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Operations Research Analyst

Defense Security Cooperation Agency

Arlington, VAFull-time$122–158K/yrPosted 1 day ago

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At a glance

Compensation
$122–158K/yr
Location
Arlington, VA
Schedule
Full-time
Work Authorization
Not specified

Olive lists jobs from US employers, including remote roles you can work from the United States.

Requirements

Credentials this posting asks for.

DoD SCW CertificationSCW Practitioner Certification

Job overview

The Operations Research Analyst designs, develops, and implements mathematical, statistical, and econometric models to analyze human capital forecasting across the security cooperation workforce. The role uses operations research techniques to examine workforce trends and develop long-term projections, and synthesizes analytical findings into concise management reports. The position is classified at GS-13 and requires specialized experience equivalent to GS-12, along with specified education or coursework.

Skills & qualifications

RequiredNice to have

Skills

Operations ResearchStatistical AnalysisGraphical AnalysisSimulationCost-Benefit AnalysisDecision AnalysisOptimizationMathematical ModelingEconometric ModelingHuman Capital Forecasting

Qualifications

One Year Specialized ExperienceOperations Research or Related CourseworkCalculus CourseworkDoD SCW CertificationSCW Practitioner Certification

Full job description

Summary

This position is part of the Defense Security Cooperation Agency. The incumbent will be responsible for designing, developing, and implementing mathematic, statistical, and econometric models and techniques to analyze issues associated with human capital forecasting throughout the security cooperation workforce.

Duties

As a Operations Research Analyst at the GS-1515-13 some of your typical work assignments may include: Uses a number of operations research techniques to conduct analysis including statistical analysis, graphical analysis, simulation, cost benefit analysis, decision analysis, and optimization. Develops long-term models of what the security cooperation workforce will look like (e.g., demographic data, career field representation, projected corps vacancies, etc.) based on identification and analysis of current data trends. Performs professional work related to mathematical modeling, statistical analysis, and other scientific methods and techniques and uses automated and other analytical tools to professionally synthesize teams' reports and findings into concise, summary level management reports Designs, develops, and implements mathematic, statistical, and econometric models and techniques to analyze issues associated with human capital forecasting throughout the security cooperation workforce. Qualifications

You may qualify at the GS-13, if you fulfill the following qualifications: A. One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-12 grade level in the Federal service: Designing, developing, and/or implementing mathematical, statistical, and econometric models and techniques to analyze issues associated with human capital forecasting. AND B. 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 Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). 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. In addition to meeting qualifications, your application package must reflect the applicable experience to meet the Individual Occupational Requirements for the 1515 series.

Education

Substitution of education may not be used in lieu of specialized experience for this grade level. GRADUATE EDUCATION: One academic year of graduate education is considered to be the number of credits hours that your graduate school has determined to represent one academic year of full-time study. Such study may have been performed on a full-time or part-time basis. If you cannot obtain your graduate school's definition of one year of graduate study, 18 semester hours (or 27 quarter hours) should be considered as satisfying the requirement for one year of full-time graduate study. Foreign education may be qualifying if a private organization specializing in interpreting foreign education programs has deemed the foreign education equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program or a U.S. accredited college or university has given full credit for the foreign courses. Unofficial transcripts from U.S. Department of Education accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions listing your name, the name of the school, the date and degree awarded, and the list of classes and credits earned are acceptable for the application process. If selected, official transcripts are required before a firm job offer is made. A photocopy of your degree/diploma is not acceptable. When relying on foreign education, submit transcripts and a copy of the equivalency evaluation results letter with a course-by-course listing. Documents must be in English or include an English translation. The hiring employer for this position does not evaluate degrees from foreign colleges or universities. For further information, visit: Foreign Education How You Will Be Evaluated

To apply for this position, you must complete the online application and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on the closing date to receive consideration. To begin, click Apply Online to access an online application. Follow the prompts to select your USAJOBS resume and/or other supporting documents. You will need to be logged into your USAJOBS account or you may need to create a new account. You will be taken to an online application. Complete the online application, verify the required documentation, and submit the application. NOTE: Resumes up to a total of two pages will be accepted. Resumes exceeding two pages will be removed from consideration. You will receive an email notification when your application has been received for the announcement. To verify the status of your application, log into your USAJOBS account, https://www.usajobs.gov, select the Application Status link and then select the More Information link for this position. The Application Status page will display the status of your application, the documentation received and processed, and your responses submitted to the online application. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process. To preview the questionnaire, please go to https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13099736. To review the status of an application through USAJOBS: 1. Log into your USAJOBS account 2. Click Application Status within your profile to expand your application 3. Locate the job announcement and click the more information link under the Status column for this position. You will be routed to Application Manager. The Details tab displays by default. The Details tab displays comprehensive information about the selected Application Package including: assessment(s) and the status, supporting documents and their status, correspondence sent to you by the hiring agency, and your application processing status. To fax supporting documents you are unable to upload, complete this cover page http://staffing.opm.gov/pdf/usascover.pdf . Fax your documents to 1-478-757-3144. You are highly encouraged to submit your application package and complete your assessment questionnaire on-line. Please review the General Application Information and Definitions at: https://www.dla.mil/Portals/104/Documents/Careers/downloads/DoDGenAppInfo%2012-1-2020.pdf?ver=ECNbdsHtGilTd3OENN4A0Q%3d%3d Other Information

Veterans Employment Opportunity Act (VEOA): To be eligible for a VEOA appointment under Merit Promotion procedures, the veteran must be a preference eligible or a veteran separated after 3 years or more of continuous active service performed under honorable conditions. Interagency Career Transition Assistance Programs: This program applies to employees who have been involuntarily separated from a Federal service position within the competitive service or Federal service employees whose positions have been deemed surplus or no longer needed. To receive selection priority for this position, you must: 1) meet ICTAP eligibility criteria; 2) be rated well-qualified for the position; Well qualified is defined as possessing the type and quality of experience that exceeds the positions minimum qualifications. and 3) submit the appropriate documentation to support your ICTAP eligibility. For more information: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/employee-guide-to-career-transition/. Noncompetitive Appointment Authorities: For more information on noncompetitive appointment authority eligibility requirements: Persons with Disabilities - Schedule A Special Hiring Authority for Veterans Special Hiring Authority for Certain Military Spouses Other Special Appointment Authorities - Subpart F Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered or exempt from Selective Service (see https://www.sss.gov/register/) The selecting official may choose to conduct interviews, and once the selection is made, you will receive a notification of the decision. NOTE: Declining to be interviewed or failure to report for a scheduled interview will be considered as a declination for further consideration for employment against this vacancy. Selective Service Requirement: Please visit http://www.sss.gov for more information. For more information, please visit https://www.dla.mil/Portals/104/Documents/Careers/downloads/DoDGenAppInfo%2012-1-2020.pdf?ver=ECNbdsHtGilTd3OENN4A0Q%3d%3d Other Notes: Incumbent must attain DoD Security Cooperation Workforce (SCW) Certification and complete related continuous learning requirements in accordance with the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) 2024, Title 10 United States Code, Section 384 and Security Cooperation Certification Program 2.0 requirements. Requirements for Proficiency Level 2 - At least 1 year of successful SC work experience with a performance appraisal rating of 3 or better. Incumbent must complete DoD SCW Practitioner level certification requirements within two years of entering the SC position. In addition, 60 hours of continuing education (CUE) every two years. Re-employed Annuitant: This position Does not meet criteria for re-employed annuitant. The DoD criteria for hiring Re-employed Annuitants can be found at: https://www.esd.whs.mil/Portals/54/Documents/DD/issuances/140025/140025_vol300.PDF?ver=LQ7feWw-8-5DI2tceUpmgA%3d%3d This position is subject to an initial drug screening, and random testing thereafter. As required by 5 C.F.R. § 302.106., DLA will provide Section 508 conformant ICT to employees with disabilities. All ICT interfaces with the public related to vacancy announcements and career transition opportunities must conform to the applicable requirements in the current ICT Standards and Guidelines (36 C.F.R. § 1194). Status candidates must meet time-in-grade requirements (52 weeks at the next lower grade level).

How this job compares

Set against the 5,098 open Data Analyst jobs on Olive Jobs, counted October 28, 2026.

Pay
  • This posting$122–158K/yr
  • Virginia median$104–150K/yr234 salary ranges
  • US median$90–134K/yr3,206 salary ranges

This range's midpoint, $140K, is 10% above the Virginia median midpoint ($128K) — in the middle half of Data Analyst salary ranges in Virginia.

Openings
Olive Jobs lists 393 open Data Analyst jobs in Virginia and 5,098 across the US. 6% of them nationwide are listed as remote or flexible.
Hiring the most in Virginia
Experience
This posting asks for at least 1 year of experience — less than three in four Data Analyst postings that state a minimum ask for (median 4 years, across 3,777 postings).
Education
2,291 of the 5,098 open Data Analyst jobs (45%) ask for a bachelor's degree or higher.

Counted across the open, public US postings on Olive Jobs on October 28, 2026. Pay medians are the middle values of the low ends and of the high ends of postings that list both ends of a range in the same cadence (a yearly salary or an hourly rate); a range's midpoint is halfway between its ends. Pay and experience figures resting on fewer than 20 postings are left out.

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