Operations Research Analyst

Formulate and apply mathematical modeling and other optimizing methods to develop and interpret information that assists management with decision making, policy formulation, or other managerial functions. May collect and analyze data and develop decision support software, services, or products. May develop and supply optimal time, cost, or logistics networks for program evaluation, review, or implementation.

Position Information

Tasks

  • Present the results of mathematical modeling and data analysis to management or other end users.
  • Define data requirements, and gather and validate information, applying judgment and statistical tests.
  • Perform validation and testing of models to ensure adequacy, and reformulate models, as necessary.
  • Prepare management reports defining and evaluating problems and recommending solutions.
  • Collaborate with others in the organization to ensure successful implementation of chosen problem solutions.
  • Formulate mathematical or simulation models of problems, relating constants and variables, restrictions, alternatives, conflicting objectives, and their numerical parameters.
  • Observe the current system in operation, and gather and analyze information about each of the component problems, using a variety of sources.
  • Analyze information obtained from management to conceptualize and define operational problems.
  • Study and analyze information about alternative courses of action to determine which plan will offer the best outcomes.
  • Collaborate with senior managers and decision makers to identify and solve a variety of problems and to clarify management objectives.
  • Specify manipulative or computational methods to be applied to models.
  • Design, conduct, and evaluate experimental operational models in cases where models cannot be developed from existing data.
  • Develop and apply time and cost networks to plan, control, and review large projects.
  • Break systems into their components, assign numerical values to each component, and examine the mathematical relationships between them.
  • Educate staff in the use of mathematical models.
  • Develop business methods and procedures, including accounting systems, file systems, office systems, logistics systems, and production schedules.
  • Review research literature.

Technology Skills

  • Access software — Citrix cloud computing software
  • Accounting software — Fund accounting software
  • Analytical or scientific software — AMPL, Claritas PRIZM NE, GAMS, Hyperion Solutions Hyperion Intelligence, IBM SPSS Statistics, ILOG OPL-CPLEX Development System, Insightful S-PLUS, LINDO Systems LINGO, MathWorks Simulink, Mesquite Software CSIM, Minitab, Mixed integer optimizer MINTO, Rockwell Automation Arena, SAS, Stanford Business Software MINOS, Stanford Business Software SNOPT, StatCorp Stata, Telelogic System Architect, The MathWorks MATLAB, Wolfram Research Mathematica
  • Application server software — GitHub
  • Backup or archival software — Veritas NetBackup
  • Business intelligence and data analysis software — IBM Cognos Impromptu, Microsoft Power BI, MicroStrategy, Oracle Business Intelligence Enterprise Edition, Qlik Tech QlikView, Tableau
  • Cloud-based data access and sharing software — Google Drive
  • Cloud-based management software — Splunk Enterprise Hot technology
  • Communications server software — IBM Domino
  • Computer aided design CAD software — Dassault Systems CATIA, Mathsoft, Mathcad
  • Customer relationship management CRM software — Blackbaud The Raiser’s Edge, Oracle Eloqua, Salesforce software
  • Data base management system software — Apache Hadoop, Apache, Apache Pig, Teradata Database
  • Data base reporting software — Microsoft SQL Server Reporting Services SSRS, SAP Crystal Reports, Strategic Reporting Systems, ReportSmith
  • Data base user interface and query software — Amazon Redshift, Data entry software, Database software, FileMaker Pro, Microsoft Access, Microsoft SQL Server, MySQL, SQL
  • Desktop communications software — Eko
  • Development environment software — C, Microsoft Visual Basic, Microsoft Visual Basic for Applications VBA, Microsoft Visual Basic Scripting Edition VBScript, National Instruments LabVIEW
  • Document management software — Microsoft SharePoint
  • Electronic mail software — IBM Notes, Microsoft Exchange, Microsoft Outlook
  • Enterprise application integration software — Extensible markup language XML
  • Enterprise resource planning ERP software — Microsoft Dynamics, NetSuite ERP, Oracle Hyperion, Oracle JD Edwards EnterpriseOne, Oracle PeopleSoft, SAP Business Objects, SAP software
  • Enterprise system management software — IBM Power Systems software
  • Financial analysis software — Business Forecast Systems Forecast Pro and Oracle E-Business Suite Financials
  • Geographic information system — ESRI ArcExplorer, ESRI ArcGIS software, Geographic information system GIS software
  • Human resources software — Human resource management software HRMS and Oracle Taleo
  • Information retrieval or search software — LexisNexis
  • Map creation software — Microsoft MapPoint
  • Network monitoring software — Wireshark
  • Object or component oriented development software — C++, Jupyter Notebook, Perl, Python, R, SAP PowerBuilder, Scala, Sun Microsystems Java, Swift
  • Office suite software — Microsoft Office software
  • Operating system software — Apple macOS, Bash, Cisco IOS, Hewlett Packard HP-UX, Job control language JCL, Linux, Oracle Solaris, Shell script, UNIX, UNIX Shell
  • Presentation software — Google Slides; Microsoft PowerPoint
  • Process mapping and design software — Microsoft Visio and ProModel
  • Project management software — Microsoft Project
  • Risk management data and analysis software — iGrafx
  • Sales and marketing software — Marketo Marketing Automation
  • Spreadsheet software — Microsoft Excel
  • Transaction security and virus protection software — McAfee
  • Word processing software — Google Docs and Microsoft Word

Occupational Requirements

Work Activities

 

  • Getting Information — Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
  • Analyzing Data or Information — Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
  • Making Decisions and Solving Problems — Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
  • Working with Computers — Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
  • Processing Information — Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.

 

  • Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events — Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
  • Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others — Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.
  • Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge — Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
  • Thinking Creatively — Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
  • Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates — Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
  • Developing Objectives and Strategies — Establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to achieve them.
  • Providing Consultation and Advice to Others — Providing guidance and expert advice to management or other groups on technical, systems-, or process-related topics.
  • Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work — Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.
  • Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information — Estimating sizes, distances, and quantities; or determining time, costs, resources, or materials needed to perform a work activity.
  • Scheduling Work and Activities — Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.
  • Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings — Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
  • Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships — Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
  • Documenting/Recording Information — Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
  • Communicating with People Outside the Organization — Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.
  • Developing and Building Teams — Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.
  • Judging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or People — Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.
  • Training and Teaching Others — Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.

Work Context

  • Indoors, Environmentally Controlled — 86% responded “Every day.”
  • E-Mail — 90% responded “Every day.”
  • Spend Time Sitting — 71% responded “Continually or almost continually.”
  • Work With or Contribute to a Work Group or Team — 48% responded “Extremely important.”
  • Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams — 52% responded “Once a week or more but not every day.”
  • Importance of Being Exact or Accurate — 43% responded “Extremely important.”
  • Duration of Typical Work Week — 57% responded “More than 40 hours.”
  • Telephone Conversations — 57% responded “Once a week or more but not every day.”
  • Determine Tasks, Priorities and Goals — 57% responded “Some freedom.”
  • Freedom to Make Decisions — 62% responded “Some freedom.”
  • Contact With Others — 43% responded “Contact with others about half the time.”
  • Level of Competition — 35% responded “Highly competitive.”
  • Impact of Decisions on Co-workers or Company Results — 43% responded “Important results.”
  • Time Pressure — 38% responded “Once a week or more but not every day.”
  • Coordinate or Lead Others in Accomplishing Work Activities — 52% responded “Very important.”
  • Written Letters and Memos — 52% responded “Once a month or more but not every week.”

Worker Requirements

Skills

  • Mathematics — Using mathematics to solve problems.
  • Complex Problem Solving — Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
  • Active Listening — Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
  • Critical Thinking — Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
  • Reading Comprehension — Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
  • Speaking — Talking to others to convey information effectively.
  • Writing — Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
  • Active Learning — Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
  • Judgment and Decision Making — Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
  • Systems Analysis — Determining how a system should work and how changes in conditions, operations, and the environment will affect outcomes.
  • Systems Evaluation — Identifying measures or indicators of system performance and the actions needed to improve or correct performance, relative to the goals of the system.
  • Operations Analysis — Analyzing needs and product requirements to create a design.
  • Science — Using scientific rules and methods to solve problems.
  • Coordination — Adjusting actions in relation to others’ actions.
  • Time Management — Managing one’s own time and the time of others.
  • Instructing — Teaching others how to do something.
  • Learning Strategies — Selecting and using training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new things.

Knowledge

  • Mathematics — Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
  • Computers and Electronics — Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
  • Engineering and Technology — Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services.
  • Production and Processing — Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.
  • English Language — Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, and rules of composition and grammar.
  • Design — Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
  • Education and Training — Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.