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.
Supports the development and maintenance of an overall interactive, centralized, dynamic, and comprehensive spaceport model.
Helps identify assumptions, capabilities, and limitations of planning and analysis tools and methodologies such as 3-D modeling, discrete event simulation, Monte Carlo simulations, ArcGIS, and technical analysis of spaceport operations.
Utilizes competencies with intelligent/adaptive systems, simulation systems, software engineering, aerospace engineering, mathematical reasoning, modeling and simulation, research, planning, and evaluating.
Applies a variety of computational methodologies to address operations research problems and to lead development of resource allocation models, data profiling, trend analysis, simulation, capacity projections, and classification models.
Establishes and maintains system modeling of current and projected impacts on Center common use infrastructure capacity for areas such as power, wastewater, and propellants to include monitoring land use, transportation routes, and natural resources.
Assists development of simulations for operational interactions, interdependencies, impacts and potential mitigations with increasing launch cadence, payload processing flows, and overall spaceport operations.
Supports integration and incorporation of data from evolving requirements, interfacing with existing Kennedy Space Center engineering/operations models, identifying resources required and associated limitations.
Assists development of products ranging from those that detail strategic risk considerations to those that detail planning support for government and commercial partner development and operations.
Fosters a culture of engagement, diversity, inclusiveness, excellence and innovation. Champions 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 or higher-level clearance. Investigation/Clearance may differ and be required based on the duty location/Directorate/Division/Branch requirements.
You must meet qualifications requirements by the closing date of this announcement.
Financial Disclosure, Drug Testing, Bargaining Unit and/or the Travel Requirements for this position may differ and be required based on the duty location/Directorate/Division/Branch requirements.
This position may require a one-year probationary period.

Qualifications

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.

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

Assisting the team with quantitative and qualitative studies and analyses that are technical in nature;
Participating in the design, development, and adaptation of mathematical, statistical, econometric, and other scientific tools, methods and techniques; and
Supporting the team in conducting studies that require careful planning, efficient coordination of efforts, and application of practical scientific judgement in support of ongoing projects, programs, or initiatives.

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

To qualify for GS-12, you must have:
a) One year of directly related specialized experience equivalent to the GS-11 level:

Supporting technical lead in modeling and simulation of operations and associated system impacts, using a variety of complex tools and methodologies to perform analysis;
Assisting the technical lead in design, development, and adaptation of mathematical, statistical, econometric, and other scientific tools, methods and techniques to analyze problems; and
Assisting the technical lead with studies that require careful planning, efficient coordination of efforts, and application of practical scientific judgement combined with a high degree of creativity and originality where precedents are nonexistent or vaguely applicable.

To qualify for GS-13, you must have one year of directly related specialized experience equivalent to the GS-12 level:

Modeling and simulating facility operations, including assessment of associated system impacts, using a variety of complex tools and methodologies to perform analysis;
Designing, developing, and adapting mathematical, statistical, econometric, and other scientific tools, methods, and techniques to analyze problems of a highly significant nature which may be broadly stated or ill defined; and
Performing technical studies which require careful planning, efficient coordination of efforts, and application of practical scientific judgement in support of ongoing projects, programs, or initiatives.

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

Basic Requirement:

You must have successfully completed a full 4-year course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a bachelor's or higher degree that included 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

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.

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:

Mathematical Reasoning
Planning and Evaluating
Decision Support
Modeling and Simulation
Technical Competence
Technology Application
Data Systems and Technology
Data Visualization

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.

NASA will not ask you to disclose criminal history record information during the application process or before we make a conditional/tentative offer of employment. If you apply for this position and are selected, NASA will conduct a suitability/security background investigation after you accept a tentative job offer. If you feel you are asked to disclose your criminal history before you accept a tentative offer and wish to file a complaint within 30 days, please contact: Agency-FCCJ@NASA.gov.

Operations Research Analyst

Job description