Operations Research Analyst (Senior Operations Research Analyst)
What you'd do
WHAT IS THE WHISTLEBLOWER OFFICE DIVISION? A description of the business units can be found at: https://www.jobs.irs.gov/about/who/business-divisions Position(s) are to be filled in following area(s): Operations Research Analyst (Senior Operations Research Analyst). Remain in POD - The vacancy will be filled at the selectee's official permanent position of record, post-of-duty (POD). REVIEW THE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION BELOW FOR FURTHER DETAILS
Major duties
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 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. STANDARD POSITION DESCRIPTIONS (SPD): PD95938 Visit the IRS SPD Library to access the position descriptions.
What you need to qualify
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 closing date of this announcement. QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS: To qualify for this position, you must meet the qualification requirements outlined below: BASIC REQUIREMENTS ALL GRADES (IOR): 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. AND SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE GS-14: In addition to basic requirements, to be eligible for this position, you must have one (1) year of specialized experience at a level of difficulty and responsibility equivalent to the GS-13 grade level in the Federal service. Specialized experience includes: Experience conducting complex operations research studies to evaluate operational problems, define study objectives, develop analytical approaches, evaluate findings, and recommend solutions. Experience applying mathematical and statistical methods to analyze operational data, evaluate program performance, and support analytical studies involving broad organizational operations or programs. Experience developing and applying research methodologies to determine data requirements, analyze information from multiple sources, and evaluate operational issues affecting program performance. Experience applying statistical techniques and analytical methods to develop, test, and evaluate models supporting operations research studies and analytical projects. Experience planning and managing multiple analytical studies or projects involving competing priorities while ensuring technical work products support established project objectives and study requirements. Experience analyzing operational data to identify trends, evaluate findings, and develop recommendations supporting improvements to existing programs or processes. Experience collecting, validating, and analyzing data from multiple sources to ensure the accuracy and reliability of information used in analytical studies. AND You must also meet the following requirement(s): TIME AFTER COMPETITIVE APPOINTMENT (TACA): By the closing date (or if this is an open continuous announcement, by the cut-off date) specified in this job announcement, current civilian employees must have completed at least 90 days of federal civilian service since their latest non-temporary appointment from a competitive referral certificate, known as time after competitive appointment. For this requirement, a competitive appointment is one where you applied to and were appointed from an announcement open to "All US Citizens" TIME IN GRADE (TIG): For positions above the GS-05, applicants must meet applicable time-in-grade requirements to be considered eligible. One year (52 weeks) at the next lower grade level is required to meet the time-in-grade requirements for the grade you are applying for. For positions at the GS-05, you cannot advance to the GS-05 if you have held a GS-02 in the past 52 weeks. There is no TIG restriction for GS-02, 03 or 04 positions. For more information on qualifications please refer to OPM's Qualifications Standards.
Before you apply
Federal applications are different: your resume should be 3–5 pages and mirror the language of this announcement. Read our federal resume guide first — it's the #1 reason qualified people get screened out.
Don't miss the next one.
Get an email the moment a similar federal job opens — postings can close in as little as 5 days.