Operations Research Analyst

Missile Defense Agency • Dahlgren, VA

3d

About The Position

This position is part of the Department of War (DoW), Missile Defense Agency (MDA), at the NH-1515-4 broadband level. The incumbent serves as the principal cost estimating expert for a program or team, providing authoritative guidance and analysis to program and organizational leadership. The role leads the development, documentation, updating, and delivery of life-cycle cost estimates (LCCEs) and cost analysis to support decision-making, program planning, resource allocation, and acquisition and contract efforts for MDA programs and initiatives. Cost estimates and analysis must comply with Department and MDA directives, standards, templates, and procedures. The position also leads uniform collection and reporting of cost, technical, and programmatic data; research to advance cost and schedule estimating methods for complex missile defense technologies and rapid acquisition; and the application and documentation of estimating methodologies, including linear and nonlinear regression to develop cost estimating relationships. The incumbent prepares and presents estimates, analyses, studies, excursions, and recommendations, and supports responses to Congressional requests for information and statutory and oversight requirements, including GAO audits.

The position is full-time, with a Maxi Flex tour of duty and occasional overtime and travel. It is situational telework eligible. The employee must obtain and maintain a Non-critical Sensitive/Secret security clearance, complete an initial drug screening and participate in random testing, and obtain Advanced DoD Acquisition Business, Cost Estimating certification within 48 months of entry. The incumbent must also earn 80 Continuous Learning Points every 24 months. Recruitment, relocation, or student loan repayment incentives may be authorized for eligible selectees, subject to agency policy and availability. The advertised salary for Fort Belvoir and Dahlgren, Virginia, excludes the current tax-free Cost of Living Allowance of 33.94%.

Requirements

• Must be a U.S. citizen.
• Must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to the NH-03/GS-13 level in Federal service and meet at least three of the five listed specialized-experience criteria.
• Specialized experience includes developing, documenting, and delivering credible, accurate, comprehensive cost estimates and analyses for decision-making, planning, resource allocation, and acquisition or contract efforts.
• Specialized experience includes developing and maintaining cost estimating and analysis tools and models for internal and external customers.
• Specialized experience includes collecting, validating, cleaning, and storing data in secure databases for future cost estimating and analysis.
• Specialized experience includes conducting cost research, evaluating complex data, identifying trends, and applying quantitative methods such as linear and nonlinear regression to develop cost estimating relationships and data-driven results.
• Specialized experience includes preparing and presenting cost estimates or analyses, results, and recommendations to customers and stakeholders.
• Must meet the Individual Occupational Requirements for the 1515 series: a degree in operations research, or at least 24 semester hours in a combination of qualifying quantitative subjects, including at least 3 semester hours in calculus.
• Transcripts must be provided; failure to provide transcripts results in ineligibility.
• Must obtain and maintain a Non-critical Sensitive/Secret security clearance.
• Must complete an initial drug screening and participate in random drug testing thereafter.
• Must obtain Advanced DoD Acquisition Business, Cost Estimating certification within 48 months of entry into the position.
• Must earn 80 Continuous Learning Points every 24 months.
• Males born after December 31, 1959, must be registered for Selective Service or be exempt.
• Must be suitable for Federal employment, as determined by a background investigation.
• May be required to successfully complete a probationary period.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the program or team's principal cost estimating expert and provide authoritative guidance and analysis to leadership.
• Lead, develop, document, update, and deliver life-cycle cost estimates and cost analyses to support decision-making, program planning, resource allocation, and acquisition and contract efforts.
• Ensure estimates and analysis comply with Department and MDA directives, standards, templates, and procedures.
• Lead uniform collection and reporting of cost, technical, and programmatic data across programs and contracts, consistent with statutory requirements.
• Lead research to advance cost and schedule estimating methodologies, including methods addressing complex missile defense technologies and rapid acquisition.
• Develop, apply, and document cost estimating and analysis methodologies, including linear and nonlinear regression to determine cost estimating relationships.
• Prepare, document, and present cost estimates, analyses, studies, excursions, and recommendations to customers and stakeholders.
• Lead, support, and review Congressional requests for information and responses to statutory and oversight requirements, including GAO audits.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Federal employee benefits package available to eligible employees.
• Recruitment, relocation, or student loan repayment incentives may be authorized for eligible selectees, depending on agency policy and availability.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior