Data and AI Risk & Ethics Specialist

Duties

As a Data and AI Risk & Ethics Specialist at the GS-1501-12 some of your typical work assignments may include:

• Performs comprehensive risk assessments of Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (AI/ML) solutions to identify technical, operational, societal, organizational, and mission-related risks throughout the AI lifecycle.
• Develops and implements risk-mitigation strategies to address AI/ML vulnerabilities, data-poisoning threats, bias, model failures, and other identified risks.
• Establishes quantitative and qualitative methods and metrics for measuring and monitoring AI risks, including sensitivity, specificity, likelihood, confidence levels, and potential consequences.
• Communicates AI risk-assessment findings and mitigation recommendations to leadership and represents the organization in DoW and interagency Responsible AI meetings, committees, conferences, and working groups.
• Coordinates with AI developers, privacy officials, cybersecurity personnel, legal experts, and program officials to resolve concerns involving Personally Identifiable Information (PII), Protected Health Information (PHI), data privacy, and data reusability.
• Develops procedures for reporting, documenting, monitoring, and resolving ethical, privacy, security, performance, and implementation concerns involving AI solutions.
• Communicates AI risk-assessment findings and mitigation recommendations to leadership and represents the organization in DoW and interagency Responsible AI meetings, committees, conferences, and working groups.

Requirements

Conditions of employment

• Must be a U.S. citizen
• Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective Service
• Resume and supporting documents (See How To Apply)
• Suitable for Federal employment, determined by a background investigation
• May be required to successfully complete a probationary period
• Work Schedule: Full Time
• Overtime: Occasionally
• Tour of Duty: Flexible
• Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
• Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA): Exempt
• Financial Disclosure: Not Required
• Telework Eligibility: This position is situational telework eligible
• Must be able to obtain and maintain a secret security clearance. Failure to obtain, or retain, a secret security clearance may result in termination of employment.
• Must be able to pass a pre-employment drug screening test, and periodic testing thereafter.
• Must obtain and/or hold DCWF certification(s) within 6 months of employment. Failure to maintain DCWF certification(s) and comply with background investigations.

Qualifications

To qualify for a Data and AI Risk & Ethics Specialist, your resume and supporting documentation must support:

A. Basic Requirements: Applicants must meet one of the following requirements:

• Degree: Mathematics, statistics, or actuarial science. The degree must be in a major field of study (at least at the baccalaureate level) that is appropriate for the position. OR
• Combination of education and experience: Courses equivalent to a major field of study as shown in paragraph A above, plus additional education or appropriate experience.

B. Specialized Experience: One year of specialized experience that equipped you with the particular competencies to successfully perform the duties of the position and is directly in or related to this position. To qualify at the GS-12 level, applicants must possess one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-11 level or equivalent under other pay systems in the Federal service, military or private sector. Applicants must meet eligibility requirements including minimum qualifications, and any other regulatory requirements by the cut-off/closing date of the announcement. Creditable specialized experience includes:

• Evaluating Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (AI/ML) systems to identify technical, operational, security, societal, organizational, and mission risks, including operational vulnerabilities and data-poisoning risks.
• Applying the DoW AI Ethical Principles, DoW Unbiased AI Principles, Responsible AI Guidelines, Risk Management Framework (RMF), DoW Cloud Computing Security Requirements Guide, or comparable governance and risk-management standards to support responsible AI development and use.
• Collaborating with appropriate technical, legal, privacy, cybersecurity, and program personnel to assess and address data privacy, data security, and data reusability concerns involving Personally Identifiable Information (PII), Protected Health Information (PHI), or other sensitive data used in AI/ML solutions.
• Preparing and communicating AI risk-assessment findings, mitigation strategies, governance guidance, and policy recommendations to organizational leaders, AI developers, program officials, DoW components, interagency partners, or other stakeholders.
• Reviewing and documenting AI design, development, acquisition, testing, deployment, or use activities to ensure identified risks, technical decisions, risk controls, system changes, and assurance efforts are properly documented and updated throughout the AI lifecycle.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

*NOTE: Failure to provide transcripts will result in you being rated ineligible for this position.

Education

Substitution of education may not be used in lieu of specialized experience for this grade level.

Additional information

This position has been identified as covered by DoW 8140.03-M, Defense Cybersecurity Workforce Framework (DCWF) Program.DoW Cyber Work Role (CWR) Code:Primary CWR Code: 733 AI Risk & Ethics SpecialistProficiency Level: Intermediate

Veterans Employment Opportunity Act (VEOA): To be eligible for a VEOA appointment under Merit Promotion procedures, the veteran must be a preference eligible or a veteran separated after 3 years or more of continuous active service performed under honorable conditions.

Interagency Career Transition Assistance Programs: This program applies to employees who have been involuntarily separated from a Federal service position within the competitive service or Federal service employees whose positions have been deemed surplus or no longer needed. To receive selection priority for this position, you must: 1) meet ICTAP eligibility criteria; 2) be rated well-qualified for the position; Well qualified is defined as possessing the type and quality of experience that exceeds the positions minimum qualifications. and 3) submit the appropriate documentation to support your ICTAP eligibility. For more information: .

Noncompetitive Appointment Authorities: For more information on noncompetitive appointment authority eligibility requirements:

Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered or exempt from Selective Service (see )

The selecting official may choose to conduct interviews, and once the selection is made, you will receive a notification of the decision.

NOTE: Declining to be interviewed or failure to report for a scheduled interview will be considered as a declination for further consideration for employment against this vacancy.

Selective Service Requirement: Please visit for more information.

For more information, please visit

Re-employed Annuitant: This position Does/Does not meet criteria for re-employed annuitant. The DoD criteria for hiring Re-employed Annuitants can be found at:

This position is subject to an initial drug screening, and random testing thereafter. A negative drug test result must be received by HR within 30 calendar days after the EOD (i.e., start date). The selectee's inability successfully pass; or refusal to conduct the test may result in: 1) the tentative or FJO being withdrawn during the recruitment process; or 2) subsequently being removed from Federal service for failure to meet a condition of employment.

You may be required to sign a "Drug Test Statement of Understanding" if you are selected for this position.

Status candidates must meet time-in-grade requirements (52 weeks at the next lower grade level).