Analytic Methodologist

Company: National Geospatial Intelligence Agency
Location: Gaithersburg
Posted on: October 19, 2020

Job Description:

Job Summary

ASSIGNMENT DESCRIPTION: Analytic Methodologists develop and apply quantitative and qualitative techniques to enhance the analysis of complex national security problems. They apply knowledge of analytic tools to develop models, visualize data, and perform a range of analyses (e.g., systems analysis, comparative analysis). They provide technical consultation and input into the development, evaluation, use, and deployment of solutions to optimize GEOINT analysis and production. Additionally, they educate analysts, management, and customers on solutions and methodologies as they apply to GEOINT analysis.

Additional Job Information

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: The National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) serves as the world leader in providing timely, relevant, accurate and actionable geospatial intelligence (GEOINT). NGA's civilian, military and contract personnel evaluate imagery, maps, charts, multiple layers of foundation data - such as terrain, elevation and gravity - and the full spectrum of visible and invisible light in order to help users visualize what is happening at a particular place and time. Our intelligence officers go beyond describing 'what, where and when' to revealing 'how and why.' Our work enables decision advantage for our policymakers, warfighters, intelligence professionals and first responders.

Other duties may include:

* Apply rigorous analytic methodologies and techniques (including, as appropriate, analytic aids such as structured analytic tools, modeling, and comparative analysis) to determine the credibility of collected intelligence, to gauge how the data relates to existing information, and to evaluate, integrate, analyze and interpret collected intelligence to assess the likelihood of events or outcomes and their significance and implications for customers.
* Generate ideas for, participate in the development of, and use new methods and techniques to conduct analysis to answer intelligence questions.
* Gain and apply knowledge of capabilities, limitations, and accesses of the intelligence disciplines, strengths and weaknesses of specific technical sensors/platforms, and human sources in area of responsibility. Knowledge of IC collection management processes, systems, and tools. Demonstrates knowledge of collection strategies, targeting, assessment and methodology, feedback, and validation/vetting processes.
* Apply knowledge of relevant customer organizations or operations (e.g., military, policy makers, and law enforcement), including how to translate requirements to provide appropriate output or response to meet customer needs.
* Analyze data and datasets to investigate trends or anomalies, establish relationships, or predict future patterns among events. Interprets the results of analyses to reach conclusions and develop recommendations.
* Utilize GIS techniques and applications to enhance analysis or produce and maintain GEOINT.
* Develop representations of systems, entities, or processes and evaluates performance of models under different conditions or over time.
* Identify and apply appropriate statistical methods, techniques, and tools to analyze and interpret data.
* Conveys data, information, and analytical conclusions using a variety of visual tools, techniques, and methods.

Additional Application Requirement: You may be asked to complete one or more assessments in addition to the application you submit on this website as part of your application to NGA. These assessments may include but are not limited to:

* Online questionnaires or assessments that require you to describe your job-related knowledge, skills, abilities, or other characteristics that are aligned with the mandatory and desirable qualifications of this job posting. The information you provide in the application you submit must support the response you provide to this questionnaire.

You will receive an email to describe any additional assessments required. Please monitor your emails and complete any required assessments as soon as possible.

Mandatory Qualifications

MANDATORY QUALIFICATION CRITERIA: For this particular job, applicants must meet all competencies reflected under the Mandatory Qualification Criteria to include education (if required). Online applications must demonstrate qualification by providing specific examples and associated results, in response to the announcement's mandatory criteria specified in this vacancy announcement:

* Demonstrated ability with statistical modeling, experimental design, research design, sampling, clustering, data reduction, confidence intervals, testing modeling or predictive modeling.
* Demonstrated experience applying knowledge of analytic tools to develop models, visualize data, and perform a range of analyses (e.g., systems analysis, comparative analysis).
* Demonstrated knowledge of statistical analysis.
* Demonstrated proficiency with visualization tools such as Tableau or a similar visualization tool.
* Demonstrated experience with GIS and remote sensing tools such as ArcGIS/ArcPro, Boundless Desktop GIS .
* Demonstrated proficiency with a programming language such as R, Python or similar programming language.

EDUCATION REQUIREMENT: A. Education: Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in Operations Research, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), Geography, 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 coding, data analysis, or data science. -OR- B. Combination of Education and Experience: A minimum of 24 semester (36 quarter) hours of coursework in any area listed in option A, that included at least 24 semester hours in a combination of Operations Research, Mathematics, Probability, Statistics, Mathematical Logic, Science, or subject-matter course substantial competence in college-level mathematics or statistics. At least 3 of the 24 semester hours must have been in coding, data analysis, or data science plus experience that required development and application of quantitative and qualitative techniques to enhance intelligence analysis or a related field that demonstrates the ability to successfully perform the duties associated with this work. As a rule, every 30 semester (45 quarter) hours of coursework is equivalent to one year of experience. Candidates should show that their combination of education and experience totals 4 years.

Highly Desired Qualifications

QUALIFICATION CRITERIA: In addition to the mandatory qualifications, experience in the following is desired:

* Demonstrated ability to solve problems and reach data-supported conclusions using quantitative and qualitative analysis methods.
* Demonstrated proficiency with data mining using a variety of tools such as ArcGIS, SPSS Statistics and/or programing languages such as R, Python.
* Demonstrated ability to work a problem and identify patterns and relationships across a variety of data sets and communicate the technical data assessment to non-technical personnel.
* Experience or familiarity with Geospatial Intelligence and/or intelligence processes, especially those in Geospatial intelligence organizations.
* Demonstrated ability to deconstruct customer challenges and identify appropriate problem-solving techniques to address complex business operations or national security challenges.
* Ability to work well within a team and build strategic relationships to achieve common goals.

Additional Job Requirements

You must be able to obtain and retain a Top Secret security clearance with access to Sensitive Compartmented Information. In addition, you are subject to a Counterintelligence Polygraph examination in order to maintain access to Top Secret information. All employees are subject to a periodic examination on a random basis in order to determine continued eligibility. Refusal to take the examination may result in denial of access to Top Secret information, SAP, and/or unescorted access to SCIFs.

Employees with SCI access and who are under NGA cognizance are required to submit a Security Financial Disclosure Report, SF-714, on an annual basis in order to determine continued eligibility. Failure to comply may negatively impact continued access to Top Secret information, Information Systems, SAP, and/or unescorted access to SCIFs.

Pay, Benefits, & Work Schedule

PROMOTION OPPORTUNITY: Promotion opportunities allow applicants at all band levels to be considered. Qualifications for NGA positions do not include specific time-in-band requirements. NGA will emphasize quality of experience, rather than duration, and assess how the quality of the experience demonstrates possession of the knowledge, skills, abilities, and competencies necessary for successful job performance in the NGA occupational structure.

Band 03 $64,948 - $133,465

PERMANENT CHANGE IN STATION: PCS expenses are not authorized.

Pay is only part of the compensation you will earn working for the Federal Government. We offer a broad array of benefits programs and family friendly flexibilities to meet the needs of you and your family.

For more information on the array of benefits programs, please visit https://www.intelligencecareers.gov/nga/ngabenefits.html

Cover Letter

Applicants are not required to submit a cover letter. The entire cover letter cannot exceed the specified limits provided in the Cover Letter field (3,000 characters). Pages exceeding this limit will not be considered. The cover letter is recommended but is not required for employment consideration with the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency. Applicants should place their narrative information in the Cover Letter / Other Professional Details field.

Who may apply

External Applicants Only

How to apply

Application submission involves applying using the Intelligence Community's Applicant Gateway on-line application process. ONLY ELECTRONIC SUBMISSIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED.

How will I be evaluated?

APPLICANT EVALUATION PROCESS: Applicants will be evaluated for this job opportunity in three stages:

* All applicants will be evaluated using the Mandatory Qualification Criteria,
* Qualified applicants will then be evaluated by an expert or panel of experts using a combination of qualification criteria to determine the best-qualified candidates,
* Best-qualified applicants may then be further evaluated through an interview process.

Military retiree applicants, if selected, may be impacted by the 180-day appointment restrictions of DODI 1402.01. HD personnel will provide additional information if applicable.

Applicants are encouraged to carefully review the Assignment Description, Additional Information Provided By the Selecting Official, and the Qualification Requirements; and then construct their resumes to highlight their most relevant and significant experience and education for this job opportunity. This description should include examples that detail the level and complexity of the performed work. Applicants are encouraged to provide any education information referenced in the announcement. If education is listed as a mandatory requirement, only degrees obtained from an institution accredited by an accrediting organization recognized by the Secretary, US Department of Education will be accepted.

In accordance with section 9902(h) of title 5, United States Code, annuitants reemployed in the Department of Defense shall receive full annuity and salary upon appointment. They shall not be eligible for retirement contributions, participation in the Thrift Savings Plan, or a supplemental or redetermined annuity for the reemployment period. Discontinued service retirement annuitants (i.e., retired under section 8336(d)(1) or 8414(b)(1)(A) of title 5, United States Code) appointed to the Department of Defense may elect to be subject to retirement provisions of the new appointment as appropriate. (See DoD Instruction 1400.25, Volume 300, at http://www.dtic.mil/whs/directives.)

All candidates will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, disability, or sexual orientation.

NGA provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. Applications will only be accepted online. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please notify us at recruitment@nga.mil. The decision on granting reasonable accommodation will be on a case-by-case basis.

Conditions of Employment

As a condition of employment at NGA, persons being considered for employment must meet NGA fitness for employment standards.

* U.S. Citizenship Required
* Security Clearance (Top Secret/Sensitive Compartmented Information)
* Polygraph Test Required
* Position Subject to Drug Testing
* Two Year Probationary Period
* Direct Deposit Required

DCIPS Disclaimer

NGA utilizes all processes and procedures of the Defense Civilian Intelligence Personnel System (DCIPS). Non-executive NGA employees are assigned to five distinct pay bands based on the type and scope of work performed. The employee's base salary is established within their assigned pay band based on their unique qualifications. A performance pay process is conducted each year to determine a potential base pay salary increase and/or bonus. An employee's annual performance evaluation is a key factor in the performance pay process. Employees on term or temporary appointments are not eligible to apply for internal assignment opportunity notices.

This position is a DCIPS position in the Excepted Service under 10 U.S.C. 1601. DoD Components with DCIPS positions apply Veterans' Preference to preference eligible candidates as defined by Section 2108 of Title 5 USC, in accordance with the procedures provided in DoD Instruction 1400.25, Volume 2005, DCIPS Employment and Placement. If you are an external applicant claiming veterans' preference, as defined by Section 2108 of Title 5 U.S.C., you must self-identify your eligibility in your application.

Keywords: National Geospatial Intelligence Agency, Washington DC , Analytic Methodologist, Other , Gaithersburg, DC