Job Details
Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree
- Chicago Manual of Style
- Communication skills
- Management
- Master's degree
- ServiceNow
- Systems engineering
Benefits
- Employee stock ownership plan
- Opportunities for advancement
Job Description
The Capital Area Division (CAD) of Applied Research Associates, Inc. (ARA) is seeking a Junior DHS Operations Requirements Analyst – Systems Engineer. In this role, you will receive DHS Component capability need statements and define the needs in terms needed for solution identification and justifying research and development. This person will work directly with DHS Components, support multiple mission areas, and see the benefits of your work as new capabilities that solve homeland security challenges are developed. In the interactions with the Components, the right candidate will collect, research, and document the background, mission description and shortfalls, assumptions, constraints, use cases, and performance parameters for these needs. There are many opportunities for growth and advancement, including participating on, or leading short-term study teams.
Essential Functions:
Interact and coordinate with DHS stakeholders (S&T, DHS Components, DHS Laboratories) in a team to understand Component missions and mission needs and clearly communicate those needs to the scientific and technology community. Expected growth is to be able to accomplish these tasks individually.
Given a general problem statement, develop a well-researched and clearly written document describing the Component’s capability needs. The report contains information on the following topics:
define the capability gap (e.g., Component need)
link the capability gap to mission performance
identify key assumptions about the capability gap or solution approaches
identify constraints on the solution
relate the capability gap to the Component mission
identify use cases that may affect how the solution is used
identify performance parameters required of a black box solution
Plan and conduct stakeholder meetings to obtain information needed for analyses and to clarify stakeholder needs
Identify and utilize accepted analytic methods and approaches
Document analytic results using a need decomposition template
Coordinate draft gap decomposition documents with stakeholders
Collect, and adjudicate stakeholder review comments, and update the decomposition document
Review and comment on gap decompositions developed by other teammates
Participate in studies outside the gap decomposition process, as assigned
Other tools include a Service Now tracking application, and other tracking and data systems
Required Qualifications:
Bachelor’s degree in a technical discipline with 2 years of work experience OR
Master’s degree in a technical discipline with no experience
Must be a US citizen
Ability to obtain and maintain a Secret security clearance
Ability to obtain and maintain DHS Suitability
Ability to reason through mission needs and document the reasoning used
Strong written and verbal communication skills
Preferred Qualifications:
Operations Research degree or equivalent
Active DHS Suitability
Familiarity with the Chicago Manual of Style
Bachelor’s degree or better with 5 years of experience
Experience working with DHS or a DHS Component
Experience providing high-quality, quick turnaround analytic products under a tight timeline
Experience working as part of a team coordinating large, diverse stakeholder groups to obtain data and stakeholder viewpoints
Experience working in small and large teams, and independently to conduct studies and analyses
Familiarity with the DHS Joint Requirements Integration Management System, including development of Capability Analysis Reports, Mission Need Statements, Concepts of Operation, and Operational Requirements Documents. Experience with the Department of Defense Joint Capabilities Integration and Development System is an acceptable substitute
COMPANY INFORMATION:
Applied Research Associates, Inc. is an employee-owned international research and engineering company recognized for providing technically superior solutions to complex and challenging problems in the physical sciences. The company, founded in Albuquerque, NM, in 1979, currently employs over 1200 professionals. ARA offices throughout the United States and Canada provide a broad range of technical expertise in defense technologies, civil technologies, computer software and simulation, systems analysis, environmental technologies, and testing and measurement. The corporation also provides sophisticated technical products for environmental site characterization, pavement analysis, and robotics.
At ARA, employees are our greatest assets. The corporation realizes that employee ownership spawns greater creativity and initiative along with higher performance and customer satisfaction levels. ARA gives its employees the tools, training, and opportunities to take more active roles as owners. The culture is challenging; innovation and experimentation are the norm. Employees are eligible for contributions which not only add to the company’s success, but also their own through the Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP). The motto, “Engineering and Science for Fun and Profit” sums up the ARA experience. For additional information and an opportunity to join this unique workplace, please visit our website at www.ara.com.
Please apply at www.careers.ara.com for the Junior DHS Operations Requirements Analyst – Systems Engineer position.
Experience
Required
2 year(s): Relevant work experience
Education
Required
Bachelors or better
Behaviors
Required
Team Player: Works well as a member of a group
Loyal: Shows firm and constant support to a cause
Innovative: Consistently introduces new ideas and demonstrates original thinking
Enthusiastic: Shows intense and eager enjoyment and interest
Detail Oriented: Capable of carrying out a given task with all details necessary to get the task done well
Dedicated: Devoted to a task or purpose with loyalty or integrity
Motivations
Required
Work-Life Balance: Inspired to perform well by having ample time to pursue work and interests outside of work
Self-Starter: Inspired to perform without outside help
Growth Opportunities: Inspired to perform well by the chance to take on more responsibility
Goal Completion: Inspired to perform well by the completion of tasks
Ability to Make an Impact: Inspired to perform well by the ability to contribute to the success of a project or the organization
Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)