Clarification from the agency

Open to U.S. Citizens/Nationals

The following are the duties of this position at the full working level. If this vacancy includes more than one grade and you are selected at a lower grade level, you will have the opportunity to learn to perform these duties and receive training to help you grow in this position.

• Independently conducts, leads, or participates in studies of complex problems requiring considerable ingenuity to determine the approach and identify the relevant factors for analysis. The incumbent is responsible for defining the problems involved, formulating the overall concepts, evaluating findings, and recommending solutions.
• Selects and applies mathematics, economics, econometrics, and/or statistics appropriate to solving researchproblems, such as the development of computerized mathematical resource allocation models (e.g., simulation),regression models, econometric projections, or workload forecasting models.
• Leads professional and scientific work drawing on systems analysis, mathematical, econometric, and/or statistical techniques; determines the types of data needed to meet the objectives of the assignment.
• Applies more advanced statistical and mathematical techniques in accordance with established research techniques.
• Conducts operations research using innovative analytical approaches and applying techniques in a creative manner to solve very Service wide challenges, enhance performance, or increase efficiency and effectiveness for stakeholders.

Conditions of employment

• Probationary Period - All newly appointed employees to the competitive (or excepted) service are subject to a probationary (or trial) period. During this time, your performance, conduct, and suitability for continued employment will be evaluated. You will not automatically convert to permanent status at the end of the probationary (or trial) period. Your supervisor must affirmatively determine that continued employment is in the best interest of the Federal service. If no certification is made before the probationary (or trial) period ends, your appointment will be terminated. You are encouraged to actively engage with your supervisor, seek feedback, and understand role expectations. Additional guidance and support will be provided during onboarding. Key Eligibility Requirements:

• Government Credit Card - Obtain and use a Government-issued charge card for business-related travel.
• U.S Citizenship - Must be a U.S. Citizen or National and provide proof of U.S. Citizenship.
• Selective Service Registration - Males born after December 31, 1959 are required to be registered with the Selective Service System or prove they are exempt from having to do so.
• Personal Identity Verification (PIV) - Must provide 2 forms of identification from the Form I-9. Federal law requires verification of the identity and employment eligibility of all new hires in the U.S. These documents must be unexpired original or certified copies.

Qualifications

Federal experience is not required. Experience may have been gained in the public sector, private sector or through Volunteer Service. One year of experience refers to full-time work; part-timework is considered on a prorated basis. To ensure full credit for your work experience, please indicate dates of employment by month/day/year, and indicate number of hours worked per week, on your resume.

You must meet the following requirements by the cut-off date as shown in announcement under the 'How to Apply' section.

BASIC REQUIREMENTS GS-5 AND (All GRADES): 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 have been in calculus.
Evaluation of Education:The primary requirement of operations research work is competence in the rigorous methods of scientific inquiry and analysis rather than in the subject matter of the problem. Therefore, applicants should have sufficient knowledge of applied mathematics to understand and use the fundamental concepts and techniques of operations research methods of analysis. In addition, some positions may require knowledge of a specific subject area.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.The following are illustrative of acceptable courses: optimization; mathematical modeling; queueing theory; engineering; physics (except descriptive or survey courses); econometrics; psychometrics; biometrics; experimental psychology; physical chemistry; industrial process analysis; managerial economics; computer science; measurement for management; mathematical models in social phenomena; and courses that involved application of operations research techniques and methodologies to problems of management, marketing, systems design, and other specialized fields; or other comparable quantitative analysis courses for which college-level mathematics or statistics is a prerequisite. Courses in theory of probability and statistics are highly desirable but are not specified as minimum educational requirements because to do so would possibly exclude some applicants who would otherwise be well qualified.

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE GS-11 Level: In addition to the basic requirements, you must have one (1) year of specialized experience at a level of difficulty and responsibility equivalent to the GS-09 grade level in the Federal service. Specialized experience for this position includes:

• Experience with mathematical reasoning/statistical project assignments that require operations research requirements and techniques. For example, experience would show a good understanding of operations research processes, procedures, and rules.
• Experience utilizing mathematical methods and scientific principles in order to accomplish studies, develop a variety of mathematical models and provide management with solutions or recommendations or the equivalent.
• Experience using multivariate techniques and pertinent mathematical, simulation, economics, econometric and statistical operations research techniques.
• Experience researching and gathering data from a variety of sources and using it to analyze technical projects and program areas.
• Experience using negotiation and conflict resolution techniques to collaborate in a team environment.
• Experience using oral and written techniques to develop/prepare presentations and deliver briefings, and experience managing/leading teams to develop analysis and final deliverables.
• Experience with a declarative, set-based query language for managing and manipulating data in relational databases (examples include: SQL) or object-oriented programming language for data analysis (examples include: Python, R, SAS).

• Experience with operations research project assignments that required a wide range of experience in mathematical reasoning requirements and techniques pertinent to the position to be filled. This experience is generally demonstrated by assignments where the applicant analyzed alternative approaches in the process of advising management concerning major aspects of mathematical methods and scientific principles utilized to accomplish complex studies to provide management with viable solutions or recommendations.
• Experience with multivariate techniques and mathematical, simulation, economics, econometric, and statistical operations research techniques to use in the context of organizational policy decisions or business problems.
• Experience with the Internal Revenue Code, Treasury and Office of Management and Budget (OMB) regulations and procedures, administrative provisions, and the Internal Revenue Manual in order to ensure guidelines are applied in analysis.
• Experience assisting or conducting research using standard methods for identifying the probable causes of cost/workload variances and procedures for resolving variances.
• Experience with oral and written communications to complete data analysis and communicate analytical findings through conference calls, emails, graphic displays, and oral presentations.
• Experience using a declarative, set-based query language for managing and manipulating data in relational databases (examples include: SQL). Experience using an object-oriented programming language for data analysis (examples include: Python, R, SAS).

How you will be evaluated

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

This position will be filled through the Direct Hire Authority. Under this authority, competitive rating, ranking, and veterans' preference procedures do not apply. For more information on Direct-Hire Authority visit: OPM Direct Hire Fact Sheet.

Your qualifications will be evaluated based on your application materials (e.g., resume, supporting documents), your responses on the application questionnaire, and your responses to all assessments required for this position. Applicants who disqualify themselves will not be evaluated further.

You will be assessed on the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics):

• Arithmetic/Mathematical Reasoning
• Attention to Detail
• Customer Service
• Decision Making
• Flexibility
• Integrity/Honesty
• Interpersonal Skills
• Learning
• Reading Comprehension
• Reasoning
• Self-Management
• Stress Tolerance
• Teamwork

The following documents are required and must be provided with your application. All application materials, including transcripts, must be in English.
Incomplete or insufficient information may result in not being considered for the position, or not receiving special consideration for which you may be eligible.
Please view Application Preparation or How to write a resume for federal job.

1. Resume
… Your resume should:

• Be limited to two (2) pages. Applicants with resumes exceeding two-pages will be removed from consideration. We recommend utilizing a standard 8.5x11-inch document size, a sans-serif font such as Arial or Calibri with a font size no smaller than 10-point for the main text, and page margins of 0.5 inches. Applicants that attempt to circumvent the 2-page limit page limit, for example by materially reducing readability, will be deemed ineligible. If you update your application, only the most recent resume received (uploaded under the "Resume" document type) will be considered to determine qualifications.
• Include your name and contact information.
• Include relevant work experience - Employer Name, Job Title, Employment dates (start to end date or present), number of hours worked per week, and a brief description of duties that clearly demonstrate your qualifications. To receive full credit for work experience, you must include specific MM/DD/YYYY start and end dates for every position.
• Include pay plan, series, and grade (e.g., GS-0301-09) for all federal service jobs.
• Not include photographs, classified or sensitive information, SSN, encrypted/digitally signed documents, or other inappropriate content. Resumes containing prohibited information will be deemed ineligible.
• Not include embedded links as they will not be opened or considered when determining qualifications.
• Not include personal information such as age, sex, religion, race, or disability.
• Not include specialized experience copied from the announcement or position description, as this is not a demonstration of your experience.

• For positions with an education requirement, or if you are qualifying for this position based on education or training, submit a copy of your transcript(s) or equivalent. An official transcript(s) will be required if you are selected.
• High School Diploma (or equivalent) - If you are 16 or 17 years of age, you MUST submit documentation of graduation from high school (or equivalent); OR completion of a formal vocational training program; OR statement from school authorities agreeing with your decision to pursue employment rather than continuing your education.

• MUST submit a copy of your DD-214 (Member 4 copy), or other official documentation from a branch of the Armed Forces or the Department of Veterans Affairs showing dates of service and type of discharge.
• If you are serving under active duty, provide certification from the Armed Forces that you will be discharged or released within 120 days from the date of certification. The certification must indicate your dates of service, rank and that you will be separated under honorable conditions.
• 10-point preference eligible - Submit an Application for 10-point Veteran Preference, SF-15, along with the required documentation listed on the back of the form if you are a 10-point preference eligible. For more information on claiming veterans' preference view here.

• Review and submit the required documentation as outlined under CTAP/ICTAP

• Submit a copy of your most recent SF-50 (Notification of Personnel Action) or equivalent personnel action form which shows your grade and competitive service status.

Next steps