Budget Analyst Job in Hadley, MA

Vacancy No. R5-25-12580171-AW-DE Department U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Salary $67,563.00 to $106,266.00 Grade 9 to 11
Perm/Temp Permanent FT/PT Full-time
Open Date 10/23/2024 Close Date 11/5/2024
Job Link Apply Online Who may apply Public
Locations:
Hadley, MA


Summary

This position is a Budget Analyst, GS- 0560-9/11 working in Hadley, MA for the R5-Assistant Regional Director-Ecological Services.

This position is also open to status candidates under announcement R5-25-12580172-AW-MP. You must apply to each announcement separately if you wish to be considered under both recruitment methods.

Duties

As a Budget Analyst your duties will include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Responsible for establishing and maintaining an accurate system for determining the status of assigned budgets for both the current and prior years. Responsible for the formulation, execution, monitoring, and reconciliation of the current and prior year budgets for the assigned areas of responsibility.
  • Oversees the monitoring of the budget status and fiscal records management of funds, including documentation required by the Interior's Financial and Business Management System (FBMS). Serves as a FBMS reports expert user for within the assigned areas of responsibility. Completes certification of funding on acquisition/purchase requests for the assigned budget activities
  • Monitors the use and rate of expenditure of assigned budgets using computerized reports, dialogue with members of business team (program managers, project leaders, and support staff), review of written documents, and examination of accounting records. Identifies and takes necessary action to correct discrepancies, prepares monthly reports and combines reconciled data with projections and allocations to create current status-of-funds reports for monitoring respective financial plans for the current fiscal year for assigned budgets. Develops and recommends the adoption of procedures to improve budgetary processes within policies and regulations issued by the Service, the Department, and the Region.
  • Performs cost estimate and projection analyses required to formulate the budget, projecting staffing, discretionary and non-discretionary costs.
  • Prepares reports as needed for FTE, travel utilization, purchases, etc., and serves as regional program collections officer. Serves as Point of Contact for administration and processing of Ecological Services Time and Attendance forms and when needed enters time and attendance each pay period into QuickTime.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

  • Must be a U.S. Citizen or National.
  • Suitability for employment, as determined by background investigation
  • Driver's License: Selectee is required to possess and maintain a valid State driver's license at all times during their tenure.
  • Probationary Period: Selectees may be required to successfully complete a probationary period.
  • Individuals assigned male at birth after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective Service. To verify registration visit SSS.gov.

Qualifications

Only experience and education obtained by 11/05/2024 will be considered.

In order to qualify for this position you must possess the Minimum Qualifications.

Minimum Qualification [GS-09]
  1. One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-7 grade level in the Federal Service. Specialized experience may include: (1) Comparing and presenting figures in current funding estimates with prior year expenditures; (2) Formulating budget estimates and preparing justifications; (3) track, analyze and brief management on data analysis; (4) Analyzing budget submissions from a program or component for compliance with agency policy; (5) reviewing commitments, obligations, expenditures and undelivered orders; and (6) process reimbursable agreements. NOTE: Your resume must contain sufficient information in these areas to be found qualified. OR
  2. Two years of progressively higher level graduate education at an accredited college or university leading to a master's degree or equivalent graduate degree in a related field appropriate to this position. OR
  3. A combination of graduate level education (beyond the first year of progressive graduate study) and specialized experience which together equals 100% of the requirement.
Minimum Qualification [GS-11]
  1. One year experience equivalent to at least the GS-9 level in Federal Service. Specialized experience may include: (1) Performing budget administration duties requiring complex review and analysis, comparing and presenting figures in current funding estimates with prior year expenditures and preparing justifications; (2) Formulating budget estimates and preparing justifications; (3) Track, analyze and brief management and make recommendations on data analysis; (4) Analyzing budget submissions from a program or component for compliance with agency policy; (5) reviewing commitments, obligations, expenditures and undelivered orders; (6) and process, track and monitor reimbursable agreements. NOTE: Your resume must contain sufficient information in these areas to be found qualified. OR
  2. Completion of three years of graduate education leading to a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree in a related field appropriate to this position. OR
  3. A combination of professional experience and graduate level education beyond the second year which together equals 100% of the requirements.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

Education

PROOF OF EDUCATION: All applicants who are using education or a combination of education and experience to qualify must submit copies of official or unofficial transcripts which include grades, credit hours earned, major(s), grade point average or class ranking, institution name, and student name. If any required coursework is not easily recognizable on transcripts, or if you believe a portion of a particular course can be credited toward meeting an educational requirement, you must also provide a memorandum on letterhead from the institution's registrar, dean, or other appropriate official stating the percentage of the course that should be considered to meet the requirement and the equivalent number of units. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable; however, if you are selected for the position, you will be required to produce the original official transcripts.

PASS/FAIL COURSES: If more than 10 percent of your undergraduate course work (credit hours) were taken on a pass/fail basis, your claim of superior academic achievement must be based upon class standing or membership in an honor society.

GRADUATE EDUCATION: One academic year of graduate education is considered to be the number of credits hours your graduate school has determined to represent one academic year of full-time study. Such study may have been performed on a full-time or part-time basis. If you cannot obtain your graduate school's definition of one year of graduate study, 18 semester hours (or 27 quarter hours) should be considered as satisfying the requirement for one year of full-time graduate study.

FOREIGN EDUCATION: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. For further information, visit: Recognition of Foreign Qualifications | International Affairs Office (ed.gov)

Additional information

PCS INFORMATION: No PCS entitlements authorized

TELEWORK: This position is suitable for telework and may be allowed to telework with supervisory approval.

Additional Vacancies: One or more positions may be filled from applications received under this announcement in the advertised office or other U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service offices in the local commuting area.

Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) or Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP): Department of Interior (DOI) Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) procedures apply in filling this vacancy. These programs apply to employees who have been involuntarily separated from a federal service position within the competitive service or Federal service employees whose positions have been deemed surplus or no longer needed. To receive selection priority for this position, you must: (1) meet CTAP or ICTAP eligibility criteria; (2) be rated well-qualified (i.e., meet the minimum qualification requirements, including any selective placement factors; education, and experience requirements) for the position with a score of 85 or above on the assessment questionnaire, and be able to perform the duties of the position upon entry. Applicants claiming CTAP/ICTAP eligibility must submit a copy of their most recent performance appraisal, proof of eligibility, and most current SF-50 noting position, grade level, and duty location with their application.
For more information visit: http://www.opm.gov/rif/employee_guides/career_transition.asp.

Reasonable Accommodation: The USFWS provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. Please visit USAJOBS Help Center | Reasonable accommodation policy if you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process.

Reasonable Accommodation (RA) Requests: If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended and Americans with Disabilities Act 1990 as amended, that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be granted the opportunity to request a RA in your online application. Requests for RA for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for RA must be received prior to starting the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. Decisions on requests for RA are made on a case-by-case basis. If you meet the minimum qualifications of the position, after notification of the adjudication of your request, you will receive an email invitation to complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, if you received the link after the close of the announcement. To determine if you need a RA, please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments here: https://help.usastaffing.gov/Apply/index.php?title=Reasonable_Accommodations_for_USA_Hire

Benefits

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.

How You Will Be Evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

You will be evaluated based on how well you meet the qualifications listed in this vacancy announcement. Your qualifications will be evaluated based on your application materials (e.g., resume, supporting documents), your responses on the application questionnaire, and your responses to all assessments required for this position. You will be assessed on the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics):

  • Skill in the use of computers, software applications (i.e. Excel), databases, and other automated systems (e.g. BTS, FBMS) to collect, process, analyze, and summarize data; initiate and track financial and non-financial data; obtain up-to date information; generate reports, create, and report information. (GS-09/11)
  • Skill in budget execution to maintain financial controls, to monitor budgets, and to ensure targets are maintained according to forecast. (GS-11)
  • Ability to analyze financial information/data, and to develop recommendations for financial and/or budgetary actions under difficult conditions, time pressures, and changing guidelines. (GS-09/11)
  • Knowledge of the principles, methods, and techniques of budget analysis and projections to interpret data and to evaluate key financial indicators, trends, and historical data. (GS-09/11)
  • Skill in identifying program needs for annual program planning and budget formulation cycles and performing cost estimates and projection analyses required to formulate the budget. (GS-11)
  • Accountability, Arithmetic/Mathematical Reasoning, Attention to Detail, Customer Service, Decision Making, Flexibility, Integrity/Honesty, Interpersonal Skills, Learning, Reasoning, Self-Management, Stress Tolerance, Teamwork, and Technical

The USA Hire Assessments includes a cut score based on the minimum level of required proficiency in these critical general competencies. You must meet or exceed the cut score to be considered. You will not be considered for the position if you score below the cut score or fail to complete the assessment.

In order to be considered for this position, you must complete all required steps in the process. In addition to the application and application questionnaire, this position requires an online assessment. The online assessment measures critical general competencies required to perform the job.

Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application materials or application questionnaire may result in your removal from consideration. Cheating on the online assessment may also result in your removal from consideration. Please follow all instructions carefully when applying, errors or omissions may affect your eligibility.

All qualified candidates will be assigned to a quality category. The category assignment is a measure of the degree in which your background matches the competencies required for this position. The category ratings for this position are: Best Qualified, Well Qualified, and Qualified

The Category Rating Process does not add veterans' preference points or apply the "rule of three" but protects the rights of Veterans by placing them ahead of non-preference eligibles within each quality category. Veterans' preference eligibles who meet the minimum qualification requirements and who have a compensable service-connected disability of at least 10 percent will be listed in the highest quality category (except in the case of scientific or professional positions at the GS-09 level or higher).

Required Documents

You must submit a complete application package. We will not make assumptions about your experience and/or education.

Required Documents:

1. Resume: Your resume must describe your job-related qualifications (paid and non-paid work experience) that includes job title, beginning and ending dates (month and year), hours worked per week, and description of job duties. You are highly encouraged to use USAJOBS Resume Builder to ensure all required information is included. If you use your own resume, curriculum vitae, or any other written form, you must ensure this information is provided. Your resume must show complete information for each job entry to support minimum qualifications. Failure to provide ALL required information on your resume will result in loss of consideration due to an incomplete application package. Note: Current and former Federal employees should include pay plan, series, and grade level for relevant federal experience.

  • Do not include the following types of information in your resume:
    • Classified or government sensitive information
    • Social Security Number (SSN)
    • Photos of yourself
    • Personal information, such as age, gender, religious affiliation, etc.
    • Encrypted and digitally signed documents.

Additional Documentation, if applicable:
1. Cover Letter

2. College Transcripts:
Please refer to the education section above for additional information. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable. A copy of your official transcripts may be required if you are selected.

3. Veterans' Preference Documentation: If you are a veteran with preference eligibility and you are claiming 5-point veterans' preference, you must attach a copy of your DD-214 Member Copy 2 or 4 showing you were honorably discharged. If you are claiming 10-point veterans' preference, you must also submit an SF-15, "Application for 10-Point Veterans' Preference" plus the proof required by that form. (i.e. VA letter). You may not be awarded preference if you do not attach the correct Veteran Documentation as specified above.

4. CTAP/ICTAP Documentation: If you are applying under CTAP or ICTAP, you MUST submit proof of eligibility under 5 CFR 330.602(a) for CTAP and 5 CFR 330.704 for ICTAP. This includes a copy of the agency notice, a copy of your most recent performance rating, and a copy of your most recent SF-50 (Notification of Personnel Action) showing your position, grade level, and duty location. Please annotate your application to reflect that you are applying as a CTAP or ICTAP eligible.

5. Current and former federal employees - It is recommended that you submit a copy of your SF-50(s) (Notification of Personnel Action) to support your experience. Examples of appropriate SF-50s include appointments/separations, promotions, within-grade increases.

Failure to submit any of the above-mentioned required documents will result in loss of consideration due to an incomplete application package. It is your responsibility to ensure all required documents have been submitted

If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:

Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.

How to Apply

Please read the entire announcement and all the instructions before you begin an application. To apply and be considered for this position, you must complete all required questionnaires, assessments and submit all required documentation as specified in the How to Apply and Required Documents section. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on the closing date or cut off date (50 Applications), whichever occurs first to receive consideration.

Review the appointment eligibility criteria in the application preview linked below. The eligibility section of the application allows you to choose how you wish to be considered for this vacancy announcement. You will ONLY be considered for the eligibilities that you select "yes" to and submit the required supporting documentation, as listed in the Required Documents section or the application text. The application process is as follows:

1. Click the Apply Online button.
2. Answer the questions presented in the application and attach all necessary supporting documentation.
3. Announcement will close at 11:59 p.m. ET after 50 applications have been received or on the closing date, 11/05/2024 whichever occurs first. Applications must be received prior to the announcement closing to receive consideration.
4. If you are required to complete any USA Hire Assessments, you will be notified after submitting your application. The notification will be provided in your application submission screen and via email. The notification will include your unique assessment access link to the USA Hire system and the completion deadline. Additionally, in USAJOBS you can click "Track this application" to return to your assessment completion notice.
5. Access USA Hire using your unique assessment link. Access is granted through your USAJOBS login credentials.
6. Review all instructions prior to beginning your assessments. You will have the opportunity to request a testing accommodation before beginning the assessments should you have a disability covered under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended.
7. Set aside at least 3 hours to take the USA Hire Assessments; however, most applicants complete the assessments in less time. If you need to stop the assessments and continue later, you can re-use your unique assessment link.
8. Your responses to the USA Hire Assessments will be reused for one year (in most cases) from the date you complete an assessment. If future applications you submit require completion of the same assessments, your responses will be automatically reused.

For more general information, system requirements, reasonable accommodation information, and to request assistance regarding the USA Hire Assessments, review the following resources: https://help.usastaffing.gov/Apply/index.php?title=USA_Hire_Assessments

To view the announcement status or your application status: Click on this: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/howto/application/status/. Your application status page is where you can view your application status, USA Hire assessment completion status, and review your notifications sent by the hiring agency regarding your application.

To preview the application questionnaire, click the following link:https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12580171

Agency contact information

Human Resources Staffing Division
Learn more about this agency

Next steps

Based on your application and your responses to the application questionnaire, you may be presented with instructions on how to access the USA Hire system to complete the online assessments. The online assessments must be completed within 48 hours following the close of this announcement. You will have the opportunity to request a testing accommodation for the assessment should you have a disability covered under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended.

Your assessment results will be kept on record for one year and used toward future positions for which you might apply that require the same assessments.

To be considered for the position, you must meet all qualifications, including meeting or exceeding the cut score on the required assessments.

Once you submit all the required documents and the online application in USAJOBS, you will receive an acknowledgement email that your submission was successful. After the evaluation process is complete, you will be notified of your status and/or referral to the hiring official. If further evaluation or interviews are required, you will be contacted by the hiring official.

You will be notified if this job is filled or canceled. Timelines for this process vary widely.

You may check the status of your application at any time by logging in to your USAJOBS account as we will not be responding to inquiries about the status of applications as long as the system has been updated.


Note: We cannot accept applications on behalf of Federal Agencies. Application instructions are listed within the Job Description.