Duties

Summary

A successful candidate in this position will be an expert analyst and technical authority to originate and perform mathematical, statistical, economic and/or other analyses projects pertaining to the Energy sector or to a sub-sector of it, and to maintain and enhance models for use in simulation studies. Assignments involve development of novel data analyses systems, and operations and functions of major Department of Energy and national or international impact.

Learn more about this agency

Responsibilities

As an Operations Research Analyst, you will:

• Initiate, develop, design, perform and document a broad analyses assignments involving current and projected pricing, production, supply and distribution patterns, conditions and problems pertaining to Energy. Evaluate impact of new technologies, systems and policies. Document study purposes, methods, assumptions, and conclusions, and brief officials.
• Monitor and conduct studies important to agency decision-makers and provide sound, scientific, and quantitative information as a basis for making decisions. Originate new programs, techniques, studies and approaches in assigned subject areas. Analyze in innovative ways the effects of different policies and policy options and advise high level managers of positive and negative effects of the different policies and policy options.
• Plan, design, conduct and oversee tests to obtain data and to test techniques. Determine optimum sample sizes and sources of data appropriate for studies. Apply extensive knowledge of issues, problems and subjects studies to assure results reflect real world environments. Devise improvements and solutions to difficult-to-formulate, unyielding problems that encompass complex technical issues and require unconventional approaches and the development and application of sophisticated analytical techniques to address challenges and enable successful mission accomplishments.
• Develop and maintain models and simulation techniques and scenarios for use in current and future energy studies. Select critical elements of real world systems for inclusion in models. Plan, design, conduct and oversee tests to validate models. Develop parameters for optimum sample sizes and sources of data appropriate for studies.
• Perform analyses through parametric knowledge of subject studies and related projects. Identify specific research areas that merit investigation, develop new hypotheses and approaches for studies and evaluate the feasibility of such endeavors. Initiate, formulate, plan, and execute studies, which are designed for the purpose of identifying, analyzing, and reporting on energy-related issues.

Travel Required

Not required

Supervisory status
No

Promotion Potential
15

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

• You must be a United States Citizen.
• This employer participates in the e-Verify program.
• Males must abide by Selective Service registration requirements.
• Resume and question responses must be submitted online.
• May be required to complete a one-year probationary period.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS:

You must submit an unofficial or official transcripts by the closing date of this vacancy announcement. NOTE: Failure to provide transcripts will result in you being rated ineligible for this position.

If selected, an official transcript will be required prior to entering on duty.

You may be required to complete a one year probationary period, if not previously completed in a Competitive or other Excepted Service position.

Qualifications

BASIC REQUIREMENTS: 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 meeting the "Basic Requirements" described above, applicants must also have at least one year of specialized experience, equivalent to the next lower grade level in the Federal service.

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS: Specialized experience is experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSA's) to perform successfully the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled. A qualified candidate's online application and resume must demonstrate at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-14 grade level in the Federal service. Specialized experience for this position is defined as: Experience in applying, modifying, or developing models or techniques to identify and analyze trends and emerging issues affecting the electric power sector, including applying optimization methods such as linear programming to electric sector simulations involving the impact of market factors or alternative government policies on capacity expansion and generating unit dispatch; and experience writing or adapting optimization models in one or more of the computer programming or application languages such as Fortran, AIMMS, Python, or EViews.

Your application and resume should demonstrate that you possess the following knowledge, skills and abilities (KSAs). Do not provide a separate narrative written statement. Rather, you must describe in your application how your past work experience demonstrates that you possess the KSAs identified below. Cite specific examples of employment or experience contained in your resume and describe how this experience has prepared you to successfully perform the duties of this position. DO NOT write "see resume" in your application!

Skill in applying the principles, theories, methodologies of operations research analysis techniques sufficient to provide management with expert technical guidance and recommendations for achieving the organization's objectives.

Skill in the fields of mathematics, statistics, operations research, systems analysis, and the principles of scientific inquiry are required in order to advance state of the art scientific and mathematical approaches to analysis.

Skill in formulating, testing and evaluating new operations research theories principles and concepts.

Skill in managing and coordinating extensive projects in assigned areas of responsibility.

Ability to establish and maintain effective relationships with customers, information sources, project team members, and professionals in other organizations.

Ability to design, build and use very complex, sophisticated models to simulate real world environments of many variables.

Knowledge of personnel management and leadership practices, policies, and procedures in order to effectively lead diverse, inter-disciplinary study teams.

"Experience" refers to paid and unpaid experience. Examples of qualifying unpaid experience may include: volunteer work done through National Service programs (such as Peace Corps and AmeriCorps); as well as work for other community-based philanthropic and social organizations. 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.

Time-in-Grade: Current Federal employees must meet time-in-grade requirements by the closing date of this announcement to receive consideration.

CTAP/ICTAP candidates: To be considered "well qualified" you must meet all of the requirements as described in this section.

You must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of this announcement.

Education

EDUCATION:

This position has positive education requirements. For additional information regarding education requirements described above for the GS-1515, Operations Research Analyst can be found at following website: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/1500/operations-research-series-1515/.

Education must be obtained from an accredited institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Foreign education must be reviewed by an organization recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. For special instructions pertaining to foreign education and a list of organizations that can evaluate foreign education, see the Department of Education website.

Additional information

The U.S. Department of Energy fosters a diverse and inclusive workplace and is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

• New employees to the Department of Energy will be required to successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit www.dhs.gov/E-Verify .
• Veterans and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply. For more information, please visit the links at the bottom of this page or visit the FedsHireVets website.
• If you believe that you are eligible for the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP), please visit the OPM ICTAP/CTAP website for more information. In order to be considered under the ICTAP program, your application must score within the pre-established "well qualified" category as stated in the Qualifications section.
• More than one selection may be made from this vacancy announcement.
• Some positions may require completion of a probationary period of up to 1 (one) year.
• Many positions require successful completion of a background investigation.
• All males born after December 31st 1959 must abide by laws regarding Selective Service registration. To learn more about this law, visit the Selective Service web page, Who Must Register . If you are not registered and don't have an approved exemption, you will not be eligible for employment with the Federal government.

EEO Policy: https://help.usajobs.gov/index.php/EEO_Policy_Statement
Reasonable Accommodation Policy: https://help.usajobs.gov/index.php/Reasonable_Accommodation_Policy_Statement
Veterans Information: https://help.usajobs.gov/index.php/Veterans_Information
Telework: www.telework.gov
Selective Service Registration: http://www.sss.gov/

How You Will Be Evaluated

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

The Department of Energy uses an application tracking system to evaluate the responses you provide in the applicant assessment questionnaire to determine if you meet the minimum qualifications necessary for this position. Then, the HR Office and/or Subject Matter Expert (SME) will conduct a quality review of your application and supporting documentation to determine if your qualifications meet the criteria for referral to the selecting official.

We will also verify that you are eligible for Merit Promotion positions by reviewing your previous Federal employment to ensure you meet Time-in-Grade requirements. If you are eligible to apply to Merit Promotion announcements based on Veteran or other non-competitive statuses, we will verify your supporting documentation prior to referral.

If you are eligible for career transition assistance plans such as ICTAP or CTAP, you must meet the definition of "well qualified" which is defined as having a score of 85 or better.

If your resume is incomplete or does not support the responses you provided in your online questionnaire, or if you fail to submit all required documentation before the vacancy closes, you may be rated 'ineligible', 'not qualified', or your score may be adjusted accordingly.
To preview questions please click here .

Background checks and security clearance

Security clearance
Not Required

Drug test required
No

Required Documents

Please carefully review the following list to determine what documentation you need to submit. Some documents may not apply to all applicants. If you are unsure, click the link for each document type to read more.

ALL APPLICANTS: You must submit a about what is expected in your resume." href="https://help.usajobs.gov/index.php/How_to_create_your_resume" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">resume supporting your specialized experience and responses to the online questionnaire.

• Your resume should list all work experience (paid and unpaid); you must list the full name and address of the each employer.
• For all types of work experience, you should indicate the start and end dates (include month, day, and year); you must also list the average number of hours per week that you worked.
• For paid work experience, please indicate your starting grade/salary for each position and the highest grade/salary you earned (if different).
• Your resume should also include any education and training you have completed (list the program title, subject area, number of hours completed, and completion date).
• For more information about what to include in your resume, please view this USAJOBS Resume Tutorial video on YouTube.

Most DOE offices will allow you to submit a resume in the format of your choice (as an attached document or as a USAJOBS Resume Builder format). However, some offices may require one specific format. You will be notified at the time you click 'Apply Online' which type of resume is acceptable. It is important that you are complete and thorough in your resume. If any of the above information is not included in your resume, we may not be able to fully credit you for your experience.

Current and former Federal employees: Most recent SF-50 (Standard Form 50 - Notice of Personnel Action). DO NOT SUBMIT AN AWARDS SF-50.

To properly verify status eligibility, your SF-50 must show the following. If you do not submit an appropriate SF-50, we cannot verify your status eligibility!

Full position title;

appointment type;

occupational series;

pay plan, grade, and step;

tenure code; and

service computation date (SCD).

Specific educational requirements are indicated for this vacancy: experience." href="https://help.usajobs.gov/index.php/Education" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Documentation verifying your educational claims which can include unofficial transcripts or any report listing institution, course title, credits earned and final grade. Please see the Education section for more information.

Veterans: authorities and the documentation you need to submit" href="http://www.fedshirevets.gov/job/shav/index.aspx" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">veteran eligibility documentation (DD-214 Member #4 Copy, VA Letter, Standard Form (SF) 15 as applicable). Please note: If you are a veteran who has not yet been discharged, you may provide a statement of intent to discharge from your agency to receive Veterans Preference under the VOW (Veterans Opportunity to Work) to Hire Heroes Act of 2011.

Persons with Disabilities: Individuals with intellectual disabilities, severe physical disabilities, or psychiatric disabilities may apply for appointment through the Schedule A hiring authority. flexibilities for persons with disabilities" href="https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/disability-employment/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">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.

Displaced Federal employees who qualify for 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. Please see the OPM Guide to Career Transition for more information.

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.