This position is part of the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA), Office of Cost Estimating and Program Evaluation (CEPE). A successful candidate in this position will serve as an Operations Research Analyst, providing technical expertise in performing cost estimates, lifecycle cost analysis, cost modeling, and cost-benefit analysis of major nuclear programs and/or projects to inform decision-making of CEPE management and NNSA leadership.

Duties

As an Operation Research Analyst, duties include: Serve as a subject matter expert for cost estimating, life-cycle cost analysis, cost modeling and the development of cost databases, risk management, and operational research Use knowledge of applying appropriate cost estimating and statistics principles and methods, as well as risk management principles, to technically complex systems Provide expert advice to program and project teams in cost estimating and analysis, including project baselining and support to the program decision processes Serve as a subject matter expert conducting scientifically based quantitative analysis of NNSA programs and projects to justify their cost, scope, and schedule baselines, as reported to Congress Perform program analysis, including identification of key risks and issues, resource alternatives, and programmatic recommendations, inform the NNSA Future Years Nuclear Security Program (FYNSP) and budget submission under the Planning, Programming, Budgeting, and Evaluation (PPBE) system Analyze cost/financial and technical data to perform analysis, build models, identify trends, and develop tools using appropriate statistical and mathematical techniques

Requirements

Qualifications

More than one position may be filled from this vacancy announcement. Selection at the NQ-2 will not automatically confer promotion to the NQ-3. There are multiple positions at the NQ-2 and the NQ-3. An applicant's notification of results will indicate which pay band the applicant was referred for. Specialized Experience for NQ-3: A qualified candidate's online application and resume must demonstrate at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower NNSA pay band level or GS grade level in the Federal Service, i.e., NQ-02 or GS-12. Experience utilizing scientific inquiry, modeling, simulation, or analysis to inform on the cost and benefits of various alternatives for comparison. Experience collecting and organizing data and then using the data to conduct data-driven analysis on any variety of programs or projects. Experience providing recommendations and/or options on resource allocation of major acquisition programs or projects to inform multi-year budgets. Experience in supporting or conducting afford-ability analysis of major programs or projects considering total life-cycle costs over time. Specialized Experience for NQ-4 A qualified candidate's online application and resume must demonstrate at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower NNSA pay band level or GS grade level in the Federal Service, i.e., NQ-03 or GS-14. Specialized experience for this position is defined as knowledge and skill in application of advanced analytical, mathematical, and statistical theories, principles, concepts, methods, and techniques related to statistical analysis; parametric and non-parametric analysis; computer modeling; decision theory; mathematical programming; regression analysis; and economic analysis. Knowledge of the scientific principles, methods, and processes used to conduct a systematic and objective inquiry, including study design, data collection, analysis, and interpretation of data, and the reporting of results. Knowledge of PPBE principles, concepts, and methodologies as applied to Federal Government programs sufficient to provide agency guidance, analysis, and methodology for use in programming, budgeting, and resource allocation for NNSA programs. Examples of Qualified Experience: Experience in statistical and mathematical methods to assess and/or estimate program cost and schedule and review scope performance Experience assessing and performing analysis of major acquisition programs (one hundred million to multi-billion dollar in value) Experience providing independent recommendations and/or options on resource allocation of major acquisition programs to inform multi-year budgets Experience independently conducting affordability analysis - fundamental concepts and approaches for developing and applying affordability constraints to acquisition programs as part of life-cycle investment analysis Your application and resume should demonstrate that you possess the following competencies. Do not provide a separate narrative written statement. Rather, you must describe in your application how your past work experience demonstrates that you possess the KSAs identified below. Cite specific examples of employment or experience contained in your resume and describe how this experience has prepared you to successfully perform the duties of this position. DO NOT write "see resume" in your application! Cost Benefit AnalysisCost Estimation and AnalysisMathematical ReasoningOral CommunicationOrganizational Performance Analysis "Experience" refers to paid and unpaid experience. Examples of qualifying unpaid experience may include: volunteer work done through National Service programs (such as Peace Corps and AmeriCorps); as well as work for other community-based philanthropic and social organizations. 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. You must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of this announcement. The pay band for these pay bands are: NQ-3: $117,962 - $181,216 NQ-4: $163,964 - $191,900

Education

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 statistics. At 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 problem. Therefore, applicants should have sufficient knowledge of applied mathematics to understand and use the fundamental concepts and techniques of operations research methods of analysis. In 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 prerequisite. Courses 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.

If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:

EDUCATION: Education must be obtained from an accredited institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Applicants who have completed part or all of their education outside of the U.S. must have their foreign education evaluated by an accredited organization to ensure that the foreign education is comparable to education received in accredited educational institutions in the U.S. A written evaluation of any foreign education must be provided with your application in response to this vacancy announcement or be received by the closing date of this announcement. Failure to provide this evaluation will result in you being found unqualified for the position. For special instructions pertaining to foreign education, see the Department of Education website, and for a list of organizations that can evaluate foreign education, visit The National Association of Credential Evaluation Services.

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. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
**If you are selected, official transcripts will be required.

FOREIGN EDUCATION: Applicants who have completed part or all of their education outside of the U.S. must have their foreign education evaluated by an accredited organization to ensure that the foreign education is comparable to education received in accredited educational institutions in the U.S. A written evaluation of any foreign education must be provided with your application in response to this vacancy announcement or be received by the closing date of this announcement. Failure to provide this evaluation will result in you being found unqualified for the position. For special instructions pertaining to foreign education, see the Department of Education website, and for a list of organizations that can evaluate foreign education, visit The National Association of Credential Evaluation Services. Please Note: If your foreign education has already been accepted by an accredited U.S. educational institution as part of a degree program with that institution, you do not need to provide an evaluation of foreign education but must submit a copy of the transcripts listing the degree from the U.S. accredited institution that accepted your foreign 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.

Contacts

• Address Cost Estimating and Program Evaluation 24600 20th St SE Kirtland AFB, NM 87117-5507 US
• Name: Markeisha Ford
• Email: [email protected]