The United States Space Force (USSF) Peterson Space Force Base in Colorado Springs, CO is searching for a Cost Analysis Branch Chief to support CFC/SSDP (NH-1515-03, GS-12/13 Equivalent).

Description:
Are you ready to shape the future of the nation's defense in the space domain? The U.S. Space Force is seeking a visionary Cost Analysis Branch Chief to lead critical cost-informed force design guidance at the Space Security and Defense Program (SSDP) located in Colorado Springs, CO. In this vital role, you will spearhead a broad range of analyses, developing advanced methodologies and mathematical models to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of next-generation systems and technologies. Your conclusions will have a major impact on top-level decisions regarding the acquisition of new capabilities that are essential for our national security. We are looking for an expert in operations research with a talent for leading teams, developing innovative analytical techniques, and providing strategic recommendations to senior leadership. This position requires a relevant college degree and MUST HAVE a Top Secret/SCI security clearance. If you are a U.S. citizen ready for a challenging and rewarding career, apply today to become a pivotal part of our mission.

Ideal Candidate:
This position requires a highly cleared, quantitatively skilled professional capable of leading cost estimation and modeling efforts under strict national security guidelines. To qualify for this role, candidates must have a Top Secret/SCI clearance with Special Access Program (SAP) eligibility, passing a Counterintelligence Polygraph, and adhering to the Air Force drug testing policy. Academically, the position demands a college degree with at least 24 semester hours in operations research, mathematics, statistics, or related quantitative sciences, alongside compliance with DAWIA requirements. Professionally, the candidate must possess capabilities in strategic planning, cost analysis, and operations research, specifically for defense weapon systems. They must be skilled in building predictive models, running simulations, and utilizing advanced data collection techniques to guide acquisitions under constrained budgets. Finally, the role requires strong strategic leadership and coalition-building skills, with the flexibility to travel for temporary duty assignments.

Key Skills and Abilities:
1. Knowledge of processes related to strategic planning and cost estimating activities in order to budget for future systems with a constrained budget.
2. Knowledge of a wide range of methods and techniques used in cost, economic and operations research analysis and possession of analytical abilities; quantitative techniques and methods used to develop, adapt, modify and apply models to resolve problems or define and clarify alternative solutions; especially for weapon systems.
3. Ability to develop and utilize appropriate data collection techniques and design, build, and use models and simulation techniques.
4. Ability to encourage new ideas and innovations; manage human, financial and information resources strategically and build coalitions to achieve common goals.
5. Ability to identify problems.

Conditions of employment

• Must be a U.S Citizen.
• Must be able to obtain and maintain a Top-Secret /SCI security clearance.
• Safeguards classified or sensitive budget-related information and/or files.
• May be required to work overtime on an unscheduled or emergency basis.
• Eligible for situational telework only, including Emergency and OPM prescribed “Unscheduled Telework”.
• This position will close after 5 business days or 75 applications, whichever comes first.
• Employee may be required to perform travel by military or commercial passenger aircraft in the performance of temporary duty assignments.
• PCS / relocation funding is authorized.
• This position is designated as APDP (Acquisition Professional Development Program).
• The employee must meet the Defense Acquisition Workforce Improvement Act (DAWIA) requirements applicable to the duties of the position.
• Subject to Temporary Duty Assignment (TDY): 20 days a year.
• College degree, which includes at least 24 semester hours in any combination of the following is required: operations research, mathematics, statistics, mathematical logic, ir science.
• Employee is in a designated position that requires consent and thereafter be subject to and successfully complete, an initial, periodic, and random counterintelligence (CI) scope polygraph examination as a condition of employment.

Qualifications

The 1515 series has an individual occupational requirement that must be met and can be viewed here. In addition to the above requirements, you can view the experience level requirements here. Please scroll down to the 4th section titled Professional and Scientific Positions.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs): Your qualifications will be evaluated on the basis of your level of knowledge, skills, abilities and/or competencies as related to the series and grade of the position being filled. Final qualifications determinations will be assessed based on OPM's General Schedule Qualifications Standards found here:

Interviews: You will be contacted by e-mail and/or telephone if your application is identified as qualifying for a position being filled. An interview may be conducted. If interviewed, you will be asked to address the same knowledge, skills, abilities and/or competencies used to initially qualify your application for the position.

Resume:You must submit a resume that may NOT exceed two pages, and the font size should not be smaller than 10 pts. You will not be considered for this vacancy if your resume exceeds two pages or is illegible/unreadable. Do NOT include photographs, inappropriate material, inappropriate content, nor personal information such as age, gender, religion, social security number, etc., on your resume. If the resume you submit contains such information you will not be considered for this vacancy. Your resume must provide:

1. Personal information - your full name, email and mailing addresses, phone number
2. Education information - the name of the school and the dates you attended
3. Work experience - paid and unpaid work with the following information:
   • Job title
   • Detailed duties and accomplishments
   • Employer's name and address
   • Supervisor's name and phone number
   • Starting and ending dates (If actual dates are not known, provide your best-estimated timeframes.)
   • Hours per week
   • Salary, if applicable
4. Other qualifications - skills, certifications/licenses, honors, awards, special accomplishments, and job-related training courses

College Transcripts (if applicable): Please see the Education section of this announcement for detailed information about transcripts.

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