Operations Research Analyst

This position is located in the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Office of the Chief Financial Officer (OCFO), Program Analysis and Evaluation Division (PA&E).
The primary purpose of this position is to conduct independent analysis for and provide objective, fact-based advice to the DHS Chief Financial Officer, Deputy Secretary, and Secretary on resource allocation issues and the measurement, reporting, and improvement of DHS performance.Qualifications: Basic Education Requirement: A Bachelor's Degree or higher 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 statistics. At least 3 of the 24 semester hours must have been in calculus.
NOTE: 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 prerequisite.
In addition to meeting the Basic Requirement above, to qualify applicants must also meet the education/specialized experience as indicated below:
You qualify at the GS-09 grade level if you possess one of the following:
One year of specialized experience, equivalent to the GS-07 grade level in Federal service, performing the ability to:

1. Supporting assessments led by more higher-level analyst assist with applying modeling techniques, statistical and trend analysis and other Operations Research techniques to assist in conducting analysis and studies of proposed or ongoing operations.
2. Assisting with researching, analyzing, and interpreting quantitative and qualitative information to help evaluate existing activities or operations.
3. Communicating orally and in writing to prepare and assist with presenting findings.

OR
A master's or equivalent graduate degree or 2 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree.
OR
A combination of successfully completed graduate level education and specialized experience as described above that, when combined, equal 100% of the total requirement. This will be calculated using your resume and unofficial transcripts or a list of courses/course hours submitted with your application.
You qualify at the GS-11 grade level if you possess one of the following:
One year of specialized experience, equivalent to the GS-09 grade level in Federal service, performing duties such as

1. Applying modeling techniques, statistical and trend analysis and other Operations Research techniques to assist in conducting analysis and studies of proposed or ongoing operations in one or more of the following areas: preventing terrorism and enhancing security; managing our borders; administering immigration laws; securing cyberspace; and ensuring disaster resilience; or programs undertaken to mature and strengthen program activities.
2. Researching, analyzing, and interpreting quantitative and qualitative information to evaluate existing activities or operations.
3. Evaluating capabilities requirements, evaluating analyses of alternatives and related study plans, and completing portions of capabilities-based assessments.
4. Communicating orally and in writing to prepare and present findings.

OR
Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree or 3 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree.
OR
A combination of successfully completed graduate level education and specialized experience as described above that, when combined, equal 100% of the total requirement. This will be calculated using your resume and unofficial transcripts or a list of courses/course hours submitted with your application.
You qualify for the GS-12 grade level if you possess one year of specialized experience, equivalent to the GS-11 grade level in the Federal government, performing duties such as:

1. Applying modeling techniques, statistical and trend analysis and other Operations Research techniques to develop multidisciplinary solutions to problems or studies of proposed or ongoing operations of an activity or organization in one or more of the following areas: preventing terrorism and enhancing security; managing our borders; administering immigration laws; securing cyberspace; and ensuring disaster resilience; or programs undertaken to mature and strengthen program activities.
2. Independently conducting projects and studies to evaluate existing programs, evaluate capabilities requirements, evaluate analyses of alternatives and related study plans, and conduct capabilities-based assessments.
3. Communicating orally and in writing to plan, coordinate, and give advice on work efforts and prepare and present findings.

GS-12: Education cannot be substituted.
All qualifications and eligibility requirements must be met by the closing date of the announcement.
Time-in-grade: Current General Schedule (GS) federal employees, and those that have served in GS positions within the last 52 weeks, must have served 52 weeks at the next lower grade, or a combination of the next lower grade level and an equivalent band in the federal service by the closing of this announcement.
Note: Current or former Federal employees MUST submit a copy of their SF-50 Form which shows competitive service appointment ("position occupied" block 34 on the SF-50 should show a "1"), tenure group (block 24 should show a 1 or 2), grade, and salary. If you are applying for a higher grade, please provide the SF-50 Form which shows the length of time you have been in your current/highest grade (examples of appropriate SF-50s include promotions, With-in Grade/Range Increases, and SF-50s dated a year apart within the same grade/job). If you have promotion potential in your current position, please provide proof. Employees applying with an interchange agreement must provide proof of their permanent appointment. IF YOU DO NOT SUBMIT ALL OF THE REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION, YOU WILL NOT RECEIVE CONSIDERATION AS A STATUS CANDIDATE.
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.
Current or Former Political Appointees: The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) must authorize employment offers made to current or former political appointees. If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES or Presidential Appointee employee in the Executive Branch, you must disclose this information to the Human Resources Office.Education:
Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications; applicant's resumes and supporting documentation should only reflect education received from schools accredited by such institutions. Applicants can verify accreditation at the following Website: https://ope.ed.gov/dapip/#/home.
If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency (a U.S. private organization's interpretation that such education has been deemed at least equivalent to conventional U.S. education programs) with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For more information regarding evaluation of foreign education for federal employment, please visit the U.S. Department of Education webpage on the Recognition of Foreign Qualifications.Employment Type: FULL_TIME