Operations Research Analyst

Full Job Description

This position is part of the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA), Office of Cost Estimating and Program Evaluation (CEPE).

A successful candidate in this position will serve on the Cost Estimating Team as a non-supervisory Operations Research Analyst, performing cost estimates, life-cycle cost analysis, cost modeling, and cost-benefit analysis of major nuclear programs and/or projects to inform decision-making of CEPE management and NNSA leadership.

A qualified candidate's online application and resume must demonstrate at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower NNSA Demonstration Project pay band or GS grade level in the Federal service, i.e., NQ-03 or GS-14.

Specialized experience for this position is defined as: experience that demonstrated accomplishment of operations research project assignments that required a wide range of knowledge of mathematical/statistical reasoning requirements and techniques pertinent to the position to be filled.

This knowledge is generally demonstrated by assignments where the applicant conducted operations research using well-established and innovative methods for resolving variances and applied mathematics, economics, data analysis and/or statistics appropriate to solving operations research problems and making recommendations to leadership.

Examples of specialized experience include: 1. Experience in statistical and mathematical methods to assess and/or estimate program cost and schedule and review scope performance. 2.

Independently assessing and performing analysis of major acquisition programs (one hundred million to multi-billion dollars in value). 3.

Experience performing statistical and mathematical modeling, including but not limited to linear and non-linear regression analysis, stochastic uncertainty modeling, and optimization modeling (linear optimization, graph analysis, etc.) Your application and resume should demonstrate that you possess the following competencies.

Do not provide a separate narrative written statement. Rather, you must describe in your application how your past work experience demonstrates that you possess the KSAs identified below.

Cite specific examples of employment or experience contained in your resume and describe how this experience has prepared you to successfully perform the duties of this position.

DO NOT write "see resume" in your application!

Cost Benefit Analysis Cost Estimation and Analysis Mathematical Reasoning Organizational Performance Analysis "Experience" refers to paid and unpaid experience.

Examples of qualifying unpaid experience may include: volunteer work done through National Service programs (such as Peace Corps and AmeriCorps); as well as work for other community-based philanthropic and social organizations.

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 qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of this announcement.

Major Duties:

As an Operations Research Analyst you will: Serve as a subject matter expert for cost estimating, life-cycle cost analysis, cost modeling and the development of cost databases, risk management, and operational research.

Use knowledge of applying appropriate cost estimating and statistics principles and methods, as well as risk management principles, to technically complex systems.

Provide independent technical advice and authoritative recommendations to CEPE leadership, Program Offices, and senior NNSA decision-makers on program affordability, baseline realism, and resource allocation.

Serve as a subject matter expert conducting scientifically based quantitative analysis of NNSA programs and projects to inform baseline decisions, budget formulation, acquisition strategy, and Congressional reporting.

Perform program analysis, including identification of key risks and issues, resource alternatives, and programmatic recommendations, informs the NNSA Future Years Nuclear Security Program (FYNSP) and budget submission under the Planning, Programming, Budgeting, and Evaluation (PPBE system).

Serve as a subject matter expert for the evaluation of the program/project performance, operational effectiveness, operational suitability, and estimated costs and schedules of programs and projects.

Independently evaluates program performance, identifies systemic risks or root causes of cost and schedule growth, and develops actionable recommendations for senior executive leadership.

Analyze cost/financial and technical data to perform analysis, build models, identify trends, and develop tools using appropriate statistical and mathematical techniques.