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Job Description: Operations Research Analyst (Economist) – Economic and Manpower Analysis Division (EMAD) JOA#: GS 2026-1515-117 Overview Department: Department of War (DOW) Agency: Office of the Secretary of War (OSW) Hiring Organization: Cost Assessment and Program Evaluation Open Period: 6/23/2026 to 7/7/2026 Pay Scale & Grade: GS 12/13/14/15 Salary Range: $102,415 to $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 Clarification from the agency: This public notice is to gather applications that may or may not result in a referral or selection. Promotion Potential: 15 Summary: The Office of the Secretary of War Cost Assessment and Program Evaluation (OSW CAPE) seeks an Economist to develop objective policy analysis and advice provided directly to the Secretary and Deputy Secretary of War. CAPE is a multi-disciplinary organization covering a wide range of defense-related concerns. This role offers unique opportunities to have a substantial, direct impact on the United States budget and national security. The primary purpose of this position is to serve as an Operations Research Analyst (Economist) within the Economic and Manpower Analysis Division (EMAD). EMAD applies economic theory and quantitative methods to the Department’s most pressing resource allocation and policy challenges. Current organizational priorities requiring in-depth economic insights and quantitative rigor include the Defense Industrial Base, in particular assessing market structures, production constraints, and vulnerabilities within critical defense supply chains. Other topics covered by EMAD are the Military Health System, civilian and military personnel, and defense-wide programs as directed. Preferred skills include at least one of econometrics, industrial organization (IO economics), applied microeconomics, or macroeconomic modeling, alongside the ability to communicate complex quantitative analysis effectively to senior, non-technical decision-makers. Duties and Responsibilities:Designing and/or conducting studies and analyses of Defense programs, primarily for economic issues related to the Defense Industrial Base (DIB) and military supply chains, but potentially to include the Military Health System, civilian and military manpower, and/or defense-wide programs.Supporting or Leading a Program Review team to consider changes to a Defense Component’s Program Objective Memoranda to ensure compliance with DoW guidance or to better align a program with the defense strategy.Analyzing the capability and capacity of the US industrial base and defense industrial base.Applying a variety of analytical approaches to solve mission focused policy, methodological, administrative, and/or operational problems in a fast-paced environment.Presenting the findings of analytical products to senior leaders and non-technical audiences, clearly and concisely.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, SAS or STATA, Excel, AI/ML techniques, MATLAB, or ArcGIS (specific requirements may vary and can be adjusted for candidate preference/experience).Serving as a subject matter expert advising senior leaders on methodological or analytical issues and economic features of the Defense Industrial Base (DIB). Qualifications Basic Requirements:A 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.Education must be obtained from an accredited institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.Click here on the following link to view education and/or experience requirements for this position.Click here to view occupational requirements for this position.Applicants must meet all qualifications requirements by the closing date of the announcement.In addition to meeting the basic requirement above, you must also meet the qualification requirements listed below: Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs): Your resume and application materials should reflect the depth and breadth of your competencies for the position. Do not submit a separate written statement addressing the KSAs below. Your experience must be relevant. Your qualifications will be evaluated based on level of knowledge, skills, abilities and/or competencies in the following areas:Economic or Defense Analysis: Understanding of economic research/analysis methods or defense analysis, particularly in the fields of microeconomics, macroeconomics, defense economics, industrial economics, or labor economics. For this position, experience in industrial organization (IO) economics, macroeconomic econometrics, supply chain economics, or the defense industrial base is preferred. Ability to create and innovate new concepts, plans and alternatives to improve defense-wide programs using economic knowledge of research and methods.Quantitative Analytics: Mastery of mathematical reasoning that involves designing, developing, and applying operations research, mathematical, statistical, econometric, 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. Ability to employ AI in problem solving preferred.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 with individuals and groups internally and externally. 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: GS-12 Qualifications: Under guidance of senior analysts, applying a range of analytical, mathematical, and/or statistical theories, principles, and practices to plan, coordinate, and execute segments of complex studies to support quantitative analytics; having the ability to communicate effectively and build coalitions OR Ph.D. or equivalent Doctoral Degree. GS-13 Qualifications: Experience in extracting and organizing raw program and/or cost data under general direction from a supervisor or senior analyst, conducting basic mathematical analysis of program information, and assisting in the collection, developmental and implementation of program and/or cost related information. Effectively communicating with senior officials, internal and external colleagues, scientific organizations, and industry stakeholders.GS-14 Qualifications: Broad range of operations research analysis assignments entailing unique problems, creativity, innovative use of quantitative analytic techniques, advanced approaches, and/or new technologies. Utilizes scientific inquiry, independent development of mathematical models and computer programs to evaluate, interpret, and analyze program and/or cost data.GS-15 Qualifications: Leading teams in a teaming environment, performing complex statistical analyses; evaluating large and complex military programs using quantitative analytic techniques; performing complex analyses in the absence of defined goals and outcomes, providing expert consultation and technical expertise to agency senior leaders on studies and analysis, and effectively communicating with senior officials, internal and external colleagues, scientific organizations, and industry stakeholders. NOTE: There is no substitution of education for specialized experience at the GS13-15 levels. 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). Part-time or Unpaid/volunteer work experience:Credit will be given for appropriate unpaid and/or part-time work.You must clearly identify the duties and responsibilities in each position held and the total number of hours per week.Refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service Programs (i.e., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community; student and social).Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge and skills that can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment.You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. 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). If you receive an updated SF-50 after initially applying, please provide the updated document to CAPE to be added to your application. 5. 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.Agency contact information: Cost Assessment and Program Evaluation (CAPE) Email: osd.pentagon.cape.mbx.esd-support@mail.milAddress: 1800 Defense Pentagon, Room 3E231, Washington, DC 20301-1800 Conditions of EmploymentU.S. Citizenship is required.Males must be registered for Selective Service, see www.sss.govMay be required to successfully complete a trial period.Required to participate in the direct deposit program.Position is subject to random drug testing.Must be able to obtain and maintain a Top Secret/SCI clearance.Employee may be required to work other than normal duty hours, to include evenings, weekends and/or holidays*This position may require travel away from your normal duty station on military or commercial aircraft.Employee must within 30-days of assuming this position and annually thereafter, file an OGE-450, “Confidential Financial Disclosure Report.” Employee is required to attend annual ethics training.Recruitment incentives may or may not be authorized.Per National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) of fiscal year (FY) 2017. Section 1111 modifies 5 United States Code (U.S.C.) 3326; Veterans who are retiring within 180 days of the appointment effective date may require a 180-day waiver package. How You Will Be Evaluated The qualifications for this position will be evaluated by Subject Matter Experts prior to a referral. If you meet the minimum qualifications for this position, your application will be evaluated under a multi-hurdle assessment approach, culminating 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.If your resume does not support the responses in your application, or if you fail to submit the required documentation before the vacancy closes, you may be rated ‘ineligible’, ‘not qualified’, or your score may be adjusted accordingly. Qualifying Structured Interviews (Second Hurdle):If the subject matt