Operations Research Analyst – Economist

JOA#: GS 2024-1515-109 EMAD

Department: Department of War (DOW)

Agency: Office of the Secretary of War (OSW)

Hiring Organization: Cost Assessment and Program Evaluation (CAPE)

Salary Range: $101,401 - $195,200

Open Period: 9/15/2025 – 11/15/2025

Pay Scale & Grade: GS-12/13/14/15

Series & Appointment Type: 1515 Operations Research, Permanent – Schedule B Excepted Service

Work Schedule: Full Time

Clearance Requirements: Must be able to obtain and maintain a Top Secret/SCI

Citizenship Requirement: Open to all US citizens

Location: Pentagon, Arlington, VA

Relocation expenses reimbursed: No

Summary:

CAPE is hiring and lets you have a huge impact on the Department of War! We provide objective, analysis-based advice directly to the Secretary and Deputy Secretary of War on everything that DOW does with an enormous level of impact on the US budget and national security.

In addition to what you may envision for DOW operations and warfighting capabilities, DOW is many things that may spark an interest for you -

It is:

a very large healthcare system;

a huge education system;

a large network of laboratories;

the world's largest technology consumer; and

unparalleled in size and scope.

CAPE allows you to perform analysis on all of these things. If this sounds interesting, apply to our open operations research analyst position and get started.

This job announcement is to fulfill roles across our Economic and Manpower Analysis Division.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Supporting and/or Leading a Program Review team to consider changes to a Defense Component’s Program Objective Memoranda to ensure compliance with DOW guidance or to better align a program with the defense strategy.
• Designing and/or conducting studies and analyses of Defense-wide programs, such as the Military Health System.
• Analyzing the capability and capacity of the US industrial base and defense industrial base.
• Assessing the cost of manpower for the Department, including civilian, military and contractor labor.
• Applying a variety of analytical approaches to solve mission focused policy, methodological, and/or administrative problems in a fast-paced environment.
• Presenting the findings of analytical products to senior leaders and non-technical audiences, clearly and concisely.
• Ensuring the techniques used are valid and appropriate to the problem or issue identified. Executes analysis per approved/valid/appropriate methodologies.
• Conducting analysis in a programming or statistical software suite such as SAS and STATA, R, Python, Excel, AI/ML techniques, MATLAB, ArcGIS (specific requirements may vary).
• As a GS 12 or 13, expected to perform and function as a subject matter expert advising senior leaders on methodological or analytical issues.

Qualifications:

Basic Requirements:

A degree in operations research from an accredited college/university; 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.

Desired Skills:

Your experience must be relevant and within the past 6 years as your qualifications will be evaluated based on level of knowledge, skills, abilities and/or competencies in the following areas:

• Quantitative Analytics: Mastery of mathematical reasoning that involves designing, developing, and applying operations research, mathematical, statistical, and/or other scientific research methods. Demonstrated experience in using quantitative analytics to solve complex problems with innovative solutions sufficient to receive recognition as an authority in a particular subject. Includes ability to develop new methodologies and/or theories where current approaches are obsolete or do not support evolving directions and strategies.
• Economic Research: Knowledge of recent economic research, particularly in the fields of microeconomics, macroeconomics, defense economics, health economics, or labor economics. Ability to create and innovate new concepts, plans and alternatives to improve defense-wide programs using economic knowledge of research and methods.
• Building Coalitions: Ability to work with and collaborate with individuals across a broad spectrum of internal and external organizational representatives. Demonstrate ability to independently work across organizations, successfully navigate a complex bureaucracy, to share and obtain information, and to influence outcomes. Must have the ability to develop an expansive professional network with other organizations and to identify the internal and external politics that impact the work of the organization.
• Communication: Ability to translate complex concepts, findings, and limitations into concise, plain language through varied types of written communication to include emails, memos, PowerPoint briefs, white papers, and full reports. Oral communications may include formal presentations or briefings in front of large groups of senior officials and could occur with little to no forewarning and may require communicating on matters with opposing views. Must be able to explain, advocate, and express facts and ideas in a convincing manner, and to negotiate with individuals and groups internally and externally.

Specialized Experience: You must have at least one year (equivalent to 12 months at 40 hours per week) of demonstrating the duties and competencies for each GS level to qualify:

• GS-12 Qualifications: Under guidance of senior analysts, applying a range of analytical, mathematical, and/or statistical theories, principles, and practices to plan, coordinate, and execute segments of complex studies to support quantitative analytics; having the ability to communicate effectively and build coalitions OR Ph.D. or equivalent Doctoral Degree.
• GS-13 Qualifications: Experience in extracting and organizing raw program and/or cost data under general direction from a supervisor or senior analyst, conducting basic mathematical analysis of program information, and assisting in the collection, developmental and implementation of program and/or cost related information. Effectively communicating with senior officials, internal and external colleagues, scientific organizations, and industry stakeholders.
• GS-14 Qualifications: Broad range of operations research analysis assignments entailing unique problems, creativity, innovative use of quantitative analytic techniques, advanced approaches, and/or new technologies. Utilizes scientific inquiry, independent development of mathematical models and computer programs to evaluate, interpret, and analyze program and/or cost data.
• GS-15 Qualifications: Leading teams in a teaming environment, performing complex statistical analyses; evaluating large and complex military programs using quantitative analytic techniques; performing complex analyses in the absence of defined goals and outcomes, providing expert consultation and technical expertise to agency senior leaders on studies and analysis, and effectively communicating with senior officials, internal and external colleagues, scientific organizations, and industry stakeholders.

Volunteer Work Experiences: You can also receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Volunteer work refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service Programs and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community; student and social).

How to Apply:

Required Documents:

1. Resume:

a. IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, BE CLEAR, SPECIFIC AND DETAILED. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE.

b. You must include name, address, contact information and the hours worked per week and the dates of employment/volunteer experience (i.e., hours per week and month/year to month/year or month/year to present). One year of specialized experience is equivalent to 2,087 hours or 52-weeks of 40 hours/week. Part-time hours are prorated. You will not receive any credit for experience that does not indicate exact hours per week or is listed as "varies". For additional information see: What to include in your resume.

c. Do not include any photos and Personally Identifiable Information (i.e., Social Security Number, Birthdate) on your resume.

d. Resume is limited to 2 pages and a minimum size 10 font. Please save your resume as a PDF file to preserve the 2 page length.

2. Transcripts: Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education for it to be credited towards qualifications requirements. Copies of a diploma alone are not sufficient.

a. 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.

4. Veterans Preference: 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.

5. SF-50: Your latest SF-50 (if applicable) showing your tenure, grade and step, and type of position occupied. Remove all Personally Identifiable Information (Social Security Number and Birthdate). If you receive an updated SF-50 after initially applying, please provide the updated document to CAPE to be added to your application.

6. Free Response Essay Questions: Optional section to demonstrate your commitment to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passion about the ideals of our American republic, and commitment to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution. You will not be scored against your responses for this section.

Please visit the CAPE Careers website for more information on CAPE, our benefits and more.

Agency contact information:

Cost Assessment and Program Evaluation (CAPE)

Email: osd.pentagon.cape.mbx.esd-support@mail.mil
Address: 1800 Defense Pentagon, Room 3E231, Washington, DC 20301-1800

Additional Information:

Priority consideration programs will continue under their current operating procedures:

Military Spouse Preference (MSP) Eligible: Military Spouse Preference applicants, must be selected and placed at the highest grade level for which they have applied and been determined best qualified up to and including the full performance level. You must include a completed copy of the Military Spouse PPP Self-Certification Checklist dated within 30 days along with the documents identified on the checklist to verify your eligibility for Military Spouse Preference. Click here to obtain a copy of the Military Spouse PPP Self-Certification Checklist.

Military Reserve (MR) and National Guard (NG) Technicians PPP Eligible: MR and NG technicians PPP applicants must be selected and placed at the full performance level if determined well qualified. You must include a completed copy of the Military Reserve and National Guard Technician PPP Self-Certification Checklist to verify your eligibility for Military Reserve and National Guard Technician preference. Click here to obtain a copy of the Military Reserve and National Guard Technician PPP Self-Certification Checklist.6.

Military Reserve (MR) and National Guard (NG) Technicians Receiving Disability Retirement PPP Eligible: MR and NG technicians receiving disability retirement PPP applicants must be selected and placed at the full performance level if determined well qualified. You must include a completed copy of the Military Reserve and National Guard Technician Disability PPP Self-Certification Checklist to verify your eligibility for Military Reserve and National Guard Technician Disability preference. Click here to obtain a copy of the Military Reserve and National Guard Technician Disability PPP Self-Certification Checklist.7.

Retained Grade PPP Eligible: Retained Grade PPP applicants, must be selected and placed at the full performance level if determined well qualified. You must include a completed copy of the Retained Grade PPP Self-Certification Checklist to verify your eligibility for Retained Grade preference. Click here to obtain a copy of the Retained Grade PPP Self-Certification Checklist

Schedule B Excepted Service Public Notice: Under this recruitment procedure, applications will be accepted, and selections are made for vacancies as they occur. A tentative offer of employment will be rescinded if the selectee fails to meet the pre-employment requirements, including failure to report to any of the scheduled appointments.

Employed Annuitants (Reemployed Annuitants): Applicants in receipt of an annuity based on civilian employment in the Federal Service are subject to the DoD Policy on The Employment of Annuitants.

Selective Service: Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered or exempt from Selective Service. For additional information, click here.

Employment Eligibility Verification: Washington Headquarters Services uses E-Verify to confirm the employment eligibility of all newly hired employees. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit: http://www.dhs.gov/E-Verify

Nepotism: Under the provisions of 5 USC 3110, an individual may not be appointed into a position if the position is under the supervisory chain of command of a relative.

How You Will Be Evaluated:

The qualifications for this position will be evaluated by Subject Matter Experts prior to a referral. If you meet the minimum qualifications for this position, your application will be evaluated under a multi-hurdle assessment approach, culminating in a ranking and referral.

Resume Review (First Hurdle): Subject matter experts will review your resume to determine qualifications based on the required competencies identified above.

Qualifying Structured Interviews (Second Hurdle): If the subject matter experts determine that your resume reflects the required competencies, you will have a panel interview (virtual or phone) to further assess whether your experience meets the required competencies. This panel interview may include in-depth questions, or exercise/case study to measure your depth of knowledge in relation to the required competencies.

Ranking and Preference: Qualified candidates will be assigned a score between 70 and 100 not including points that may be assigned for veterans’ preference. Your answers will be verified against information provided in your application and/or by reference checks. Preference will be applied to applicants who move forward after the qualifying Interviews.

Selection Process: Hiring Managers will receive a certificate listing of qualified candidates who are eligible for selection. If you are not selected for this position, you may be considered for similar positions for up to 6 months (from the certificate date). This certificate may also be shared with other CAPE Hiring Managers. If you are selected for an interview, you may be asked to give a presentation and/or analyze a case study. You may also be asked to participate in several rounds of interviews.

Fair and transparent

The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.

Criminal history inquiries
Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Policy
Financial suitability
New employee probationary period
Privacy Act
Reasonable accommodation policy
Selective Service
Signature and false statements
Social security number request