Operations Research Analyst

Full Job Description

Organizational Location: This position is with the Department of Homeland Security, within U.S.

Customs and Border Protection, Office of Acquisition, Business Operations Division, located in one of the following locations: Washington, DC Ashburn, VA This position has an Individual Occupational Requirement (Basic Requirement).

Basic Requirement: You must provide supporting documentation in your application to show you meet the basic requirement below.

Degree: Operations research or at least 24 semester hours in a combination of operations research, mathematics, probability, statistics, mathematical logic, science, or subject-matter courses requiring substantial competence in college-level mathematics or statistics.

At least 3 of the 24 semester hours must have been in calculus.

Evaluation of Education: The primary requirement of operations research work is competence in the rigorous methods of scientific inquiry and analysis rather than in the subject matter of the problem.

Therefore, applicants should have sufficient knowledge of applied mathematics to understand and use the fundamental concepts and techniques of operations research methods of analysis.

In addition, some positions may require knowledge of a specific subject area.

You qualify for this position if you meet the basic requirement listed above and possess the specialized experience, as described below: Specialized Experience: You qualify for the GS-14 grade level if you possess 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level, performing duties such as: Applying cost estimating and analysis best practices, methodologies and/or new approaches.

Resolving unique cost estimating problems, issues, or significantly impacting standard cost estimating practices, using new technology or processes, and Cost estimating techniques.

Providing appropriate levels of cost analyses expertise to support acquisition decisions by responsible program offices.

Providing cost analysis recommendations for advancing programs, processes, and/or estimating methods.

Developing and executing significant cost estimates to inform, impact, or enhance the execution of the organizational mission.

NOTE: Your resume must explicitly indicate how you meet this requirement, otherwise you will be found ineligible.

Please see the "Required Documents" section below for additional resume requirements.

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.

You must meet all qualification requirements, including education if applicable to this position, subject to verification at any stage of the application process by 03/31/2026.

The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) must authorize employment offers made to current or former political appointees.

If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES or Presidential Appointee employee in the Executive Branch, you must disclose this information to the Human Resources Office.

Background Investigation: U.S.

Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is a federal law enforcement agency that requires all applicants to undergo a thorough background investigation prior to employment in order to promote the agency's core values of vigilance, service to country, and integrity.

During the screening and/or background investigation process, you will be asked questions regarding any felony criminal convictions or current felony charges, the use of illegal drugs (e.g., marijuana, cocaine, heroin, LSD, methamphetamines, ecstasy), and the use of non-prescribed controlled substances including any experimentation, possession, sale, receipt, manufacture, cultivation, production, transfer, shipping, trafficking, or distribution of controlled substances.

For additional information on the preemployment process, review the following link: Applicant Resources | CBP Careers Residency: There is a residency requirement for all applicants not currently employed by CBP.

Individuals are required to have physically resided in the United States or its protectorates (as declared under international law) for at least three of the last five years.

If you do not meet the residency requirement and you have been physically located in a foreign location for more than two of the last five years, you may request an exception to determine if you are eligible for a residency waiver by meeting one or more of the following conditions: Working for the U.S.

Government as a federal civilian or as a member of the military A dependent who was authorized to accompany a federal civilian or member of the military who was working for the U.S.

government Participation in a study abroad program sponsored by a U.S. affiliated college or university Working as a contractor, intern, consultant or volunteer supporting the U.S.

government Probationary Period: All employees new to the federal government must serve a one year probationary period during the first year of his/her initial permanent federal appointment to determine fitness for continued employment.

Current and former federal employees may be required to serve or complete a probationary period. Major Duties:

Joining Customs & Border Protection (CBP), Office of Acquisition, will allow you to use your expertise in operations research to perform cost estimating and analysis for CBP programs.

This position starts at a salary of $143,913.00 (GS-14, Step 1) to $187,093.00 (GS-14, Step 10).

Apply for this exciting opportunity to strengthen the Department's ability to perform homeland security functions by utilizing operations research analysis principles and concepts to perform a full range of cost estimate and cost analysis duties, that support the improvement of cost estimating/analysis for all program systems within CBP.

In this Operations Research Analyst position you will become a key team member of Homeland Security and U.S.

Customs and Border Protection (CBP) professionals involved in cost estimating and analysis, planning, developing, monitoring, and coordinating cost analysis matters; serving as an advisor on matters involving cost estimating and analysis; and formulating of policy to improve cost estimating/analysis.

Typical Work assignments include: Developing and reviewing Life-Cycle Cost Estimates (LCCEs) for key program decision points (as required) and identifying areas of improvement in CBP cost analysis capabilities and performance.

Planning and conducting cost studies on major and non-major Acquisition systems as required by the Component Acquisition Executive (CAE) and as a senior cost expert within CBP, provides counsel to the Program Manager, the CSM, Branch Chief, BOD Director and the CAE on the quality and adequacy of program cost estimates.

Developing cost models and cost estimating relationships, performs cost sensitivity and risk analysis, determines whether analyses include all lifecycle costs and clearly communicates findings to top CBP management within time constraints.

Adapting mathematical, statistical, econometric, and other scientific methods to the CBP cost analysis application; and use these adaptions to draft policy and formulate procedures that support CBP's cost management system (CMS) efforts to improve cost estimating/analysis for all systems/programs within CBP.

Briefing and presenting results of cost estimating products to various senior CBP and DHS staff as required.