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Operations Research Analyst (Recent Graduate)

Department of Energy
Bonneville Power Administration
This job announcement has closed

Summary

This position is located in the Power Student Development (PD) organization within Power Services (P), of the Bonneville Power Administration (BPA).

The purpose of this position is to serve as a developmental operations research analyst responsible for researching, analyzing, interpreting, evaluating, and performing difficult but well precedented operations research assignments in support of one or more functions.

Overview

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Reviewing applications
Open & closing dates
12/21/2023 to 01/10/2024
Salary
$46,696 to - $79,655 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 7 - 9
Locations
2 vacancies in the following locations:
Portland, OR
Spokane, WA
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Travel Required
Occasional travel - You may be expected to travel for this position.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Recent graduates - 1-Year, Excepted Appointment may be converted to Term or Permanent.
Work schedule
Multiple Schedules - Full Time and Part Time
Service
Excepted
Promotion potential
12
Job family (Series)
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Not Required
Drug test
No
Position sensitivity and risk
Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk
Trust determination process
Announcement number
24-BPA-38043-12250379-RG
Control number
767462400

This job is open to

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Clarification from the agency

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

Duties

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As an Operations Research Analyst (Recent Graduate), you will:

  • Perform assigned segments or phases of larger assignments.
  • Conduct analytical investigations using scientific methodology and problem solving.
  • Analyze scientific data through computational processes; compare data from various reference sources or research agencies to identify correlating factors; and interpret the data and explain the mathematical or statistical techniques and limitations, and the significance of their use to the specific problem.
  • Perform, interpret, and correlate various calculations, analyses, and computations for unknown factors or relationships that are primarily matters of a factual nature or involve mechanisms that are well understood.
  • 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.
  • Plan and prepare special reports, statistical materials, and mathematical documentation. Recognize and apply an understanding of interrelationships among different functions and activities to determine the most appropriate technique for processing or presenting data.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • Must be a U.S. Citizen or National.
  • This employer participates in the e-Verify program.
  • Males born after 12/31/1959 must be registered for Selective Service.
  • Suitable for Federal employment, as determined by a background investigation.
  • A 1-year trial period is required.
  • Must be in good academic standing.
  • A Pathways Recent Graduate Participant Agreement is required.
To be eligible for the Recent Graduate program you must be a:
  • Recent graduate who has completed, within the previous two years, a qualifying associate's, bachelor's, master's, 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.
CONVERSION REQUIREMENTS: Pathways Recent Graduates are converted to a term or permanent position upon program completion. This is not automatic nor guaranteed. Conversion is at the discretion of the hiring manager and employing office.

To be eligible for conversion to permanent or term position, a Recent Graduate must:
  1. Be a U.S. citizen;
  2. Successful completion of 1 year of continuous service;
  3. Complete all training and development requirements within the 1-year appointment period;
  4. Demonstrate successful job performance;
  5. Meet the OPM qualification standards for the position to which converted;
  6. Receive a recommendation for conversion from the first-level supervisor; and
  7. Meet agency-specific requirements, as specified in the Participant Agreement.
  • A Recent Graduate may be converted to the highest General Schedule (GS) grade level qualified for at time of conversion.
  • Relocation (PCS) is not authorized for this vacancy; however, relocation/recruitment incentives may be paid in accordance with federal regulations and in consideration of budget availability for a highly qualified candidate; determined upon selection.

Qualifications

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.

GS-07: A qualified candidate's online application and resume must demonstrate at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-05) in the Federal service.

GS-07 Specialized Experience 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's degree curriculum from an accredited college or university, that is qualifying for the position to be filled. S.A.A. is based on (1) class standing, (2) grade point average, or (3) honor society membership. Class standing is being in the upper third of your graduating class, based on completed courses. Grade point average (GPA) is defined as: A GPA of 3.0 or higher out of a possible 4.0 as recorded on your official transcripts or as computed based on 4 years of education, or as computed based on courses completed during the final 2 years of the curriculum. Honor society membership is defined as a member of one of the national scholastic honor societies, as listed by the Association of College Honor Societies. -OR-
  • Combination of education and experience as described above: If you have some specialized experience as described above, but less than one year; and you have less than one full year of graduate level education, you may combine your education and experience to meet the requirements. To compute the percentage, divide your total months of qualifying experience by 12. Then divide your semester hours of graduate education by 18. Add the two percentages. The total percentage must equal at least 100 percent to qualify.

GS-09: A qualified candidate's online application and resume must demonstrate at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-07) in the Federal service.

GS-09 Specialized Experience 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:

  • Master's or equivalent graduate degree; or 2 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree; or a LL.B. or J.D. if related; your education must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work. -OR-
  • Combination of 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). One academic year of graduate education is considered to be the number of credits hours the graduate school has determined to represent one academic year of full-time study. If the graduate school's definition of one year of graduate study is not available, 18 semester hours (or 27 quarter hours) is used. When crediting education that requires specific course work the number of hours of related courses required, as a proportion of the total education, is prorated.

"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.

Education

Must submit transcripts with your application for proof of education and degree conferred date.

DO NOT email or mail in any of your application documents.

Documents will not be accepted outside of the online application system.


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

About the Position - Portland
This position is located in Portland, OR which boasts huge spans of amazing trees, foliage, landscape, and everywhere you look you can appreciate beautiful greenery! It is known as the most bike-friendly city in America, has a train system that greets you at the airport spanning across the city, and is home to the Portland International Rose Garden, the oldest in the country! Portland is the one place where you will find lively festivals, energetic music, mouthwatering food, and for you basketball fans, the Portland Trail Blazers are a 7 minute walk from the HQs building! There is always something new to experience in this eco-friendly town! 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.

Many positions require successful completion of a background investigation.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.

EEO Policy: http://www.usajobs.gov/eeo
Reasonable Accommodation Policy: http://www.usajobs.gov/raps
Veterans Information: http://www.usajobs.gov/viTelework: www.telework.gov
Selective Service Registration: http://www.sss.gov/

BPA strives to ensure a safe, positive, inclusive work environment, supported by Leadership Behaviors. For more information on Leadership Behaviors visit: www.bpa.gov/goto/LeadershipBehaviors

We also understand the importance of work/life balance and offer a variety of programs and policies designed to create more flexible, responsive work environments supportive of commitments to community, home and family members. BPA also supports employees' overall wellness through its Be Well program, which helps employees adopt healthier lifestyles and feel better about their work/life balance. The program supports five key areas of life: career, community, financial, physical and social.

How you will be evaluated

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

Once the application process is complete, your resume and supporting documentation will be used to determine whether you meet the job qualifications. If you are minimally qualified for this job, your responses to the self-assessment questions (True/False, Yes/ No, Multiple Choice questions) will be evaluated and you will be placed into one of three pre-defined quality categories under Category Rating procedures. These categories are "Best Qualified", "Well Qualified", and "Qualified. If you rate yourself higher than is supported by your application materials, your responses may be adjusted and/or you may be excluded from consideration for this job.

Your qualifications will be evaluated on the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities and other characteristics):

  • Computer Skills
  • Mathematical Reasoning
  • Oral Communication
  • Problem Solving
  • Research
  • Writing


Application of Veterans' Preference: If you are a 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.

You must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date ( 01/10/2024) of this announcement.

To preview the Assessment Questionnaire, click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12250379

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