Operations Research Analyst

Duties

Duties described below are at the highest grade advertised. Duties assigned at lower grade levels will be of more limited scope, performed with less independence and limited complexity; duties will be commensurate with the grade of selected employee.
Examines specific projects or studies and selects appropriate data collection and analysis methods from a variety of possible alternatives, including initiating investigations.
Constructs analytical and mathematical models resulting in clearly delineated relationships between the study elements. Assists and consults with other organizational entities.
Supports the cost estimating and related disciplines to meet Glenn Research Center's implementation of Agency Policy and Guidelines. Performs cost and schedule risk analysis for projects.
Develops a range of tools and techniques to provide an integrated analysis of project cost, schedule, and technical performance.
Provides analyses and evaluations for management that encompass project milestones, schedules, and budgetary resource planning and execution required for effective management, operations, and decision making in support of projects/programs.
Participates in technical reviews, performs project analyses and assessments, and recommends reallocation of resources as required.
Assures that estimates are conducted in an accurate, timely, complete, and professional manner. Ensures that appropriate study methodologies are employed.
Serves as technical specialist and a key source of information for assigned areas. Supports independent assessments to evaluate the effectiveness and efficiency of operations and recommend improvements to management.
Foster a culture of engagement, diversity, inclusiveness, excellence and innovation. Champion NASA's commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility to create an environment that promotes a commitment to safety, integrity, and teamwork.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

This position is open to U.S. citizens, nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.
Position subject to pre-employment background investigation.
Start dates will be set after all requirements have been met and verified.
This position may require a one year probationary period.

Qualifications

In addition to the Basic Education Requirement (in the Education section below), to qualify for this position you must meet the requirements below. Specialized experience is experience that has equipped you with the particular ability, skill, and knowledge to successfully perform the duties of this position and is typically in or related to this line of work.

GS-07: To qualify at the GS-07 level, you must have:
a) One year of directly related specialized experience equivalent to the GS-05 level:

Applying principles and practices of operations research, mathematics or statistics sufficient to perform cost analysis;
Applying analytical techniques to identify/evaluate trends and relationships for projects or studies;
Supporting senior analysts with in gathering data and preparing trend reports

OR
b) Completed a bachelor's degree in a field listed above or a related field and meet Superior Academic Achievement (SAA) criteria. SAA: (1) you must be in the upper third of your graduating class in the college, university, or major subdivision; or (2) you must have a 3.0 or higher out of a possible 4.0 GPA; or 3.5 or higher out of a possible 4.0 GPA based on courses completed in your major field of study during the final 2 years of the curriculum; or (3) election to membership in a national scholastic honor society
c) Completed 1 full academic year of graduate study in an appropriate field
OR
d) Have an equivalent combination of experience and graduate study in an appropriate field.
OR
e) Expect to completed at least one of the education degree requirements for this grade by June 30, 2024.

GS-09: To qualify at the GS-09 level, you must have:
a) One year of directly related specialized experience equivalent to the GS-07 level:

Using operations research to apply scientific methods and techniques to analyze systems, process or operational problems and procedures;
Assisting with gathering information concerning processes or operations for the organizations' projects or studies;
Assisting senior analysts with analyzing and evaluating data and historical trend reports.

OR
b) Completed all requirements for a master's or equivalent graduate degree in an appropriate field
OR
c) Completed 2 full academic years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a master's degree or equivalent graduate degree in an appropriate field
OR
d) Have an equivalent combination of experience and graduate study as discussed in a), b) and c) above
OR
e) Expect to completed at least one of the education degree requirements for this grade by June 30, 2024.

GS-11 To qualify at the GS-11 level, you must have:
a) One year of directly related specialized experience equivalent to the GS-09 level

Applying new analytical developments, methodologies, or research findings to broad analysis and/or studies;
Analyzing, interpreting, and applying operations research rules and procedures and recommending effective solutions to senior analysts;
Providing guidance to other employees in areas such as cost analysis, data analysis or operations research.

OR
b) Completed all requirements for a doctoral degree (i.e., Ph.D. or equivalent) in an appropriate field
OR
c) Completed 3 full academic years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree or equivalent doctoral degree in an appropriate field
OR
d) Have an equivalent combination of experience and graduate study as discussed in a), b) and c) above
OR
e) Expect to completed at least one of the education degree requirements for this grade by June 30, 2024.

Your resume must include a clear and detailed narrative description, in your own words, of how you meet the required specialized experience. Experience statements copied from a position description, vacancy announcement or other reference material constitutes plagiarism and may result in disqualification and losing consideration for the job. NASA prohibits the use of artificial intelligence (AI) or AI-assisted tool in drafting application and assessment responses. Please visit https://www.nasa.gov/careers/how-to-apply/#Artificial-Intelligence to review NASA's guidance on the use of AI tools during the application process.

Education

You must have successfully completed a bachelor's degree or expect to complete the basic education requirement for this position by June 30, 2024 with a major 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 have been in calculus. Courses acceptable for qualifying for operations research positions may have been taken in departments other than Operations Research, e.g., Engineering (usually Industrial Engineering), Science, Economics, Mathematics, Statistics, or Management Science.

U.S. degrees must have been awarded from colleges or universities that are accredited by recognized accrediting organizations. For a list of schools that meet this criteria, go to http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/.

If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show that the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs. These education credentials must be deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.

All degrees must have been received in the year of, or any year subsequent to the original date of accreditation.

Additional information

Applicants may apply who are enrolled in a qualifying degree program and are expected to complete their degree program by June 30, 2024.

Additional selections may be made for similar positions across NASA within the local commuting area(s) of the location(s) identified in this announcement. By applying, you agree to have your application shared with interested selecting official(s) within NASA. CTAP/ICTAP will be cleared for any additional selection from this announcement.

If you have special priority selection rights under the Agency Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) or the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP), you must:

- Indicate your eligibility when applying for a position. The questionnaire asks you to identify your ICTAP/CTAP eligibility.
- Meet the minimum qualifications requirements for the position
-Submit proof that you meet the requirements for CTAP/ICTAP as indicated in 'Required Documents.'

For additional information about CTAP/ICTAP eligibility, click here - https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/employee-guide-to-career-transition/#ictap.

This is a bargaining unit position. If additional selections are made, those positions may or may not be in a bargaining unit. To learn more about bargaining units at NASA please click here NASA Unions (Bargaining Units) | NASA.

Benefits
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Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.

How You Will Be Evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

Direct Hire Authority: These positions will be filled through the Office of Personnel Management's Direct Hire Authority. Category rating and veterans' preference will not be considered in evaluating applicants. For more information on Direct Hire Authority, please see: OPM Direct Hire Fact Sheet.

Veterans: Under the provisions of Direct Hire Authority, veterans' preference does not apply. However, applicants who are eligible for veterans' preference are encouraged to include that information in their application and submit supporting documentation (i.e. DD-214, or other substantiating documents). For more information please see: Veterans' Preference information on the FedsHireVets website.

You will be evaluated for this position based on how well you meet the qualifications and eligibility requirements listed in this vacancy announcement. To determine your qualifications and referral status, we may review your resume and supporting documentation and compare it against your responses to the vacancy questionnaire. Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application materials or application questionnaire may result in your removal from consideration.

You will be assessed on the following competencies:

Data Visualization
Mathematical Reasoning
Modeling and Simulation
Research

NASA considers 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.