Operations Research Analyst

Please see announcement on USAJOBS for available locations. Summary Organizational Location: This position is with the Department of Homeland Security, within U.S. Customs and Border Protection, U.S. Border Patrol Headquarters, Strategic Planning and Analysis Directorate, located in Washington, D.C. Additional selections may be made beyond the total number of vacancies specified using this vacancy announcement. Further selections may also be made for additional organizational divisions and/or units within the duty location(s) listed above. Duties This position starts at a salary of $143,913.00 (GS-14, Step 1) to $187,093.00 (GS-14, Step 10). GS Salary: Visit this link to view the locality pay tables by geographic area. If you do not see your geographic area listed, select the "Rest of United States" pay table. Some positions fall under a special pay rate depending on the series, grade level and location of the position. Please visit this link to view special pay rate charts. As an Operations Research Analyst, you will be responsible for a wide range of operations research and analysis activities in support of U.S. Border Patrol. Typical work assignments will include: Working collaboratively within an integrated strategic team in a technical workforce to address customer needs and fulfill requirements for products and/or services. Conducting advanced research and analyzing data from various systems to identify and select critical data elements for inclusion in models, dashboards, and reports that support leadership decision-making, policy development, and strategic planning. Applying analytical processes, methods, and tools to identify and solve complex problems involving competing objectives, multiple variables, and constraints, while delivering optimized and balanced technical solutions to achieve anticipated performance outcomes. Demonstrating a thorough understanding of information and providing technically authoritative guidance to initiate and perform mathematical, statistical, and other analytical projects related to enforcement information and/or national security. Documenting project objectives, methodologies, assumptions, and conclusions, and delivering briefings to project sponsors and senior officials on progress and outcomes. The open period for this job opportunity announcement may be extended to allow for a sufficient applicant pool. Your assessment results will be kept on record for one year and used toward future positions for which you might apply that require the same assessments. Requiremennts You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this position Males born after 12/31/1959 must be registered with Selective Service Primary U.S. residency for at least three of the last five years (additional details below) All pre-employment processes will be conducted in English You may be required to pass a background investigation CBP follows the DHS Drug-Free Workplace Plan for drug testing procedures As an employee of CBP, you will be joining a workforce that is dedicated to accomplishing our mission while maintaining the trust of our Nation by strictly adhering to all government ethics standards. Your conduct will be subject to the ethics rules applicable to all Executive Branch employees, and to CBP employees specifically, as well as the criminal conflict of interest statutes. Once you enter on duty, these rules include obtaining approval for outside employment or business activity, to ensure such employment or business activity is not prohibited and does not interfere or conflict with performance of your official duties. Please review further details via the following link. DHS uses E-Verify, an internet-based system, to confirm the eligibility of all newly hired employees to work in the United States. Learn more about E-Verify including your rights and responsibilities. Bargaining Unit: This position is not covered under the bargaining unit. Qualifications This position has an Individual Occupational Requirement. Basic Requirement: 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. Along with the basic requirement listed above you must possess at least one (1) year of specialized experience described below to qualify based on experience. Experience: You qualify for the GS-14 grade level if you possess 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level, performing duties such as: Performing a wide range of operations research and analysis in support of organizational goals and objectives. Applying data science techniques to solve complex problems using existing data, or determining the appropriate data sets that must be created to solve problems. Developing strategies on measurement of the design, development, deployment, maintenance, and enhancement of large-scale, advanced data projects. Reviewing, analyzing, and recommending actions for major organization concept plans, changes, and reorganizations. Utilizing scientific methods to analyze the impact of policy decisions on operations and conducting scientific studies, while serving as the primary representative on scientific research matter in contacts with other agencies NOTE: Your resume must explicitly indicate how you meet this requirement, otherwise you will be found ineligible. Please see the "Required Documents" section below for additional resume requirements. 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. You must meet all qualification requirements, including education if applicable to this position, subject to verification at any stage of the application process by 08/27/2026. In order to be considered for this position, you must complete all required steps in the process. In addition to the application and application questionnaire, this position requires an online assessment. The online assessment measures critical general competencies required to perform the job. Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application materials or application questionnaire may result in your removal from consideration. Cheating on the online assessment may also result in your removal from consideration. The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) must authorize employment offers made to current or former political appointees. If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES or Presidential Appointee employee in the Executive Branch, you must disclose this information to the Human Resources Office. Background Investigation: U.S. Customs