Clarification from the agency

- Recent Graduates - All U.S. Citizens, Nationals, and Foreign Nationals who meet both Immigration Laws and Annual Appropriations Laws.

As an Operations Research Analyst, you will:

• Perform minor phases of a larger assignments.
  
  
• Conduct analytical investigations using appropriate methodology and problem solving.
  
  
• Perform, interpret, and correlate various calculations, analyses, and computations for unknown factors or relationships.
  
  
• Learn techniques and gain knowledge through job experience and extended professional training that supplements technical understanding.
  
  
• Use computers and information technology and their varied applications to accomplish projects, designs, plans, and reports.
  
  
• Prepare required recurring reports, correspondence, and documentation.

Conditions of employment

• You must be a United States Citizen.
• This employer participates in the e-Verify program.
• See "Other Information" section regarding Selective Service requirements.

Hiring incentives may be authorized for a highly qualified candidate based on budget availability and in accordance with federal regulations.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS:

• 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.
  When you apply you will be asked a series of questions to determine your eligibility for employment and your qualification for this position specifically. You must answer all of these questions completely and truthfully.
• A preliminary background check must be completed before a new employee can begin work. Current Federal employees or other individuals with an existing completed background investigation may not be required to undergo another background check.
• Selectee may be subject to a 1 year probationary period. 

CONVERSION REQUIREMENTS:

BPA has the option to convert a Recent Graduate position to a permanent or term position upon successful completion of program requirements. This is not automatic, nor guaranteed. Conversion is at the discretion of the hiring manager and employing office.

To be eligible to be converted to permanent or term position you must:

• Be a US Citizen.
• Be recommended for conversion by your manager.
• Complete all training and development requirements within the 1-year appointment period.
• Successful completion of 1 year of continuous service.
• Have demonstrated successful job performance.
• Met OPM qualification standard for the position to which you will be converted.
• A Recent Graduate may be converted to the highest General Schedule (GS) grade level qualified for at time of conversion.
• Relocation may be authorized with conversion.

Qualifications

To be eligible for the Recent Graduate program you must be a:

Recent graduate who has completed, within the previous two years, a qualifying associates, bachelors, masters, professional, doctorate, vocational or technical degree or certificate from a qualifying educational institution.

-OR-

Student who within nine months of the closing date of this announcement will meet the education requirements and will graduate with a qualifying associates, bachelors, masters, professional, doctorate, vocational or technical degree or certificate from a qualifying educational institution. A student may not be appointed to a position until they have graduated.

-OR-

Preference eligible veteran who was precluded from applying due to their military service obligation begin their two-year eligibility period upon release or discharge from active duty. Eligibility for these veterans cannot exceed six years after degree or certificate completion.

BASIC REQUIREMENT 

Completed a full 4 year course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a bachelor's 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 were in calculus.

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENT:

GS-07:

A qualified candidate's resume must demonstrate at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-05) in the Federal service.

Specialized experience for this position is defined as: Assisting with performing calculations, analyses, and computations of data with models and manipulating variables to determine how a process, object, or concept would behave in different situations; or using basic mathematical and statistical theories and practices to identify and interpret factors or relationships.

You may substitute education for specialized experience as follows:

• One year of graduate-level education, or superior academic achievement (S.A.A.) gained in a bachelor degree curriculum that is qualifying for the position to be filled (based on class standing, grade-point average, or honor society membership). See the following link for more information: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-policies/#url=app —OR—
• Combination of education and experience as described above. Less than one year of specialized experience may be combined with completed graduate education.

GS-09:

A qualified candidate's resume must demonstrate at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-07) in the Federal service.

Specialized experience for this position is defined as: Applying a practical knowledge of mathematics and operations research analysis to perform analytical investigations, problem solve, interpret and correlate various calculations, analyses, and computations to accomplish projects, plans, and reports.

You may substitute education for specialized experience as follows:

• Two years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a master's degree, or master's, or equivalent graduate degree; your education must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work. —OR—
• Combination of graduate education and experience as described above. Less than one year of specialized experience may be combined with graduate education in excess of the amount required for the next lower grade level (i.e., credit hours beyond the first year of full-time study may be credited).

Your resume should demonstrate that you possess the following knowledge, skills, abilities and competencies (KSACs). Do not provide a separate narrative written statement. Rather, you must describe in your resume how your past work experience demonstrates that you possess the KSACs identified below. Cite specific examples of employment or experience and describe how this experience has prepared you to successfully perform the duties of this position.

1. Computer Skills: Uses computers, software applications, databases, and automated systems to accomplish work.
2. Mathematical Reasoning: Solves practical problems by choosing appropriately from a variety of mathematical and statistical techniques.
3. Oral Communication: Expresses information (for example, ideas or facts) to individuals or groups effectively, taking into account the audience and nature of the information (for example, technical, sensitive, controversial); makes clear and convincing oral presentations; listens to others, attends to nonverbal cues, and responds appropriately.
4. Problem Solving: Identifies problems; determines accuracy and relevance of information; uses sound judgment to generate and evaluate alternatives, and to make recommendations.
5. Writing: Recognizes or uses correct English grammar, punctuation, and spelling; communicates information (for example, facts, ideas, or messages) in a succinct and organized manner; produces written information, which may include technical material, that is appropriate for the intended audience.

"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.

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 place you into an initial quality category via OPM's Category Rating procedures. These categories are "Best Qualified", "Well Qualified", and "Qualified. Then, the HR Office and/or Subject Matter Expert (SME) will conduct a quality review of your application and supporting documentation to ensure you have been placed into the appropriate quality category.

Your application is rated based on the extent and quality of your experience, education (when applicable), and training as described in your resume and applicant assessment. Your credentials are measured against the established duties of the position at the grade level(s) being advertised.

 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 scoring in the Well Qualified category (or higher).

 If you are a Veteran Preference eligible candidate, you will be listed at the top of whichever quality category your rating places you in. CP/CPS veterans are placed at the top of the highest category for all positions except professional and scientific positions at GS-9 and higher.

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