Operations Research Analyst

About the role

This position is part of the Department of War (DoW), Missile Defense Agency (MDA). The incumbent will be responsible for: Serve as the principal cost estimating expert for the program/team, providing authoritative guidance and analysis to program/organization leadership.

The advertised salary for Fort Belvoir and Dahlgren, VA does not include the current rate of tax-free Cost of Living Allowance (COLA), which is 33.94%."

What you will do

• 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.
• As an Operations Research Analyst at the NH-1515-4 broadband level, some of your typical work assignments may include: Serve as the principal cost estimating expert for the program/team, providing authoritative guidance and analysis to program/organization leadership.
• Lead, develop, document, update, and deliver life-cycle cost estimates (LCCEs) and cost analysis to inform decision-making, program planning, resource allocation, and acquisition/contract efforts for MDA programs and initiatives.
• Ensure cost estimates and analysis comply with Department and MDA directives, standards, templates, and procedures for preparing, documenting, and presenting reliable cost estimates.
• Lead and ensure the uniform collection and reporting of cost, technical, and programmatic data across programs and contracts, consistent with statutory requirements.
• Lead research efforts to advance cost and schedule estimating methodologies for the organization/program/team, addressing issues unique to complex missile defense technologies and rapid acquisition.
• Lead, 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).
• Lead, prepare, document, and present cost estimates, cost analysis, cost studies, excursions, and recommendations to customers and stakeholders.
• Lead, support, and review Congressional Request for Information (RFI) responses and statutory and oversight requirements including GAO audits.

Education

Substitution of education may not be used in lieu of specialized experience for this grade level.

How you will be evaluated

We will review your resume and supporting documents, to ensure you meet the basic qualification requirements. We will evaluate each applicant who meets the basic qualifications on the information provided and evaluate your relevant work experiences. Traditional rating and ranking of applications does not apply to this vacancy.

Your application (resume and supporting documentation) will be evaluated to determine if you meet the minimum qualifications required as listed on the announcement under qualification requirements. Veterans Preference: If you are entitled to veterans preference, you should indicate the type of veterans' preference you are claiming on your resume.

Your veterans' preference entitlement will be verified by the employing agency. For information on entitlement see *** Appointment of Military Spouses (5 CFR 315.612) (NonComp Mil Sp): To receive this preference, you must choose to apply using the " Appointment of Military Spouses (5 CFR 315.612) (NonComp Mil Sp)" eligibility.

If you are claiming Military Spouse eligibility and are determined to be Well Qualified (score of 85 or above) for the position, you will be referred to the hiring manager. Information and required documentation for claiming Military Spouse eligibility may be found at the General Applicant Information and Definitions link below.

Appointment of Department of Defense Spouses (NonComp Civ Sp): Are you the spouse of a current Department of Defense, Department of State, or intelligence community employee who is being transferred in the interest of the Government from one official station within the Department to another within the Department for permanent duty?

Supporting Documentation: You are required to submit proof of marriage AND permanent change of station (PCS) orders: spouse's PCS orders (showing you as a dependent) and/or copy of marriage certificate.

If you are a current or previous Federal employee, please include your most recent SF-50.

Documents you must provide

• The documents you are required to submit vary based on the authority you are using to apply (i.e., applying as a veteran, applying as a current permanent Federal employee, applying as a reinstatement, etc.).
• Your complete application includes your COMPLETE resume, your responses to the online questionnaire, and documents which prove your eligibility to apply.
• If you fail to provide these documents, you will be marked as having an incomplete application package and you will not be considered any further.
• The following documents are REQUIRED 1.
• Your resume: All applicants are required to submit a resume limited to two (2) pages showing all relevant experience.
• Your resume must address your qualifications for the position, and it may not exceed two (2) pages.
• Your 2-page (or less) resume must be in PDF format, with no smaller than a 0.5" margin and no smaller than a 10-point font.
• If you submit a resume that exceeds the two-page limit and/or does not meet the margin or font limitations stated herein, you will immediately be deemed ineligible for this position and will be removed from further consideration.
• Must include the work schedule, hours worked per week, dates of employment, and duties performed.
• The resume and required supporting documentation should provide the minimum qualifications and relevant experience for the announced position.
• If multiple resumes are submitted by an applicant, only the last resume submitted will be reviewed for qualifications and referred for selection consideration, if eligible.
• The resume must not be more than 5MB and should be saved and uploaded as a PDF to maintain formatting and number of pages.
• We also accept GIF, JPG, JPEG, PNG, RTF, TXT, PDF, ODT or Word (DOC or DOCX).
• We do not accept PDF portfolio files.
• We recommend using a font like Lato, if available.
• Other widely available options are Calibri, Helvetica, Arial, Verdana, Open San Source Sans Pro, Roboto or Noro Sans.
• Additional guidance on writing a federal resume can be found at: USAJOBS Help Center - How do I write a resume for a federal job?
• The resume builder can help you create a resume using these recommendations and uses the information in your USAJOBS profile to help you get started.
• Transcripts: This position has a degree or education requirement so you are required to submit a copy of your transcript.
• We accept unofficial transcripts, as long as they contain your name, the name of the school, the date and degree that was awarded, and the list of classes and credits earned.
• SF50 It is recommended that all current and former civilian Federal employees submit a copy of your MOST RECENT SF50 (Notification of Personnel Action) showing your tenure, grade and step, salary, and type of position occupied (i.e., Excepted or Competitive); or similar Notification of Personnel Action documentation, i.e., Transcript of Service, Form 1150, etc. PLEASE REVIEW THE BELOW LINK FOR OTHER SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS needed for proof of eligibility: ***

What to expect next

A list of qualified applicants will be created and sent to the selecting official. All applicants reviewed and/or referred will receive a notification letter. The selecting official may choose to conduct interviews, and once the selection is made, you will receive a notification of the decision.

REGARDING INTERVIEWS: Interviews may be required for this position. Accommodations may be made to conduct telephonic interviews to preclude travel hardships for applicants. NOTE: Declining to be interviewed or failure to report for a scheduled interview will be considered as a declination for further consideration for employment against this vacancy.

This announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.

Additional information

Other Notes: Certain incentives (such as Recruitment, Relocation or Student Loan Repayment) may be authorized to eligible selectees based on agency policy and availability, ACQUISITION POSITION: This position requires Acquisition Workforce Level Advanced in Business, Cost Estimating Certification prior to hiring is not essential but must be accomplished within 48 months after entry into this position.

DAWIA (Back to Basics) Certification: NON-CAP: Position requires DoD Acquisition Business, Cost Estimating, Advanced certification. Certification prior to hiring is not essential but must be accomplished within 48 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.