Operations Research Analyst
Missile Defense Agency · Department of Defense
This job in plain English
This is an Operations Research Analyst job with the Missile Defense Agency, filled through direct hire authority, with one opening at Dahlgren, VA or Fort Belvoir, VA. The main role is serving as the top cost estimating expert for a program team, leading life-cycle cost estimates for missile defense work. The job needs a Secret security clearance, financial disclosure, and occasional travel.
Can you apply?
Yes, if you are a U.S. citizen: this job is open to everyone.
- Open to everyoneAny U.S. citizen or national can apply. Some jobs also accept non-citizens; the announcement says so.
- VeteransPeople who served on active duty and left under honorable conditions, through the veterans' hiring authorities (VEOA, VRA, 30% disabled veterans).
- Military spousesSpouses of active-duty service members, and some spouses of service members who were disabled or died on duty.
Other groups listed above may get extra consideration, for example veterans' preference.
You must be a U.S. citizen, national, or someone who owes allegiance to the U.S. Military spouses and veterans can apply under special hiring authorities, and veterans' preference applies if you claim it on your resume.
What you would do
- Serve as the principal cost estimating expert for the program team.
- Lead and deliver life-cycle cost estimates for missile defense programs.
- Make sure cost estimates follow Department and MDA standards and procedures.
- Lead research to improve cost and schedule estimating methods.
- Lead and present cost studies and recommendations to stakeholders.
- Lead or review responses to Congressional requests and GAO audits.
Do you qualify for NH-4?
With experience: You need one year of specialized experience at the NH-03 or GS-13 level. This means past work like writing cost estimates, building cost tools, collecting data, doing cost research with regression, or presenting cost results. You must show at least 3 of the 5 listed areas.
With education: A degree in operations research, or at least 24 semester hours in operations research, math, probability, statistics, logic, science, or other courses that need college-level math or statistics. At least 3 of the 24 hours must be calculus. Education cannot replace experience at this grade.
Licenses and certifications you need:
- DAWIA Back to Basics certification in Business, Cost Estimating, Advanced, within 48 months of starting
How to apply well
What to send:
- Resume of 2 pages or less, in PDF, showing hours per week, dates, and duties
- Transcripts showing your name, school, degree date, and classes with credits
- Most recent SF-50 if you are or were a federal employee
- Proof of eligibility for any veterans' preference or military spouse claim, per the linked guide
How you will be rated: Your application is first checked for the minimum qualifications, then your work experience is reviewed. Traditional rating and ranking does not apply, and you may be interviewed. A missing transcript or an incomplete application can make you ineligible.
Tips for this job:
- Your resume must be 2 pages or less, in PDF, with at least 0.5 inch margins and 10-point font.
- Include transcripts with your application, because missing transcripts means you are rated ineligible.
- Show at least 3 of the 5 specialized experience areas in your resume, with dates and hours per week.
Good to know before you apply
Schedule: Full-time, Maxi Flex tour of duty, with overtime occasionally
Incentives and relocation: Recruitment, relocation, or student loan repayment incentives may be authorized based on agency policy and availability. Relocation expenses are not reimbursed.
Conditions of employment:
- Must be a U.S. citizen
- Background investigation to determine suitability for federal employment
- Secret security clearance required
- Financial disclosure report required
- Initial drug screening, with random testing after hire
- Negative drug test result due within 30 days after start date
- Occasional travel and occasional overtime
- Possible probationary period
- Men born after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective Service
- Must earn 80 Continuous Learning Points every 24 months
We wrote this summary automatically from the official announcement. The announcement on USAJOBS is the only one that counts: read it before you apply.
Job details
- Salary
- $143,913 – $197,200 per year
- Pay scale and grade
- NH-4 · DoD acquisition pay band
- Locations
-
- Fort Belvoir, Virginia
- Dahlgren, Virginia
- Appointment
- Permanent
- Work schedule
- Full-time
- Service
- Competitive
- Openings
- 1
- Security clearance
- Secret
- Travel
- Occasional travel
- Drug test
- Not required
- Supervisory
- No
- Occupation
- Operations Research (1515)
- Announcement
- MDA-27-13100426-DH
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