Job details
Salary $144,128 - $172,500 a year job type full-time
Full job description
Duties
Summary
This position is in the office of acquisition management (oam), office of the secretary (os), department of commence (doc).
Responsibilities
This position is located in the acquisition programs and risk management division within the office of acquisition management and is charged conducting independent reviews, alternatives analysis, and best practices risk studies to ensure that major programs and projects within the department are accurate, traceable and reliableThe work involves analyzing management problems and providing advice and insight about the probable effects of alternative solutions to these problemsThe work also involves the preparation of reports and recommendations to share significant findings that include descriptions of study methods, the interpretation and report of findings, and recommendations.
Candidate will be responsible for formulating and exploring new theories and provide technical expertise on programs effectivenessThe incumbent applies and adapts mathematical and analytical techniques in order to resolve major problems with large dollar impactDuties include, but are not limited to:
Oversee the calculation and forecasting of the future costs of systems, projects/programs, resources, to support independent studies, key strategic programs, investment decisions, and various management reviews (e.gMilestone reviews, budget reviews).
Lead and plan the development of multifaceted models and tools to estimate program costs including development, procurement, operation and maintenance phases, time phased spending and budget profiles, program schedule projections, and probability distributions incorporating program risk factors.
Conduct analysis and provide recommendations by applying expert knowledge of a broad range of cost analysis strategies to include mathematics, statistical analysis, parametric and non-parametric analysis, computer modeling, decision theory, mathematical programming, regression analysis, and economic analysis.
Independently analyzes large data sets consisting of qualitative, quantitative, structured and unstructured data types using advanced techniques to identify findings relevant to leadership decision makingProvides technical assistance by advancing the development of appropriate and technically sound methodologies.
This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill other operations research analyst, zp-1515-5 positions within office of the secretary in the same geographical location with the same qualifications and specialized experience.
Travel required
Not required
Supervisory status
Yes
Promotion potential
5 - this position is at the full performance level.
Job family (series)
1515 operations research
Requirements
Requirements
Conditions of employment
You must be a suitable for federal employment.
You must be a u.sCitizen.
You must be registered for selective service if applicable (www.sss.gov).
Time-in-grade requirements must be met by the closing date .
A one-year supervisory probationary period may be required.
A one-year probationary period may be required.
Time-in-grade/band requirements must be met by the closing date of the announcement unless eligible for special hiring authority, reinstatement eligible, non-current federal employee applying as a veoa eligible which do not require time-in-grade/band.
If selected, required to complete oge form 450 financial disclosure.
Security clearance: you must be able to obtain and maintain a non-critical sensitive, high risk clearance.
Qualifications
Qualifications:
This position will be filled under the doc alternative personnel system (caps)This system replaced the federal gs pay plan and structureUnder caps, positions are classified by career, pay plan, and pay band.
Qualification requirements in the vacancy announcements are based on the u.sOffice of personnel management (opm) qualification standards handbook, which contains federal qualification standardsThis handbook is available on the office of personnel management`s website located at: http://www.opm.gov/qualifications.
Applicants must demonstrate that they meet the basic and minimum qualification requirements as noted below.
Basic requirements:
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 statisticsAt 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 problemTherefore, applicants should have sufficient knowledge of applied mathematics to understand and use the fundamental concepts and techniques of operations research methods of analysisIn 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 prerequisiteCourses 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.
And
Minimum qualifications:
Specialized experience: applicants must possess one year of specialized experience equivalent in difficulty and responsibility to the next lower grade level in the federal serviceSpecialized experience is experience that has equipped the applicant with the particular competencies/knowledge, skills and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the positionThis experience need not have been in the federal government.
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 employmentYou will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experienceThis position is being advertised at the zp-5, which encompasses the gs-15 grade level.
Specialized experience: one full year (52 weeks) of specialized experience equivalent to the zp-4 or gs-14 level in the federal serviceSpecialized experience must include all of the following:
Expert knowledge and experience in applying the principles, theories and methods of cost analysis, operations research, engineering, economic analysis and resource management to acquisition issues.
Expert knowledge of analytic tools and data development, organization and analysis for use in studies and analysesSuperior ability to analyze data and use quantitative financial analysis; identify financial issues and present results to senior managers.
Expert experience in designing and performing innovative cost analyses in support of trade studies, analysis of alternatives, affordability assessments, long term strategic planning and program development activities.
Expert knowledge and experience defining and estimating major automated information systems for department of commerce (e.gCensus/nesdis) or other complex government systems.
Experience that demonstrates knowledge of budget, procurement, and resource planning for the federal government; use of state-of-the-art cost estimating; and innovative use/integration of new forecasting methods with day-to-day activities.
All qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcementQualification claims will be subject to verification.
Education
This position requires specific coursework and/or a degree to meet the basic education requirementYou must submit an official transcript, unofficial transcript, or a list including courses, grades earned, completion dates, and quarter and semester hours earnedYour transcript(s) must clearly demonstrate the course(s) listed in the qualification requirement sectionIf the transcript(s) does not clearly demonstrate this you must submit a copy of the course description and/or other documentation demonstrating that the courses are equivalent.
Special instructions for 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.sEducation program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a u.sAccredited college or universityFailure to provide such documentation with your application will result in lost considerationFor further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.
Additional information
Ctap and ictap candidates will be eligible if it is determined that they have exceeded the minimum qualifications for the position by attaining at least a rating of 85 out of 100Information about ictap eligibility is on the office of personnel management’s career transition resources website at: employee guide to career transition
Use if applicable: ctap applicants must submit the following documents:
A copy of your specific rif notice; notice of proposed removal for failure to relocate; a certificate of expected separation (ces); or certification that you are in a surplus organization or occupation (this could be a position abolishment letter, a notice eligibility for discontinued service retirement, or similar notice).
A copy of your sf-50 “notification of personnel action”, noting current position, grade level, and duty location;
A copy of your latest performance appraisal including your rating; and
Any documentation from your agency that shows your current promotion potential.
The following links provide information on various hiring authorities that do not fall under competitive examining procedures; however, they may enable you to apply through merit assignment procedures, or be eligible for a non-competitive appointment.
Veterans employment opportunities act (veoa)
30% or more disabled veterans
Persons with disabilities
Career transition assistance plan (ctap)
Interagency career transition assistance plan (ictap)
The physical worksite for this position is located in washington, d.cHowever, the office of the secretary is currently under a maximum telework posture due to the covid-19 pandemic; therefore, this position is currently under a 100 percent telework scheduleThe position’s telework schedule will likely change in the future when the office of the secretary moves away from its maximum telework postureAt that time, the incumbent will be expected to report to the physical work site in accordance with the updated status requirements of their supervisorThe nature and scope of future telework opportunities will be subject to the unit’s telework policy, any applicable bargaining unit agreements, and supervisory approvalPayment of relocation expenses, as applicable, will be paid in accordance with this job opportunity.
How you will be evaluated
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
We will review your resume, optional cover letter and supporting documentation (transcripts if applicable) to determine if you meet the minimum qualifications for the positionIf you meet the minimum qualifications stated in the vacancy announcement, we will compare your resume, optional cover letter and supporting documentation to your responses on the scored occupational questionnaire that you completed as part of the applicationHowever, your resume or optional cover letter must support your responses to the occupational questions, or your score will be loweredThe best-qualified candidates will be identified for referral to the hiring manager and may be invited for an interview.
The scored occupational questionnaire will evaluate you on the following competencies; please do not provide a separate written response:
Ability to formulate, test, and evaluate new operation research theories, principles, concepts, and practices.
Ability to analyze and study the steps, actions and or measures needed to resolve current and potential situations or conditions with critical worldwide impact.
Knowledge of quantitative techniques and methods used to develop, adapt, modify, and apply models to resolve problems or define and clarify alternative solutions.
Ability to lead study teams; originate new ideas, projects, and methodologies; and execute projects and/or studies within established financial and/or time constraints.
If applicable, performance appraisals and/or incentive award documentation may be submitted and will be forwarded to the selecting official as support in consideration of your application in the evaluation processTo receive due weight, you must submit a recent performance appraisal (dated within 18 months) showing the official rating of record, signed by a supervisor, or statement why the performance appraisal is unavailable (do not submit a performance plan) and/or incentive award documentation (i.eSuperior performance awards, special act or achievement awards, quality step increases, etc..) due weight shall be given to performance appraisals and awards in accordance with 5 cfr 335.103(b)(3), during the interview/selection process conducted by the hiring manager.
To preview questions please click here.
Background checks and security clearance
Security clearance
Other
Drug test required
No
Position sensitivity and risk
High risk (hr)
Trust determination process
Credentialing, suitability/fitness
Required documents
Required documents
Resume showing relevant experience; cover letter optionalYour resume must indicate your citizenship and if you are registered for selective service if you are a male born after 12/31/59Your resume must include information about your paid and nonpaid work experience related to this position including: job title, duration of employment (mm/dd/yy – mm/dd/yy), hours per week, duties and accomplishments, salary, and your educationFor work in the federal service, please include the grade level for the position/sYour resume may be used to validate your responses to the scored occupational questionnaire.
Sf-50, `notification of personnel action,` showing tenure code, position occupied, and highest grade and step.
If applicable, performance appraisals and/or incentive award documentation may be submitted and will be forwarded to the selecting official as support in consideration of your application in the evaluation processTo receive due weight, you must submit a recent performance appraisal (dated within 18 months) showing the official rating of record, signed by a supervisor, or statement why the performance appraisal is unavailable (do not submit a performance plan) and/or incentive award documentation (i.eSuperior performance awards, special act or achievement awards, quality step increases, etc..)
Career transition assistance plan (ctap) and interagency career transition assistance plan (ictap) documentation if applicable (see other information).
EducationIf this position requires proof of higher education, you must submit an unofficial transcript or a list of courses that includes the following information: name of accredited institution, grades earned, completion dates, and quarter and semester hours earnedSpecial instructions for foreign education: education completed in foreign colleges or universities must be evaluated in terms of equivalency to that acquired in u.sColleges and universitiesApplicants educated in whole or in part in foreign countries must submit sufficient evidence, including transcripts, to an accredited private organization for an equivalency evaluation of course work and degreeA listing of these accredited organizations can be found on the department of education`s websiteYou must provide a copy of the letter containing the results of the equivalency evaluation with a course by course listing along with your applicationFailure to provide such documentation by the closing date of the announcement will result in lost consideration.
You are not required to submit official documents at this time; copies are sufficient.
Failure to provide such documents when requested may result in lost consideration.
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the u.sDepartment of education in order for it to be credited towards qualificationsTherefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the u.sDepartment of education.
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
Benefits
Benefits
A career with the u.sGovernment provides employees with a comprehensive benefits packageAs a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewardingOpens in a new windowlearn more about federal benefits.
Explore the benefits offered to most federal employees
Review our benefits
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time, or intermittentContact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
Help
This job is open to
Internal to an agency
Current federal employees of this agency.
Clarification from the agency
Current department of commerce employees serving under a career or career-conditional appointment in the competitive service & ctap eligibles.
