Cost Analyst/Estimator

Position Description

RAND is seeking highly motivated quantitativecost analysts and cost estimatorsto support RAND’s work across all research areas including national security, homeland security, labor and population, education, health, criminal and civil justice, environment, and other policy areas.

RAND Quantitative Cost Analysts apply their costexpertise toacquisition, regulatory, and economic researchthat support federal government policy decision-making.

They use rigorous analytic methods including Analysis of Alternatives (AoA), Business Case Analysis (BCA),benefit-cost analysis, cost-effectiveness analysis, and other related analyses.

They contribute to multidisciplinary project teams to analyze policy problems where the technical details matter.

Acquisition, regulatory and economic research and cost analysis are carried out by four federally funded research and development centers (FFRDCs) that focus on U.

S. national and homeland security policy issues(for the Air Force, Army, Department of Defense (DoD), and Department of Homeland Security (DHS)) and four other divisions that focus on domestic policies (Health care, Education, Labor, social and economic well being).

Cost Analysts share and uphold RAND’s values to high-quality, rigorous analysis and objectivity, which has secured RAND's reputation for excellence and attracts studies that often pose novel challenges in analysis, modeling, research design, and computing.

Analysts apply their skills in novel and flexible ways to emerging problems at the cutting edge of their fields and apply their insights to critical policy issues.

The CostAnalyst will use their expertise, and other related analyses coupled with their technical and methodological skills (e.

g., in engineering, operations research, applied mathematics, economics, statistics, epidemiology, finance and physical sciences) to :

Contribute to the development of research approaches to solve complex government policy problems.

Execute key project tasks (e.g., data collection, data or policy analysis, tool design, and other analytic tasks) within an area of substantive training or experience required by the research project.

Apply a broad range of analytically rigorous, quantitative and / or qualitative research tools, methods, and skills in order to support complex research activities and / or research project management needs.

Assist in communicating the results of research to decision-makers through documents, PowerPoint briefings, and other media.

Qualifications

Successful applicants will have demonstrated some technical or methodological skills, and / or domain knowledge in cost analysis or estimation.

Examples of relevant qualifications may include one or more of the following :

Certification as a Professional Cost Estimator / Analyst

Use ofsystem engineering techniques for estimating costs of hardware and / or software acquisition and support

Knowledge of cost databases or other data sources (e.g., Air Force Total Ownership Cost (AFTOC))

Experience creating cost estimates and performing cost uncertainty analyses to support AoAs, BCAs,benefit-cost analysis, cost-effectiveness analysis or budget justification processes

Experience conducting state regulatory impact analyses, such as California Standardized Regulatory Impact Assessments

Strong understanding of the regulatory process and economic analyses needed to support federal government policy decision-making, (e.

g., familiarity with Executive Orders 12866, 13563, and 14094)

Experience performing cost estimation of government systems (e.g., DHS or DoD systems)

All analyst positions at RAND require excellent analytic skills; the ability to communicate clearly and effectively in English, both orally and in writing;

the ability to work effectively as a member of a multi-disciplinary team; and a strong commitment to RAND's core values of quality and objectivity.

Education Requirements

A Master’s degree with at least 2 years of relevant professional experience, or bachelor’s degree with at least 5 years of relevant professional experience, is required.

Candidates with degrees in engineering, operations research, applied mathematics, economics, statistics, epidemiology, finance, physical sciences, or related fields are preferred.

Experience

Relevant professional experience should demonstrate the applicant’s ability to execute cost analysis using analytically rigorous methods.

• Even though all levels of cost analysts are sought, successful applicants with more than 10 years of professional experience, that will be hired as senior cost analysts,will have demonstrated leadership experience through the following activities : mentoring or developing junior staff members;
• leading and directing multi-disciplinary teams; setting project standards and monitoring progress; engaging with stakeholders;

and communicating research results to policy-making audiences.

Security Clearance

Some projects may require a U.S. security clearance. U.S. citizenship is required to obtain and maintain a government security clearance.

Location

Santa Monica, CA; Washington, DC; Pittsburgh, PA; Boston, MA; Offsite work arrangements will be considered.

Application Materials

Successful applications will include documentation in the application package of academic and professional activities that meet stated qualifications.

CV, cover letter, and a writing sample are required (PDF documents are preferred). The writing sample can use a recent, previously written paper or report (e.

g., journal article, master’s thesis or paper written for coursework, prior employment, or internship). Applicants with fields of study or work experience in which they have not produced written products (e.

g., model development), or in which written products have dissemination restrictions, may submit a short, written summary (i.

e., less than one page) of one or more recent products they have developed.

Salary Rang e : $70,400 - $209,000

Analyst I : $70,400 - $96,800

Analyst II : $88,000 - $121,000

Analyst III : $104,000 - $143,000

Analyst IV : $115,400 - $167,300

Analyst V : $137,000 - $209,000

RAND considers a variety of factors when formulating an offer, including but not limited to, the specific role and associated responsibilities;

a candidate’s work experience, education / training, skills, expertise; and internal equity. Successful candidates will be offered employment in a specific title, as determined by the candidate's education and experience.

The salary range includes base pay plus RAND’s sabbatic pay (which provides additional compensation above base pay when vacation is taken).

In addition, RAND provides strong benefits including health insurance coverage, life and disability insurance, savings plan, paid time-off and more.