Duties

Summary

WHERE CAN I FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THE PATHWAYS PROGRAM? For additional information regarding the Pathways Program, please refer to: Students & Recent Graduates on USAJOBS.

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Responsibilities

WHAT IS THE CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION DIVISION? Criminal Investigation is the investigative and law enforcement arm of the IRS. The American system of voluntary tax compliance relies heavily on self-assessments of what tax is owed. When individuals or corporations deliberately don't comply with the tax laws, Criminal Investigation responds with financial investigations and potential criminal prosecutions to promote compliance and confidence in the fairness of the tax system.

WHAT DOES AN OPERATIONS RESEARCH ANALYST DO? As an Operations Research Analyst you will be responsible for developing operations research studies and projects dealing with activities that affect programs and policies. In this position, you will give emphasis to developmental research, as distinct from the types of research to be performed by the functions that focus on operational problems of shorter duration. In addition, you will serve as a specialist and team leader on study teams, with responsibility for any of the major phases of a complex study of broad and varied operations or programs.

IRS Recent Graduates Program affords developmental experiences in the Federal Government intended to promote possible careers in the civil service to individuals who have recently graduated from qualifying educational institutions or programs. Successful applicants are placed in a dynamic, developmental program with the potential to lead to a civil service career in the Federal Government.

Following the completion of program requirements, selectees may be considered for non-competitive conversion to a career-conditional or term appointment. All conversion requirements will be identified in the Participant Agreement. Program requirements include but are not limited to: Successful completion of at least 2 years of continuous service; Completion of at least 40 hours of interactive training; Mentorship; Demonstration of successful job performance; and Meet the qualification position standards. Conversion is not guaranteed or implied.

If selected, you will be placed in a position as an Operations Research Analyst, 1515, Career Ladder 05/07/09/11/12/13 in the Crinimial Investigation Division.

The following are the duties of this position at the full working level GS-13. You will have the opportunity to learn to perform these duties and will receive training to help you grow in this position.

As an Operations Research Analyst you will:

• Lead complex studies and define problems involved, formulate overall concepts, evaluating findings and recommending solutions.
• Oversee the selection and application of mathematics, economics, econometrics and statistics appropriate to solving operations research problems.
• Conduct operation research identifying the probable causes of cost/workload variances and procedures.
• Ensure that project and study teams use appropriate operations research and analytical techniques.
• Describe and document the analyses of research studies and projects and the general sharing of information of overall staff efforts, using effective oral and written communications.
• Identify mathematical applications to improve existing programs; determining the types of data to be collected, formulating study methodologies, assisting functional activities in the implementation of operational segments and analyzing data.
• Provide technical guidance and coordinate efforts involved in carrying out various aspects of assignments, the design of samples and experiments, and design of evaluation and program monitoring techniques.
• Monitor, evaluate and document the results of project studies and prepare final recommendations.

WHERE CAN I FIND OUT MORE ABOUT OTHER IRS CAREERS? If you want to find out more about IRS careers, visit us on the web at www.jobs.irs.gov

Travel Required

Occasional travel - Occasional travel of 1 to 5 nights a month may be required.

Supervisory status
No

Promotion Potential
13

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

• Refer to Other Information.
• Click "Print Preview" to review the entire announcement before applying.
• Must be a U.S. Citizen or National

Drug testing with negative result is required.

Qualifications

YOU MUST FIRST MEET RECENT GRADUATE PROGRAM ELIGIBILITY TO BE CONSIDERED FOR THIS POSITION. YOU MAY THEN QUALIFY FOR THE POSITION BASED ON EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE OR A COMBINATION OF BOTH AS DETAILED BELOW. THE FOLLOWING REQUIREMENTS MUST BE MET PRIOR TO APPOINTMENT/ENTER ON DUTY DATE:

Federal Experience is not required.

BASIC REQUIREMENTS:
You must have a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university 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 above, you must meet the requirements described below:

GS-07 LEVEL: You must have 1 year of specialized experience at a level of difficulty and responsibility equivalent to the GS-05 grade level in the Federal service. Specialized experience for this position includes: basic professional knowledge of mathematical methods and scientific principles to assist other analysts; Basic knowledge of multivariate techniques and mathematical, simulation economics, econometric and statistical operations research techniques to use in projects; Skills in researching and gathering pertinent data from a variety of sources, and using it to analyze routine projects; General knowledge of the provisions of the Internal Revenue Code applicable to assigned subject matter projects and of the meaning of the data secured from tax returns; Knowledge of user-oriented computer programming languages and statistical software packages. OR

You may substitute education for specialized experience as follows: 1 year of graduate level education at an accredited college or university in operations research, mathematics, probability, statistics, management science, economics, mathematical logic, science, engineering or related field. OR

Superior Academic Achievement (SAA) may be met by having a Bachelor's degree, with one of the following: A GPA of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale for all completed undergraduate courses or those completed in the last two years of study, or a GPA of 3.5 or higher on a 4.0 scale for all courses in the major field of study or those courses in the major completed in the last two years of study, or rank in the upper one third of the class in the college, university, or major subdivision, or membership in a national honor society recognized by the Association of College Honor Societies.

GS-09 LEVEL: You must have 1 year of specialized experience at a level of difficulty and responsibility equivalent to the GS-07 grade level in the Federal service. Specialized experience for this position includes: knowledge of operations research. The assignments must have shown completion of the following, or the equivalent: Experience utilizing basic knowledge of mathematical methods and scientific principles to accomplish studies and utilize mathematical models; Conducting research and gathering pertinent data from a wide variety of sources. OR

You may substitute education for specialized experience as follows: a master's or equivalent graduate degree in a field of study such as: operations research; or a combination of operations research, mathematics, probability, statistics, mathematical logic, science, or subject-matter courses requiring substantial competence as described in the basic requirements. OR

Two (2) full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a master's or equivalent graduate degree in a field of study such as: operations research; or a combination of operations research, mathematics, probability, statistics, mathematical logic, science, or subject-matter courses requiring substantial competence as described in the basic requirements.

ALL GRADES: You may qualify by a combination of experience and education. Options for qualifying based on a combination will be identified in the online questions. In addition to the above you must have, within the previous 2 years, completed all educational requirements for a qualifying associates, bachelors, masters, professional, doctorate, vocational or technical degree or certificate from a qualifying institution; or intended graduation is no more than 9 months from date of application. For more information on education requirements go to Treasury's Pathways Program.

*Veterans who, due to a military service obligation, were precluded from applying to a Recent Graduates Program during any portion of the 2 year eligibility period may have their eligibility period extended so that they receive the full 2 years of eligibility. The remaining 2-year eligibility period will begin upon his or her release or discharge from active duty. The veteran's eligibility period may not extend beyond 6 years from the date of completion of all requirements of an academic course of study.

- 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-time work 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 résumé.

Education

Additional information

10 Positions to be filled at the Criminal Investigation, CI Strategy Office located in Washington, DC

The anticipated start date is September 2019.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:

• Tour of Duty: Monday-Friday 8:00a.m.-4:30p.m.
• We offer opportunities for flexible work schedules.
• This is a non-bargaining unit position.
• We may select from this announcement or any other source to fill one or more vacancies.
• Relocation expenses will not be paid.
• Undergo an income tax verification and review of prior performance/conduct.
• Have your salary sent to a financial institution of your choice by Direct Deposit/Electronic Funds Transfer.
• Must successfully complete a moderate or high risk background investigation, including an FBI criminal history record check (fingerprint check).
• Complete a Declaration for Federal Employment to determine your suitability for Federal employment, at the time requested by the agency.
• Go through a Personal Identity Verification (PIV) process that requires two forms of identification from the Form I-9. Federal law requires verification of the identity and employment eligibility of all new hires in the U.S.
• If you are a male applicant born after December 31, 1959, certify that you have registered with the Selective Service System or are exempt from having to do so.
• Applicant drug testing with a negative result is required. If selected, you will be subject to pass random drug testing with negative results during your employment.
• Selectees must sign a Pathways Participant Agreement.
• Subject to a 1-year trial period is required (unless already completed).
• Selected applicants who occupy positions in the Competitive Service must acknowledge the outcome of voluntarily leaving the Competitive Service prior to accepting an Excepted Service Appointment in the Pathways Program. See 5 CFR 302.102(b)(2).
• Pathways is an Excepted Service Appointment, Schedule D, 5 CFR Part 362 (Pathways Program), and may NOT be combined with other Excepted Service Appointments (e.g., Schedule A).
• Education must be completed, and official transcripts must be received and verified prior to appointment/enter on duty date.

How You Will Be Evaluated

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

Your application includes your resume, responses to the online questions, and required supporting documents. Please be sure that your resume includes detailed information to support your qualifications for this position; failure to provide sufficient evidence in your resume may result in a "not qualified" determination.

Rating: Your application will be evaluated in the following areas: Math Knowledge, Data Analysis, Interpersonal Skills, Communication, Problem Solving. Category-like rating (Quality Group) will be used to rank and select eligible candidates. If qualified, you will be assigned to one of three quality level categories, Superior/Best Qualified, Highly Qualified, and Qualified depending on your responses to the online questions, regarding your experience, education, and training related to this position. Your rating may be lowered if your responses to the online questions are not supported by the education and/or experience described in your application.
Veterans' preference is applied after applicants are assessed. Preference-eligibles will be listed at the top of their assigned category and considered before non-preference-eligibles in that category. Qualified preference-eligibles with a compensable service-connected disability of 10% or more will be listed at the top of the highest category for this position, except at the GS-09 and above.

Referral: If you are among the top qualified candidates, your application may be referred to a selecting official for consideration. You may be required to participate in a selection interview (telephonic and/or in person at the discretion of the Selecting Official in accordance with hiring polices). We will not reimburse costs related to the interview such as travel to and from the interview site.

To preview questions please click here .

Background checks and security clearance

Security clearance
Not Required

Drug test required
Yes

Required Documents

A complete application includes 1. A resume, 2. Vacancy question responses, 3. Provide proof of enrollment or education (see education documentation required) and 4. Submission of any required documents. Please note that if you do not provide all required information, as specified in this announcement, you will not be considered for this position (or may not receive the special consideration for which you may be eligible).

All applicants are required to submit a resume either by creating one in USAJOBS or uploading one of their own choosing. ( Cover letters are optional). To receive full credit for relevant experience, please list the month/year and number of hours worked for experience listed on your resume. We suggest that you preview the online questions, as you may need to customize your resume to ensure that it supports your responses to these questions. Please view Resume Tips

EDUCATION DOCUMENTATION: You must submit dated documentation showing completion or intended completion (if graduation is no more than 9 months from the date of application) of all educational requirements (e.g. letter from the registrar, unofficial transcripts). An official transcript will be required if you are selected. A college or university degree or certificate 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 . If you are qualifying based on foreign education, you must submit proof of creditability of education as evaluated by a credentialing agency. Refer to the OPM instructions. If you are qualifying based on a certificate program, please refer to the Treasury's Pathways Program page for more information on qualifying certificate programs at Treasury's Pathways Program .

VETERANS' PREFERENCE DOCUMENTATION: If you are claiming veterans' preference, you must submit a copy of your DD-214 (Member 4 copy), or other official documentation from a branch of the Armed Forces or the Department of Veterans Affairs showing dates of service and type of discharge. Ten-point preference eligibles must also submit an Application for 10-point Veteran Preference, SF-15 , along with the required documentation listed on the back of the SF-15 form. For more information on veterans' preference view FedsHireVets .

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.