Clarification from the agency

Open to current and former Federal employees with competitive status, VEOA Applicants, AND All U.S. Citizens.

The Operations Research Analyst:

• Supports the team in conducting feasibility studies and research on large-scale safety information systems. Apply basic operations research techniques to analyze organizational processes and data. 
• Assists in data collection and management for transportation safety systems. Performs testing and quality assurance tasks to ensure the validity and utility of safety data.
• Prepares and maintains documentation related to software configurations and application designs to meet customer needs. Helps document system scope and objectives for significant components of larger programs.
• Works collaboratively with team members to fulfill project objectives while supporting the Division's strategic initiatives. Learns to use Information Technology (IT) and Information Systems (IS) to assist in developing applications that reduce safety risks.
• Assists team members or project managers in tracking milestones and deliverables for assigned segments of studies. Participates in meetings to exchange information and coordinate work efforts.

The ideal candidate possesses a background in operations research, data science, computer science, mathematics, and/or engineering. Preferred technical skills include transportation analysis, environmental assessment, sustainment analysis, data modeling, object-oriented programming, system engineering, requirements development, and Extensible Markup Language (XML) and web development. While a background in aviation, air traffic management, and/or maintenance operations is desired, it is not mandatory, as the division has access to numerous subject matter experts and the required knowledge can be gained on-the-job.

The Division develops, enhances, operates and maintains large-scale, safety information systems for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the Department of Defense (DOD), and other federal agencies.

Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S.Citizen and eligible for consideration.
• You must meet specialized experience to qualify.
• Required documents must be submitted by the closing date.
• Submit application and resume online by 11:59 PM EST on the closing date.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider:

• your performance and conduct;
• the needs and interests of the agency;
• whether your continued employment would advance the organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
• whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.

Upon completion of your probationary period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

• SELECTIVE SERVICE: Males born after 12/31/1959 must be registered for the Selective Service.
• PROBATIONARY PERIOD: You must complete a one-year probationary period (unless already completed).
• DEU REQUIREMENTS: Applicants selected under delegated examining procedures may be required to successfully complete a one-year probationary period (unless already completed).

Qualifications

To meet the minimum qualifications for this position, you must (1) meet the Education Requirement for the series, (2) provide a copy of transcripts for verification, AND (3) meet either the education or experience qualifications for the grade at which you are requesting consideration.

To qualify for the GS-07 on Experience, you must have at least one year of experience equal or equivalent to the GS-05 it must include:

• Experience assisting in the application of operations research tools, analytical techniques and information technology and systems
  knowledge.
• Experience assisting in the preparation of reports and presentations and presenting to individuals and groups within an organization.
  
  

To qualify for the GS-07 on Education alone, you must have at least 1 year of graduate-level education OR superior academic achievement.

•    **Superior Academic Achievement is based on (1) class standing, (2) grade-point average, or (3) honor society membership.
•    1. Class standing -- Applicants must be in the upper third of the graduating class in the college, university, or major subdivision, such as the College of Liberal Arts or the School of Business Administration, based on completed courses.
•    2. Grade-point average (G.P.A.) -- Applicants must have a grade-point average of: 3.0 or higher out of a possible 4.0 ("B" or better) as recorded on their official transcript, or as computed based on 4 years of education, or as computed based on courses completed during the final 2 years of the curriculum; or 3.5 or higher out of a possible 4.0 ("B+" or better) based on the average of the required courses completed in the major field or the required courses in the major field completed during the final 2 years of the curriculum.

You can also qualify based on a combination of graduate level education and experience. This must be fully supported by your resume and transcripts, provided with your application.

To qualify for the GS-09 on Experience, you must have at least one year of experience equal or equivalent to the GS-07 it must include:

• Experience assisting in the application of operations research tools, analytical techniques and information technology and systems knowledge (e.g., statistics, time series analysis, applied queueing theory, simulation, optimization, probabilistic uncertainty analysis) to improve decision making processes, system development methods or other operations.
• Experience preparing reports and presentations, and presenting to individuals and groups within an organization.

To qualify for the GS-09 on Education alone, you must have:

• 2 years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a master's degree or have been awarded a master's or equivalent graduate degree.
• You can also qualify based on a combination of graduate education and experience. This must be fully supported by your resume and transcripts, provided with your application.
  
  

To qualify for the GS-11 on Experience, you must have at least one year of experience equal or equivalent to the GS-09 it must include:

• Experience applying operations research tools and information technology and systems knowledge (e.g., statistics, time series analysis, applied queueing theory, simulation, optimization, probabilistic uncertainty analysis) to decision making processes, system development methods or other operations.
• Experience preparing reports and presentations, and presenting to individuals and groups such as managers, clients, professional organizations, and/or other groups and individuals.

To qualify for the GS-11 on Education alone, you must have:

• 3 years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree or Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree.
• You can also qualify based on a combination of higher level graduate education and experience. This must be fully supported by your resume and transcripts, provided with your application.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES (KSAs): Your qualifications will be evaluated on the basis of your level of knowledge, skills, abilities and/or competencies in the following areas:

• Operations Support - Knowledge of procedures to ensure production or delivery of products and services, including tools and mechanisms for distributing new or enhanced software.
• Technical Documentation - Knowledge of procedures for developing technical and operational support documentation.
• Teamwork - Encourages and facilitates cooperation, pride, trust, and group identity; fosters
  commitment and team spirit; works with others to achieve goals.
• Project Management - Knowledge of the principles, methods, or tools for developing, scheduling, coordinating, and managing projects and resources, including monitoring and inspecting costs, work, and contractor performance.
• Quality Assurance - Knowledge of the principles, methods, and tools of quality assurance and quality control used to ensure a product fulfills functional requirements and standards.

For all types of consideration, 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

For additional information about applying to Federal positions, please click on the following link: https://www.opm.gov/frequently-asked-questions/employment-faq/federal-hiring/how-do-i-apply-for-federal-jobs/

Students enrolled in a qualifying degree program can apply if the anticipated graduation date is within six months of closing date of the announcement. Graduation transcript must be received before start date.

Other applicants must meet all qualification 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.

DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE: PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE WILL NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. If your resume/ application does not support your questionnaire answers, we will not allow credit for your response(s). Your resume must contain sufficiently detailed information upon which to make a qualification determination. Please ensure that your resume contains specific information such as position titles, beginning and ending dates of employment for each position, average number of hours worked per week, and if the position is/was in the Federal government, you should provide the position series and grade level. 

All applicants:  Your application will be reviewed in two phases determine how you move forward in the hiring process.  Phase I: Your resume will be reviewed to determine your technical qualifications for this position based on the required specialized experience. ONLY two (2) pages of your resume will be reviewed. Additional information beyond your resume (e.g., cover letter, links embedded in your resume) will not be reviewed.  Applicants passing “Phase I” will move on to the “Phase II” of the assessment process where your application will be reviewed and rated based on the KSAs/Competencies listed in the vacancy announcement by a Subject Matter Expert (SME).