COST ANALYST

About the role

Click on "Learn more about this agency" button below to view Eligibilities being considered and other IMPORTANT information. The primary purpose of this position is to obtain experience and training under the Palace Acquire (PAQ) Program which leads to career development in the field of Financial Management.

What you will do

• - Prepares economic analysis of routine portions of operating systems, including conducting research of historical cost data of analogous weapon; use of a variety of cost factors for contracting studies, flying hours, reimbursable programs and/or other major missions assigned to the installation; analysis of current resources utilization and projection of future resource requirements for segments of the activity; and research and completion of routine and/or continuing cost studies.
• Reviews data for consistency, accuracy, validity, and relevance to the situation being studied.
• Evaluates objectivity in selection of alternatives to be costed and analyzed. - Performs routine and/or continuing statistical and quantitative analysis of program trends, accomplishments, and deficiencies. - Assists in the evaluation of cost estimates prepared by industry to support selection of the industry sources(s), as well as selection of the configuration and program plan to be committed to development and/or other management decision.
• Performs continuing assignments involving the review of contractor cost performance reports.
• Develops knowledge of contractor cost estimating and accounting systems, management aspects of system programs and their relation to procurement, budget and planning.
• Performs basic evaluation tasks using checklists, equations and factors.
• Describes and presents the results of the routine, recurring cost and economic analysis studies both in written form and in formal and informal briefings.
• Identifies and describes critical assumptions and decision points for decision-makers.
• Prepares and presents statistical and narrative reports and briefings. - Performs routine and recurring assignments in the formulation, development, and, execution of budgets, financial plans, and multi-year programs required to properly fund and meet program resource requirements.
• Participates in the development of system planning objectives by evaluating cost/schedule tradeoffs, budget requirements, etc.; and develops appropriate financial plans in consonance with Program Management Plans. - Prepares segments of action plans for meeting annual call, Program Objectives Memorandum (POM) development, Five-Year Defense Plans (FYDP), and other requirements.- Performs special assignments in keeping with the formal training plan.
• Includes administrative assignments to develop knowledge of the mission and organization of the financial community.

Education

You MUST provide transcripts to support your educational claims.

Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

PLEASE SUBMIT COPIES OF ALL TRANSCRIPTS TO INCLUDE TRANSFERRED HOURS - OFFICIAL COPIES ARE NOT REQUIRED AT TIME OF APPLICATION.

IF SELECTED, YOU WILL BE REQUIRED TO PROVIDE OFFICIAL COPIES OF ALL TRANSCRIPTS. ***NOTE*** Degree Audits are not accepted.

IF YOU QUALIFY BASED ON UNDERGRADUATE EDUCATION AND YOU HAVE NOT GRADUATED PRIOR TO APPLYING TO THIS POSITION, YOU MAY BE OFFERED A POSITION CONTINGENT UPON YOUR FINAL GRADE POINT AVERAGE OR CLASS RANKING.

FOREIGN EDUCATION: Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the requirements.

You must show proof the education credentials have been deemed to be at least equivalent to that gained in conventional U.S. education program.

It is your responsibility to provide such evidence when applying.

How you will be evaluated

Your application package (resume, supporting documents, and responses to the questionnaire) will be used to determine your eligibility, qualifications, and quality ranking for this position. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your rating or consideration for employment.

BASIS OF RATING: Your application will be rated under the Cut Point procedures based on the extent to which the quality, depth, and complexity of your experience and education relate to the qualification requirements. Additional points are not added for Veteran's Preference; however, Veteran's Preference is considered where applicable.

Best Qualified Group: Candidates in this category possess exceptional skills and experience to exceed well above the minimum requirements. Fully Qualified Group: Candidates in this category possess good skills and experience above the minimum requirements. Basically Qualified Group: Candidates in this category meet the minimum education and/or experience requirements.

The resume/documents you submit must support your responses to the online questionnaire. If your application contradicts or does not support your questionnaire responses, you will receive a rating of "not qualified" or "insufficient information" and you will not receive further consideration for this job. For additional information on what to include in your resume, click here.

APPRAISALS/AWARDS: Hiring Managers use objective methods and consider previous performance appraisals and awards in the selection process. Current Federal Civilian employees should list any relevant performance related rating and/or awards in your resume. Applicants who disqualify themselves will not be evaluated further.

Documents you must provide

• The following documents are required and must be provided with your application.
• Applicants who do not submit required documentation to determine eligibility and qualifications will be eliminated from consideration.
• Other documents may be required based on the eligibility/eligibilities you are claiming.
• Click here to view the AF Civilian Employment Eligibility Guide and the required documents you must submit to substantiate the eligibilities you are claiming.
• Online Application: Questionnaire Resume: Your resume may NOT exceed two pages, and the font size should not be smaller than 10 pts.
• You will not be considered for this vacancy if your resume is illegible/unreadable.
• Additional information on resume requirements can be located under "How To Apply".
• Transcripts/Registration/License: If qualifying on education/position requires education, you must submit copies of your transcripts and if required for the position, submit an active, current registration/license.
• Veterans: If claiming VEOA, VRA or 30% Disabled Veteran - Submit VOW certification memo or copy of the official DD Form 214, which must include the character of service (i.e., with an honorable or general discharge).
• This will be annotated in block 24 on member copy 2, 4, or 7 of the DD Form 214.
• If claiming 30% Disabled Veteran, you must also submit a VA Letter or a disability determination from a branch of the Armed Forces.
• NOTE: All veterans claiming 10-point preference must also submit a SF-15 form.
• Current or Former Federal Civilian Employees (includes current Air Force employees): You must submit a legible copy of your most recent SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action.
• The SF-50, block 24 must contain "1" or "2" AND block 34 must be a "1".
• Employees eligible under an OPM approved interchange agreement, block 34 may contain a "1" or "2".
• Promotion Consideration: If you wish to be considered as a promotion candidate and your SF-50 has an effective date within the past year, it may not clearly demonstrate you meet the one-year time-in-grade requirements.
• You will need to provide additional SF-50s which clearly demonstrates you meet the time-in-grade requirements (examples of appropriate SF-50s include Promotions, Within-Grade, Grade/Range Increases, and SF-50s with an effective date more than one year old).
• ACTIVE DUTY SERVICE MEMBERS: The VOW Act requires federal agencies to treat an eligible active duty service member as a veteran, disabled veteran, and preference eligible (as applicable) when applying for civil service positions before the effective release or discharge date.
• Appointment of military members before the release or discharge date is permissible if the member is on terminal leave.
• At the time the active duty member applies for a civil position, he or she must submit a "certification" memo in lieu of a DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty.
• Active duty members applying for a civil service position without submitting a valid certification memo or DD Form 214 with their application will render the member ineligible for the position.
• The certification memo must originate from the member's military service branch on official letterhead and contain the following: Name/Rank/Grade of Service Member Branch of Armed Forces Dates of Active Service (Start and End Date(s) Expected Date of Discharge/Release from Active Duty Terminal leave start date (if applicable) Expected character of service (honorable or general) and type of separation (i.e. separation or retirement) Must be certified within 120 days of anticipated discharge Signature by, or by direction of the adjutant, personnel office, unit commander, or higher headquarters commander.
• Note: The VOW Act provides tentative preference.
• If appointed, a DD Form 214 must be submitted upon receipt.
• OPTIONAL DOCUMENTS: Performance Appraisals for Current Federal Civilian Employees - Most recent performance appraisals (dated within last 3 years) showing the official rating of record, signed by a supervisor, or statement why the performance appraisal is unavailable.
• Awards for Current Federal Civilian employees - List any awards received within the last 3 years on the resume.
• Note: Applicant must not submit award Notification of Personnel Actions (SF50s).

What to expect next

Once your application package is received an acknowledgement email will be sent. If you provided an email address, you will receive an email message acknowledging receipt of your application. Your application package will be used to determine your eligibility and qualifications for consideration.

If you are determined to be ineligible or not qualified, your application will receive no further consideration. To check the status of your application or return to a previous or incomplete application, log into your USAJOBS account, select My Applications, and click on the more information link under the application status for this position.

If you do not provide an email address, you are responsible for checking status updates and notifications in USAJOBS. Hard copy notifications will not be sent to you.

Additional information

For Direct Hire (DHA) Positions: This is a Direct Hire Public Notice, under this recruitment procedure applications will be accepted for each location/ installation identified in this Public Notice and selections are made for vacancies as they occur.

There may or may not be actual/projected vacancies at the time you submit your application.The PALACE Acquire Program offers you a permanent position upon completion of your formal training plan. As a Palace Acquire Intern you will experience both personal and professional growth while dealing effectively and ethically with change, complexity, and problem solving.

The program offers a 3-year formal training plan with yearly salary increases. Promotions and salary increases are based upon your successful performance and supervisory approval. This is your opportunity to begin a successful civilian career with the United States Air Force.

You must have completed a 4 year course of study leading to a bachelor's from an accredited institution AND must have documented Superior Academic Achievement (SAA) at the undergraduate level in one of the following: a) Class Standing - upper third of the graduating class based on completed courses in the college, university, or major subdivision; b) Grade Point Average - 2.95 or higher out of a possible 4.0 as recorded on your official transcript or as computed based on 4 years of education or as computed based on courses completed during the final 2 years of curriculum; OR 3.45 or higher out of a possible 4.0 based on the average of the required courses completed in your major field or the required courses in your major field completed during the final 2 years of your curriculum.

If more than 10 percent of total undergraduate credit hours are non-graded, i.e. pass/fail, CLEP, CCAF, DANTES, military credit, etc, you cannot qualify based on GPA; c) Election to membership in a national scholastic honor society (note: freshman honor society cannot be used to meet the requirements of this position).

(If qualifying based on class standing or honor society membership, provide appropriate documentation).

STUDENT LOAN REPAYMENT PROGRAM - MAY BE OFFERED FOR ELIGIBLE CANDIDATES.

(Must sign a 3 yr service agreement)Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP): For information on how to apply as an ICTAP eligible click here. To be well-qualified and exercise selection priority for this vacancy, displaced Federal employees must be rated in the "Highly Qualified" or "Best Qualified" Category on the rating criteria for this vacancy.

You must submit a copy of the agency notice, your most recent performance rating, and your most recent SF-50 noting position, grade level, and duty location.Employed Annuitants (Reemployed Annuitants): Applicants in receipt of an annuity based on civilian employment in the Federal Service are subject to the DoD Policy on The Employment of Annuitants.

Click here for more information. Selective Service: Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered or exempt from Selective Service. For additional information, click here.

Direct Deposit: All federal employees are required to have direct deposit. If you have questions regarding this announcement and have hearing or speech difficulties click here.