Operations Research Analyst

Summary

This position is part of the Department of War (DoW), Missile Defense Agency (MDA).

This is a Direct Hire Authority (DHA) solicitation utilizing the DHA for Acq Demo Business and Technical Management to recruit and appoint qualified candidates to positions in the competitive service.

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Duties

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For the NH-02 salary ranges are the following unless statutory/regulatory rates prevail.

For the Redstone Arsenal, AL Location: $42,423 to $101,110

For the Fort Belvoir, VA and/or Dahlgren Location: $46,610 to $111,087

For the NH-03 salary ranges are the following unless statutory/regulatory rates prevail.

For the Redstone Arsenal, AL Location: $93,216 to $144,102

For the Fort Belvoir, VA and/or Dahlgren Location: $102,415 to $158,322

As an Operations Research Analyst at the NH-1515-2/3 broadband level, some of your typical work assignments may include:

• Develop, update, maintain, and document credible, accurate, and comprehensive Life Cycle Cost Estimates (LCCEs), Program Office Estimates (POEs), and Independent Government Cost Estimates (IGCEs)
• Participate as a member of an Integrated Product Team (IPT) or program office to generate cost-related products in support of acquisition milestones, contract actions, budgets, trades and other key program decision points to execute the organization's mission
• Support cost trade analyses (e.g. what-if drills, business case analysis, cost benefit analysis, economic analysis, cost as an independent variable, architecture trades, design to cost, and analysis of alternatives)
• Perform analysis to help leadership make informative decisions concerning cost, budget, and schedule over the lifecycle of acquisition programs
• Provide cost estimating and analysis products and instructions in support of Request for Proposal (RFP) actions through post-contract award activities. Participate in source selections/proposal evaluations to evaluate risk, reasonableness, and realism
• Develop standardized, product-oriented Work Breakdown Structures (WBS), Cost Element Structures (CES), data collection plans, Contract Data Requirements Lists (CDRLs), Data Item Descriptions (DIDs), and cost reporting award fee criteria
• Assist in the development and review of Cost Analysis Requirements Descriptions (CARDs)
• Collect, review, analyze, document, and store cost data and related program, schedule, and technical data in organization's database and library, including Contract Performance Reports and Cost & Software Data Reports
• Develop, apply, and document appropriate cost estimating and analysis methodologies, utilizing techniques such as linear and non-linear regression to determine cost estimating relationships(CERs)
• Develop, update, and maintain cost models capable of providing timely, credible, accurate, comprehensive, and documented program life cycle cost estimates
• Generate alternative methodologies and cross-checks to validate primary cost estimate
• Conduct sensitivity, risk, and uncertainty analysis
• Document cost estimates including the requirements, steps, data sources, assumptions, methodologies, risk and uncertainty analysis, sensitivity analysis, and outputs to allow for full understanding and replication of the cost estimate
• Prepare, review, and present cost estimates, cost analysis, cost studies, excursions, recommendations, and briefings to Missile Defense Agency (MDA) leadership and stakeholders
• Develop, update, and maintain a Joint Cost Model with the Lead Service(s) to support the MDA transition of systems
• Conduct quality assurance reviews of cost estimates to ensure they are credible, accurate, comprehensive, and documented
• Generate the cost estimates presented in resource baselines
• Support Integrated Baseline Reviews (IBRs) and reconcile Earned Value Management (EVM) Estimates at Completion (EAC) with IGCEs.
• Support and/or respond to external requests for information related to MDA cost estimates through oral and written communication with supporting data products.

The overall responsibilities of the NH-02 position are substantially the same as the full performance duties (covered above) with the following exception: The incumbent works under closer supervision and works in a developmental capacity performing assignments and completing training, both of which are aimed in preparing the incumbent to gain the knowledge and skills necessary to perform duties in at the full-performance level.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

• Must be a U.S. Citizen
• Occasional Travel
• Work Schedule: Full-time
• Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective Service
• Suitable for Federal employment, determined by a background investigation
• May be required to successfully complete a probationary period
• Overtime: Occasionally
• Tour of Duty: Maxi Flex
• Recruitment Incentives: Certain incentives (such as Recruitment, Relocation or Student Loan Repayment) may be authorized to eligible selectees based on agency policy and availability.
• Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA): Exempt
• Financial Disclosure: Required
• Telework Eligibility: This position is not telework eligible.
• This position is subject to an initial drug screening, and random testing thereafter. You may be required to sign a "Drug Test Statement of Understanding" if you are selected for this position.
• This is a drug testing designated position.
• This is an acquisition position coded Practitioner in Business, Cost Estimating. Incumbent must obtain mandatory Back-to-Basics (BtB) certification within 60 months of entry into position
• Incumbent must acquire 80 Continuous Learning Points every 24 months
• Employee must obtain/maintain Non-critical Sensitive/Secret security clearance

Qualifications

You may qualify at the NH-02-03, if you fulfill the following qualifications:

For the NH-02 : Applicants who meet the basic requirements described in the individual occupational requirements are fully qualified for the specified entry grade, NH-02.

For the NH-03 : One year of specialized experience equivalent to the NH-02/GS-11 grade level in the Federal service as listed below. Applicants are required to meet 3 of the 5 in order to be qualified.

• Cost Estimating: Create credible, accurate, comprehensive, and documented Life Cycle Cost Estimates (LCCEs), Program Office Estimates (POEs), and/or Independent Government Cost Estimates (IGCEs)
• Data Analysis and Management: Conduct quantitative and qualitative data analysis to extract meaningful insights, including data collection, cleaning, validation, and interpretation. Possess basic understanding of data management principles, including data storage, retrieval, and database management
• Analysis and Methodologies: Develop application of appropriate cost estimating and analysis methodologies, utilizing techniques such as linear and non-linear regression to determine cost estimating relationships (CERs).
• Modeling: Develop and maintain cost models capable of providing timely, reliable cost estimates.
• Communication: Prepare, document and brief cost estimates, cost analysis, cost studies, excursions and recommendations to customers and stakeholders.

Note: There is no substitution of education for specialized experience at the NH-03 level.

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.

In addition to meeting qualifications, your application package must reflect the applicable experience to meet the Individual Occupational Requirements for the, 1515 series as listed below:

All applicants must meet qualifications and eligibility criteria by the closing date of the announcement.

Education

Substitution of education may not be used in lieu of specialized experience for the NH-03 grade level.

Applicants who meet the basic requirements described in the individual occupational requirements are fully qualified for the specified entry grade, NH-02.

ARE YOU USING YOUR EDUCATION TO QUALIFY? You MUST provide transcripts or other documentation to support your educational claims.

All materials must be submitted by the closing date of the announcement.

GRADUATE EDUCATION: One academic year of graduate education is considered to be the number of credits hours that your graduate school has determined to represent one academic year of full-time study. Such study may have been performed on a full-time or part-time basis. If you cannot obtain your graduate school's definition of one year of graduate study, 18 semester hours (or 27 quarter hours) should be considered as satisfying the requirement for one year of full-time graduate study.

FOREIGN EDUCATION: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show that the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. For further information, visit:

Additional information

Other Notes:

• DAWIA (Back to Basics) Certification: NON-CAP: Position requires DoD Acquisition Business-Cost Estimating, Practitioner certification. Certification prior to hiring is not essential but must be accomplished within 60 months after entry into this position. Selectee must also achieve 80 hours of Continuous Learning Points (CLPs) every 2 years. Click here for more details and Resources.

RE-EMPLOYED ANNUITANT: This position DOES NOT meet criteria for re-employed annuitant. The DoD criteria for hiring Re-employed Annuitants can be found at:

All applicants must meet qualifications and eligibility criteria by the closing date of the announcement.

Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered or exempt from Selective Service (see Who Needs to Register | Selective Service System : Selective Service System (sss.gov))

This position is subject to an initial drug screening, and random testing thereafter. A negative drug test result must be received by HR within 30 calendar days after the EOD (i.e., start date). The selectee's inability successfully pass; or refusal to conduct the test may result in: 1) the tentative or FJO being withdrawn during the recruitment process; or 2) subsequently being removed from Federal service for failure to meet a condition of employment.

You may be required to sign a "Drug Test Statement of Understanding" if you are selected for this position.

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.