OPERATIONS RESEARCH ANALYST

Full Job Description

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The primary purpose of this position is to to provide professional and scientific expertise in performance of work requiring the application of engineering, mathematics, statistical analysis, modeling/simulation, and/or other scientific principles, methods, and techniques Experience requirements are described in the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualification Standards for General Schedule Positions, GROUP COVERAGE QUALIFICATION STANDARD FOR PROFESSIONAL AND SCIENTIFIC POSITIONS, and Individual Occupational Requirements for GS-1515 positions.

Due to the use of 120-day rosters, this period of experience may be completed within 120 days of the closing date of this announcement.

BASIC REQUIREMENTS OR INDIVIDUAL OCCUPATIONAL REQUIREMENT: Degree: in 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.

Courses acceptable for qualifying for operations research positions may have been taken in departments other than Operations Research, e.g., Engineering (usually Industrial Engineering), Science, Economics, Mathematics, Statistics, or Management Science.

The following are illustrative of acceptable courses: optimization; mathematical modeling; queueing theory; engineering; physics (except descriptive or survey courses); econometrics; psychometrics; biometrics; experimental psychology; physical chemistry; industrial process analysis; managerial economics; computer science; measurement for management; mathematical models in social phenomena; and courses that involved application of operations research techniques and methodologies to problems of management, marketing, systems design, and other specialized fields; or other comparable quantitative analysis courses for which college-level mathematics or statistics is a prerequisite.

Courses in theory of probability and statistics are highly desirable, but are not specified as minimum educational requirements because to do so would possibly exclude some applicants who would otherwise be well qualified.

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: Applicants must have at least one year (52 weeks) of specialized experience at the next lower grade GS-12, or equivalent in other pay systems.

Examples of specialized experience includes: using professional knowledge of engineering, mathematics, statistical analysis, modeling/simulation, software development and/or other scientific concepts, principles, standards, methods, techniques, practices, and procedures; demonstrating knowledge and understanding of agency, and national-level doctrine, regulations, policies, guidelines, requirements, and initiatives related to assigned program(s) and/or project(s); using skill in applying analytical and evaluative techniques to identify, investigate, resolve complex issues or problems, and modify standard practices and techniques to solve complex interrelated problems; using skill, judgment, resourcefulness, originality, and ability to foresee the impact of changing technology and demonstrate the ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing, in order to produce highly technical reports, position papers, and briefings; resolve conflicts based on mature judgment and experience; effectively negotiate complex issues; and maintain good working relationships.

NOTE: Due to the use of 120-day rosters, this period of experience may be completed within 120 days of the closing date of this announcement.

FEDERAL TIME-IN-GRADE (TIG) REQUIREMENT FOR GENERAL SCHEDULE (GS) POSITIONS: Merit promotion applicants must meet applicable time-in-­grade requirements to be considered eligible.

One year at the GS-12 level is required to meet the time-in-grade requirements for the GS-13 level. TIG applies if you are in a current GS position or held a GS position within the previous 52 weeks.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES (KSAs): Your qualifications will be evaluated on the basis of your level of knowledge, skills, abilities and/or competencies in the following areas: 1.

Professional knowledge of engineering, mathematics, statistical analysis, modeling/simulation, software development and/or other scientific concepts, principles, standards, methods, techniques, practices, and procedures.

2.

Knowledge and understanding of agency, AF, Department of Defense (DOD) and national-level doctrine, regulations, policies, guidelines, requirements, and initiatives related to assigned program(s) and/or project(s).

3. Knowledge of security procedures to maintain control of classified material. 4.

Skill in applying analytical and evaluative techniques to identify, investigate, resolve complex issues or problems, and modify standard practices and techniques to solve complex interrelated problems.

5. Skill, judgment, resourcefulness, originality, and ability to foresee the impact of changing technology. 6.

Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing, in order to produce highly technical reports, position papers, and briefings; resolve conflicts based on mature judgment and experience; effectively negotiate complex issues; and maintain good working relationships.

PART-TIME OR UNPAID EXPERIENCE: Credit will be given for appropriate unpaid and or part-time work.

You must clearly identify the duties and responsibilities in each position held and the total number of hours per week.

VOLUNTEER WORK EXPERIENCE: Refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service Programs (i.e., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community; student and social).

Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge and skills that can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment.

You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Major Duties:

Performs a broad range of advanced technical assignments entailing unique problems, creativity, innovative use of complex techniques, advanced approaches, and/or new technologies.

Utilizes scientific inquiry in the independent development of new or substantially improved software, equipment, materials, instrumentation, devices, systems, mathematical models, processes, techniques, and/or procedures with many advanced interrelationships to evaluate and predict the ability to support assigned projects, studies, or problems.

Provides technical guidance, theoretical expertise, advisory support, and assistance on an entire project and/or major phases for broad and varied operations.

Attends meetings, conferences, briefings, and seminars related to program planning, advanced technologies, and complex support system concepts.

Accomplishes professional development and maintains technical proficiency