace Flexibility: Opportunities for flexible work schedules, transit subsidies, and access to physical fitness facilities.
Disabled Veteran Leave: Specifically available for federal employees hired on or after November 5, 2016, who have a service-connected disability rating of 30 percent or more.
Professional Development: Access to continuous technical training, academic sponsorships, and potential student loan repayment assistance.

Application Tips & Best Practices

Due to the highly competitive nature of GS-14 positions and the strict submission rules, applicants should approach the application process strategically:

Respect the 2-Page Resume Limit: Ensure your resume is exactly one or two pages long. Use concise, high-impact bullet points that quantify your achievements (e.g., 'Automated 5 financial workflows saving 200 annual work hours').
Be Specific with Dates and Hours: Federal resumes require precise details. For every job listed, include the month/year start and end dates, hours worked per week, and your supervisor's contact information.
Prepare for the USA Hire Assessments: After submitting your initial application, you will be directed to take the online USA Hire Competency Assessments. This multi-hour test measures interpersonal skills, reasoning, and decision-making. Ensure you take this in a quiet, distraction-free environment.
Handle the Essay Questions Honestly: The occupational questionnaire includes four short essay questions (200-word limit each). These are utilized directly by the hiring manager to evaluate your fit. Write these essays originally; using generative AI tools like ChatGPT or Copilot will result in immediate disqualification.
Gather Transcripts Early: You must submit unofficial transcripts to verify your degree major. Ensure these transcripts are clearly legible and in English.

If you are a senior data scientist with a background in mathematics, statistics, or computer science, this GS-14 role with ICE offers the perfect combination of deep technical challenge and high-impact civic duty. By spearheading the CFO's data automation and financial modeling strategies, you will play an indispensable role in safeguarding national infrastructure. Prepare your two-page resume, complete your questionnaires honestly, and take the first step toward a rewarding, highly stable federal career today.

Why This Data Scientist Job Matters

Transform national security finance through advanced data science. Lead analytics and automation as a GS-14 Data Scientist with ICE.

Data Scientist Job Overview

The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Office of the Chief Financial Officer (OCFO) is hiring a Senior Data Scientist (GS-14) in Washington, D.C. This highly influential, non-bargaining unit position focuses on extracting actionable insights from complex qualitative and quantitative data to guide executive-level financial and budgetary decisions. Utilizing Direct Hire Authority, the agency is seeking exceptional technical minds to build automated predictive models, design interactive KPI dashboards, and implement modern data engineering workflows.

Requirements for Data Scientist

U.S. Citizenship is required.
Must successfully pass a Public Trust background investigation.
Subject to pre-employment and random drug testing under the DHS Drug-Free Workplace Plan.
Hold a baccalaureate or higher degree in mathematics, statistics, computer science, data science, or a directly related field (or an equivalent combination of education and experience containing at least 30 semester hours in these subjects).
Possess at least one full year (12 months) of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-13 grade level.
Resume must be strictly limited to a maximum of two pages. Content beyond page two will not be reviewed.
Must complete the mandatory online USA Hire Competency Assessments.

Preferred Qualifications for Data Scientist

Extensive experience designing automated data pipelines to replace manual processes.
Track record of developing executive-level interactive data products such as forecasting calculators and KPI dashboards.
Proficiency in coordinating with technical and non-technical stakeholders to secure data-sharing agreements.
Strong communication skills with experience training end-users to adopt new data-driven platforms.

Federal Benefits & Perks

✓Comprehensive Federal Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance options.
✓Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) with up to 5% agency matching contributions.
✓Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) pension plan.
✓Generous personal leave accrual, separate sick leave, and 12 paid federal holidays annually.
✓Flexible work schedules and transit subsidies.
✓Student loan repayment incentives (subject to service agreements).
✓Disabled Veteran leave eligibility for qualifying service-connected disabilities (30% or more).

💡 How to Apply Data Scientist Job & Insider Tips

Application Steps for Data Scientist Job

Tailor your federal resume, ensuring it does not exceed the strict 2-page limit.
Gather supporting documents, such as unofficial college transcripts, DD-214 (if applicable), and ICTAP notices.
Click the online application portal link and sign into or create your USAJOBS account.
Complete the occupational questionnaire, which includes four short essay questions (max 200 words each).
Submit your resume, questionnaire, and all supporting documentation before the closing deadline.
Monitor your email for a unique link to complete the required online USA Hire Competency Assessments.

💡 General Tips

Strictly adhere to the two-page resume limit; any information on subsequent pages is completely ignored during qualification reviews.
Be explicit and detailed when describing your experience; HR specialists will not make assumptions regarding your actual qualifications.
Do not copy and paste text directly from the job posting or assessment questionnaire, as this will lead to immediate disqualification.
Draft the four optional 200-word essay questions in your own words, without using AI writing tools like ChatGPT, and certify originality.
Set aside at least two hours in a quiet, distraction-free environment to complete the USA Hire online assessments.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the deadline to apply for this position?

The application window is very short. You must submit your complete application package and all required documents by July 23, 2026, at 11:59 PM Eastern Standard Time.

What is Direct Hire Authority (DHA)?

DHA enables ICE to recruit and hire qualified candidates directly without using standard competitive rating steps, the 'Rule of Three', or veteran's preference ranking, allowing for an expedited hiring process.

Is a security clearance required for this position?

No formal security clearance is specified, but you must successfully pass a comprehensive Public Trust background investigation and maintain fitness suitability throughout your employment.

Is there a resume page limit?

Yes. There is a strict limit of 2 pages. If you submit a resume longer than 2 pages, only the first 2 pages will be evaluated to determine your eligibility.

Does this job require drug testing?

Yes. This is a critical-sensitive position. All tentatively selected applicants must pass a pre-employment drug screening, and employees will be subject to random drug testing.

What is the deadline to apply for this role?

The application window is exceptionally short. You must submit your complete application, questionnaire, and supporting documents by July 23, 2026, at 11:59 PM Eastern Standard Time.

Does this position require a security clearance?

While a formal security clearance is not marked as required, you must successfully pass a comprehensive Public Trust background investigation and maintain fitness suitability as a condition of employment.

What is a Direct Hire Authority?

Direct Hire Authority (DHA) allows agencies with critical hiring needs to recruit directly. Traditional processes like the 'Rule of Three' or competitive ranking do not apply, enabling a much faster job offer process.

Is there a drug testing requirement?

Yes. Because this is a critical-sensitive position, all tentative selectees must pass a pre-employment drug screening. Additionally, employees in this role are subject to random drug testing throughout their employment. ---

Job from Immigration And Customs Enforcement

Established in 2003 through a merger of the investigative and interior enforcement elements of the U.S. Customs Service and the Immigration and Naturalization Service, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) serves as the primary investigative arm of the Department of Homeland Security. Today, ICE is the second-largest investigative agency in the federal government, employing more than 20,000 personnel across more than 400 offices domestically and globally.

ICE is tasked with a critical, multi-layered mission: preventing terrorism, combating the illegal movement of people and goods, and executing smart immigration enforcement. To sustain these operations, the agency relies on a massive infrastructure governed by the Office of the Chief Financial Officer (OCFO). The OCFO is responsible for managing ICE's multi-billion-dollar budget, ensuring financial integrity, and optimizing resource allocation. By joining the OCFO as a Data Scientist, you will directly support the leaders who keep this critical national security agency running efficiently.