Operations Research Analyst

Summary

This position is located in the Air Traffic Organization (ATO), System Operations Services, Office of Performance Analysis, This office is responsible for assessing the operational performance of the airlines and the aviation system, and providing analytical products and services to Senior Leadership, ATO personnel, the Aviation Industry, and Academia.

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Duties

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The Operations Research Analyst performs multiple, varying and complex assignments under the minimal direction of a manager, project/program manager. Acts as principal technical analyst or as a project manager or team leader for large work activities. Provides guidance to lower-level staff on how to solve difficult technical issues. Resolves all, but unique technical problems without the intervention of management or a more experienced analyst. Develops plans, techniques and policies to address current or anticipated problems and issues. Works with management to solve problems. Typical assignments include aviation data analysis using statistical techniques or fast-time simulation models as well as oversight of office contracts and support contractors. Performs complex system design and integration, extensive research and analysis, and directs responsibility for project/program management. The work involves originating new and improved applications and strategies for existing and new concepts and principles related to the operations of the airlines, aviation system, and industry representative groups.

Applies experience and comprehensive technical knowledge of operations research mathematical, statistical, econometric and scientific theories, principles, concepts, methods and techniques to solve complex problems and to develops improved technical processes or systems. Formulate mathematical or simulation models of problems, relating constants and variables, restrictions, alternatives, conflicting objectives, and their numerical parameters. Evaluates data to develop plans to improve operations for aviation stakeholders. The analyst has an understanding of engineering and programming sufficient to coordinate, review, and provide technical analytical guidance relative to the Office requirements and tasking. Observes and monitors airline planning and operations to gather and analyze information about each of the parts of component problems, using a variety of sources.

Performs statistical analyzes to compile data for identifying areas for improved efficiency of the operational performance of the airlines and the aviation system through designing, developing, adapting and applying statistical models, fast-time simulation models, and other research methods. Develops and integrates solutions to diverse, complex problems by creating, exploring, evaluating, and sharing solutions for scientific, mathematical, and/or statistical problems, methods, conditions, and issues.

Develops, enhances, and applies advanced data analytics, while working with aviation data sources from mission-support systems. The analyst conducts rigorous, scientific inquiry and analysis to compute metrics and analyze factors applicable to recurring problems in the aviation and aerospace industries including airline operations. Uses sound scientific and quantitative information to provide overall project results, technical reports, and recommendations to all levels of management internally and externally. Conducts complex analyses of factors that affect trends of the airlines and aviation system to identify performance shortfalls and provide possible alternative solutions and findings.

Applies techniques and principles to monitoring contracts that produce the reporting tools and analysis required by the office. Identifies performance measures or indicators of the airlines and aviation system, as well as other actions needed to improve or correct performance, relative to defined goals. Analyzes project data to determine specifications or requirements. Works to accomplish large work activities within established schedules.

Contacts are internal and external including FAA management, departmental officials, and individuals within the aviation industries and academia. Often represents FAA as a senior analyst point of contact on projects, programs and other work activities. Communicates results to all levels internally and externally.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

• US Citizenship is required.
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
• Must submit an SF50 (See Required Documents).
• This position has a positive education requirement. Transcript(s) required.

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, you must demonstrate in your application that you possess at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the FV-I, FG/GS-13 level. This experience is typically related to the line of work of the position to be filled and which has equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position. To be creditable, specialized experience must have been at least equivalent to the next lower level in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization.

Specialized experience includes:

- Experience using mathematical and statistical techniques to analyze and identify areas to improve processes or systems.

- Experience analyzing data to identify trends or relationships among variables.

You should include relevant examples of the specialized experience in your work history. Errors or omissions may impact your rating or may result in you not being considered.

Answer all questions to the best of your ability.

DO NOT ASSUME THAT BECAUSE YOU HOLD OR HAVE HELD THISPOSITION, YOU WILL AUTOMATICALLY BE FOUND ELIGIBLE.

You may be asked to provide evidence or documentation that you have this type of experience later in the selection process. Your responses are subject to verification through job interviews, or any other information obtained during the application process. Any exaggeration of your experience or any attempt to conceal information can result in disqualification.

Applicants who fail to demonstrate possession of any of the above criteria AND who do not provide

the required documentation will receive no further consideration for this position.

Applicants may be asked to verify information on your application for employment with the FM. All

qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of the vacancy.

Education

This position has a positive education requirement: Applicants must submit a copy of their college or university transcripts(s) and certificates by the closing date of announcement to verify qualifications. If selected, an official transcript will be required prior to appointment. You may upload these documents with your application in USAJOBS or fax it to fax number provided in the announcement (please include announcement number on each page).

Failure to do so will result in loss of consideration.

Schools must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Accreditation may be verified at the following website:

Foreign education must be evaluated by a private professional organization specializing in interpretation of foreign education credentials or an accredited U.S. educational institution in terms of equivalence to a degree acquired at an American college or university. A copy of the evaluation results must be included, otherwise your foreign education will not be considered.

Basic Requirements:

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.

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Make sure your resume includes detailed information to support your qualifications and answers to the job questionnaire.

Additional information

We may use this vacancy to fill other similar vacant positions.

Position may be subject to a background investigation.

A one-year probationary period may be required.

The person selected for this position may be required to file a financial disclosure statement within 30 days of entry on duty. FAA policy limits certain outside employment and financial investments in aviation-related companies.

As a part of the Federal-Wide Hiring Reform Initiative (streamlining the hiring process), the FAA is committed to eliminating the use of Knowledge, Skills and Ability (KSA) narratives from the initial application in the hiring process for all announcements. Therefore, as an applicant, you are NOT required to provide a narrative response in the text box listed below each KSA.

In lieu of providing a KSA narrative response in the text box listed below each KSA section, in your work history, please include information that provides specific examples of how you meet the response level or answer you chose for each KSA. Your work history examples should be specific and clearly reflect the highest level of ability. Your KSA answers will be evaluated further to validate whether the level that you selected is appropriate based on the work history and

experience you provided. Your answers may be adjusted by a human resource specialist as appropriate.

This position is covered by the FAA Core Compensation plan. Additional information about Core Compensation is available at:

This Level 6 (High Risk; Public Trust) position requires favorable adjudication of a Background Investigation (BI) background investigation prior to appointment, unless a waiver is obtained.

AFSCME Interview Criteria: Article 42, Section 13 states: If the selecting official decides to interview any employee on the selection list for a vacancy, then all who remain under consideration for the position at that point in the process must be interviewed. If the selection list is shortened to a best qualified list through a comparative process, then the best qualified list shall be considered to be the selection list. If it is determined that interviews are required and telephone interviews are not utilized, travel expenses incidental to these interviews will be paid in accordance with the Agency's travel regulations and this Agreement.

Links to Important Information: Locality Pay, COLA

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

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A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

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Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.