Operations Researcher - Entry to Expert Level (Maryland)

Responsibilities

In support of the National Security Agency mission as a whole, Operations Research Analysts leverage analytic tools and techniques to facilitate data analysis, advanced analytic tool development, process improvement, and decision analysis. Further, Operations Research Analysts support the mission by analyzing, developing, and applying mathematical/statistical or computational methods and lines of reasoning as problem-solving approaches in various studies and analyses. Operations researchers at the Agency typically work multiple projects at any given time. In addition to supporting projects as a member of small project teams, they also have the opportunity to lead small teams. They also assist leadership in defining new customer questions and determining the technical approaches. Analysts have the unique opportunity to hone expertise on a wide range of mathematical, analytical, statistical, and business process techniques as well as learn customer relationship development and project management basics. As an Operations Research Analyst, you will plan, develop, implement, document, and maintain methods, models, and strategies. Operations Research Analyst responsibilities include: - Evaluating and developing models (using mathematical, statistical, economic, and engineering techniques) - Demonstrating knowledge of the theories, principles, and practices of Operations Research in areas such as data analysis, risk analysis, optimization, simulation, and decision analysis

Job Summary

NSA is actively seeking Operations Research Analysts to join a vibrant community of mathematicians, statisticians, computer scientists, and other intelligence professionals to collaborate in both long and short term work to solve mission-critical problems. To solve the problems generated by NSA's mission, Operations Research Analysts draw from a wide body of mathematical knowledge, including data analysis, decision analysis, mathematical modeling, probability, statistics and more. However, the essential ingredient to the solution of a problem is often not mathematical knowledge per se, but the keen analytic ability that an analyst possesses through training and talent.

Qualifications

The qualifications listed are the minimum acceptable to be considered for the position. Degree must be in Mathematics, Operations Research, Physics, Engineering, Data Science, Computer Science, Statistics, or a related STEM field. Degree(s) must include at least 24 semester credit hours (or 36 credit hours from universities on a quarter system) in advanced mathematics courses. Relevant experience must be in one or more of the following: the design, development, use, and evaluation of mathematics models, methods, or techniques (for example, algorithm development, statistical modeling, forecasting, stochastics) to study issues and solve problems. ENTRY/DEVELOPMENTAL Entry is with a Bachelor's degree and no experience. FULL PERFORMANCE Entry is with a Bachelor's degree plus 3 years of relevant experience or a Master's degree plus 1 year of relevant experience, or a Doctoral degree and no experience. SENIOR Entry is with a Bachelor's degree plus 6 years of relevant experience, or a Master's degree plus 4 years of relevant experience, or a Doctoral degree plus 2 years of relevant experience. EXPERT Entry is with a Bachelor's degree plus 9 years of relevant experience, or a Master's degree plus 7 years of relevant experience, or a Doctoral degree plus 5 years of experience.

Competencies

The ideal candidate is someone with a desire for continual learning who possesses strong communication (oral and written), problem-solving, analytic, interpersonal skills and is: - able to manage multiple tasks with competing timelines and deliverables - customer and results-oriented - detail-oriented - able to adapt to changing requirements - able to work effectively (independently and/or within teams) across functional areas in a professional and collaborative environment Knowledge and experience in one or more of the following areas is required: - analytical computer software, to include the Microsoft Office suite of tools plus add-ons - building, improving, and maintaining databases and models as part of the analytical process