Ops Research - Data Scientist

CAPE • Washington, DC

20h • Onsite

About The Position

The Cost Assessment and Program Evaluation (CAPE) organization is hiring an Operations Research Analyst (data scientist) in the Economic and Manpower Analysis Division (EMAD). EMAD applies data science, quantitative methods, and economic principles to resource-allocation and policy challenges across areas including the Defense Industrial Base and supply chains, the Military Health System, civilian and military manpower, and defense-wide programs. The position is located at the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia, and is a permanent, full-time Schedule B Excepted Service appointment. The position is open to U.S. citizens and requires the ability to obtain and maintain a Top Secret or Top Secret/SCI clearance.

The analyst conducts studies of Defense programs, applies analytical approaches to mission-focused policy, methodological, and administrative problems, and presents findings to senior leaders and nontechnical audiences. The role may lead Program Review teams assessing changes to Defense Components’ Program Objective Memoranda for compliance with Department of War guidance and alignment with defense strategy. The analyst ensures analytical methods are valid and appropriate and conducts analyses using programming or statistical software and related data tools. At GS-13, GS-14, or GS-15, the employee is expected to serve as a subject-matter expert advising senior leaders on analytical or methodological issues.

The position is offered at GS-13, GS-14, or GS-15, with a stated salary range of $121,785–$197,200. Qualification depends on the grade: candidates must demonstrate at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the applicable grade, in addition to meeting the education and quantitative coursework requirements. Relocation expenses are not reimbursed.

Requirements

• Degree in operations research from an accredited college or university, 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 be in calculus.
• Mastery of mathematical reasoning and experience designing, developing, and applying operations research, mathematical, statistical, data science, economic, or other scientific research methods.
• Demonstrated experience using quantitative analytics to solve complex problems with innovative solutions and recognized authority in a particular subject; ability to develop new methodologies or theories where existing approaches are obsolete or inadequate.
• Ability to apply quantitative analytics to policy issues and to identify and evaluate options for program development and implementation.
• Ability to review Department of War planning documents, assess their impact on industrial, manpower, defense-wide, or medical programs, and prepare fact-based recommendations.
• Ability to collaborate across internal and external organizations, navigate complex bureaucracies, share and obtain information, influence outcomes, develop professional networks, and identify relevant organizational politics.
• Ability to communicate complex concepts, findings, and limitations in concise, plain language through written materials such as emails, memos, PowerPoint briefings, white papers, and reports, and through oral presentations and briefings.
• Ability to explain and advocate for facts and ideas convincingly and to negotiate.
• At least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS grade sought: GS-13 experience extracting and organizing program or cost data, conducting basic mathematical analysis, assisting with collecting and implementing program or cost information, and communicating effectively with senior officials and stakeholders; GS-14 experience conducting a broad range of operations research assignments involving unique problems, creativity, advanced quantitative techniques or new technologies, and independently developing mathematical models and computer programs to evaluate and analyze program or cost data; GS-15 experience leading teams, performing complex statistical analyses and evaluations of large military programs, analyzing problems without defined goals or outcomes, providing expert consultation to senior leaders, and communicating effectively with senior officials and stakeholders.
• Must be able to obtain and maintain a Top Secret or Top Secret/SCI security clearance.

Nice To Haves

• Experience employing artificial intelligence in problem solving.
• Problem-solving experience in quantitative policy analysis, federal government programs and processes, defense programs, cost-benefit or economic analysis, financial or accounting analysis, manpower or workforce programs, supply chains, or the planning-programming-budgeting-execution (PPBE) process.

Responsibilities

• Conduct studies and analyses of Defense programs within EMAD’s portfolios.
• Apply analytical approaches to mission-focused policy, methodological, and administrative problems.
• Generate and present analytical findings clearly and concisely to senior leaders and nontechnical audiences.
• Lead Program Review teams evaluating changes to Defense Components’ Program Objective Memoranda for compliance with Department of War guidance or alignment with defense strategy.
• Ensure analytical techniques are valid and appropriate to the identified problem or issue, and execute analyses using approved methodologies.
• Conduct analysis using programming or statistical software and data tools such as Python, R, Excel, AI/ML techniques, Databricks, Snowflake, MATLAB, SAS, STATA, or ArcGIS.
• Work independently and as part of a team.
• Advise senior leaders as a subject-matter expert on methodological or analytical issues.

What This Job Offers

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