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Lead Operations Research Analyst

Department of Energy
Department of Energy - Agency Wide
This job announcement has closed

Summary

This position is located within the U.S. Department of Energy, Energy Information Administration, Office of Energy Analysis, in the Office of Petroleum, Natural Gas and Biofuels Analysis in Washington, D.C. 

A successful candidate in this position will serve as a Lead Operations Research Analyst performing statistical and economic and/or other analyses projects pertaining to the Energy sector or to sub-sector of it, and to maintain and enhance models for use in forecasting studies. 

Overview

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Reviewing applications
Open & closing dates
10/22/2018 to 11/02/2018
Salary
$114,590 to - $148,967 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 14
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
Washington DC, DC
1 vacancy
Telework eligible
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Travel Required
Occasional travel - Less than 10% travel may be required to attend meetings, training and conferences.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-Time
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
14
Job family (Series)
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Not Required
Drug test
No
Announcement number
SE-19-EI-00845-MP
Control number
514428800

This job is open to

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Clarification from the agency

•Internal Employee Open to current Energy Information Administration (EIA) career and career-conditional appointment Federal employees with competitive status.

Duties

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As a Lead Operations Research Analyst, you will:

  • initiate, develop, design, perform and document a broad range of analytical assignments involving current and projected pricing, production, supply and distribution patterns and conditions and problems pertaining to energy;
  • evaluate the impact of policies, production patterns, changing demand dynamics on energy markets.  Oversees contractor development and maintenance of mathematical models in the National Energy Modeling System (NEMS).  Develop and maintain models and simulation techniques and scenarios for use in current and future energy studies.
  • plan, design, conduct and oversee tests to validate models.  Develop parameters for optimum sample sizes and sources of data appropriate for studies.  Write or adapt computer programs for models being developed;
  • select critical elements of real world systems for inclusion in models and applies analytical techniques in innovative ways;
  • acquire sufficient parametric knowledge of subjects; studies to perform sound, authoritative analyses.  Document study purposes, methods, assumptions, and conclusions, and briefs officials;
  • originate new programs, techniques, studies, and approaches in assigned subject areas.  Monitor, evaluate, and coordinate projects and studies carried out under contract and by other Analysts.  Analyze in innovative ways effects of different policies and policy options and advises high level managers of positive and negative effects of the different policies and policy options;
  • ensure that the organization's strategic plan, mission, vision, and values are communicated to the team and integrated into the team's strategies, goals, objectives, work plans and work products and services; and
  • lead the team in: identifying, distributing and balancing workload and tasks among team members in accordance with established work flow, skill level and/or occupational specialization; making adjustments to accomplish the workload in accordance with established priorities to ensure timely accomplishment of assigned team tasks; and ensuring that each team member has an integral role in developing the final team product.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • You must be a United States Citizen.
  • This employer participates in the e-Verify program.
  • Males must abide by Selective Service registration requirements.
  • Must complete a Consent to Financial Disclosure, OGE-450 form.
  • Resume and question responses must be submitted online.
  • May be required to complete a one year probationary period.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS:

You must submit an unofficial or official transcript and all supporting documentation by the closing date of the vacancy announcement.

You must meet both the positive education requirement known as "Basic Requirements" and Specialized Experience as described in the "Qualification" section of the vacancy announcement.

If selected, you will be required to complete a Confidential Financial Disclosure, OGE-450 form upon entry into the position and annually thereafter.

May be required to serve a one-year probationary period, if not previously completed in a competitive or excepted service position.
 

Qualifications

BASIC REQUIREMENTS:

A Bachelor's degree (or higher degree) in operations research; or a degree with 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.

Additional information regarding the education requirements for Operations Research Analyst can be found at the following website:  https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/1500/operations-research-series-1515/

In addition to meeting the "Basic Requirements" described above, applicants must also have at least one year of specialized experience, equivalent to the next lower grade level in the Federal service.  
 
SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS:  Specialized experience is experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSA's) to perform successfully the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled.

A qualified candidate's online application and resume must demonstrate at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-13 grade level in the Federal service. Specialized experience for this position is defined as: Experience in negotiating and resolving sensitive issues with management officials; applying analytical methods (e.g., statistical analysis, cost-benefit analysis, optimization, simulation, mathematical modeling, etc.) to resolve issues; preparing briefings, summaries, and/or papers that precisely communicate the relevant scope, findings, and recommendations of a study and/or analysis of new energy technology and systems; providing guidance and/or assistance to mentor junior analysts; and using project management techniques and methods in order to direct, lead, and manage analytical studies and projects pertaining to energy.

Your application and resume should demonstrate that you possess the following knowledge, skills and abilities (KSAs). 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!

  1. Knowledge of one or more specialized areas of operations research sufficient to apply new analytical developments, methodologies, and research findings to broad studies of an unprecedented nature.
  2. Skill in conducting studies and building models including projects characterized by high visibility, unusual urgency, and/or program criticality within Energy Information Administration (EIA).
  3. Knowledge in designing, building, and using energy models and simulation techniques to better understand market trends and perform analyses for EIA and the Department of Energy.
  4. Skill in using advanced techniques and the modification and extension of theories, precepts and practices of operations research and related sciences and disciplines in order to meet EIA and DOE goals and objectives.
  5. Knowledge of subjects, industrial operations, and practices under study so that conclusions reflect real world environments.
  6. Skill in designing and building intricate and advanced models in order to stimulate real world environments of many variables.
  7. Ability to communicate orally and in writing in order to convey, convince, negotiate and/or establish rapport with all levels of management to accomplish the organization goals.

"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.

Time-in-Grade: Current Federal employees must meet time-in-grade requirements by the closing date of this announcement to receive consideration.

CTAP/ICTAP candidates: To be considered "well qualified" you must meet all of the requirements as described in this section.

You must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of this announcement.

Education

EDUCATION:

This position has positive education requirements.  You must provide transcripts.

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

Foreign education must be reviewed by an organization recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. For special instructions pertaining to foreign education and a list of organizations that can evaluate foreign education, see the Department of Education website.

Additional information

The U.S. Department of Energy fosters a diverse and inclusive workplace and is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

  • New employees to the Department of Energy will be required to successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit www.dhs.gov/E-Verify.
  • Veterans and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply. For more information, please visit the links at the bottom of this page or visit the FedsHireVets website.
  • If you believe that you are eligible for the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP), please visit the OPM ICTAP/CTAP website for more information. In order to be considered under the ICTAP program, your application must score within the pre-established "well qualified" category as stated in the Qualifications section.
  • More than one selection may be made from this vacancy announcement.
  • Some positions may require completion of a probationary period of up to 1 (one) year.
  • Many positions require successful completion of a background investigation.
  • All males born after December 31st 1959 must abide by laws regarding Selective Service registration. To learn more about this law, visit the Selective Service web page, Who Must Register. If you are not registered and don't have an approved exemption, you will not be eligible for employment with the Federal government.
EEO Policy: https://help.usajobs.gov/index.php/EEO_Policy_Statement
Reasonable Accommodation Policy: https://help.usajobs.gov/index.php/Reasonable_Accommodation_Policy_Statement
Veterans Information: https://help.usajobs.gov/index.php/Veterans_Information
Telework: www.telework.gov
Selective Service Registration: http://www.sss.gov/


How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

The Department of Energy uses an application tracking system to evaluate the responses you provide in the applicant assessment questionnaire to determine if you meet the minimum qualifications necessary for this position. Then, the HR Office and/or Subject Matter Expert (SME) will conduct a quality review of your application and supporting documentation to determine if your qualifications meet the criteria for referral to the selecting official.

We will also verify that you are eligible for Merit Promotion positions by reviewing your previous Federal employment to ensure you meet Time-in-Grade requirements. If you are eligible to apply to Merit Promotion announcements based on Veteran or other non-competitive statuses, we will verify your supporting documentation prior to referral.

If you are eligible for career transition assistance plans such as ICTAP or CTAP, you must meet the definition of "well qualified" which is defined as having a score of 85 or better.

If your resume is incomplete or does not support the responses you provided in your online questionnaire, or if you fail to submit all required documentation before the vacancy closes, you may be rated 'ineligible', 'not qualified', or your score may be adjusted accordingly.
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