Occupation Profile

Operations Research Analysts

(SOC Code : 15-2031)

in California

Formulate and apply mathematical modeling and other optimizing methods using a computer to develop and interpret information that assists management with decision making, policy formulation, or other managerial functions. May develop related software, service, or products. Frequently concentrates on collecting and analyzing data and developing decision support software. May develop and supply optimal time, cost, or logistics networks for program evaluation, review, or implementation.

Employers are usually looking for candidates with a Master's degree .

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Occupational Wages

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Area	Year	Period	Hourly Mean	Hourly by Percentile
				25th	Median	75th
California	2012	1st Qtr	$41.39	$31.65	$38.62	$50.74

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Occupational Projections of Employment (also called "Outlook" or "Demand")

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Area	Estimated Year-Projected Year	Employment		Employment Change		Annual Avg Openings
		Estimated	Projected	Number	Percent
California	2010 - 2020	7,900	9,000	1,100	13.9	360

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Job Openings from JobCentral National Labor Exchange

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Enter a Zip Code Find a Zip code in California

Within miles of Zip Code.

Industries Employing This Occupation (click on Industry Title to View Employers List)

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Industry Title

Number of Employers in State of California

Percent of Total
Employment for Occupation in State of California

Computer Systems Design and Rel Services

9,933

13.0%

Management & Technical Consulting Svc

28,222

7.9%

Scientific Research and Development Svc

5,742

7.8%

Insurance Carriers

4,763

4.8%

Other Telecommunications

3,700

4.7%

Depository Credit Intermediation

9,651

3.7%

Pharmaceutical & Medicine Manufacturing

364

3.5%

Management of Companies and Enterprises

914

3.1%

Other Information Services

3,168

1.8%

Nondepository Credit Intermediation

14,062

1.4%

Architectural and Engineering Services

23,211

1.1%

About Staffing Patterns

Training Programs (click on title for more information)

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Program Title

Management Science.

Operations Research

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About This Occupation (from O*NET - The Occupation Information Network)

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Top Tasks (Specific duties and responsibilities of this job.)

Specify manipulative or computational methods to be applied to models.

Define data requirements and gather and validate information, applying judgment and statistical tests.

Collaborate with senior managers and decision makers to identify and solve a variety of problems and to clarify management objectives.

Perform validation and testing of models to ensure adequacy and reformulate models as necessary.

Develop and apply time and cost networks to plan, control, and review large projects.

Formulate mathematical or simulation models of problems, relating constants and variables, restrictions, alternatives, conflicting objectives, and their numerical parameters.

Develop business methods and procedures, including accounting systems, file systems, office systems, logistics systems, and production schedules.

Design, conduct, and evaluate experimental operational models in cases where models cannot be developed from existing data.

Study and analyze information about alternative courses of action to determine which plan will offer the best outcomes.

Prepare management reports defining and evaluating problems and recommending solutions.

More Tasks for Operations Research Analysts

Top Skills used in this Job

Complex Problem Solving - Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.

Mathematics - Using mathematics to solve problems.

Critical Thinking - Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

Judgment and Decision Making - Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.

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.

Reading Comprehension - Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.

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.

Writing - Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.

Operations Analysis - Analyzing needs and product requirements to create a design.

Systems Analysis - Determining how a system should work and how changes in conditions, operations, and the environment will affect outcomes.

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Top Abilities (Attributes of the person that influence performance in this job.)

Mathematical Reasoning - The ability to choose the right mathematical methods or formulas to solve a problem.

Number Facility - The ability to add, subtract, multiply, or divide quickly and correctly.

Written Comprehension - The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.

Deductive Reasoning - The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.

Inductive Reasoning - The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).

Oral Expression - The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.

Written Expression - The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.

Problem Sensitivity - The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem.

Oral Comprehension - The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.

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Top Work Values (Aspects of this job that create satisfaction.)

Achievement - Occupations that satisfy this work value are results oriented and allow employees to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment.

Independence - Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to work on their own and make decisions.

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Top Interests (The types of activities someone in this job would like.)

Investigative - Investigative occupations frequently involve working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. These occupations can involve searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.

Conventional - Conventional occupations frequently involve following set procedures and routines. These occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually there is a clear line of authority to follow.

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