Operations Research Analyst

Summary View Common Definitions of terms found in this announcement. Organizational Location: This position is located in the Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Chief Financial Officer, Office of Budget & Program Performance, in Washington, District of Columbia. This is a non-bargaining unit position. Responsibilities As a Operations Research Analyst, at the full performance level GS-13 you will perform the following duties: Identified, formulated, and defined trends; designs research and study methods; developed, applied and interpreted appropriate models and methods in conducting operations research analysis; recommended new or amended legislation, policies and or procedures as they related to the effective and efficient management of the organizations resources. Provide analytic concepts to provide validity of assumptions made and the criteria by which alternatives will be assessed. Facilitates discussions with program-level operations research analyst(s) across the Agency including managers, subject matter experts, and law enforcement personnel to clarify issues and objectives to improve data quality and reporting. Performs risk-related cost-benefit analyses; develops mitigation strategies to address those gaps/risks; offering recommendations to mitigate risks associated with not obtaining appropriated resources for staffing and budget. Develops or recommends new policies and or procedures as they relate to the effective and efficient management of the organizations resources. Facilitates meetings with program stakeholders thorough all levels of directorates. Collaborates with Subject Matter Experts and Leadership to understand their program requirements. Clarifies issues into operational plans to understand their business process. Provide support to Management and Programs for strategic planning and assistance related to data research, analysis, modeling design and development, reporting and communicating results. Requirements Conditions of Employment Qualifications Please limit your resume to 2 pages. If more than 2 pages are submitted, only the first 2 pages will be reviewed to determine your eligibility/qualifications. IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE WILL NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Do not copy and paste the duties, specialized experience, or occupational assessment questionnaire from this announcement into your resume as that will not be considered a demonstration of your qualifications for this position. Basic Requirements (You must submit your transcripts, they don't have to be official) 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. IN ADDITION TO THE BASIC REQUIREMENTS: Minimum Qualifications: You qualify for the GS-12 grade level if you possess one (1) year of specialized experience at the GS-11 grade level or equivalent performing duties such as: Assisted in designing research and study methodologies; developing, applying, and interpreting appropriate models to conduct quantitative analyses that support effective planning, coordination, and acquisition life cycle program management Supported the development of recommendations for implementing operational requirements identification, documentation, and delivery Performed analysis through various approaches, regression (all types), and forecasted techniques Supported project management activities such as the translation of research to project phases, planning methods of approach, subdividing project components, etc. Minimum Qualifications: You qualify for the GS-13 grade level if you possess one (1) year of specialized experience at the GS-12 grade level or equivalent performing duties such as: Applying quantitative and qualitative analysis to a variety of complex problems (to include, but not limited to: operations processes, business and management processes, mission support to programs, allocating resources, measuring performance, designing systems, managing logistics, budget analysis, work distribution, or analyzing large databases) Assist senior leaders in decision-making and problem solving of complex operational issues. Experience utilizing mathematical models (to include but not limited to: Monte Carlo simulation, linear and nonlinear programming, dynamic programming, queuing and other stochastic-process models, Markov decision processes, econometric methods, data envelopment analysis, neural networks, expert systems, decision analysis, and the analytic hierarchy process) to describe system or process being studied. Qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement. Qualification claims will be subject to verification. National Service Experience (i.e., volunteer experience): Experience refers to 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. Current or Former Political Appointees: The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) must authorize employment offers made to current or former political appointees. If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES or Presidential Appointee employee in the Executive Branch, you must disclose this information to the Human Resources Office. The Department of Homeland Security encourages persons with disabilities to apply, to include persons with intellectual, severe physical or psychiatric disabilities, as defined by 5 CFR 213.3102(u), and/or Disabled Veterans with a compensable service-connected disability of 30 percent or more as defined by 5 CFR 315.707. Veterans, Peace Corps, VISTA volunteers, and persons with disabilities possess a wealth of unique talents, experiences, and competencies that can be invaluable to the DHS mission. If you are a member of one of these groups, you may not have to compete with the public for federal jobs. To determine your eligibility for non-competitive appointment and to understand the required documentation, click on the links above or contact the Servicing Human Resources Office listed at the bottom of this announcement. Education For GS-12 Education: There is no education substitution for this grade level. For GS-13 Education: There is no education substitution for this grade level. Additional Information Promotion Potential: When promotion potential is shown, the agency is not making a commitment and is not obligated to provide future promotions to you if you are selected. Future promotions will be dependent on your ability to perform the duties at a higher level, the continuing need for an employee assigned to the higher level, and administrative approval. E-Verify: DHS uses E-Verify, an Internet-based system, to confirm the eligibility of all newly hired employees to work in the United States. Learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities. Suitability: If you receive a conditional offer of employment for this position, you will be required to complete an Optional Form 306, Declaration for Federal Employment, and to sign and certify the accuracy of all information in your application, prior to entry on duty. False statements on any part of the application may result in withdrawal of offer of employment, dismissal after beginning work, fine, or imprisonment. Background Investigation: To ensure the accomplishment of our mission, DHS requires every employee to be reliable and trustworthy. To meet these standards, all selected applicants must undergo and successfully obtain and maintain a background investigation as a condition of placement into this position. This may include a credit check, a review of financial issues such as delinquency in the payment of debts, child support and/or tax obligations, as well as certain criminal offenses and illegal use or possession of drugs. Reasonable Accommodation (RA) Requests: If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be granted the opportunity to request a RA in your online application. Requests for RA for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for RA must be received prior to starting the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. Decisions on requests for RA are made on a case-by-case basis. If you meet the minimum qualifications of the position, after notification of the adjudication of your request, you will receive an email invitation to complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, based on your adjudication decision. You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments if you received the link after the close of the announcement. To determine if you need a RA, please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments. (A student loan repayment incentive may be available, in which case a service agreement will be required.

Created: 2026-04-29