Deputy Cost Chief

The United States Space Force (USSF) Space Systems Command (SSC) Systems Delta 85 (SYD 85) at Peterson Space Force Base, Colorado is searching for a Deputy Cost Chief (NH-1515-04, GS 14/15 equivalent).

Description:
Ready to drive decisive analytical power behind next-generation national defense investments? Join an elite acquisition team as an Operations Research Analyst (Deputy Cost Chief), where you will lead, inspire, and mentor a premier cadre of quantitative analysts building the foundational financial architecture for major defense acquisition programs. In this high-visibility strategic leadership role, you will champion analytical rigor by guiding the formulation, evaluation, and executive defense of multi-billion-dollar cost baselines, while serving as a trusted primary advisor to senior defense leadership and external oversight authorities on advanced cost policy, quantitative risk modeling, and long-range resource strategy-delivering mission-critical fiscal clarity and safeguarding national resources.

The ideal candidate is an accomplished quantitative leader holding a degree in operations research-or at least 24 semester hours in operations research, mathematics, statistics, probability, logic, or related sciences with a minimum of three semester hours in calculus-with proven expertise directing, mentoring, and inspiring high-performing cost analysis teams across major defense acquisition portfolios. Bringing extensive hands-on experience in building, rigorously evaluating, and executive-defending multi-billion-dollar cost estimates, complex risk models, and quantitative financial analyses, this professional couples sharp analytical acumen with seasoned communication skills to provide authoritative strategic guidance on cost methodologies, financial policies, and long-range resource strategy to senior defense leadership and external oversight authorities.

Key Skills and Abilities:

1. Knowledge of commonly used financial management and cost analysis methods, practices, procedures, regulations, policies, and processes applicable to all phases of an acquisition program from initial development through sustainment and disposal.
2. Knowledge of safety and security regulations, practices, and procedures.
3. Ability to plan, organize, and direct the functions and staff of a small to medium sized organization.
4. Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
5. Skill in the application of analytical methods and techniques (e.g., cost-benefit analysis, amortization, depreciation, regression analysis, and pro-rating revenues and costs among customers). Also applies mathematical and statistical analyses for EVM and various cost estimating techniques to analyze and evaluate the effects of changes in acquisition program plans and funding and conduct economic and cost studies and analyses.
6. Ability to design, build and use models and simulation techniques; ability to use standard-type models to simulate real-world environments.
7. Ability to gather, assemble, and analyze data to prepare budget/financial cost estimates, develop alternatives, funding requirements, and make recommendations to resolve financial/funding problems and provide policy and guidance.
8. Knowledge of Programming, Planning and Budgeting System policies, procedures and required documentation.
9. Knowledge of engineering and technical terminology sufficient to allow an effective interchange of technical information and its cost implications and application.
10. Knowledge of Earned Value Management Systems and how to assess the contractor's application.
11. Skill in formulating, justifying and/or analyzing financial requirements of the assigned program.
12. Knowledge of programs and their financial requirements to provide leadership, guidance, and direction to teams comprised of members with diverse backgrounds and advocating conflicting approaches to the resolution of financial issues.
13. Expert knowledge of the acquisition and funding processes which directly impact the mission.

Conditions of employment

• U.S. Citizenship Required
• Eligible for situational telework only, including Emergency and OPM prescribed “Unscheduled Telework”.
• PCS is authorized and paid IAW JTR and AF Regulations. If receiving an authorized PCS, you may be subject to completing/signing a CONUS agreement. More information on PCS requirements, may be found at: https://afciviliancareers.com/regulatory/
• Must be able to obtain and maintain a Top-Secret security clearance with SCI access.
• Required to handle and safeguard classified or sensitive 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.
• This is a Supervisory position being filled.
• Employee may be required to work extended or other than normal duty hours to include evenings and weekends and may be subject to recall.
• Employee may be required to report to work during base exercises, contingencies, or emergency situations and overtime/comp time/credit hours may be required to accomplish assigned duties.
• Employee must within 30-days of assuming this position and by 31 October annually, thereafter, file an OGE-450, “Confidential Financial Disclosure Report.
• Depending on the type of position (competitive/excepted) you are selected for, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period OR 2-year trial period.
• Upon completion of your probationary/trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.
• This is a Financial Management Level 3 Certified position IAW the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) 2012, Public Law 112-81, Subtitle F-Financial Management, Section 1599d.
• This position is designated a Critical Acquisition Professional Development Program (APDP) position.
• Subject to Temporary Duty Assignment (TDY): Approximately 30 days per year.
• 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.

Next steps