The United States Space Force (USSF) Space Systems Command (SSC) at Los Angeles Air Force Base, California is searching for a Cost Lead (NH-1515-03, GS 12/13 equivalent).

Description:
We are seeking a highly skilled and experienced Cost Lead to plan, lead, and execute complex cost estimating and financial analysis for assigned programs and projects. The successful candidate will provide expert cost and financial analysis support to program managers and senior leadership, playing a critical role in informing program decisions and strategic resource planning. This role requires a deep understanding of cost management principles and the ability to translate financial data into actionable insights.

The ideal candidate will have experience developing and presenting cost estimates, financial metrics, and budget analyses for large or complex acquisition programs. Working closely with program managers, integrated product teams, engineers, logisticians, and other functional experts to translate technical requirements into defensible cost estimates. Applying DoW, OMB, and service-specific cost policies, methodologies, and tools to support decision-making and program planning. Degree in operation research or at least 24 semester hours in a combination of operation research, mathematics, probability, statistics, mathematical logic, science or subject-matter course requiring substantial competence in college-level mathematics or statistics. At least 3 of the 24 semester hours must have been in calculus.

Key Skills and Abilities:
1. Knowledge of a broad range of operations research analysis techniques and possession of analytical abilities.
2. Knowledge of quantitative techniques and methods used to develop, adapt, modify and apply models to resolve problems or define and clarify alternative solutions.
3. Skill to negotiate and/or defend findings and program support concepts.
4. Ability to lead study teams and originate new ideas, projects, and methodologies; and execute projects and/or studies within established financial and/or time constraints.
5. Ability to develop and utilize appropriate data collection techniques, design, build, and use models and simulation techniques.
6. Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing; negotiate complex issues; and maintain good working relations.

Conditions of employment

• U.S. Citizenship Required
• Eligible for situational telework only, including Emergency and OPM prescribed "Unscheduled Telework"
• Must be able to obtain and maintain a Top-Secret security clearance with eligibility for access to Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI).
• Required to handle and safeguard sensitive and/or classified information in accordance with regulations to reduce potential compromise.
• This position has been designated for drug testing. Incumbent is subject to random urinalysis testing as a condition of employment.
• Must have a bachelor's degree, which includes at least 24 semester hours in quantitative analysis courses.
• This position is part of the Acquisition Professional Development Program (APDP).
• Employee must within 30-days of assuming this position and by 31 October annually, thereafter, file an OGE-450, “Confidential Financial Disclosure Report.
• This is a Financial Management Level 2 Certified position IAW the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) 2012, Public Law 112-81, Subtitle F-Financial Management, Section 1599d.
• May be required to travel by military or commercial aircraft in the performance of TDY assignments.
• 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): Approximately 15 days per year.
• PCS is not authorized. Incentive is not authorized.
• This position will close after 5 business days or 75 applications, whichever comes first.

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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