Lead Operations Research Analyst

Come be a part of something big Smart Minds, Cool Jobs and Awesome Rewards Fueled by innovation, talent and ambition, the Air Force Civilian Service (AFCS) is seeking civilian professionals prepared to deploy war-winning capabilities on behalf of the United States Air Force.


OPEN: 6 December 2024
CLOSES: 3 January 2025

Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center (AFNWC) is seeking a full-time Lead Operations Research Analyst (009721421M) to serve as the Senior Operations Research Analyst (ORA) for the Air Delivered Weapons Directorate at Kirtland Air Force Base, Albuquerque, NM.

This position is an NH-1515-04, which has a typical 2024 salary range of $123,485-$188,821 (locality included).
*Pay rates may increase at the start of 2025.

Position Working Title: Chief of Analysis

The primary purpose of this position is to serve as the AFNWC Chief Operations Research Analyst and Senior Functional Manager for AFNWC ORA. Also, responsible for oversight of research and development on unproven concepts, formulate and validate hypotheses, and develop new analytical techniques and methods associated with a range of data, modeling, simulation, and analytic activities or depth of analysis affecting a wide range of activities within the Air Delivered Directorate. Additionally, this position is to serve as the Senior expert in the analysis and adaptation of scientific and mathematic methods and techniques to present, inform and advise on Directorate-level decisions.

This series covers positions involved in supporting the designing, developing, and adapting mathematical, statistical, econometric, and other scientific methods and techniques. The work also involves analyzing management problems and providing advice and insight about the probable effects of alternative solutions to these problems. The primary requirement of the work is competence in the rigorous methods of scientific inquiry and analysis.


Duties
• Supports center senior functional (CSF) strategic management of functional workforce.
• Assesses respective directorate or series workforce resource availability (supply) and shortfalls (gap analysis).
• Supports S&E civilian performance management in the development and establishment of a framework of common performance objectives and communicating those objectives within the assigned directorate or series.
• Technical expert with Directorate-wide scope and responsibility in the design and execution of scientific studies, analysis, programming, surveys, and technical evaluation to enable data-driven decisions.
• Recommends career development plans, provides career planning guidance, provides opportunities on AF-wide functional career broadening programs, and advocates on all functional applications for military and civilian developmental education programs.
• Provides digital analytical information to Directorate for future succession planning and assessing future skills needed.
• Represents the Directorate as the OSF and CSF at meetings, conferences, and key leader engagements, while developing and maintaining effective work relationships. Through established relationships, you will proactively enhance the Directorate’s digital data analytics integration through collaborative initiatives and projects. Provides technical expertise and recommendations to leadership.
• Provides guidance to functional workforce, ensuring analytic projects comply with legal and regulatory requirements and meets requesting unit needs.
• Provides authoritative technical direction to identify, coordinate and prioritize requirements for the development of new and/or improved methods and tools to advance data analytics, models and simulation, methods and capabilities, as appropriate to the Directorate.
• Ensures data products meet Directorate, Center, and customer expectations, standards, policy and guidance.
• Identifies analytic requirements to support development activities of the Directorate to support acquisitions.

#LI-LC2KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES
• Knowledge of the mission, roles, functions, organizational structure, and operation of the DoD, Air Force, and organizations that govern, interface with, and/or influence systems acquisition, development, and/or sustainment.
• Knowledge of a wide range of advanced multidisciplinary professional scientific and analytical concepts, principles, practices, standards, methods, and techniques to apply experimental theories and new developments to problems not susceptible to treatment by accepted methods
• Ability to create and implement a strategic vision for Data Operations that meets required intent for digital transformation efforts.
• Ability to lead the way on cutting edge advancement of modeling, simulation, and analysis to support integrated multi-disciplinary analysis, enabling technically rigorous modeling efforts within the Directorate.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the knowledge to coach and mentor in the development and implementation of complex models and simulations
• Experience in providing technical guidance to resolve unique problems and issues involving the development of models and/or programs for analytical purposes
• Experience in statistical, mathematical software and programming languages such as R, Python, and SQL to provide guidance and direction to the Directorate for data analytics of acquisition programs and organizational needs
• Knowledge of Model Based Systems Engineering tools such as SysML, MagicDraw, or Enterprise Architect for the integration and implementation of data analytics techniques to support acquisition programs
• Excellent ability to clearly communicate both up and down the chain of command on program status, requirements, problems/analysis/solutions and promoting program objectives.
• Ability to work independently and manage multiple projects and priorities.


REQUIREMENTS FOR THE POSITION:
• U.S. CITIZENSHIP
• Must be TS/SCI eligible
• Required to handle and safeguard sensitive and/or classified information in accordance with regulations to reduce potential compromise; employee must obtain and maintain the appropriate security clearance.
• In accordance with the Ethics in Government Act, 1978, employee may be required to file an OGE Form 450, Confidential Financial Disclosure Report, upon appointment and may be required to file annually.
• Employee must meet Defense Acquisition Workforce Improvement Act (DAWIA) requirements, which includes achieving Engineering and Technical Management “Practitioner” certification category within required timeframe after appointment.
• Master’s or Ph.D. degree in operations research, mathematics, statistics, or a related field preferred; 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.
• A minimum of 8 years of experience in operations research, including experience leading teams and managing projects preferred
• One year of specialized experience equivalent to the NH-03 grade level in the Federal service:
o Experience with a broad area of classical and modern analytic techniques sufficient to receive recognition as an authority in a particular specialty.
o Experience with program operations to serve as a consultant and technical advisor to senior subject matter specialists and/or agency officials.
o Experience with policy and regulation to act as the authoritative source of technical input to publications or other documents that are the basis for formulating public policy.