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Operations Research Analyst

Department of Defense
Missile Defense Agency
Cost Estimating
This job announcement has closed

Summary

Salary Ranges are the following unless statutory/regulatory rates prevail.

For the Redstone Arsenal, AL Location: $127,073 to $191,900 (includes 21.48% locality)
For the Dahlgren Location: $139,395 to $191,900 (includes 33.26% locality)

Overview

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Job canceled
Open & closing dates
12/10/2024 to 12/19/2024
Salary
$127,073 to - $191,900 per year
Pay scale & grade
NH 4
Locations
1 vacancy in the following locations:
Redstone Arsenal, AL
Dahlgren, VA
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
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
4
Job family (Series)
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Secret
Drug test
Yes
Position sensitivity and risk
Noncritical-Sensitive (NCS)/Moderate Risk
Trust determination process
Financial disclosure
Yes
Bargaining unit status
No
Announcement number
MDA-25-12626648-MP
Control number
823199900

This job is open to

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Clarification from the agency

CURRENT PERMANENT DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE CIVILIAN EMPLOYEES, Military Spouses, Displaced employees Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan within the local commuting area, DoD Retained Grade eligible (PPP RGP), DoD Military Reserve (MR) and National Guard (NG) Technician Eligible (PPP MRNG), DoD MR and NG Preference Eligible Tech Receiving Disability Retirement (PPP DoD MR & NG), PPP DoD MRNG, and Veteran Employment Opportunities Act (VEOA) (C-VEOA)

Duties

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This position is part of the Department of Defense (DoD), Missile Defense Agency (MDA). The incumbent will be responsible for
serving as Cost Analyst in the Directorate of Cost Estimating and Analysis (DOC) providing a full range of cost estimating and analysis services for MDA program elements (matrixed) and MDA/DOC (non-matrixed).

The position(s) covered by this vacancy announcement is in the Department of Defense (DoD) Acquisition Workforce Personnel Demonstration Project (AcqDemo). For more information please see: ACQDEMO

As a Operations Research Analyst at the NH-1515-4 broadband level some of your typical work assignments may include:

  • Participating as a member of an Integrated Product Team (IPT) or program office to generate cost-related products in support of acquisition milestones, contract actions, budgets, trades and other key program decision points to execute the organization's mission.
  • Supporting cost trade analyses (e.g. what-if drills, business case analysis, cost benefit analysis, economic analysis, cost as an independent variable, architecture trades, design to cost, and analysis of alternatives).
  • Performing analysis to help leadership make informative decisions concerning cost, budget, and schedule over the life cycle of acquisition programs.
  • Providing cost estimating and analysis products and instructions in support of Request for Proposal (RFP) actions through post-contract award activities.
  • Participating in source selections/proposal evaluations to evaluate risk, reasonableness, and realism.
  • Developing standardized, product-oriented Work Breakdown Structures (WBS), Cost Element Structures (CES), data collection plans, Contract Data Requirements Lists (CDRLs), Data Item Descriptions (DIDs), and cost reporting award fee criteria.
  • Assisting in the development and review of Cost Analysis Requirements Descriptions (CARDs).
  • Collecting, reviewing, analyzing, documenting, and storing cost data and related program, schedule, and technical data in organization's database and library, including Contract Performance Reports and Cost & Software Data Reports.
  • Developing, applying, and documenting appropriate cost estimating and analysis methodologies, utilizing techniques such as linear and non-linear regression to determine cost estimating relationships (CERs).
  • Developing, updating, and maintaining cost models capable of providing timely, credible, accurate, comprehensive, and documented program life cycle cost estimates.
  • Generating alternative methodologies and cross-checks to validate primary cost estimate.
  • Conducting sensitivity, risk, and uncertainty analysis.
  • Documenting cost estimates including the requirements, steps, data sources, assumptions, methodologies, risk and uncertainty analysis, sensitivity analysis, and outputs to allow for full understanding and replication of the cost estimate.
  • Preparing, reviewing, and presenting cost estimates, cost analysis, cost studies, excursions, recommendations, and briefings to Missile Defense Agency (MDA) leadership and stakeholders.
  • Developing, updating, and maintaining a Joint Cost Model with the Lead Service(s) to support the MDA transition of systems.
  • Conducting quality assurance reviews of cost estimates to ensure they are credible, accurate, comprehensive, and documented.
  • Generating the cost estimates presented in resource baselines for the Baseline Execution Reviews and Missile Defense Accountability Report (MDAR).
  • Supporting Integrated Baseline Reviews (IBRs) and reconcile Earned Value Management (EVM) Estimates at Completion (EAC) with IGCEs.
  • Supporting and/or responding to external requests for information related to MDA cost estimates through oral and written communication with supporting data products.
  • Advising staff, peers, and leadership on matters related to cost estimating and analysis.
  • Developing and/or interpreting policy guidance and procedures relating to cost estimating and analysis.
  • Presenting findings of studies and represent the organization on cost-related matters.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • Must be a US citizen
  • Male born after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective Service
  • Resume and supporting documents received by 11:59PM EST will be considered
  • Suitable for Federal employment determined by background investigation
  • May be required to successfully complete a probationary period
  • This is a Drug Testing designated position
  • Work Schedule: Fulltime
  • Overtime: Occasionally
  • Tour of Duty: Maxi Flex
  • Recruitment Incentives: Certain incentives (such as Recruitment, Relocation or Student Loan Repayment) may be authorized to eligible selectees based on agency policy and availability
  • Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA): Exempt
  • Financial Disclosure: Required
  • Telework Eligibility: This position is telework eligible
  • Selective Service Requirement: Please visit http://www.sss.gov for more information
  • Must obtain/maintain Non-critical Sensitive/Secret security clearance
  • This is an acquisition position coded Advanced in Business, Cost Estimating. Incumbent must obtain mandatory Back-to-Basics (BtB) certification within 48 months of entry into position
  • Must acquire 80 Continuous Learning Points every 24 months

Qualifications

You may qualify at the NH-04 broadband level if you fulfill the following qualifications:

One year of specialized experience equivalent to the NH-03/GS-13 grade level in the Federal service and must meet at least three of the five specialized experience listed below:

  • Developing credible, accurate, comprehensive, and documented Life Cycle Cost Estimates (LCCEs), Program Office Estimates (POEs), and/or Independent Government Cost Estimates (IGCEs).
  • Collecting, normalizing, and analyzing data.
  • Developing and applying appropriate cost estimating and analysis methodologies, utilizing techniques such as linear and non-linear regression to determine cost estimating relationships (CERs).
  • Developing, updating, and maintaining cost models capable of providing timely, reliable cost estimates.
  • Preparing, presenting, and documenting cost estimates, cost analysis, cost studies, excursions, recommendations, and/or briefings to customers and stakeholders.
Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). 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.

In addition to meeting qualifications, your application package must reflect the applicable experience to meet the Individual Occupational Requirements for the 1515 series.

https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/1500/operations-research-series-1515/

*NOTE: Failure to provide transcripts will result in you being rated ineligible for this position.

Please limit your resume to five pages. If more than five pages are submitted, only the first five pages will be reviewed to determine your eligibility/qualifications. NOTE: The limit does not apply to cover letters, eligibility documents such as Standard Form (SF) 50, Military Spouse, DD Form 214, transcripts, etc.

Education

Substitution of education may not be used in lieu of specialized experience for this grade level.

Additional information

This position may be eligible for part time, substantial or ad-hoc telework at the discretion of management.

Veterans Employment Opportunity Act (VEOA):
To be eligible for a VEOA appointment under Merit Promotion procedures, the veteran must be a preference eligible or a veteran separated after 3 years or more of continuous active service performed under honorable conditions.

Interagency Career Transition Assistance Programs: This program applies to employees who have been involuntarily separated from a Federal service position within the competitive service or Federal service employees whose positions have been deemed surplus or no longer needed. To receive selection priority for this position, you must: 1) meet ICTAP eligibility criteria; 2) be rated well-qualified for the position; Well qualified is defined as possessing the type and quality of experience that exceeds the positions minimum qualifications. and 3) submit the appropriate documentation to support your ICTAP eligibility. For more information: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/employee-guide-to-career-transition/.

Noncompetitive Appointment Authorities: For more information on noncompetitive appointment authority eligibility requirements:
Special Hiring Authorities for Veterans
Other Special Appointment Authorities - Subpart F
Special Hiring Authority for Certain Military Spouses

Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered or exempt from Selective Service (seehttps://www.sss.gov/register/who-needs-to-register/#p5 )

To receive consideration please make sure you select ALL appropriate eligibilities in the application questionnaire.

ACQUISITION POSITION: This position requires Acquisition Workforce Level Advanced in Business, Cost Estimating Certification prior to hiring is not essential but must be accomplished within 24 months after entry into this position.

Re-employed Annuitant: This position does not meet criteria for re-employed annuitant. The DoD criteria for hiring Re-employed Annuitants can be found at: https://www.esd.whs.mil/Portals/54/Documents/DD/issuances/140025/1400.25-V300.pdf

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, a review of your application will be made to ensure you meet the job requirements. To determine if you are qualified for this job, a review of your resume and supporting documentation will be made and compared against your responses to the occupational questionnaire. The numeric rating you receive is based on your responses to the questionnaire. The score is a measure of the degree to which your background matches the knowledge, skills and abilities required of this position. If, after reviewing your resume and or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications and/or experience, your score can and will be adjusted to more accurately reflect your abilities. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your rating.

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

Communication, Cost Estimation and Analysis, Cost-Benefit Analysis, Data Analysis, Leadership, Mathematics and Statistics, and Teamwork

Military Spouse Preference: If you are entitled to military spouse preference, in order to receive this preference you must choose the spousal eligibility in your application package referencing MSP Military Spouse Preference. Your preference entitlement will be verified by the employing agency. If you are claiming military spouse preference and qualified for the position, your name will be placed below preference eligible veteran candidates and above non-preference candidates on a list sent to the hiring manager for employment consideration. To claim Military Spouse Preference (MSP) please complete the Military Spouse PPP Self-Certification Checklist, save the document and attach it to your application package.

Priority Placement Program (PPP) DoD Retained Grade Preference (RGP): In order to receive this preference, you must choose to apply using the "Priority Placement Program, DoD Retained Grade Preference (RGP)" eligibility. If you are claiming RGP and are determined to be Well Qualified (score of 85 or above) for the position, you will be referred to the hiring manager as a priority applicant. Information and required documentation for claiming MSP may be found at the General Applicant Information and Definitions link below. To be eligible as a RGP, you must submit the following supporting documents with your application package: a signed Retained Grade PPP Self-Certification Checklist (DD3145-1 (whs.mil)); a copy of your Notification of Personnel Action (SF-50) effecting the placement in retained grade status; or a copy of the notification letter you received regarding the RIF or classification downgrade.

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