Operations Research Analyst

Joint Activities • Fort Meade, MD

11d • Onsite

About The Position

This position is part of the Department of Defense Cyber Excepted Service (CES) in the Excepted Service under 10 USC 1599f. It is located at the U.S. Cyber Command J5 at Fort Meade, Maryland, and is classified in the Professional Work Category at the Senior Work Level within the CES Occupational Structure. The role is an Analysis, Modeling, and Simulation (M&S) Career Program position.

The analyst evaluates and forecasts advanced technologies to identify strategic opportunities and vulnerabilities for cyberspace operations. The position develops long-range capability forecasts, threat assessments, and technology roadmaps for USCYBERCOM and homeland defense, and works with internal directorates to translate forecasts into capability development and acquisition plans. The analyst also manages technology development budgets and research portfolios, prepares Statements of Work, serves as a technical point of contact for contracts and agreements, monitors external developers, and helps transition mature concepts into formal acquisition pipelines and fielded systems.

The position requires the ability to obtain and maintain a TOP SECRET SCI clearance and complete a counterintelligence-scope polygraph. It is a drug-testing-designated position and is covered by the Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention and Control Program. Travel away from the normal duty station may be required up to 10% of the time. The employee may also be recalled, work outside normal duty hours—including evenings, weekends, or holidays—and perform overtime, call-back, and emergency duty.

This is a Cyber Term position. CES term appointments may be extended up to a maximum of five years, and the position may be converted to permanent without further competition after three years of continuous service. A trial period is required. Permanent employees selected for and accepting the position will be converted to a Cyber Term appointment. Multiple positions may be filled. Recruitment, retention, and relocation incentives may be authorized, and PCS allowances may be authorized subject to applicable rules and agency determination.

Requirements

• Directly applicable experience demonstrating the knowledge, skills, abilities, and competencies necessary for success in the position.
• Experience applying operations research principles, quantitative analysis, or structured analytical methodologies to evaluate emerging technologies or operational capabilities.
• Experience developing operational concepts, capability requirements, or Concepts of Operations (CONOPS) to address strategic or technological challenges.
• Experience tracking technical milestones, project schedules, or capability transition plans in collaboration with research laboratories, academic institutions, or external developers.
• A 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 be in calculus.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a TOP SECRET SCI clearance and complete a counterintelligence-scope polygraph exam.
• Must meet NSA/CSS personnel security requirements.
• Must provide proof of U.S. citizenship.
• Must complete drug testing requirements for this Drug Testing Designated Position.
• Male applicants born after December 31, 1959, must complete a Pre-Employment Certification Statement for Selective Service Registration.

Responsibilities

• Analyze and forecast advanced technologies to identify strategic opportunities and vulnerabilities for cyberspace operations.
• Author long-range capability forecasts, threat assessments, and technological roadmaps for USCYBERCOM and homeland defense.
• Collaborate with internal directorates to translate technology forecasts into capability development and acquisition plans.
• Manage technology development budgets and oversee complex research portfolios.
• Draft detailed Statements of Work.
• Serve as the technical point of contact on contracts and agreements.
• Monitor external developers to ensure successful technology transition.
• Partner with the J9 Directorate to transition mature technology concepts into formal acquisition pipelines and fielded systems.

Benefits

• Comprehensive federal employee benefits package for eligible employees and their families.
• Recruitment, retention, and/or relocation incentives may be authorized.
• Permanent Change of Station allowances may be authorized.
• Advanced leave accrual and advance in-hire may be authorized.

What This Job Offers

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