Operations Research Analyst

Summary This position is located in the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Office of the Chief Readiness Support Officer (OCRSO). The primary purpose of this position is to provide support and oversight in all aspects of cost estimating, program analysis, and resource decision-making for asset management and logistics support programs across DHS. Non-BU: This is a non-bargaining unit position. Responsibilities As a Operations Research Analyst, GS-1515-13/14, your typical work assignments may include the following: Provides cost analysis and program analyst support for major acquisition and infrastructure programs at DHS. Maintains close interaction with cost estimating, program management, and technical representatives of contractors, Components, programs, and other organizations for the purpose of providing advice and guidance on cost estimating, program analysis, and resource management. Develops cost models and program evaluation tools, including cost sensitivity and cost benefit analyses, communicated to top DHS management within a very short time frame. Performs analyses of Chief Readiness Support Officer (CRSO) programs and presents results to appropriate DHS stakeholders. Presents briefings on results of cost analysis and program evaluation to various senior DHS personnel. Performs a wide variety of budget and analytical duties on annual and/or multi-year budget estimates for assigned programs during the formulation, execution, and evaluation phases of the Planning, Programming, Budget and Execution (PPBE) cycle. All DHS-HQ announcements have a 5 business day open period due to the number of applications received. This announcement will be open for 5 business days OR until the first 100 applications have been received, whichever happens first. View common definitions of terms found in this announcement: Common Definitions. Requirements Conditions of Employment Qualifications Applicants must possess the Basic Requirement AND Specialized Experience Requirement below to qualify. Basic 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. Note: Transcripts must be submitted with your application. 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. Specialized Experience: You qualify for the GS-13 grade level if you possess one year of specialized experience, equivalent to the GS-12 grade level in the Federal government, performing duties such as: Developing and presenting life cycle cost estimates and cost models for major acquisition and real property infrastructure programs to senior management and stakeholders. Conducting affordability analyses and program evaluations in support of annual budget reviews, including the formulation, execution, and evaluation phases of the Planning, Programming, Budget and Execution (PPBE) cycle. AND Providing technical guidance and training to program offices and component representatives on cost estimating methodologies, tools, and best practices for resource allocation and program analysis. You qualify for the GS-14 grade level if you possess one year of specialized experience, equivalent to the GS-13 grade level in the Federal government, performing duties such as: Leading the development and implementation of cost estimating guidance, policies, and analytical tools for major acquisition and infrastructure programs, ensuring alignment with organizational objectives and national security priorities. Advising executive leadership and Acquisition Decision Authorities on complex cost risk assessments, uncertainty analyses, and capital plan evaluations to inform resource allocation and strategic decision-making. AND Representing the organization at interagency meetings, technical conferences, and briefings, providing expert recommendations and responses on cost analysis and program evaluation issues to senior officials, congressional stakeholders, and external partners. Substitution of education in lieu of specialized experience may not be used for this grade level. All qualifications and eligibility requirements must be met by the closing date of the announcement. Time-in-grade: Current General Schedule (GS) federal employees, and those that have served in GS positions within the last 52 weeks, must have served 52 weeks at the next lower grade, or a combination of the next lower grade level and an equivalent band in the federal service by the closing of this announcement. Note: Current or former Federal employees MUST submit a copy of their SF-50 Form which shows competitive service appointment ("position occupied" block 34 on the SF-50 should show a "1"), tenure group (block 24 should show a 1 or 2), grade, and salary. If you are applying for a higher grade, please provide the SF-50 Form which shows the length of time you have been in your current/highest grade (examples of appropriate SF-50s include promotions, With-in Grade/Range Increases, and SF-50s dated a year apart within the same grade/job). If you have promotion potential in your current position, please provide proof. Employees applying with an interchange agreement must provide proof of their permanent appointment. IF YOU DO NOT SUBMIT ALL OF THE REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION, YOU WILL NOT RECEIVE CONSIDERATION AS A STATUS CANDIDATE. 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. Current or Former Political Appointees: 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. Education Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications; applicant's resumes and supporting documentation should only reflect education received from schools accredited by such institutions. Applicants can verify accreditation at the following Website: if you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency (a U.S. private organization's interpretation that such education has been deemed at least equivalent to conventional U.S. education programs) with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For more information regarding evaluation of foreign education for federal employment, please visit the U.S. Department of Education webpage on the Recognition of Foreign Qualifications. Additional Information Reasonable Accommodation (RA) Requests: If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be granted the opportunity to request a RA in your online application. Requests for RA for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for RA must be received prior to starting the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. Decisions on requests for RA are made on a case-by-case basis. If you meet the minimum qualifications of the position, after notification of the adjudication of your request, you will receive an email invitation to complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, based on your adjudication decision. You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, if you received the link after the close of the announcement. To determine if you need a RA, please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments here: The Department of Homeland Security encourages persons with disabilities to apply, to include persons with intellectual, severe physical or psychiatric disabilities, as defined by 5 CFR 213.3102(u), and or Disabled Veterans with a compensable service-connected disability of 30 percent or more as defined by 5 CFR 315.707. Veterans, Peace Corps, VISTA volunteers, and persons with disabilities possess a wealth of unique talents, experiences, and competencies that can be invaluable to the DHS mission. If you are a member of one of these groups, you may not have to compete with the public for federal jobs. To determine your eligibility for non-competitive appointment and to understand the required documentation, click on the links above or contact the servicing Human Resources Office listed at the bottom of this announcement. Pursuant to Executive Order 12564 and DHS policy, DHS is committed to maintaining a drug-free workplace and, therefore, conducts random and other drug testing of its employees in order to ensure a safe and healthy work environment. Headquarters personnel in safety- or security-sensitive positions are subject to random drug testing and all applicants tentatively selected for employment at DHS Headquarters are subject to drug testing resulting in a negative test result. This position may be filled at the GS-13 or GS-14 level. If selection is made at the GS-13 level, promotion to the GS-14 level may occur without further competition. You will be required to complete an OGE 450, Confidential Financial Disclosure Form. Background Investigation: To ensure the accomplishment of our mission, DHS requires every employee to be reliable and trustworthy. To meet those standards, all selected applicants must undergo and successfully pass a background investigation for SECRET CLEARANCESECRET as a condition of placement in this NONCRITICAL SENSITIVE position. This review may include financial issues such as delinquency in the payment of debts, child support and/or tax obligations, as well as certain criminal offenses and illegal use or possession of drugs.