Senior Operations Research Analyst - Direct Hire (6 Month Register)

at  US Internal Revenue Service

QUALIFICATIONS

Federal experience is not required. The experience may have been gained in the public sector, private sector or 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/year, and indicate number of hours worked per week, on your resume.
You must meet the following requirements by the time of referral:

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.
In addition to meeting the basic requirement above, to qualify for this position you must also meet the qualification requirements listed below:
SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE GS-14: Applicants must have one (1) year of specialized experience at a level of difficulty and responsibility equivalent to the GS-13 level in the Federal Service. Qualified experience is experience that demonstrated accomplishment of operations research project assignments that required a wide range of knowledge of mathematical/statistical reasoning requirements and techniques pertinent to the position to be filled. This knowledge is generally demonstrated by assignments where the applicant conducted operations research using well-established and innovative methods for identifying the probable causes of cost/workload variances and procedures for resolving variances and selected and applied mathematics, economics, econometrics and/or statistics appropriate to solving operations research problems, such as the development of computerized mathematical resource allocation models (e.g. simulation), regression models, econometric projections or workload forecasting models.
For more information on qualifications please refer to OPM’s Qualifications Standards.

EDUCATION

For positions with an education requirement, or if you are qualifying for this position by substituting education or training for experience, submit a copy of your transcripts or equivalent. An official transcript will be required if you are selected.
A college or university degree generally must be from an accredited (or pre-accredited) college or university recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. For a list of schools which meet these criteria, please refer to Department of Education Accreditation page.
FOREIGN EDUCATION: Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the requirements. You must show proof the education credentials have been deemed to be at least equivalent to that gained in conventional U.S. education program. It is your responsibility to provide such evidence when applying. Click here for Foreign Education Credentialing instructions.

THE FOLLOWING ARE THE DUTIES OF THIS POSITION AT THE FULL WORKING LEVEL.

Independently conducts, leads, or participates in studies of complex problems requiring considerable ingenuity to determine the methodological approach and identify the relevant factors for analysis. Responsible for defining the problems involved, formulating the overall concepts, evaluating findings, and recommending solutions.
Selects and applies mathematics, economics, and/or statistics appropriate for solving operations research problems, such as the development of resource allocation models, data profiling, trend analysis, simulation, econometric projections, or classification models.
Performs special studies of Service operations to identify mathematical applications to improve or enhance existing programs. Responsibilities in conducting these studies include determining the types of data to be collected, formulating study methodologies, recommending improvements to existing programs or processes, and analyzing data from a variety of sources.
Conducts operations research using innovative analytical approaches and applies techniques in a creative manner to solve very difficult problems, enhance performance, or increase efficiency and effectiveness.
Develops and applies research techniques for problem solving using data obtained from a variety of sources, both from within and outside the Service. Formulates methodological approaches in mathematical terms so they can be statistically tested to predict the probable impact on programs, processes, or resources.