Position Classification Flysheet for Data Science Series, 1560

1 Data Science Series, 1560 December 2021 Position Classification Flysheet for Data Science Series, 1560 Table of Contents Introduction ..2 Coverage .. 2 Establishing the Occupational Series and 2 General Series Determination Guidelines ..3 Classifying Professional Scientific Work ..4 Distinguishing Between Professional, Administrative, and Technical Work ..5 Official Titling Provisons .. 7 Impact of Automation .. 12 Additonal Occupational Considerations .. 13 Crosswalk to the Standard Occupational Classification .. 16 Grading Instructions ..17 Explanatory Material ..18 Data Science Series, 1560 December 2021 2 Office of Personnel Management Introduction This Position Classification Flysheet establishes the Data Science Series, 1560, and provides the series definition and titling instructions. In the General Schedule Position Classification system established under chapter 51 of title 5, United States Code, the positions addressed here would be two-grade interval positions.

2 The term General Schedule or GS denotes the major Position Classification system and pay structure for white collar work in the Federal Government. Agencies that are no longer subject to chapter 51 have replaced the GS pay plan indicator with agency-unique pay plan indicators. For that reason, reference to General Schedule or GS has been omitted from this Flysheet . Coverage This Position Classification Flysheet covers the following occupational series: Data Science Series, 1560 Establishing the Occupational Series and Standard Issuance of this Flysheet establishes this occupational series as described in the following table. The table also indicates how to classify work covered by this series. New/Previous Series or Guidance Action Taken/How to Classify Work Previously Covered Data Science Series 1560 Refer to the Job Family Standard forProfessional Work in the MathematicalSciences Group, Science Series, 1560 December 2021 3 Office of Personnel Management General Series Determination Guidelines Determining the correct series for a Position is usually apparent by reviewing its assigned duties and responsibilities and then comparing them to the series definitions and general occupational information the Classification Flysheet or standard provides.

3 Generally, the classifier decides the series for a Position based on the primary work of the Position , the highest level of work performed, and the paramount knowledge required to do the work of the Position . In some situations, however, following this guidance may present difficulties. When the work of a Position matches more than one occupation, then use the following guidelines to determine the appropriate series for Classification purposes. Paramount knowledge required. Although there may be several different kindsof work in the Position , most positions will have a paramount knowledgerequirement. The paramount knowledge is the most important type of subjectmatter knowledge or experience required to do the work. Reason for existence. The primary purpose of the Position or management sintent in establishing the Position is a positive indicator for determining theappropriate series. Organizational mission and/or function. Positions generally align with themission and function of the organization to which they are assigned.

4 Theorganization s function is often mirrored in the organizational title and mayinfluence the appropriate series. Recruitment source. Supervisors and managers can help by identifying theoccupational series that provides the best qualified applicants to do the is closely related to the paramount knowledge Additional Occupational Considerations section of this Flysheet provides examples where the work may involve applying related knowledge and skills, but not to the extent that it warrants Classification to this occupation. For further guidance, refer to The Classifier s Handbook. Data Science Series, 1560 December 2021 4 Office of Personnel Management Classifying Professional Scientific Work Professional scientific work involves exercising discretion, analytical skill, judgment, personal accountability and responsibility for creating, developing, integrating, applying, and sharing an organized body of knowledge that characteristically is: uniquely acquired through extensive education or training at a recognized college or university; equivalent to the curriculum requirements for a bachelor's or higher degree with major study in or pertinent to the specialized field; and continuously studied to explore, extend, and use additional discoveries, interpretations, and applications to improve data quality, materials, equipment, applications, and methods.

5 Data scientist work classified in this series includes professional knowledge and skills acquired through extensive education or training equivalent to higher levels of formal education. Data scientist work requires continued competence in the field of data Science . Interdisciplinary Professional Positions An interdisciplinary Position is a Position involving duties and responsibilities closely related to more than one professional occupation. As a result, you could classify the Position into two or more professional occupational series. The nature of the work is such that persons with education and experience in two or more professions may be considered equally well qualified to do the work. In both categories the Position description should show clearly that the Position is interdisciplinary and indicate the various series in which the Position could be classified. The final Classification of the Position is determined by the qualifications of the person selected to fill it.

6 Data scientist work may overlap with other types of work given similarities in duties and responsibilities. A thorough analysis of the work is required to determine the appropriate series and/or any overlap with other positions. For further guidance on the use and Classification of interdisciplinary positions, refer to The Classifier s Handbook. Data Science Series, 1560 December 2021 5 Office of Personnel Management Distinguishing Between Professional, Administrative, and Technical Work Distinguishing between professional, administrative, and technical work requires the proper analysis of positions duties/responsibilities and the qualifications required to perform the work upon entry into the Position . Professional, administrative, and technical work include specific characteristics as described below. Professional Work Professional work requires knowledge in a field of Science or learning characteristically acquired through education or training equivalent to a bachelor s or higher degree with major study in or pertinent to the specialized field, as distinguished from general education.

7 Work is professional when it requires the exercise of discretion, judgment, and personal responsibility for the application of an organized body of knowledge that is constantly studied to make new discoveries and interpretations, and to improve data, materials, and methods. When professional work is not inherent in a Position , the Position is classified in a nonprofessional series, based on the duties and responsibilities assigned and the qualifications required to do the work. Administrative Work Administrative work involves the exercise of analytical ability, judgment, discretion, and personal responsibility, and the application of a substantial body of knowledge of principles, concepts, and practices applicable to one or more fields of administration or management. While these positions do not require specialized education, they do involve the type of skills (analytical, research, writing, judgment) typically gained through a college level education, or through progressively responsible experience.

8 Employees engaged in administrative work are concerned with analyzing, evaluating, modifying, and developing the basic programs, policies, and procedures which facilitate the work of Federal agencies and their programs. They apply a knowledge of administrative analysis, theory, and principles in adapting practice to the unique requirements of a particular program. Technical Work Technical work is typically associated with and supportive of a professional or administrative field. It involves extensive practical knowledge, gained through experience and/or specific training less than that represented by college graduation. Work in these occupations may involve substantial elements of the work of the professional or administrative field but requires less than full knowledge of the field involved. Data Science Series, 1560 December 2021 6 Office of Personnel Management For further guidance on making distinctions between professional, administrative, and technical positions can be found in the Introduction to the Position Classification Standards.

9 Data Science Series, 1560 December 2021 7 Office of Personnel Management Official Titling Provisions Title 5, United States Code, requires the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) to establish authorized official Position titles to include a basic title may be appended with one or more prefixes and/or suffixes. Agencies must use the official Position titles for human resources management, budget, and fiscal purposes. Instructions for assigning official Position titles are provided in this section. Supervisors and Leaders Add the prefix Supervisory to the basic title when the agency classifies the Position as supervisory. If the Position is covered by the General Schedule, refer to the General Schedule Supervisory Guide for additional titling information. Add the prefix Lead to the basic title when the agency classifies the Position as leader. If the Position is covered by the General Schedule, refer to the General Schedule Leader Grade Evaluation Guide for additional titling information.

10 Specialty or Parenthetical Titles Specialty titles are typically displayed in parentheses and referred to as parenthetical titles. Agencies may supplement the authorized title with agency established parenthetical titles if necessary, for recruitment or other human resources needs. See the Data Scientist Titling Guidance Memorandum for additional guidance on using the data scientist parenthetical title. Organizational Titles Organizational and functional titles do not replace, but rather complement, official Position titles. Agencies may establish organizational and functional titles for internal administration, public convenience, program management, or similar purposes. Examples of organizational titles are Branch Chief or Division Chief. Examples of functional titles are Chief of Data Development and Chief of Operations. Data Science Series, 1560 December 2021 8 Office of Personnel Management Data Science Series, 1560 Qualification Standard Series Definition This series covers professional positions which primarily involve work related to identifying the methods, processes, algorithms, tools, and systems to extract and interpret findings from varied structured and unstructured data sets related to the data Science lifecycle.