Summary Volpe seeks an Operations Research Analyst in Transportation Human Factors Division. The Division is responsible for overall strategic planning, development, implementation, and evaluation of complex transportation projects and programs, and plays a key role in leading transportation safety improvement programs and human factors research studies across transportation modes. Responsibilities The Operations Research Analyst: Provides and interprets safety improvement program and human factors information to key modal personnel responsible for the testing, and implementation of new systems and establishment of policies. Serves as a technical expert in transportation safety improvement programs, human factors research, assisting junior staff in the conduct of programmatic work, human factors research and working with sponsors in defining agency research needs. Identifies with sponsoring agencies the operational safety issues that will become prominent in the near future and future problems associated with the implementation of advanced technologies and automation systems. Describes in plain language the terms and demonstrate complex safety improvement programs and human factors research to staff and visitors. The ideal candidate will play a key role in leading transportation safety improvement programs and human factors research studies across transportation modes, and as a technical leader in cross-modal drug and alcohol program management and safety improvement programs, including design and implementation of audit and oversight programs, as well as management of transportation safety-related information systems. Requirements Conditions of Employment Must meet specialized experience stated in Qualifications section Submit application and resume online by 11:59 PM EST on the closing date Required documents must be submitted by the closing date. CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT: As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you may be required to serve a 1-year probationary period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance the organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Upon completion of your probationary period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest. SELECTIVE SERVICE: Males born after 12/31/1959 must be registered for the Selective Service. GOVERNMENT TRAVEL CARD: This position involves travel. A government contractor-issued travel card will be issued and must be retained for official business only. POSITION SENSITIVITY AND RISK: Varies by position and will be based on the position to which appointed. SECURITY CLEARANCE: Varies by position. If applicable, you must be able to obtain and maintain the appropriate security clearance of the position to which appointed. BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION: You may be required to complete a background/security investigation and meet preliminary requirements prior to onboarding. DRUG TESTING: Varies by position. PROBATIONARY PERIOD: You must complete a one-year probationary period (unless already completed). TIME-IN-GRADE: Federal applicants must have served 52 weeks at the next lower grade in the competitive or excepted service in the executive branch to satisfy time-in-grade restrictions contained in 5 CFR 300, Subpart F. Qualifications To meet the minimum qualifications for this position, you must (1) meet the Education Requirement for the series, (2) provide a copy of transcripts for verification, AND (3) meet either the education or experience qualifications for the grade at which you are requesting consideration. To qualify for the Grade 14, you must have at least one year of experience equal or equivalent to the GS-13, it must include: Experience in operations research principles and practices to develop required data, processes and recommendations for the evaluation of measures to improve transportation safety. AND Experience in mathematics, statistical, econometrics, or other scientific methods and techniques to include knowledge of human information processing, human systems integration, usability engineering, technology transfer, and research design. KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES (KSAs): Your qualifications will be evaluated on the basis of your level of knowledge, skills, abilities and/or competencies in the following areas: Research Analysis - Mastery of operations research analysis including established and emerging research, theory, principles, and practices to develop required data, processes and recommendations for the evaluation of measures to improve transportation safety. Mathematical Reasoning - Mastery of relevant mathematical, statistical, econometric, or other scientific methods and techniques required to serve as an operations research analysis expert. Human Factors - Mastery of, and skill human information processing, human systems integration, usability engineering, technology transfer, and research design. Communications - Mastery of use of automated systems for the preparation and presentation of interactive demonstrations, project management, oral briefings, and the preparation of written technical reports. For all types of consideration, 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. For additional information about applying to Federal positions, please click on the following link: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-policies/#url=e4 All applicants must meet all qualification requirements by the closing date of this announcement. Education 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. Additional Information This announcement may be used to fill additional positions if similar vacancies occur within 90 days of the issue date of the referral certificate. The Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs Act prohibits the Department of Transportation and its Operating Administrations from requesting an applicant's criminal history record before that individual receives a conditional offer of employment. In accordance with 5 U.S. Code § 9202(c) and 5 C.F.R § 920.201 certain positions are exempt from the provisions of the Fair Chance to Compete Act. Applicants who believe they have been subjected to a violation of the Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs Act, may submit a written complaint to the Department of Transportation by email at, FairChanceAct@dot.gov. To learn more, please visit our page at: The Fair Chance to Compete Act | US Department of TransportationO
Office of the Secretary of Transportation