Duties

Summary

DO NOT APPLY THROUGH USAJOBS or EMAIL- APPLY ONLINE AT www.cbo.gov/careers.
The National Security Division seeks an experienced defense analyst to conduct studies on issues of interest to the Congress.
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Responsibilities

The National Security Division seeks an experienced defense analyst to conduct studies on issues of interest to the Congress. Specific areas of responsibility may include military space systems; aeronautics, cybersecurity; intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR); communication systems; homeland security; missile defense; and nuclear weapons. Past CBO studies in those areas have analyzed military space-based radar, the Armys wireless communications programs, future space launch systems, options for upgrading military weather satellites, the costs of prospective cruise missile defense systems, the costs of the nations nuclear forces, and options for upgrading the Global Positioning System. Potential future topics for analysis include DoDs cybersecurity; commercial imagery satellites; military space systems; managing and addressing the consequences of chemical, biological, and nuclear weapons; border security; hypersonic weapons; and ISR architectures.

Travel Required

Not required

Supervisory status
No

Promotion Potential
0

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

• You must be a U.S. citizen to qualify for this position.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

Top Secret Clearance

Qualifications

You must have one year of specialized experience at a level close to the work of this job that has given you the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities required to successfully perform. Typically we would find this experience in work within this field or a field that is closely related.

TECHNICAL QUALIFICATIONS:

Candidates should have a Ph.D. (or equivalent experience), preferably in the physical sciences, natural sciences, computer science, or engineering, although candidates with advanced degrees in related fields, such as statistics, applied mathematics, or public policy, will also be considered. The position requires at least three years of experience (excluding graduate school research) in conducting analyses related to at least some of the topics listed above, as well as in working independently and leading studies. Experience in developing analytical and simulation models is a plus. A demonstrated record of publications is also strongly desirable. Candidates must be interested in working on defense budget issues; some knowledge and familiarity with the defense budget and the defense acquisition process are also desirable. In addition, candidates must be willing to work in other areas related to defense or homeland security as needs arise. CBO has very high standards for the accuracy, precision, clarity, and objectivity of its written work. CBOs studies, even when discussing complex topics, must be readable by nontechnical and nonacademic audiences. Candidates must therefore be excellent writers and enjoy writing for such audiences. The ability to work with Congressional staff and develop and sustain relationships with experts within the Department of Defense, think tanks, and private industry is also essential. Candidates must have or be able to obtain and maintain a top secret clearance; compartmented clearances are desirable and may be required for particular projects.

Education

EDUCATION:

.Candidates should have a Ph.D. (or equivalent experience), preferably in the physical sciences, natural sciences, computer science, or engineering, although candidates with advanced degrees in related fields, such as statistics, applied mathematics, or public policy, will also be considered. The position requires at least three years of experience (excluding graduate school research) in conducting analyses related to at least some of the topics listed above, as well as in working independently and leading studies. Experience in developing analytical and simulation models is a plus.

Additional information

This job is being filled by an alternative hiring process and is not in the competitive civil service.

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 résumé, responses to the online questions, and required supporting documents. Please be sure that your résumé 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. Those who aren't qualified will be informed and not considered further. Others will be referred to the hiring division for further consideration.

NOTE: To ensure consideration you must submit a complete application by September 30, 2019 at www.cbo.gov/careers (not USAJobs). Although we may continue to accept applications beyond that date, we are only ensuring that those who submitted by the deadline above will be considered. Should the hiring division wish to review candidates who applied after that date, we will then process those applications to determine if they are qualified and should be forwarded for management review.

Background checks and security clearance

Security clearance
Top Secret

Drug test required
No

Required Documents

Please submit a cover letter that summarizes your relevant experience, a résumé that includes a list of publications, a brief writing sample (preferably one that demonstrates ability to communicate technical issues to a nontechnical audience), salary history, and contact information for three references online at www.cbo.gov/careers. To ensure consideration, apply by September 30, 2019; this position may be closed at any time after that date. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

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.