Operations Research Analyst

DutiesWHAT IS THE CRIMINIAL INVESTIGATIONSDIVISION?A description of the business units can be found at : Vacancies will be filled in the following specialty areas : Applied Analytics.The following are the duties of this position at the full working level.Analyzes the efficiency and effectiveness of major Criminal Investigation programs using design, development, and adaptation sophisticated mathematical, statistical, and other scientific methods. Conducts operational research concerning critical tax administration and management problems in utilizing mathematical techniques, statistical methods, and scientific discipline.Develops methods to identify areas of non-compliance using mathematical techniques and analytical models designed to gain increased knowledge in specific areas and predict effects of alternative actions. Develops formulas using discriminate and other statistical analysis to identify taxpayer documents and processes that have a high degree of fraud potential. Develops and applies research techniques for problem solving using data obtained from a variety of sources both from inside and outside the Service.Formulates economic theories in mathematical terms so that they can be tested statistically to predict the probable impact on Criminal Investigation and other Operational Divisions.Provides a quantitative basis for decision making to improve operations using unconventional approaches. Provides leadership and guidance for management in determining the nature and quantity of data to be collected and analyzed, establishing the methodology of study, and evaluating alternative choices.Requirements Conditions of EmploymentSTANDARD POSITION DESCRIPTIONS (SPD) : PD23151Visit the IRS SPD Library to access the position descriptions.A 1-year probationary period is required (unless already completed).Submit to a drug test prior to your appointment and random drug testing while you occupy the position, negative result is required.Obtain and use a Government-issued charge card for business-related travel. QualificationsFederal experience is not required. 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-timework is considered on a prorated basis. To ensure full credit for your work experience, please indicate dates of employment by month / year, and indicate number of hours worked per week, on your resume.You must meet the following requirements by the closing date of this announcement : Qualification Requirements : To qualify for this position, you must meet the qualification requirements outlined below : BASIC REQUIREMENT : A 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.Evaluation of Education : 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.In addition to meeting the basic requirement above, to qualify for this position you must also meet the qualification requirements listed below : SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE : GS-14 LEVEL : In addition to the basic requirements, you must have one (1) year of specialized experience at a level of difficulty and responsibility equivalent to the GS-13 grade level in the Federal service. Specialized experience for this position includes : Experience with operations research project assignments that required a wide range of experience in mathematical / statistical reasoning requirements and techniques pertinent to the position to be filled. This experience is generally demonstrated by assignments where the applicant conducted operations research using well-established and innovative methods for identifying the probable causes of cost / workload variances and procedures for resolving variances and selected and applied mathematics, economics, econometrics and / or statistics appropriate to solving operations research problems, such as the development of computerized mathematical resource allocation models (e.g. simulation),regression models, econometric projections or workload forecasting models.ANDMEET TIME IN GRADE (TIG) REQUIREMENT : You must meet applicable TIG requirements to be considered eligible. To meet TIG for positions above the GS-05 grade level, you must have served at least one year (52 weeks) at the next lower grade (or equivalent) in the normal line of progression for the position you are applying to. Advancement to positions up to GS-05 is permitted if the position to be filled is no more than two grades above the lowest grade held within the preceding 52 weeks.ANDTIME AFTER COMPETITIVE APPOINTMENT : By the closing date (or if this is an open continuous announcement, by the cut-off date) specified in this job announcement, current civilian employees must have completed at least 90 days of federal civilian service since their latest non-temporary appointment from a competitive referral certificate, known as time after competitive appointment. For this requirement, a competitive appointment is one where you applied to and were appointed from an announcement open to "All US Citizens".For more information on qualifications please refer toOPM's Qualifications Standards.Education A copy of your transcripts or equivalent documentation is required for positions with an education requirement, or if you are qualifying based on education or a combination of education and experience. An official transcript will be required if you are selected. If the position has specific education requirements and you currently hold, or have previously held, a position in the same job series with the IRS, there is no need to submit a transcript or equivalent at this time. Applicants are encouraged, but are not required, to submit an SF-50 documenting experience in a specific series. A college or university degree 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.FOREIGN EDUCATION : Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the requirements. You must show proof the education credentials have been deemed to be at least equivalent to that gained in conventional U.S. education program. It is your responsibility to provide such evidence when applying. Click here (Section 3, Explanation of Terms) or here for Foreign Education Credentialing instructions. Additional informationWe may select from this announcement or any other source to fill one or more vacancies. Additional jobs may be filled.The salary range indicated in this announcement reflects the minimum locality pay up to maximum locality pay for all duty locations listed. The range will be adjusted for selected duty location. General Schedule locality pay tables may be found under Salaries & Wages.This is a non-bargaining unit position.Tour of Duty : Day Shift - Start and stop times between 6 : 00 a.m. and 6 : 00 p.m.Alternative work schedule, staggered work hours or telework may be available.In the event that a building is closed due to rent management, new hires may be placed in a local commuting location.Telework Eligible Positions : Telework eligible positions do not guarantee telework. Employees must meet and sustain IRS telework eligibility requirements (e.g., reporting at least twice a pay period to your assigned Post of Duty (POD)) and supervisor's approval to participate in the IRS Telework Program. Employees must also be within a 200-mile radius of their official assigned post-of-duty (POD) while in a telework status. As a reminder If you are selected for a position, you are responsible for reporting to your designated POD (location) on the negotiated start date or as directed by management. Help A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits. Review our benefitsEligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.How You Will Be EvaluatedYou 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. Applicants who disqualify themselves will not be evaluated further.Rating : Your application will be evaluated in accordance with the Service's Merit Promotion Plan. You will be assessed on the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics) : Data AnalysisInterpersonal SkillsMathematical ReasoningOral CommunicationProblem SolvingWritingYour application will also be rated and ranked among others, based on your responses to the online questions, regarding your experience, education, and training. Any performance appraisal / evaluation and award documentation you provide will be forwarded to the selecting official. The selecting official will review this documentation and give it due weight consideration during the overall selection process. IRS employees may obtain their most recent awards listing at . 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.Referral : A category-like rating (Quality Group) will be used to rate, 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.If you are among the top qualified candidates, your application may be referred to a selecting official for consideration. Candidates, if required to participate in a selection interview (telephonic and / or in person at the discretion of the Selecting Official in accordance with hiring practices), will be interviewed in quality group order. We will not reimburse costs related to the interview such as travel to and from the interview site.If you are a displaced or surplus Federal employee eligible for Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP), you must receive a score of Highly Qualified or better to be rated as well qualified to receive special selection priority.