Clarification from the agency

Current federal civilian employees in the competitive service on permanent career or career-conditional appointments; Former federal employees with reinstatement eligibility; Current federal employees eligible under Interchange Agreements; and applicants eligible under special hiring authorities (Schedule A, etc.).

APPLICATION LIMIT: This vacancy announcement is limited to the first 200 applications received and will close at 11:59PM Eastern Time on the day that we receive the 200th application, or at 11:59PM Eastern Time on the listed closing date, whichever occurs first.  

We encourage you to read this entire vacancy announcement prior to submitting your application.

As a Budget Analyst, GS-0560-13, you will be responsible for:
•    Liaising with project managers and agency budget contacts to assist, review, and evaluate budget requests. Assists in analyzing contract costs to develop cost-benefit analyses of proposed budgetary and program actions to advise Department officials and program managers of the most advantageous course of action. 
•    Working closely on budget execution activities and analyzes trend data to inform budget formulation decisions. Reviews and analyzes complex data to effectively defend budgetary needs in communications and presentations to senior leaders.  
•    Advising management to emerging issues and potential problems related to budgets, financing, legislation, and internal controls. Ensures Federal Student Aid staff is kept up to date on budget plans, legislative issues, appropriation actions, progress in achieving budgetary goals, and other related issues. 
•    Providing advice and assistance to managers in the development and presentation of budget requests; drafting and issuing interpretations of Departmental and Office of Budget and Management (OMB) budgetary guidance; and providing budgetary adjustments and assist with developing strategies, narratives and statistical materials for the federal budget and programs used by senior management officials. 
• Identifying potential contractual funding shortfalls and prepares appropriate supporting documentation. Interfaces with business units to research and communicate information on potential contractual funding issues and problems. Develops findings and reports to senior managers.

As a Budget Analyst, GS-0560-14, you will be responsible for:
•    Providing recommendations for budgetary actions in formulating budget estimates for a multi-year appropriation, tracking progress of POC appropriations through Congress and provides account scenarios based on congressional action. 
•    Providing guidance and data calls which contain specific, detailed instructions for completion and coordinates with leadership and external offices, developing detailed background documentation for presenting and defending budget requests. 
•    Developing cost factors, ratios, tests, and other mathematical modules to evaluate the current financial status, and to determine the cost-benefit of alternative budget and program actions; and integrating data from both justification and execution elements to build detailed analysis for leadership decisions. 
•    Reviewing proposed circulars, handbook notices, regulation and other directives and makes recommendations consistent with budget policies and procedures and management practices. 
•  Providing subject matter expertise on contract and inter-agency agreement funding requirements, resources, and allocations. Tracks, monitors, and advises on the legal and technical sufficiency of contract and procurement funds.

Conditions of employment

• Must be a US Citizen
• Males 18 and over must be registered with the Selective Service.
• Must complete a Background Investigation and Fingerprint check.
• Must be determined suitable for federal employment.
• May be required to successfully complete a one-year probation period
• Relocation expenses will not be paid.

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you may be required to serve a probationary period  during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider:

• your performance and conduct;

• the needs and interests of the agency;

• whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and

• whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.

Upon completion of your probationary period your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

You must meet all qualification requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this vacancy announcement.

If you are a current federal employee, you must meet all time-in-grade and time-after competitive appointment qualifications within 30 days of the closing date of this vacancy announcement. To verify that you meet these requirements, we will review your responses to the core eligibility questions on the occupational questionnaire, as well as your submitted resume and required documents. To make an accurate determination, you will need to include on your resume your federal position title, pay plan, occupational series, grade level, agency, dates for which you held the grade level (stated as MM/YYYY to MM/YYYY, OR MM/YYYY to PRESENT), and total hours worked per week. 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).

Qualifications

Minimum Qualification Requirements:
You may meet the minimum qualifications for the GS-13/14, if you possess the specialized experience.

Specialized Experience for the GS-13
One year of experience in either federal or non-federal service that is equivalent to at least a GS-12 performing two (2) out of three (3) of the following duties or work assignments:
1. Experience in supporting multi-million dollar budgets for federal program offices.
2. Experience supporting program managers and CORs in managing large, complex federal contracts include developing budget requests, tracking burn rates, revising budgets, answering Office of Budget and Management (OMB) data calls, responding to audit requests and acquisition planning.  
3. Experience supporting project managers creating and tracking life cycle costs for the development, implementation and operation of federal technology systems supporting civilian program operations (not just financial or accounting systems).

Specialized Experience for the GS-14
One year of experience in either federal or non-federal service that is equivalent to at least a GS-13 performing two (2) out of  three (3) of the following duties or work assignments:
1. Experience in managing multi-million dollar budgets for federal program offices.
2. Experience leading program managers and CORs in large, complex federal contracts including developing budget requests, tracking burn rates, revising budgets, answering Office of Budget and Management (OMB) data calls, responding to audit requests and acquisition planning.  
3. Experience leading the creation and tracking of life cycle costs for the development, implementation and operation of federal technology systems supporting civilian program operations (not just financial or accounting systems).   

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs) GS-13
The quality of your experience will be measured by the extent to which you possess the following knowledge, skills and abilities (KSAs). You do not need to provide separate narrative responses to these KSAs, as they will be measured by your responses to the occupational questionnaire (you may preview the occupational questionnaire by clicking the link at the end of the Evaluations section of this vacancy announcement).

1.   Ability to compile and analyze datasets to create alternative budget scenarios and program actions.
2.   Ability to effectively and efficiently communicating verbally and in writing when developing recommendations.
3.   Knowledge of a range of laws, regulations, principles, precedents, and internal practices of an organization to develop budgetary recommendations and assist in setting and implementing program goals.
4.   Knowledge of the federal budget process to provide recommendations and interpretations of legislation, policies, and precedents.
5.   Skill in performing analytical and evaluative work associated with contracts and budget activities.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs) GS-14

The quality of your experience will be measured by the extent to which you possess the following knowledge, skills and abilities (KSAs). You do not need to provide separate narrative responses to these KSAs, as they will be measured by your responses to the occupational questionnaire (you may preview the occupational questionnaire by clicking the link at the end of the Evaluations section of this vacancy announcement).

1. Knowledge of governing budgetary policies, precedent setting decisions, procedures, and regulations issued by higher authority to assure budget forecasts, estimates, and submissions conform to requirements, guidelines, and financial objectives.
2. Ability to exercise independent judgment along with planning, organizing, and directing the work of programs/projects requiring substantial personnel and financial resources.
3. Skill in compiling and analyzing datasets to create alternative budget scenarios and program actions.
4. Knowledge of the federal budget process to provide recommendations and interpretations of legislation, policies, and precedents.
5. Ability to perform analytical and evaluative work associated with contracts and budget activities, such as contract procurement, budget execution, and budget forecasts.

How you will be evaluated

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

We use a multi-step process to review and evaluate applicants:

1. Eligibility and Minimum Qualifications

Once the vacancy announcement closes, we will review your submitted resume and documents to determine if you meet the eligibility and minimum qualification requirements, including any required education, experience, and/or selective placement factors. You will be rated as ineligible if you are outside of the area of consideration (i.e., who may apply) or your application is missing any required documents. You will be rated as not qualified if you do not possess the minimum qualification requirements.

2. Rating and Ranking

If you are found to meet both the eligibility and minimum qualification requirements, we will assess the quality of your experience and the extent to which you possess the required KSAs by comparing your submitted resume and documents against your responses to the occupational questionnaire. (The occupational questionnaire is the list of questions in the automated system that you will have an opportunity to answer once you apply for the position). Based on the outcome of this evaluation, you will be assigned a numerical score (out of 100 possible). If your responses to the occupational questionnaire are not substantiated by your submitted resume, you may be eliminated from receiving further consideration.

3. Referral and Selection

If you are found to be amongst the most highly qualified applicants, you will be referred to the selecting official. As part of the assessment and selection process, the selecting official may invite you to participate in a structured interview, check your references, and/or request that you submit a writing sample or complete a written assessment or exercise to further evaluate your qualifications for this position.

• Your DD-214 or Statement of Service shows if you qualify for Veterans' Preference, the Veterans Employment Opportunities Act of 1998 or the Veterans Opportunity to Work to Hire Heros Act. We prefer the member 4 copy of your DD-214.
• If you qualify under the Schedule A appointing authority, include a disability letter.
• If you are a disabled veteran and want to claim preference, you must submit a letter on VA letterhead with your overall combined service-connected disability rating.
• If you are claiming military spouse preference, include proof of marital status, like a marriage certificate.
• Include to show a permanent change of station for employment eligibility.
• Include a performance appraisal as proof of federal employment.
• A separation notification used to determine employment eligibility.
• Your SF-50 shows a federal position you've held, grade level and duty location. Your SF-50 can support position changes, conversions or separation for employment eligibility.

You must submit (REQUIRED FOR ALL APPLICANTS):

• A resume demonstrating your education, experience, training, and accomplishments as it relates to the qualifications for this position and substantiating your responses to the occupational questionnaire.  

Please limit your resume to 2 pages with the font size no smaller than 10 points.  If your resume is more than 2 pages, only the first 2 pages will be reviewed and considered for the qualifications determination. 

• If you are a current or former federal employee (including current U.S. Department of Education employees), you must also submit: • A Notification of Personnel Action (SF-50), which demonstrates your competitive status eligibility. To verify your eligibility, we will review your SF-50 to determine your tenure (block 24) and position occupied (block 34). Examples of sufficient SF-50s include appointments, promotions, within-grade increases, and pay adjustments. If you currently hold or previously held a federal position at or above the highest grade of this position or you have/had promotion potential at or above the highest grade of this position, you must also submit an SF-50 documenting your highest grade level held or promotion potential. Examples of sufficient SF-50s include appointments and promotions. • A Copy of your most recent Performance Appraisal and Awards, as applicable. Your performance appraisal and awards are requested to further assess the quality of your experience should your application be referred to the selecting official.
• If you are claiming eligibility under the Veterans Employment Opportunities Act (VEOA), you must submit: • A copy of your DD-214 that shows active service and character of discharge, member copy 4 (Separated Members only); OR • A certification of expected discharge or release from active duty under honorable conditions within 120 days from the date of application (Current Active Duty Members only); AND/OR • The Application for 10-Point Veteran Preference (SF-15) AND all documents indicated on the form as proof of type of preference.
• If you are claiming eligibility under any Special Hiring Authority, you must submit: • Adequate proof of your eligibility (e.g., Documentation of noncompetitive eligibility as a returned Peace Corps Volunteer, Documentation of noncompetitive eligibility for employment under Schedule A as a person with severe physical disabilities, psychiatric disabilities, and intellectual disabilities.)

• Are you claiming special priority selection rights under the Interagency/Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP/CTAP)?

  • If you are a current or former Federal employee who was displaced (for example, due to a Reduction-in-Force) and want priority consideration, you must submit the documents listed below.
  • Required documents for Interagency/Career Transition Assistance Plan consideration (All are required):
    • RIF as the Nature of Action (Box 5B)
    • Career or career-conditional status (Box 24 must be 1 or 2)
    • Competitive status (Box 34 must be 1)
    • Promotion potential or full performance level of the position from which you were or are being displaced. This is likely your appointment SF-50 for that position.
    • Duty location
  1. Proof that you were displaced, such as Reduction-in-Force (RIF) notice or notice of proposed removal.
  2. SF-50s (Notification of Personnel Action) showing:
  3. Your most recent performance appraisal showing a rating of Fully Successful or higher.
  • Your Federal position at the time you were displaced must be within the local commuting area for a location listed in this announcement. The definition of local commuting area varies based on duty location and hiring agency policy. To receive priority consideration, you must also be found well-qualified, which means you score 75 or higher based on this announcement's assessment rating criteria.

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