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.

Duties

• 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.

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. https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/1500/operations-research-series-1515/ 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:https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/1500/operations-research-series-1515/ 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: https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html

How to apply

To apply for this position, you must complete the online application and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on the closing date to receive consideration. To begin, click Apply Online to access an online application. Follow the prompts to select your USAJOBS resume and/or other supporting documents. You will need to be logged into your USAJOBS account or you may need to create a new account. You will be taken to an online application. Complete the online application, verify the required documentation, and submit the application. NOTE: Resumes up to a total of two pages will be accepted. Resumes exceeding two pages will be removed from consideration. You will receive an email notification when your application has been received for the announcement. To verify the status of your application, log into your USAJOBS account, https://www.usajobs.gov, select the Application Status link and then select the More Information link for this position. The Application Status page will display the status of your application, the documentation received and processed, and your responses submitted to the online application. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process. To preview the questionnaire, please go to https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13050649 Please review the General Application Information and Definitions at: https://www.dla.mil/Portals/104/Documents/Careers/downloads/DoDGenAppInfo%2012-1-2020.pdf?ver=ECNbdsHtGilTd3OENN4A0Q%3d%3d As required by 5 C.F.R. § 302.106., DLA will provide Section 508 conformant ICT to employees with disabilities. All ICT interfaces with the public related to vacancy announcements and career transition opportunities must conform to the applicable requirements in the current ICT Standards and Guidelines (36 C.F.R. § 1194).