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Operations Research Analyst

Department of Defense
Defense Contract Audit Agency
DCAA - Headquarters

Summary

Reemployed annuitant: This vacancy does not meet the criteria for appointment of annuitants.

This is an open-continuous announcement with referral lists being issued to the hiring manager every 2 weeks until vacancy close.

Overview

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Accepting applications
Open & closing dates
05/06/2026 to 07/06/2026
Salary
$106,437 - $138,370 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 13
Locations
5 vacancies in the following locations:
Anaheim, CA
San Diego, CA
Lone Tree, CO
Melbourne, FL
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
No
Travel Required
25% or less - You may be expected to travel for this position.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
Yes—You may qualify for reimbursement of relocation expenses in accordance with agency policy.
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
None
Job family (Series)
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Other
Drug test
Yes
Position sensitivity and risk
Noncritical-Sensitive (NCS)/Moderate Risk
Trust determination process
Financial disclosure
Yes
Bargaining unit status
No
Announcement number
DCAA-26-HQ-12953159
Control number
868148500

This job is open to

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Clarification from the agency

All US Citizens.

Duties

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  • Serves as an expert operations research analyst, plans, performs, and reports on research projects solo or in teams. Applies DA techniques across the full analytics life cycle to enhance agency mission performance and provide data-driven oversight.
  • Applies operations research and data analytics to special studies, audits, and leadership-directed projects. Resolves complex, unique agency matters through intensive, systematic exploration to support the DCAA audit community's mission.
  • Performs research and analysis of how data analytic software, data management platforms, and AI capabilities can be adapted and implemented for the agency's audit environment.
  • Provides OR and technical support for IT accounting, cost and financial audits. Uses electronic tools, enterprise analytic platforms (e.g., Databricks) and SQL queries to execute the contract audit mission and ensure financial oversight accuracy.
  • Develops tailored review plans, analytical models and process improvements for agency programs and control systems. Supports business process re-engineering and enterprise architecture goals by assessing needs and researching alternative solutions.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

Must be a U.S Citizen as verified through E-Verify Program

Drug Testing:
If you are given access to classified information, you will be subject to random drug testing. If you are selected for a special sensitive position, you will be placed in a drug testing designated position. You must pass a drug test before your assignment to such a position and you will be subject to random drug testing subsequent to your assignment.

Background Investigation: All selectees will be subject to a personnel security investigation which must be favorably adjudicated for occupancy of a sensitive position and/or access to classified information. If you are selected for a critical/special sensitive position, you will be subject to a Single Scope Background Investigation (SSBI). For a critical sensitive position, you must be able to obtain and maintain security clearance eligibility at the Top Secret level. For a special sensitive position, you must be able to obtain and maintain security clearance eligibility at the Top Secret/Sensitive Compartmented Information (TS/SCI) level AND you will be subject to a random counterintelligence scope polygraph.

Qualifications

You may qualify for consideration if meeting time-in grade, specialized experience, education requirement, 90 days after competitive appointment requirement, and all other qualification requirements within 30 calendar days after the closing date of the announcement, unless otherwise indicated on the announcement.

You must meet the minimum qualification requirements as stated in the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Operating Manual, Qualification Standards for General Schedule Positions, http://www.opm.gov/qualifications/Standards/group-stds/gs-prof.asp.

Basic Education Requirement: A Bachelor's Degree or higher 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.

Specialized Experience:
You must have one year of specialized experience at the GS-12 or equivalent level. Specialized experience must be documented in your resume.Specialized experience is defined as: Executing full-lifecycle analytics and operations research to evaluate and enhance complex business and financial systems; OR Managing enterprise data assets, including metadata cataloging, data classification, and lifecycle management; OR Driving business process re-engineering, workflow automation, and the prototyping or evaluation of emerging AI capabilities; OR Guiding technical teams, advising on complex projects, and presenting strategic recommendations to senior leadership.

Volunteer Experience: 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 to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

Education

Substitution of Education for Specialized Experience: There is no substitution of education for experience at this grade level.

Additional information

DCAA has a comprehensive benefits package that includes retirement, social security and thrift savings; health, life and long term care insurance; paid vacation, sick leave and holidays. DCAA employees enjoy our business-casual dress code, flexible work schedules, and transit subsidies.

Selective Service: Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered or exempt from Selective Service (see www.sss.gov).

Initial Probationary Period: Accepting this position, you may be required to serve a I-year probationary period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest.

PCS: Relocation expenses reimbursed - Yes - You may qualify for reimbursement of relocation expenses in accordance with agency policy. Relocation expenses will be offered based on agency staffing needs and budgetary availability.

Salary: The salaries noted in this announcement are the base salary and locality pay for the Rest of U.S. pay schedule at the GS-13 step 01 and 10 levels. The General Schedule (GS) basic pay schedule varies by geographic locality. To view pay rates in a specific location visit the Office of Personnel Management pay tables at https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/pay-leave/salaries-wages/2026/general-schedule/.

Additional Vacancies: This announcement may be used to fill additional positions within 120 days of the certificate issuance date.

Performance Appraisal: If you are a current Federal employee, you must be rated fully successful or higher on your current performance rating to be eligible for promotion. You may be asked to provide a copy of your performance appraisal during the evaluation and selection process.

All applicants are encouraged to apply electronically. If you are unable to apply on-line, you may contact 317-212-0454 for assistance.

This position is not covered by a bargaining unit.

Are you looking for an employee-friendly work environment, challenging assignments, specialized training and generous benefits? At DCAA you'll find all this in a progressive organization dedicated to continuous improvement. DCAA is ranked in the top third of the "Best Places to Work in the Federal Government." Join the elite cadre of professionals who have made DCAA their employer of choice. You will be providing a unique service to your country and making a difference in the lives of Americans everywhere!

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

How you will be evaluated

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

Your application will initially be reviewed to determine whether you meet the minimum eligibility and qualifications requirements. If you are qualified, you will then receive a numeric score based on the degree to which your background matches the knowledge, skills and abilities for the position listed below. If a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications, you will be assigned a rating commensurate with your background. Your final score will be used to determine if you are among the best qualified candidates.
Competencies:

  • Communication
  • Cost Estimation and Analysis
  • Technical Competence
  • Operations Support
  • Information Technology Customer Support

Criminal History Inquiries- If you apply to this position and are selected, we will not ask about your criminal history before you receive a conditional job offer. If you believe you were asked about your criminal history improperly, contact the agency @ dcaa.belvoir.hq.mbx.ask-lmer@mail.mil

Defense Contract Audit Agency

Agency contact information

HR Customer Care Center
Phone
(317) 212-0454
Email
dfas.indianapolis-in.zh.mbx.dfasmeritcc@mail.mil
Address
DCAA - HEADQUARTERS
8725 John J. Kingman Road
Ft. Belvoir, VA 22060
US

Visit our careers page

Learn more about what it's like to work at Defense Contract Audit Agency, what the agency does, and about the types of careers this agency offers.

http://www.dcaa.mil

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