Public Notice for Operations Research Analyst (Direct Hire)

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.

Evaluation of Education: The primary requirement of operations research work is competence in the rigorous methods of scientific inquiry and analysis rather than in the subject matter of the problem. Therefore, applicants should have sufficient knowledge of applied mathematics to understand and use the fundamental concepts and techniques of operations research methods of analysis. In addition, some positions may require knowledge of a specific subject area.

Courses acceptable for qualifying for operations research positions may have been taken in departments other than Operations Research, e.g., Engineering (usually Industrial Engineering), Science, Economics, Mathematics, Statistics, or Management Science.

The following are illustrative of acceptable courses: optimization; mathematical modeling; queueing theory; engineering; physics (except descriptive or survey courses); econometrics; psychometrics; biometrics; experimental psychology; physical chemistry; industrial process analysis; managerial economics; computer science; measurement for management; mathematical models in social phenomena; and courses that involved application of operations research techniques and methodologies to problems of management, marketing, systems design, and other specialized fields; or other comparable quantitative analysis courses for which college-level mathematics or statistics is a prerequisite. Courses in theory of probability and statistics are highly desirable but are not specified as minimum educational requirements because to do so would possibly exclude some applicants who would otherwise be well qualified.

IN ADDITION TO THE ABOVE BASIC REQUIREMENTS:

FG/GS-11: To qualify at this level, you must demonstrate possession of at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the FG/GS-9 level. Specialized experience is experience that has equipped you with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position. Specialized experience includes: Experience conducting analytical investigations using scientific methodology and problem solving; performing, interpreting, and correlating 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; selecting and modifying appropriate methods of operation, analyzing and interpreting results, and preparing reports.

OR three years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree or Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree directly related to the position.

FG/GS-12: To qualify at this level, you must demonstrate possession of at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the FG/GS-11 level. Specialized experience is experience that has equipped you with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position. Specialized experience includes: Experience formulating mathematical or simulation models of problems, relating constants and variables, restrictions, alternatives, conflicting objectives, and their numerical parameters; designing sample surveys; and applying modeling techniques and procedures.

FG/GS-13: To qualify at this level, you must demonstrate possession of at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the FG/GS-12 level. Specialized experience is experience that has equipped you with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position. Specialized experience includes: Experience developing mathematical algorithm; writing statistical computer programs; analyzing data using probability statistics and trend analysis; and modifying established methods.

FG/GS-14: To qualify at this level, you must demonstrate possession of at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the FG/GS-13 level. Specialized experience is experience that has equipped you with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position. Specialized experience includes: Experience completing assignments that involve initiating, applying, and planning major developmental studies; executing and controlling projects that represent an important segment of an organization’s operating programs and/or projects; using findings of specialized studies, new analytical developments, and modified processes to resolve novel or obscure problems that affect broad program operation; and evaluating data resulting from applying mathematical or statistical tools, models, methods, and techniques.

FG/GS-15: To qualify at this level, you must demonstrate possession of at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the FG/GS-14 level. Specialized experience is experience that has equipped you with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position. Specialized experience includes: Experience providing expert consultation to heads of major organizations, high-ranking Government officials, and key personnel within or outside the Federal Government; formulating, testing, and evaluating new theories, principles, concepts, and practices of the discipline; advancing state-of-the-art theories beyond established parameters; and contributing to published research studies or pioneering efforts that produce advanced theories, innovative applications, new scientific principles, or new research techniques.