[blindlaw] Analyist Posting GAO in WDC

[Ross Doerr]

To view this job posting online go directly to:
http://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/323061400
Job Title:Senior Operations Research Analyst
Department:Legislative Branch
Job Announcement Number:GAO-12-ARM-1515-02
SALARY RANGE: $79,110.00 to $117,416.00 / Per Year 
OPEN PERIOD: Thursday, August 02, 2012 to Monday, August 13, 2012 
SERIES & GRADE: PE-1515-2A 
POSITION INFORMATION: Full time - Permanent 
PROMOTION POTENTIAL:NA 
DUTY LOCATIONS:  1 vacancy - Washington, DC, USView Map
WHO MAY BE CONSIDERED: This vacancy is open to all U.S. Citizens, including
status applicants (current and former federal government employees who meet
certain conditions). Click the following link for more information about
status applicants: http://www.opm.gov/employ/students/fedhire.asp#meaning
JOB SUMMARY:
The U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) supports the Congress in
meeting its constitutional responsibilities to appropriate, legislate, and
oversee the Federal government for the benefit of the American people. The
GAO, commonly referred to as the investigative arm of Congress, or the
congressional watchdog, is independent and nonpartisan. The GAO assists
Congress in making informed decisions by providing information on policy and
program issues, as well as, by providing recommendations to make government
more effective and responsive.
This a Senior Operations Research Analyst position, located in GAO's Applied
Research and Methods (ARM) Team, Center for Science, Technology, and
Engineering (CSTE). ARM's primary mission is to provide technical and
specialist expertise that supports and extends the work of other GAO teams
and thus contributes to the overall quality of the information GAO supplies
to Congress and federal agencies. ARM operations research analyst staff
serve as consultants to other GAO teams, provide technical analyses where
required, in the areas of schedule and schedule risk analysis, cost
estimation, and earned value management.
KEY REQUIREMENTS
.U.S. Citizenship.
.Completion of a satisfactory background investigation.
.A probationary period may be required.
.Selectee may have to complete a financial disclosure statement.
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DUTIES:
Conducts schedule and schedule risk, cost estimating, and earned value
management (EVM) analyses of large systems and acquisitions in the federal
government including but not limited to major weapons systems, IT
modernization, aircraft, and satellite systems. 
Performs assessments of a program's schedule, cost estimate, and EVM data to
determine to what extent each is meeting best practices called for in GAO's
Schedule and Cost Estimating and Assessment Guides. 
Analyzes and reviews major acquisition schedules, conducts independent
schedule risk analyses, and analyzes contract performance metrics.
Interviews agency officials to discuss audit findings related to best
practices.
Prepares written assessments of schedule, cost, and EVM analyses that
contain sufficient support and rationale for conclusions.  Works with
experts outside GAO to conduct schedule risk analyses when necessary.
Provides related oral presentations to both internal GAO customers and
external customers such as Congressional staff.
Reviews products for adequate coverage and supportable conclusions regarding
sound cost estimating, scheduling, and earned value management. 
Identifies key deficiencies in schedules, cost issues, and analyzes and
interprets earned value management data including evaluation of formats I
through V. 
Provides training to staff as required on cost estimation, schedule
analysis, and earned value management analysis.
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QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED:
Degree in operations research or at least 24 semester hours in a combination
of operations research, mathematics, probability, statistics, mathematical
logic, computer science, or subject-matter courses requiring substantial
competence in college-level mathematics or statistics.  At least 3 of the 24
semester hours must be in calculus.
Evaluation of Education: The primary requirement of operations research work
is competence in the rigorouse 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 fundamental concepts and techniques of operations research methods
analysis.
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, Mathematics, Statistics
or Management Science).
APPLICANTS MUST MEET THE FOLLOWING SELECTIVE PLACEMENT FACTORS: 
1. Experience in critical path method scheduling of various commodities
(e.g., weapons, satellite, construction, transportation, IT systems).
2. Experience using a minimum of two different scheduling software packages
(e.g., Microsoft Project, Primavera, Open Plan).
3. Experience in cost estimating and/or earned value management analysis for
various commodities (e.g., weapons, satellite, construction, transportation,
IT systems).

In addition to the education requirements and the selective placement
factors described, applicants must have at least one year (52 weeks) of
specialized experience at the next lower level/band, equivalent to the GS-12
grade level in the Federal service, which has equipped the applicant with
the skills and knowledge to successfully perform the duties of the position.
Specialized experience is defined as practical experience in developing,
analyzing, and evaluating schedule and schedule risk based on critical path
analysis and schedule reasonableness.

Experience with Life Cycle Cost Estimates during all phases of the
acquisition process; developing and evaluating unit costs and applying
advanced theories, concepts, principles and processes for Life Cycle Cost
Estimating.
HOW YOU WILL BE EVALUATED:
If you meet the qualification requirements stated above, you will be further
rated based on your responses to the vacancy questions.  Please make sure
that your responses to the vacancy questions are supported in your resume.
Follow all instructions carefully as incomplete answers, errors, or
omissions may affect your rating.  Your rating will be invalid if you fail
to include a narrative reply to any vacany question(s) that require further
explanation or your reply is "see resume."
To preview questions please click here. 
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BENEFITS:

Individuals selected will be eligible for a full range of federal employment
benefits, including vacation and sick leave, retirement coverage and Thrift
Savings Plan, and health and life insurance. A complete list of benefits is
available on the web at
http://opm.gov/Insure/health/enrollment/new_employees.asp.
OTHER INFORMATION:
Starting salaries are based on an applicant's background and experience.
Travel expenses related to the hiring process and travel and relocation
expenses will not be paid by GAO for this vacancy.
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HOW TO APPLY:
Please carefully follow all instructions under the How to Apply tab to
ensure you are considered for the position.
You are required to apply online for this announcement. We are unable to
accept mailed or emailed documents. You must complete the entire application
process, including submission of all documents BEFORE this announcement
closes. To do so, complete the following steps.
Step 1: Click on the "APPLY ONLINE" button on the right side of this
announcement. Follow USAJOBS' instructions to access your account and submit
your resume. If you are not registered with USAJOBS, click on the "create
your account now!" button to obtain access and electronically build your
resume.
Step 2: Once you submit your resume, you will be redirected to the Career
Connector website to complete the application process. If this is your first
time in Career Connector, you will be asked to answer questions related to
your eligibility for Federal employment. You will be able to update this
information and save it to our account for future announcements.
Step 3: Once you have completed the eligibility questions, you will be taken
directly to the vacancy application questions. Answer all questions honestly
and thoroughly. Click on "Submit" after you have completed your application.
Once you have submitted your application, you can check your status online
through your Career Connector or MY USAJOBS account.
Step 4: Career Connector offers three options that will electronically
attach your documentation to your online application once you finish
answering the questions in the job announcement.
(1) You may select a document that you have already uploaded to USAJOBS for
a previous announcement.
(2) You may electronically upload a document directly from your computer to
your application.  Be certain to review your complete application for
confirmation the document uploaded and click on "Finished" to be returned to
USAJOBS.
(3) You may follow the "Faxing Supporting Documentation" instructions within
the online application, which will provide the necessary cover sheets for
each of your documents so that they will be correctly submitted. The fax
number will be available on the cover sheet.

Please note that each cover sheet and corresponding document must be faxed
separately.  Be certain to review your complete fax transmittal confirmation
to ensure that all pages have been received.
IMPORTANT NOTE:  If you have multiple documents of the same kind, e.g. 2
undergraduate transcripts from different schools or 2 SF-50s, etc., be sure
that they are all in the same file on your computer or in your USAJOBS
profile before uploading them.  If you try uploading them individually, only
the last one sent will be visible in our system.  Likewise, if sending them
by fax, be sure and include both of them behind the respective fax cover
sheet and send them as one fax.  If you send them individually with the same
cover sheet, each one will overwrite the other.  Finally, if you upload a
document, e.g. your undergraduate transcript, do not also fax that same
document (or fax another undergraduate transcript), because whichever one
you send last will be the only one that is visible in our system.  If you
have any questions about this information, please contact the person on this
announcement BEFORE the closing date.
Your complete online application and any required supplemental documentation
(e.g., DD-214, SF-50, etc.) must be received by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time (ET)
on the closing date of the announcement. It is your responsibility to ensure
that all documents are received on time and that the materials are readable.
Failure to do so will result in your application being excluded from
consideration for this announcement.
If you are experiencing any technical difficulty with the online process,
you MUST CONTACT THE POINT OF CONTACT FOR THIS ANNOUNCEMENT BEFORE THE
CLOSING DATE. For all technical issues please contact
CareerConnectorHelp at do.treas.gov.  Requests for extensions will not be
granted.
GAO provides reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees (and
interns) with disabilities.  To request an accommodation, please email
ReasonableAccommodations at gao.gov or call Tammy Stenzel, Disability Program
Manager, on (202)-512-3139.
REQUIRED DOCUMENTS:
Submit college transcript as proof of the education requirement for this
position.  Must have 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 hours MUST have been in calculus.
Status Employees. Current or former federal employees must submit their most
recent Notification of Personnel Action showing Tenure(SF-50 or equivalent)
and Type of Service (competitive/excepted).  Veterans Hiring Authorities
and/or Veterans Preference. Veterans must submit adequate proof of active
service in the Armed Forces (i.e., Member 4 copy of the DD-214, which
indicates Character of Service). To claim 10-point veterans' preference, you
must also submit an SF-15 and a letter from the Department of Veterans
Affairs verifying the percentage of your disability and preference in
hiring. 
Disabled Applicants. If you are applying under the Schedule A hiring
authority for people with disabilities, you must submit proof of disability
and a certification of job readiness.
AGENCY CONTACT INFO:
Madelyn Daniels
Phone: 202-512-3429
Fax: 000-000-0000
Email: DanielsM at gao.gov
Agency Information:
GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY OFFICE
441 G Street NW
Room 1157
Washington, DC
20548
US
Fax: 000-000-0000

WHAT TO EXPECT NEXT:
Your application will be reviewed for complete application materials and to
determine if you meet the key and basic qualification requirements. Those
satisfying basic requirements will be further evaluated and you will be
notified in writing of the status of your application.