Duties

Summary

This position is in the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Center of Drug Evaluation and Research (CDER), Office of Strategic Programs (OSP), Office of Business Informatics (OBI), located in Silver Spring, MD.
Learn more about this agency

Responsibilities

• Serves as an expert planning, designing and developing performance requirements and method to test complex operational systems or conduct data analysis.
• Responsible for planning, designing, and developing performance requirements and methods to test complex operational systems or conduct data analysis.
• Designs and conducts comprehensive studies to assess the consistency and adequacy of reviews, from both regulatory and scientific standpoints.
• Makes recommendations for improving information delivery or analyses by adapting new approaches and providing alternatives to past practice for accomplishing the work.
• Heads projects or teams reviewing, documenting, and standardizing information by capturing business requirements and supporting the facilitation, coordination and prioritization of business needs for the Center for Drug Evaluation and Research.

Travel Required

Not required

Supervisory status
No

Promotion Potential
14

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

• Citizenship Requirement: You must be a U.S. Citizen or U.S. National to be considered for this advertisement.
• Time-in-Grade Requirement: If you are applying as a current Federal employee, you must meet the time-in-grade requirements, described in the Qualifications section, generally, 52-weeks of comparable experience at the next lowest grade.
• Selective Service Registration: All males born on, or after, 12/31/1959, must be registered with the Selective Service OR have an approved exemption.
• FDA participates in e-Verify: All new hires must complete the I-9 form; this information will be processed through e-Verify to determine employment eligibility. If a discrepancy arises, you must take affirmative steps to resolve the problem.
• Security and Background Requirements: Appointment will require passing a background investigation. Not meeting this requirement may be grounds for personnel action. If hired, you may be subject to a background check at a later time.
• Certification of Accuracy: All information concerning qualification for employment is subject to investigation and verification. False representation may be grounds for non-consideration, non-selection or appropriate disciplinary action.
• Direct Deposit: You will be required to have your federal salary payments electronically deposited into an account with a financial institution of your choice.
• You must meet ALL requirements by the closing date of this announcement to be considered. Only education, experience, and qualifications attained by this date will be considered.
• Applicants must have at least a fully successful or equivalent performance rating to receive further consideration for this position.
• Additional selections may be made from this vacancy, within the same geographical area, by other organizational elements from within FDA, through shared corporate recruiting activities.

Qualifications

The position of Operations Research Analyst falls within the 1515 series. To qualify for this position at grade GS-1515-14 you must meet Time-in-Grade requirements by 11:59 pm EST on 08/23/2019. Additionally, you must meeting the following:

Minimum Education Requirement: In order to qualify for GS-1515-14, you must meet the following requirements:The Operations Research Analyst position falls within OPM's Individual Occupational Requirements (IOR) under the 1515 occupational series. Therefore, applicants must have the following:

1. 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.
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 -

2. Specialized Experience Requirements: In addition to meeting the education requirements, to qualify for the GS-14, You must demonstrate in your resume at least one (1) year of qualifying experience equivalent to at least the GS-13 level in the Federal service obtained in either the private or public sector, performing the following types of tasks: 1) applying informatics, mathematics or statistical techniques sufficient to complete assignments; 2) conducting studies to analyze operational systems or data analytics; and 3) providing advice to senior officials regarding the implementation of emerging technologies.

NOTE: It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation is submitted prior to the closing date. To verify your application is complete, log into your USAJOBS account, https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login , select the Application Status link and then select the More Information link for this position. The Details page will display the status of your application, the documentation received and processed, and any correspondence the agency has sent related to this application.

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE WILL NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Qualifications are based on breadth/level of experience. In addition to describing duties performed, applicants must provide the exact dates of each period of employment (from MM/YY to MM/YY) and the number of hours worked per week if part time. As qualification determinations cannot be made when resumes do not include the required information, failure to provide this information may result in disqualification. Applicants are encouraged to use the USAJOBS Resume Builder to develop their federal resume. At a minimum, your resume should list the position title, employer name and address, start and end dates (including month and year), salary (or grade and step), hours worked per week, and a list of duties performed or accomplishments, for EACH position listed. A CV (curriculum vitae) may not contain enough information to meet these resume requirements.

In accordance with Office of Personnel Management policy, federal employees are assumed to have gained experience by performing duties and responsibilities appropriate for their official series and grade level as described in their position description. Experience that would not normally be part of the employee's position is creditable, however, when documented by satisfactory evidence, such as a signed memorandum from the employee's supervisor or an SF-50 or SF-52 documenting an official detail or other official assignment. The documentation must indicate whether the duties were performed full time or, if part time, the percentage of times the other duties were performed. It is expected that this documentation is included in the employee's official personnel record. In order to receive credit for experience in your resume that is not within the official series and grade level of your official position, you must provide a copy of the appropriate documentation of such experience as indicated above.

If you are applying based on some other qualifying eligibility (i.e. you are not applying as a current Federal employee), you must meet the specific requirements of the eligibility you are claiming, and must have sufficient past experience to demonstrate that you are minimally qualified for this position. See Unique Hiring Paths on USAJOBS for more information about various ways you may be eligible to apply!

PHS Commissioned Corps Officers interested in performing the duties of this position within the Commissioned Corps may apply online to this announcement. Candidates will be referred to (CC) personnel and not as candidates for conversion to a permanent career or career-conditional appointment.

You must submit supporting documentation to verify your eligibility to apply for this vacancy. For most applicants, an SF-50 will be required. However, if you are applying as a Veteran , individual with a qualifying disability , or a displaced employee , you will be required to provide other supporting documents as applicable. See the Required Documents section for more details.

Education

This position has an education requirement and transcripts must be submitted to be considered for this position.

Foreign Education: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show that the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. For more information about this requirement, please visit the U.S. Department of Education website for Foreign Education Evaluation .

SUBMITTING YOUR TRANSCRIPTS: Positions which are scientific or technical in nature often have very specific educational requirements. A transcript is required to verify educational achievement. Pay careful attention to the Qualifications and Education sections to identify vacancies where a transcript is required. Even if you hold a similar position or are a current employee, you are not exempt from transcript requirements.

Electronic Transcript Caution : If you have obtained your transcripts electronically, the file might contain security measures that could prevent our application system from reading the file. Therefore, you should consider asking the institution to provide the file in a non-secured electronic format. Alternatively, you could scan or take a photo of the printed copy of the transcript. If your uploaded transcript cannot be read by our system, you may receive consideration and credit for the information we can access. See the Application Manager Documentation for tips on submitting your paper-based documents.

Additional information

ADDITIONAL CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:

• Pre-employment physical required: No
• Drug testing required: No
• License required: No
• Mobility agreement required: NO
• Immunization required: No
• Bargaining Unit Position: Yes
• Incentives may be authorized; however, this is contingent upon funds availability. If authorized, certain incentives will require you to sign a service agreement to remain in the Federal government for a period of up to 3 years. Note: This statement does not imply nor guarantee an incentive will be offered and paid. Incentives include the following: moving expenses, recruitment or relocation incentive; student loan repayment, superior qualifications appointment, creditable service for annual leave for prior non-federal work experience or prior uniformed military service, etc.
• If you are serving, or have served in the last 5 years (from 08/23/2019) as an Executive Branch political, Schedule C, or Non-career SES appointee, HHS/FDA may be required to obtain approval by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) prior to beginning employment. You can find out if you have held one of these appointment types by looking at your Standard Form 50s in your Electronic Official Personnel Folder (eOPF), in Section 5 where the legal authorities are listed. If you have served or are currently serving, you must provide a copy of your SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action, documenting this appointment. In addition, you will be required to respond to the question in the assessment and certify your responses to the questionnaire. Political Appointees FAQ - OPM

All requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement (08/23/2019); only education and experience gained by this date will be considered. You must continue to meet all requirements throughout the hiring process.

How You Will Be Evaluated

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

Once the job opportunity announcement closes (at 11:59 pm ET on 08/23/2019), a review of your resume and supporting documentation will be conducted, the information will be compared against your responses to the assessment questionnaire to determine your eligibility for Federal employment, and then whether you are qualified for this particular position.

If, after reviewing your resume and/or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have inflated your responses when compared to your background information, you may be deemed ineligible or your score may be adjusted to more accurately reflect your skills and abilities.

Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your eligibility.

Basis of Rating: Merit Promotion Procedures for the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) will be used to rate and rank candidates. The category assignment is a measure of the degree in which your background matches the competencies required for this position. Qualified candidates will be ranked into one of two categories: Best Qualified or Qualified.

Your qualifications will be evaluated on the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities and other characteristics). You need not respond to the KSA's separately, but your resume should contain sufficient information to demonstrate possession of these Competencies.

1. Technical Proficiency
2. Product Evaluation
3. Technical Application
4. Oral Communication
5. Written Communication

To preview the application questionnaire, click the link below.
https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/10560895

All requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement (08/23/2019); only education and experience gained by this date will be considered. You must continue to meet all requirements throughout the entire hiring process.

Background checks and security clearance

Security clearance
Other

Drug test required
No

Position sensitivity and risk
Moderate Risk (MR)

Trust determination process
Suitability/Fitness

Required Documents

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS :

• Resume
• Transcript

RESUME REQUIREMENTS:
Resume Writing Tutorial
Resume Writing FAQ

Additional documentation which may be required for some applicants:

• DD-214/ Statement of Service
• Disability Letter (Schedule A)
• Disability Letter (VA)
• Licensure, Certification, etc.
• Resume
• Separation Notice (RIF)
• SF-15
• SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action
• Transcript

If you need help attaching supporting documents to your application, see the Applicant Help Site - Documents page. If you are unsure what documents might be required of you, contact the FDA Applicant Help Desk before the announcement closes. For detailed information about submitting transcripts, please see the Education section.

Current and Former Federal Employees: : To properly verify status eligibility and time-in-grade, your SF-50 must show your last promotion or grade/step increase, and ensure that your competitive status, tenure, SCD, and highest grade held are shown. If you do not submit an appropriate SF-50, we cannot verify your status eligibility and time-in-grade.

Full position title;

Appointment type;

Occupational series;

Pay plan, series, grade, and step;

Tenure code; and

Service Computation Date (SCD).

Please ensure your SF-50 includes the information above and it shows your last promotion or grade / step increase, and ensure that your competitive status, tenure, SCD, and highest grade held are shown. Please DO NOT submit an award SF-50 or General adjustment SF-50 . Learn more about the SF-50 on the USAJOBS SF-50 Help Page .

Applicants Claiming Veterans Eligibility:

• Active Duty Members (Veterans Opportunity to Work, VOW to Hire Heroes Act of 2011): submit written documentation from the armed forces that certifies the service member is expected to be discharged or released from active duty service in the armed forces under honorable conditions not later than 120 days after the date the certification is submitted with your application package.
• Parents of Deceased or Disabled Veterans (Gold Star Fathers Act of 2015): submit a copy of the deceased or disabled veterans' DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from the armed forces that has the dates of service and discharge status AND the SF-15, Application for 10-point Veterans' Preference. Please follow the instructions in the SF-15 on required documentation to be submitted.
• Widow or Widower: submit a copy of the deceased or disabled veterans' DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from the armed forces that has the dates of service and discharge status AND the SF-15, Application for 10-point Veterans' Preference. Please follow the instructions in the SF-15 on required documentation to be submitted.
• Spouse of a Living Veteran: submit a copy of the veterans' DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from the armed forces that has the dates of service and discharge status AND the SF-15, Application for 10-point Veterans' Preference, and Documentation of Veteran's Inability to Work Because of a Service-Connected Disability. Please follow the instructions in the SF-15 on required documentation to be submitted.
• Veterans Employment Opportunities Act (VEOA): To be eligible for a VEOA appointment under Merit Promotion consideration, the veteran must be: 1) a preference eligible; or 2) a veteran separated after 3 or more years of continuous active service performed under honorable conditions (you must submit a DD214-member copy 4).

See Feds Hire Vets or USAJOBS' Veterans page for more details.

Individuals with Disabilities (Schedule A): Individuals with intellectual disabilities, severe physical disabilities, or psychiatric disabilities, may apply for appointment through the Schedule A hiring authority. Certified verification of a disability from a licensed medical professional; a licensed vocational rehabilitation specialist; or any Federal, state, or District of Columbia agency or U.S. territory that issues or provides disability benefits will be required. Learn more on the USAJOBS Individuals with Disabilities Site .

Displaced employees (CTAP/ICTAP): If you are a former Federal employee who was displaced due to a Reduction-in-Force (RIF) or surplused by some other means, please submit a copy of the separation letter or RIF notice from your agency. To be selected under I/CTAP, you must still be found well-qualified for this position. Learn more on the USAJOBS Career Transition Assistance Site .

If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:

Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education .

Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.