About this role
Job SummaryThis announcement is issued under the Direct Hire Authority (DHA) to recruit for positions for which there is a critical hiring need. Selectee(s) will receive a career or career-conditional appointment in the competitive service and may be required to serve a one year probationary period. The official title of this position is Operations Research Analyst, GS-1515-11/12.
QualificationsDo NOT copy and paste the duties, specialized experience, or occupational assessment questionnaire from this announcement into your resume as that will not be considered a demonstration of your qualifications for this position. Your resume must describe your work and experience, in your own words. To be considered minimally qualified for this position, you must demonstrate that you have the required experience for the respective grade level in which you are applying. Applicants must demonstrate that they meet the Basic Requirements AND Minimum Qualification requirements as listed below. BASIC REQUIREMENTS: Degree: Bachelor's or higher degree from an accredited institution that included a major field of study in Operations Research; OR a degree with 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. IN ADDITION TO MEETING THE BASIC REQUIREMENTS ABOVE, YOU MUST ALSO MEET EITHER THE FOLLOWING SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS OR EDUCATION TO SUBSTITUTE IN ORDER TO BE CONSIDERED: You qualify at the GS-11 grade level, if you have: EXPERIENCE: At least one (1) year of specialized experience at the GS-09 grade level (or equivalent) performing all the following duties: Assisting with data analysis using a programming language (e.g., Python, R, Scala) to clean, organize, analyze, or summarize data. Contributing to written reports, presentations, dashboards, or other materials that communicate analytical findings. AND Developing analytical project ideas by helping translate organizational problems or challenges into questions that can be answered with data. OR EDUCATION: A. Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree from an accredited institution in Operations Research;OR a Ph.D. or equivalent degree with at least 24 semester hours of coursework 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. OR B. Three (3) full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree from an accredited institution that included major study in the field of study described in statement "A" above. OR COMBINATION OF EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION: To combine education and experience, determine your total qualifying experience as a percentage by dividing your total months of qualifying experience by 12. Then determine your education as a percentage by dividing the total number of completed graduate education beyond the second year (total graduate education minus 36 semester hours or 54 quarter hours) by 18 semester hours or 27 quarter hours. Finally, add the two percentages. The total percentage must equal at least 100% to qualify at this grade level. You qualify at the GS-12 grade level, if you have: EXPERIENCE: At least one (1) year of specialized experience at the GS-11 grade level (or equivalent) performing all the following duties: Performing data analysis using a programming language (e.g., Python, R, Scala) to clean, organize, analyze, or summarize data. Contributing to written reports, presentations, dashboards, or other materials that communicate complex analytical findings. AND Developing analytical project ideas by helping translate intricate organizational problems or challenges into questions that can be answered with data. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. All qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement.
Major DutiesThe Infrastructure Security Division (ISD) focuses on protecting critical infrastructure from all hazards by managing risk and enhancing resilience through collaboration with the critical infrastructure community, which includes private sector owners, operators, and employees; State, local, tribal, and territorial officials; and other Federal agencies. Typical work assignments GS-12 include, but are not limited to: Assisting in conducting quantitative research studies by supporting study design, data collection, data preparation, and evaluation of analytical findings. Analyzing statistical data to identify patterns, trends, relationships, and anomalies that support program, policy, research, or operational assessments. Organizing, maintaining, and retrieving structured and unstructured data to support analytical activities, reporting requirements, and evidence-based decision-making. Appling data standards, data models, and quality checks to improve data consistency, accuracy, and usability for analysis and reporting. Reviewing technical documentation, data dictionaries, analytical guidance, and related materials to understand requirements and apply appropriate analytical methods. Preparing, reviewing, or contributing to written reports, dashboards, visualizations, and briefing materials that communicate analytical findings to stakeholders. Evaluating analytical outputs using logical reasoning and statistical interpretation to ensure findings are accurate, relevant, and aligned with research objectives.RequirementsYou must be a U.S. citizen. Selective Service - Males born after 12/31/59 must be registered or exempt from Selective Service, see http://www.sss.gov/ All Federal employees are required to participate in Direct Deposit/Electronic Funds Transfer for salary payments. DHS uses E-Verify, an Internet-based system, to confirm the eligibility of all newly hired employees to work in the United States. Learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities. You must be able to obtain and maintain a security clearance suitable for Federal employment as determined by a background investigation. This may include a credit check, a review of financial issues, as well as certain criminal offenses and illegal use or possession of drugs. This position may be designated as essential personnel. Essential personnel must be able to serve during continuity of operation events without regard to declarations of liberal leave or government closures due to weather, protests, and acts of terrorism or lack of funding. Failure to report for or remain in this position may result in disciplinary or adverse action in accordance with applicable laws, rules, and regulations (5 U.S.C. 7501-7533 and 5 CFR Part 752, as applicable). This position requires a pre-employment drug test. All applicants tentatively selected for this position will be required to submit to a drug test to screen for illicit/illegal drug use prior to receiving a final offer of employment. A final offer of employment is contingent upon a negative drug test result.