Operations Research Analyst

Internal Revenue Service • Anchorage, AK

1d

About The Position

This position is in the IRS Criminal Investigation (CI) Scientific Research and Trend Analysis area. The Operations Research Analyst analyzes the efficiency and effectiveness of major Criminal Investigation programs using sophisticated mathematical, statistical, and other scientific methods. The role conducts operational research on tax administration and management problems, develops approaches to identify non-compliance and fraud potential, and provides quantitative analysis to support operational decisions.

The analyst uses data from sources inside and outside the IRS to develop and apply research techniques, models, and methods for problem solving. The position may formulate economic theories in mathematical terms and test them statistically to predict impacts on Criminal Investigation and other operational divisions. It also provides leadership and guidance to management on data collection, study methodology, and the evaluation of alternatives.

The position requires qualifying education in operations research or a qualifying combination of quantitative coursework, including at least three semester hours in calculus. For the GS-14 level, applicants must also have one year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-13, including operations research assignments applying mathematical or statistical reasoning and methods to problems such as resource allocation, regression, econometric projections, or workload forecasting.

Requirements

• Operations research degree, 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 three of the 24 semester hours must be in calculus.
• Applicants must provide transcripts or relevant documentation verifying the basic education requirements.
• For GS-14: One year of specialized experience equivalent in difficulty and responsibility to GS-13 in the Federal service, including operations research assignments requiring mathematical or statistical reasoning and techniques pertinent to the position.
• For GS-14: Specialized experience must include conducting operations research to identify probable causes of cost or workload variances and procedures to resolve them, and selecting and applying appropriate mathematics, economics, econometrics, or statistics to solve research problems. Examples include computerized mathematical resource-allocation or simulation models, regression models, econometric projections, or workload forecasting models.
• Current civilian employees must meet the time-after-competitive-appointment requirement: at least 90 days of federal civilian service since their latest qualifying non-temporary competitive appointment, by the applicable closing or cutoff date.
• Applicants for positions above GS-05 must meet applicable time-in-grade requirements, including one year (52 weeks) at the next lower grade level.
• Foreign education must be shown to be equivalent to education in a conventional U.S. program; applicants are responsible for providing evidence of equivalency.
• Submit to a drug test before appointment and random drug testing while in the position; a negative result is required.
• Obtain and use a Government-issued charge card for business-related travel.
• Complete any applicable probationary period.

Nice To Haves

• Coursework in probability and statistics is highly desirable.
• Knowledge of applied mathematics sufficient to understand and use fundamental operations research concepts and methods.
• Coursework in areas such as optimization, mathematical modeling, queueing theory, econometrics, psychometrics, biometrics, experimental psychology, physical chemistry, industrial process analysis, managerial economics, computer science, or quantitative analysis applied to management and other specialized fields.

Responsibilities

• Analyze the efficiency and effectiveness of major Criminal Investigation programs using mathematical, statistical, and other scientific methods.
• Conduct operational research on critical tax administration and management problems using mathematical techniques, statistical methods, and scientific disciplines.
• Develop methods to identify areas of non-compliance using mathematical techniques and analytical models, and predict the effects of alternative actions.
• Develop formulas using discriminant and other statistical analysis to identify taxpayer documents and processes with a high degree of fraud potential.
• Develop and apply research techniques to solve problems using data from sources inside and outside the IRS.
• Formulate economic theories mathematically and test them statistically to predict impacts on Criminal Investigation and other operational divisions.
• Provide quantitative analysis to support decision-making and improve operations, including through unconventional approaches.
• Guide management in determining the nature and quantity of data to collect and analyze, establishing study methodology, and evaluating alternatives.

Benefits

• Comprehensive federal employee benefits package for employees and their families; specific eligibility depends on position type.
• Alternative work schedules and staggered work hours may be available.

What This Job Offers

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