ICF International is a distinguished global advisory and technology services provider renowned for tackling the world's toughest challenges. Combining unmatched expertise with cutting-edge technology, ICF aids clients in solving complex issues, navigating change, and shaping the future.

As a Data Scientist at ICF, you'll support the research and development of advanced cyber-analytic capabilities essential for defending US networks and critical information systems. This role involves developing machine learning and deep learning models to provide actionable insights, understanding cyber threats, and contributing to large-scale implementations. With a strong focus on results and a collaborative approach, you'll work on significant projects from the ground up, using the latest technologies, and achieving professional growth. Join ICF and impact the future of cyber security while advancing your career in a dynamic and inclusive environment.

Explore more about the Data Scientist role and the interview process with ICF on Interview Query. Dive into this guide to prepare for your journey with ICF!

Submitting Your Application

The first step is to submit a compelling application that reflects your technical skills and interest in joining ICF Olson as a Data Scientist. Whether you were contacted by an ICF recruiter or have taken the initiative yourself, carefully review the job description and tailor your CV according to the prerequisites.

Tailoring your CV may include identifying specific keywords that the hiring manager might use to filter resumes and crafting a targeted cover letter. Furthermore, don’t forget to highlight relevant skills and mention your work experiences.

Recruiter/Hiring Manager Call Screening

If your CV happens to be among the shortlisted few, a recruiter from the ICF Talent Acquisition Team will make contact and verify key details like your experiences and skill level. Behavioral questions may also be a part of the screening process.

In some cases, the ICF Data Scientist hiring manager stays present during the screening round to answer your queries about the role and the company itself. They may also indulge in surface-level technical and behavioral discussions.

The whole recruiter call should take about 30 minutes.

Technical Virtual Interview

Successfully navigating the recruiter round will present you with an invitation for the technical screening round. Technical screening for the ICF Data Scientist role usually is conducted through virtual means, including video conference and screen sharing. Questions in this 1-hour long interview stage may revolve around data systems, ETL pipelines, and SQL queries.

In the case of data science roles, take-home assignments regarding predictive models, machine learning techniques, and data analysis are incorporated. Apart from these, your proficiency against hypothesis testing, probability distributions, and deep learning fundamentals may also be assessed during the round.

Depending on the seniority of the position, case studies and similar real-scenario problems may also be assigned.

Onsite Interview Rounds

Followed by a second recruiter call outlining the next stage, you’ll be invited to attend the onsite interview loop. Multiple interview rounds, varying with the role, will be conducted during your day at the ICF office. Your technical prowess, including programming and ML modeling capabilities, will be evaluated against the finalized candidates throughout these interviews.

If you were assigned take-home exercises, a presentation round may also await you during the onsite interview for the Data Scientist role at ICF.

Quick Tips For ICF Olson Data Scientist Interviews

• Should contain three tips for interviewing for this specific company based on interview experiences.

Example:

You should plan to brush up on any technical skills and try as many practice interview questions and mock interviews as possible. A few tips for acing your ICF Olson interview include:

• Understand Cyber Security Fundamentals: Given the focus on cyber analytics and protection, having a strong grasp of how cyber-attacks work and how vulnerabilities are exploited can be highly beneficial.
• Be Skilled in Machine Learning: Demonstrate your ability to create and deploy machine learning, deep learning models, and related algorithms. Discuss any past projects where you utilized these techniques effectively.
• Communicate Clearly: Interpersonal skills and the ability to explain technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders are important. Practice discussing your technical skills and past experiences in a clear and concise manner.

Typically, interviews at Icf Olson vary by role and team, but commonly Data Scientist interviews follow a fairly standardized process across these question topics.

• Write a function digit_accumulator to return the sum of every digit in a floating-point number string. You are given a string that represents some floating-point number. Write a function, digit_accumulator, that returns the sum of every digit in the string.

Example:

Input: python s = "123.0045" Output: ```python def digit_accumulator(s) -> 15

Since 1 + 2 + 3 + 0 + 0 + 4 + 5 = 15 ```

• How would you set up an A/B test for multiple changes in a sign-up funnel? A team wants to A/B test various changes in a sign-up funnel. For instance, on a page, a button is red and at the top. They want to see if changing the button’s color to blue and/or moving it to the bottom will increase click-through rates. How would you set up this test?

• How would you verify that an Instagram user is actually a high school student attending the school represented by their sticker? Instagram is releasing a new feature for high schoolers that allows users to identify their school and receive an associated sticker for their profile. How would you verify that a user is genuinely a high school student attending the school they claim?

• What is the probability that a red marble was pulled from Bucket #1? You have two buckets with different distributions of red and black marbles. Your friend pulls a red marble from one of the buckets. Calculate the probability that it was pulled from Bucket #1.

• What is the probability that two red marbles were pulled from Bucket #1? Your friend puts the red marble back and then draws two marbles sequentially, both of which are red. Calculate the probability that both red marbles came from Bucket #1.

• What are time series models and why are they needed over simpler regression models? Explain what time series models are and discuss why they are necessary when simpler regression models are available.

• How would you determine if the difference between this month and the previous month is significant? You have a time series dataset grouped monthly for the past five years. Describe how you would assess whether the difference between this month and the previous month is statistically significant.

• How would you analyze noisy and volatile asset price data to ensure accuracy? You are analyzing the price of a particular asset over time in a noisy and volatile dataset. Describe your approach to ensure there are no discrepancies in the data.

• How would you analyze noisy and volatile asset price data to ensure accuracy? You are working at a global trading company analyzing the price of a particular asset over time. The dataset is noisy, volatile, and not guaranteed to be completely accurate. How would you analyze this data to ensure there aren't any discrepancies?

What is the average salary for a Data Scientist at Icf Olson?

Q: What role does a Senior Data Scientist play at ICF Olson? The Senior Data Scientist at ICF Olson supports the research and development of new cyber analytic capabilities to help protect and defend critical information systems. You will develop machine learning and deep learning models, design custom data models, and interpret results, contributing to the overall understanding of cybersecurity threats and improving algorithmic outcomes.

Q: What are the key requirements for the Data Scientist position at ICF Olson? Candidates must have a high-level security clearance and U.S. citizenship. A background in Computer Science, Statistics, Applied Mathematics, Computational Linguistics, or Artificial Intelligence is required. Practical experience in areas like Natural Language Processing, Machine Learning Models, and Data Science is essential. Familiarity with programming languages such as Python, JavaScript, or R is also necessary.

Q: What makes working at ICF Olson unique? ICF Olson combines unmatched expertise with cutting-edge technology to address complex challenges. The company fosters an inclusive workplace that encourages collaboration and innovation. Employees are empowered to contribute their expertise, work with emerging technologies, and grow their professional careers in a supportive environment.

Q: Are there any preferred skills or experiences for the Data Scientist position? Preferred skills include experience in productizing machine learning algorithms, statistical data analysis, and database querying (e.g., SQL). Interpersonal communication skills, familiarity with general machine learning algorithms, and readiness to collaborate with engineering and product teams are also advantageous.

Q: Is remote work an option for the Data Scientist position at ICF Olson? Yes, this role is primarily telework-based, with occasional meetings at client locations (Arlington, VA or Pensacola, FL) or ICF facilities within the National Capital Region.

Explore more about the role and prepare for your interview with Interview Query!

If you're ready to make a significant impact in the field of cyber security and data science, ICF Olson is the place for you. The opportunities here are abundant, allowing you to leverage your deep learning, machine learning, and data analytics skills to protect our nation's most critical information systems. As you step into this role, you'll not only be contributing to pioneering projects but also working with cutting-edge technologies that will shape the future.

For more insights about the company, check out our main ICF Olson Interview Guide, where we have covered many interview questions that could be asked. We’ve also created interview guides for other roles, such as software engineer and data analyst, where you can learn more about ICF Olson’s interview process for different positions.

At Interview Query, we empower you to unlock your interview prowess with a comprehensive toolkit, equipping you with the knowledge, confidence, and strategic guidance to conquer every ICF Olson data scientist interview question and challenge.

You can check out all our company interview guides for better preparation, and if you have any questions, don’t hesitate to reach out to us.

Good luck with your interview!