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Operations Research Analyst (Recent Grad)

Bonneville Power Administration

Job Location:

Portland, OR - USA

Yearly Salary: USD 54370 - 54370

Posted: 6 October 2026 (3 days ago)

Application Deadline: 3 January 2027

Vacancies: 1 Vacancy

Job Summary

Summary

This position is part of the Bonneville Power Administration Department of Energy (BPA). Power Student Development (PD) organization within Power Services (P).

As a Operations Research Analyst (Recent Grad) you will serve as an operations research analyst responsible for planning coordinating and executing studies of marked difficulty and responsibility in support of the functions of the organization.

Duties

As an Operations Research Analyst you will:

Serve as an operations research analyst responsible for planning coordinating and executing studies of marked difficulty and responsibility in support of the functions of the organization.
Conduct background research; collect and reduce data; display data for analysis; formulate mathematical expressions; and draw conclusions.
Write statistical computer programs.
Analyze data using probability statistics and trend analysis.
Develop and deliver briefings project papers status/staff reports and correspondence to foster understanding and acceptance of findings and recommendations and to present explain and defend controversial issues.
Modify established methods in support of one or more functions.

Requirements

Conditions of employment

In accordance with Executive Order 14170 applicants are encouraged to respond to four short free-response essay questions in the questionnaire. Answer to these questions is not scored or rated. Your answers will be reviewed by the hiring manager and agency leadership if you are referred for selection consideration.

When you apply you will be asked a series of questions to determine your eligibility for employment and your qualification for this position specifically. You must answer all of these questions completely and truthfully.

Key Requirements:

You must be a United States Citizen.
This employer participates in the e-Verify program.
Males must abide by Selective Service registration requirements.
You will be required to report in person to the official duty location.
A preliminary background check must be completed before a new employee can begin work. Current Federal employees or other individuals with an existing completed background investigation may not be required to undergo another background check.
In accordance with Executive Order 14170 applicants are encouraged to respond to four short free-response essay questions in the questionnaire. Answer to these questions is not scored or rated. Your answers will be reviewed by the hiring manager and agency leadership if you are referred for selection consideration.

Pathways Recent Graduates Program Requirements:

Recent Graduate participants will be on a trial period for the duration of the appointment.
A Pathways Recent Graduate Participant Agreement is required.

Conversion: Pathways Recent Graduates are converted to a term or permanent position upon program completion. This is not automatic nor guaranteed; it is at the discretion of the employing office.

To be eligible for conversion a Recent Graduate must: (1) complete at least one year of continuous service; (2) be a U.S. citizen; (3) demonstrate successful job performance (4) meet the qualification standards for the position to which converted; (5) receive a recommendation for conversion from the first-level supervisor; and (6) meet agency-specific requirements as specified in the Participant Agreement.

Qualifications

To be eligible for the Recent Graduate program you must be a:

Recent graduate who has completed within the previous two years a qualifying associates bachelors masters professional doctorate vocational or technical degree or certificate from a qualifying educational institution. -OR-
Student who within 90 days of the closing date of this announcement will meet the education requirements and will graduate with a qualifying associates bachelors masters professional doctorate vocational or technical degree or certificate from a qualifying educational institution. A student may not be appointed to a position until they have graduated. -OR-
Preference eligible veteran who was precluded from applying due to their military service obligation begin their two-year eligibility period upon release or discharge from active duty. Eligibility for these veterans cannot exceed six years after degree or certificate completion.

BASIC REQUIREMENT:
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.

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS:

GS-7: A qualified candidates online application and resume must demonstrate at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-5) in the Federal service. Specialized experience for this position is defined as 1) performing basic calculations and evaluating data using established procedures and guidance; and 2) using computer applications to prepare reports and correspondence in an academic or work setting.

You may substitute education for specialized experience as follows:

One year of graduate-level education or superior academic achievement (S.A.A.) gained in a bachelors degree curriculum from an accredited college or university that is qualifying for the position to be filled. S.A.A. is based on (1) class standing (2) grade point average or (3) honor society membership. Class standing is being in the upper third of your graduating class based on completed courses. Grade point average (GPA) is defined as: A GPA of 3.0 or higher out of a possible 4.0 as recorded on your official transcripts or as computed based on 4 years of education or as computed based on courses completed during the final 2 years of the curriculum. Honor society membership is defined as a member of one of the national scholastic honor societies as listed by the Association of College Honor Societies. -OR-
Combination of education and experience as described above: If you have some specialized experience as described above but less than one year; and you have less than one full year of graduate level education you may combine your education and experience to meet the requirements. To compute the percentage divide your total months of qualifying experience by 12. Then divide your semester hours of graduate education by 18. Add the two percentages. The total percentage must equal at least 100 percent to qualify.

GS-9: A qualified candidates online application and resume must demonstrate at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-7) in the Federal service. Specialized experience for this position is defined as 1) assisting higher level employees perform analytical studies by applying basic scientific and problem-solving methods; 2) uses computer technology to analyze data and perform calculations under the direct guidance of a higher-level analyst; and 3) preparing routine reports and correspondence to document tasks and/or results.

You may substitute education for specialized experience as follows:

Masters or equivalent graduate degree; or 2 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree; or a LL.B. or J.D. if related; your education must demonstrate the knowledge skills and abilities necessary to do the work. -OR-
Combination of education and experience as described above. Less than one year of specialized experience may be combined with graduate education in excess of the amount required for the next lower grade level (i.e. credit hours beyond the first year of full-time study may be credited). One academic year of graduate education is considered to be the number of credits hours the graduate school has determined to represent one academic year of full-time study. If the graduate schools definition of one year of graduate study is not available 18 semester hours (or 27 quarter hours) is used. When crediting education that requires specific course work the number of hours of related courses required as a proportion of the total education is prorated.

GS-11: A qualified candidates online application and resume must demonstrate at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-9) in the Federal service. Specialized experience for this position is defined as 1) assisting in operations research studies by collecting reducing and displaying data for analysis under direct supervision; 2) assists in the creation or design of computer simulations mathematical algorithms or statistical computer programs to support analytical tasks; and 3) helping to prepare project papers reports and/or correspondence that explain study findings.

You may substitute education for specialized experience as follows:

Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree; or 3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree; or a LL.M. if related; your education must demonstrate the knowledge skills and abilities necessary to do the work. -OR-
Combination of education and experience as described above. Less than one year of specialized experience may be combined with graduate education in excess of the amount required for the next lower grade level (i.e. credit hours beyond the first two years of full-time study may be credited). One academic year of graduate education is considered to be the number of credits hours the graduate school has determined to represent one academic year of full-time study. If the graduate schools definition of one year of graduate study is not available 18 semester hours (or 27 quarter hours) is used. When crediting education that requires specific course work the number of hours of related courses required as a proportion of the total education is prorated.

You must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of this announcement.

Education

Education must be obtained from an accredited institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. See Department of Education Accreditation Search to verify school accreditation.

Foreign education must be reviewed by an organization recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. For special instructions pertaining to foreign education and a list of organizations that can evaluate foreign education see the Department of Education website. DO NOT email or mail in any of your application documents. Documents will not be accepted outside of the online application system.

Must submit transcripts with your application for proof of education and degree conferred date.
DO NOT email or mail in any of your application documents.
Documents will not be accepted outside of the online application system.

Additional information

This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional similar vacancies across DOE

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government passionate about the ideals of our American republic and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

Review our benefits

Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.

Required Experience:

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