Operations Research Analyst
U.S. FDA/Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research
Operations Research Analyst
Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)
Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research (CBER)
Office of Management (OM)
Division of Budget Analysis and Formulation Branch (DBRM)
The Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research (CBER), Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Office of Management, Division of Budget Analysis and Formulation Branch (OM/DBRM), is recruiting for the position of Operations Research Analyst to serve as an expert in resource capacity planning. The Operations Research Analyst provides decision support services and data analytics for CBER operations, providing the basis for and having a direct effect on decisions affecting major Center policies and programs.
CBER is a Center within FDA that regulates biological products for human use under applicable federal laws, including the Public Health Service Act and the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act. CBER protects and advances the public health by ensuring that biological products are safe and effective and available to those who need them. CBER also provides the public with information to promote the safe and appropriate use of biological products.
As the science of product development and regulation has grown increasingly complex, the FDA’s human medical product user fee programs have also grown both in the scope of activities and the volume and complexity of submissions. Taken together, this growth has increased the operational demands on the agency. To help ensure that the agency is making optimal use of its financial resources to maximize its ability to efficiently and effectively deliver on its commitments to the public, the agency committed to develop a resource capacity planning capability. This position will contribute to these capabilities, helping CBER to build more systematic and data-driven processes to better understand and anticipate its current and future resource demands.
Major Duties/Responsibilities:
- Conducts and/or participates in the analysis and evaluation of program policy and program operation that require the application of disciplines such as operations research and analysis, process analysis and improvement, value-stream analysis, risk analysis, decision analysis, economics, mathematics, or statistics.
- Retrieves and analyzes data and interprets data into findings and recommendations for senior management.
- Compiles data analysis and study results into a summary report for review.
- Determines the adequacy and accuracy of the data and whether validity of data could have an impact on study results.
- Constructs analytical models to investigate the study/project objective utilizing standard techniques.
- Recommends appropriate analysis techniques to achieve the objective of evaluation tasks based on standard methodologies.
- Recommends appropriate quantitative and qualitative data collection methods based upon standard methodologies.
- Develop briefing and other communications materials to provide information to key stakeholders.
- Represents CBER at meetings and workshops focusing on methods and policies for design and implementation of a resource capacity planning function and other resource management efforts FDA-wide.
Desired Experience and Qualifications
- Minimum Education Requirement: Meets the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Individual Occupational Requirements (IOR) for Operations Research Series, 1515. Please refer to the IOR to confirm full minimum education requirements at the following links: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/1500/operations-research-series-1515/ or see below:
- A degree that included 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.
- 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.
- Demonstrates ability to gather and perform standard analyses of operational data;
- Ability to review and evaluate data on Center operations and prepare reports on technical study findings.
Location:
Silver Spring, Maryland
Salary and Incentives:
Compensation will be commensurate with qualifications and experience.
Area of Consideration:
Applications will be accepted from all qualified applicants.
Application Procedures:
All qualified candidates must submit curriculum vitae, transcripts, proof of U.S. Citizenship and cover letter in which you describe why you feel you are uniquely qualified for this position electronically to CBERHumanCapital@fda.hhs.gov. Please submit this information by COB November 25, 2019 and OM-20-01 must be included in the subject line of your email.
Conditions of Employment:
- *U.S. Citizenship is required*
- Citizenship Requirement: You must be a U.S. Citizen to be considered for this advertisement unless explicitly stated otherwise.
- FDA participates in e-Verify: All new hires must complete the I-9 form; this information will be processed through e-Verify to determine your employment eligibility. If a discrepancy arises, you must take affirmative steps to resolve the matter.
- Background Investigation Requirement: All employees must pass a security investigation. Failing to pass the background check may be grounds for removal or legal action. If hired, you may be subject to additional investigations at a later time.
- You must meet ALL requirements by the closing date of this announcement to be considered. Only education, experience, and qualifications attained by this date will be considered. You must continue to meet all requirements through the hiring process.
Ethics Requirements:
This position is subject to strict prohibited financial interest regulations which could restrict the type of financial interest (stock holdings) for the employee, the spouse, and minor children of the employee. Selectee for this position will be required to file a Confidential Disclosure Report (OGE 278) and may require the selectee to obtain clearance from the FDA Division of Ethics and Integrity before a final offer can be made. For additional information on the prohibited financial interests, please visit the FDA Ethics and Integrity Office website at http://www.fda.gov/AboutFDA/WorkingatFDA/Ethics/default.htm.
Security and Background Requirements:
If not previously completed, a background security investigation will be required for all appointees. Appointment will be subject to the applicant’s successful completion of a background security investigation and favorable adjudication. Failure to successfully meet these requirements may be grounds for appropriate personnel action. In addition, if hired, a background security investigation or supplemental investigation may be required later.
Applicants are also advised that all information concerning qualification is subject to investigation. False representation may be grounds for non-selection and/or appropriate disciplinary action.
EEO Responsibility:
The incumbent is responsible for furthering the goals of equal employment opportunity (EEO) by taking positive steps to assure the accomplishment of affirmative action objectives and by adhering to non-discriminatory employee practices in regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, or handicap. Specifically, as a manager, incumbent initiates non- discriminatory practices and affirmative action for the area under his/her supervision in the following: 1) merit promotion of employees and recruitment and hiring of applications; 2) fair treatment of all employees; 3) encouragement and recognition of employee achievements; 4) career development of employees; 5) full utilization of their skills.
Reasonable Accommodation Policy:
Federal agencies must provide reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities where appropriate. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation for an part of the application process should follow the instructions in the job opportunity announcement. For any part of the remaining hiring process, applicants should contact the hiring agency directly.
Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis.
How You Will Be Evaluated:
A review of your resume and supporting documentation will be made to determine if you are qualified for this job based on how well you meet the desired qualifications above. If you are referred to the hiring manager for consideration, you may be further evaluated based on an interview.
Benefits:
As a new or existing federal employee, you and your family may have access to a range of benefits. Your benefits depend on the type of position you have - whether you’re a permanent, part-time, temporary or an intermittent employee. You may be eligible for the following benefits, however, check with your agency to make sure you’re eligible under their policies. You can find information about each program at https://www.opm.gov.
Full Time