Career Opportunities with CAPE -- Department of Defense
Career Opportunities with CAPE -- Department of Defense
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| Department: | Capability Enablers |
| Location: | Washington, DC |
Operations Research Analyst – Economic and Manpower Analysis Division (EMAD)
JOA#: GS 2026-1515-124 (EMAD Data Scientist)
Department: Department of War (DOW)
Agency: Office of the Secretary of War (OSW)
Hiring Organization: Cost Assessment and Program Evaluation (CAPE)
Open Period: 10/14/2026 – 10/28/2026
Pay Scale & Grade: GS-13/14/15
Salary Range: $121,785- $197,200
Series & Appointment Type: 1515 Operations Research, Permanent - Schedule B Excepted Service
Location: Pentagon, Arlington, VA
Work Schedule: Full Time
Clearance Requirements: Must be able to obtain and maintain a Top Secret/SCI
Citizenship Requirement: Open to all US Citizens
Relocation expenses reimbursed: No
Summary:
CAPE is hiring and lets you have a huge influence 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.
This job announcement is for an operations research analyst (data scientist) position in our Economic and Manpower Analysis Division (EMAD). EMAD applies data science, quantitative methods, and economic principles to the Department’s most pressing resource allocation and policy challenges. Current areas of focus for the division include the Defense Industrial Base and supply chains, the Military Health System, civilian and military Manpower, and defense-wide programs.
Duties and Responsibilities:
Conducting studies and analysis of Defense programs within the division portfolios. Applying a variety of analytical approaches to solve mission-focused policy, methodological, and/or administrative problems in a fast-paced environment.
Generating and presenting the findings of analytical products to senior leaders and nontechnical audiences, clearly and concisely.
Leading a Program Review team to consider changes to Defense Components' Program Objective Memoranda to ensure compliance with DOW guidance or to better align programs with the defense strategy.
Ensuring the analytical 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 Python, R, Excel, AI/ML techniques, Databricks or Snowflake, MATLAB, SAS or STATA, ArcGIS (specific requirements may vary and can be adjusted for candidate preference/experience).
Performing independently and within a team setting.
For consideration as a GS 13, 14 or 15, expected to be 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.
Required Skills:
Your experience must be relevant. 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, data science, economic, 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. Experience employing AI in problem solving is preferred.
Problem Solving for Policies and Programs: Ability to effectively apply quantitative analytics to gain insights into policy issues or to identify and evaluate options (analytic trade space) for program development and implementation. Prefer problem-solving experience in at least one of the following areas: quantitative policy analysis, federal government programs and processes, defense programs, cost benefit or economic analysis, financial/accounting analysis, manpower or workforce programs, supply chains, or the PPBE (planning-programming-budgeting-execution) process. Ability to review DoW planning documents (National Defense Strategy, Defense Planning Guidance, etc.), evaluate impact on industrial, manpower, defense-wide, or medical programs, and prepare comments and fact-based recommendations for changes or improvements. Ability to create and innovate new concepts, analysis and alternatives to improve the EMAD portfolios.
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.
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:
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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).
Background Checks and Security Clearance
You will be required to obtain and maintain a Top Secret or Top Secret/SCI security clearance. For more information regarding security clearances click here.
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 must be 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.
3. 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.
4. 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).
a. If you receive an updated SF-50 after initially applying, please provide the updated document to CAPE to be added to your application.
b. If you’ve had a break in service – please provide your original appointment SF50 in addition to your resignation SF50. If you do not have your latest documents, you can submit a request to the National Personnel Records Center to obtain them – see guidance here: https://www.archives.gov/personnel-records-center/civilian-non-archival
5. Military Spouse Preference Eligibility documentation (if applicable). For Priority Placement Program, you must include a copy of the Military Spouse PPP Self-Certification Checklist along with the documents identified on the checklist to verify your eligibility for MSP, such as PCS orders/verification of duty location assignment and a copy of marriage certificate or license. For eligibility under Executive Order 13473, acceptable documentation includes: verification of marriage to the servicemember, verification of member’s 100 percent disability or verification of member’s death while on active duty.
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.
How You Will Be Evaluated:
Subject matter experts will evaluate your qualifications before any referral. If you meet the minimum qualifications for this position, your application will be assessed in a multi-hurdle process that ends 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 by phone) to assess your experience against those competencies. The interview may include in-depth questions or an exercise or case study to measure your depth of knowledge.
Ranking and Preference: Qualified candidates receive a score between 70 and 100, before any points for veterans’ preference. Your answers are verified against the information in your application and by reference checks. Preference is applied to applicants who move forward after the qualifying interviews.
Selection Process: Hiring managers receive a certificate listing the qualified candidates eligible for selection. If you are not selected for this position, you may be considered for similar positions for up to six months from the certificate date, and the certificate may be shared with other CAPE hiring managers. If you are selected for an interview, you may be asked to give a presentation, analyze a case study, or take part in several rounds of interviews.
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.
NOTE: Military spouses are eligible for one permanent noncompetitive appointment using their preference eligibility for the duration of the active-duty sponsor's assignment to a permanent duty station, as long as the military spouse has not declined or accepted a permanent Federal or non-appropriated fund position in the commuting area of the sponsor's current duty location. If you certify that you have not used your preference at your sponsor's current duty location and it is discovered to be untrue, you may be subject to loss of MSP and possible disciplinary action.
Military Spouses, under Executive Order (E.O.) 13473
You are eligible for this hiring category if you are a spouse of a member of the Armed Forces serving on active duty for more than 180 days other than for training; OR are a spouse of a 100 percent disabled service member injured while on active duty; OR are the un-remarried widow or widower of a service member who was killed while performing active duty.
Supporting documentation: You are required to submit acceptable documentation of your eligibility for E.O. 13473 which may include:
• Verification of the marriage to the service member (i.e., a marriage license or other legal documentation verifying marriage);
• Verification of the member's 100 percent disability; and/or
• Verification of the member's death while on active duty.
Additionally, you may need to submit a Standard Form-15 (SF-15), an Application for 10-Point Veterans' Preference, and applicable supporting documents as noted on the form.
To obtain a copy of SF-15, go to https://www.opm.gov/forms/pdf_fill/sf15.pdf.
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.
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
