Budget Analyst - Recent Graduate Job in Houston, TX

Vacancy No. JSC-24-DE-12561373-CB Department Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center
Salary $56,537.00 to $89,900.00 Grade 7 to 9
Perm/Temp Temporary FT/PT Full-time
Open Date 10/3/2024 Close Date 10/9/2024
Job Link Apply Online Who may apply Public
Locations:
Houston, TX


Job Description (Please follow all instructions carefully)

Summary

NASA's Recent Graduates program provides an opportunity for you to gain experience in the Federal civil service at the beginning of your career. If selected, you will be placed in a dynamic, one-year development program, and provided with a mentor and an individual training plan that may include specialized training, formal rotation assignments, and other developmental activities. If you successfully complete the program, you may be converted to a term or permanent position.

Duties

  • Duties described below are at the highest grade advertised. Duties assigned at lower grade levels will be of more limited scope, performed with less independence and limited complexity; duties will be commensurate with the grade of selected employee.
  • Assist with compiling financial analyses, plans, and briefing materials. Assist senior team members with setting budget objectives.
  • Utilize budget/financial system(s) to assist with analyzing financial reports/information.
  • Assure financial and budget activities are in accordance with pertinent laws and regulations. Assist with preparing reports/analyses and identify discrepancies or areas of concern.
  • Apply Planning, Programming, Budgeting, and Execution (PPBE) guidance according to Federal, Agency, and Center regulations, directives, and policies.
  • Support the development of current/future-year spending plans and provide status updates to senior colleagues/leaders.
  • Foster a culture of engagement, diversity, inclusiveness, excellence and innovation. Champion NASA's commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility to create an environment that promotes a commitment to safety, integrity, and teamwork.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

  • This position is open to U.S. citizens, nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.
  • Position subject to pre-employment background investigation.
  • You must meet qualifications requirements by the closing date of this announcement.
  • If selected, you will be required to complete a financial disclosure statement.
  • You will be required to sign a Pathways Recent Graduate Participant Agreement.
  • You will serve a trial period for the duration of the Recent Graduate appointment.
  • Position subject to pre-employment background investigation or higher level clearance. Investigation/Clearance may differ and be required based on the duties of the position being filled.

Qualifications

Specialized experience is experience that has equipped you with the particular ability, skill, and knowledge to successfully perform the duties of this position and is typically in or related to this line of work.

To qualify for GS-07, you must have:
a) One year of directly related specialized experience equivalent to the GS-05 level:
  • Supporting higher level analysts with the gathering of data for reports concerning the use of funds or status of cost expenditures; and
  • Assisting with policy application to identify financial or process issues/discrepancies.
OR
b) Completed 1 full academic year of graduate study in an appropriate field
OR
c) Completed a bachelor's degree in an appropriate field and meet Superior Academic Achievement (SAA) criteria. SAA: (1) you must be in the upper third of your graduating class in the college, university, or major subdivision; or (2) you must have a 3.0 or higher out of a possible 4.0 GPA; or 3.5 or higher out of a possible 4.0 GPA based on courses completed in your major field of study during the final 2 years of the curriculum; or (3) election to membership in a national scholastic honor society
OR
d) Have an equivalent combination of experience and graduate study in an appropriate field

To qualify for GS-09 level, you must have:
a) One year of directly related specialized experience equivalent to the GS-07 level:
  • Utilizing financial management systems and/or tools to assist with creating budget or financial reports;
  • Supporting the development of analyses or reports concerning the use of funds or status of cost expenditures; and
  • Applying policies and procedures to identify financial or process issues/discrepancies.
OR
b) Completed all requirements for a master's or equivalent graduate degree in an appropriate field
OR
c) Completed 2 full academic years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a master's degree or equivalent graduate degree in an appropriate field
OR
d) LL.B or J.D, if related
OR
e) Have an equivalent combination of experience and graduate study as discussed in a), b), c) and d) above

Your resume must include a clear and detailed narrative description, in your own words, of how you meet the required specialized experience. Experience statements copied from a position description, vacancy announcement or other reference material constitutes plagiarism and may result in disqualification and losing consideration for the job. NASA prohibits the use of artificial intelligence (AI) or AI-assisted tool in drafting application and assessment responses. Please visit https://www.nasa.gov/careers/how-to-apply/#Artificial-Intelligence to review NASA's guidance on the use of AI tools during the application process.

Education

To meet eligibility requirements for this position under the NASA Pathways Recent Graduate Program (RGP), applicants must have completed an associate's, bachelor's, master's, professional, doctorate, vocational or technical degree certificate from a qualifying educational institution, within the last 2 years from the date of application. A veteran, who, due to military service obligations was unable to apply within 2 years of receiving their degree, has as much as 6 years after degree completion to apply.

If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show that the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs. These education credentials must be 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: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.

All degrees must have been received in the year of, or any year subsequent to the original date of accreditation.

Additional information

Additional selections may be made for similar positions across NASA within the local commuting area(s) of the location(s) identified in this announcement. By applying, you agree to have your application shared with interested selecting official(s) within NASA. CTAP/ICTAP will be cleared for any additional selection from this announcement.

All Pathways appointments are in the excepted service. Therefore, the Reemployment Priority List (RPL), Career Transition Assistance Program, and Interagency Career Transition Program requirements do NOT apply to the Pathways Programs (reference: 5 CFR 330, Subpart B; 5 CFR 330.609(e)(3); and 5 CFR 330.707(h)(3)).

Recent Graduate appointees who successfully complete the program may be considered for conversion to a term or permanent appointment in the competitive service. Eligibility for conversion does not guarantee that NASA will offer conversion. After conversion, you may be promoted up to the GS-12 level.

If the appointee is converted to a permanent appointment, the permanent position will be in a bargaining unit. To learn more about bargaining units at NASA, please click here : NASA Unions (Bargaining Units) - NASA (https://www.nasa.gov/careers/nasa-unions-bargaining-units/)

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 for this position based on how well you meet the qualifications and eligibility requirements listed in this vacancy announcement. To determine your qualifications and referral status, we may review your resume and supporting documentation and compare it against your responses to the vacancy questionnaire. Your qualifications will be evaluated based on your application materials (e.g., resume, supporting documents), the responses you provide on the application questionnaire, and the result of your responses to all assessments required for this position.

You will be assessed on the following competencies:

  • Attention to Detail
  • Customer Service
  • Teamwork
  • Financial Management
  • Technical Competence
  • Budgeting Management
  • Accountability
  • Arithmetic
  • Decision Making
  • Flexibility
  • Integrity/Honesty
  • Interpersonal Skills
  • Learning
  • Mathematical Reasoning
  • Reasoning
  • Self-Management (Achievement)
  • Stress Tolerance
The USA Hire Assessment 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.

Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application materials or application questionnaire may result in your removal from consideration. Cheating on an assessment may also result in your removal from consideration.

NASA considers 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.

Under NASA's category rating process, applicants will be assessed on the position competencies and placed in one of three categories identified and defined below:
  • Best Qualified Category - Applicants who demonstrate a superior level of all evaluation criteria.
  • Highly Qualified Category - Applicants who demonstrate a satisfactory level of the evaluation criteria.
  • Qualified Category - Applicants who demonstrate the basic qualifications, with general knowledge, skills, and abilities.
Names of all qualified candidates in the Best Qualified category will be sent to the hiring official for employment consideration (unless a sufficient number of qualified veterans are found - in which case only those names will be initially certified ). Candidates within the Best Qualified category who are eligible for veteran preference will receive selection priority over non-veteran preference eligibles.

NASA will not ask you to disclose criminal history record information during the application process or before we make a conditional/tentative offer of employment. If you apply for this position and are selected, NASA will conduct a suitability/security background investigation after you accept a tentative job offer. If you feel you are asked to disclose your criminal history before you accept a tentative offer and wish to file a complaint within 30 days, please contact: Agency-FCCJ@NASA.gov.

Required Documents

A complete application package includes a resume, required documents and completion of the vacancy announcement questionnaire. Please see this guidance: What to include in your resume. Your resume should describe your specialized experience and support your answers to the vacancy announcement questionnaire. Please note: if any of the following types of information are included on your resume, your application package will be disqualified:

  • 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.

If your resume contains any of the above information, you must redact that information prior to the submission of your application.

The following documents are required:

  • Resume
  • Transcript


To be found qualified on the basis of education, you must provide a copy of your college transcript that fully demonstrates you meet the requirements listed in the Qualifications section. You may provide either an unofficial transcript or a copy of an official transcript. Failure to provide a complete copy of your college transcript that shows you have completed degree program or coursework may result in you being found not qualified for the job and you may lose consideration.

At the GS-07 level, most applicants qualify based on their grade point average (GPA). Transcripts without a GPA will likely result in you being found not qualified.

There may be other supporting documents (licenses, certification, veterans' preference, etc.), depending on your answers to the questionnaire and job announcement description, that you may have to submit, please verify your application. Do not submit an OF-306 with your application.

If you are a surplus or displaced employee (CTAP and ICTAP), submit proof that you meet the requirements for CTAP/ICTAP. This includes copies of your agency notice, most recent Performance Rating and most recent Notification of Personnel Action (SF-50) noting current position, grade level, and duty location.

If you are a veteran and you are claiming veterans' preference, you must submit a DD214, Certificate of Release from Active Duty, which shows dates of service and discharge under honorable conditions. For more information on veterans' preference and possible other supporting documents that you may have to submit, please visit FedshireVets.

Official documents are required at the time of appointment for verification of eligibility and qualifications.

If you are requesting a reasonable accommodation to the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, submit documentation to support your request, including the Reasonable Accommodation Request Form found here. (https://help.usastaffing.gov/Apply/index.php?title=Reasonable_Accommodations_for_USA_Hire)

Please read the entire announcement and all instructions before you begin an application and have all required information available. We encourage you to provide a complete description of your educational achievements and include both paid and non-paid work in the experience portion of your resume. If you submit a resume that does not contain the required information, you may lose consideration.

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

To apply and be considered for this position, you must complete all required questionnaires, assessments and 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 of the announcement to receive consideration. The application process is as follows:

  1. To begin the application process, you will need to be logged into your USAJOBS account. If you do not have a USAJOBS account, you will need to create one before beginning the application process. Once logged in to your account, click the Apply Online button.
  2. Follow the prompts to select your resume and/or other supporting documents to be included with your application package. We strongly encourage you to utilize the USAJOBS resume builder when creating your resume. Using the resume builder will help to ensure your resume includes important information related to your qualifications and eligibility for the position. Answer the questions presented in the application and attach all necessary supporting documentation. During the application process you can review, edit, delete and update your information. We'll automatically save your progress as you go, so you won't lose any changes. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process.
  3. After acknowledging you have reviewed your application package, complete the 'Include Personal Information' section as you deem appropriate and click to continue with the application process. You will be taken to the vacancy questionnaire which you must complete in order to apply for the position. Complete the online application, verify all required documentation is included with your application package, and submit the application.
  4. Click the Submit Application button prior to 11:59PM (ET) on the announcement closing date.
  5. 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.
  6. Access USA Hire using your unique assessment link. Access is granted through your USAJOBS login credentials.
  7. 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.
  8. 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.
  9. Your responses to the USA Hire Assessments will be reused for one year (in most cases) from the date you complete as 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 update your application, including supporting documentation: During the announcement open period, return to your USAJOBS account, find your application record, and click Edit my application. This option will no longer be available once the announcement has closed.

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

NASA's online application process provides step by step guidance to ensure you provide all needed information. If you are unable to apply online, please contact NSSC-CONTACTCENTER@MAIL.NASA.GOV for assistance. Be advised - application materials faxed, emailed, and/or mailed to Johnson Space Center will not be accepted for this announcement.

NASA provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. If you are an applicant with a disability and need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please notify the agency contact center listed on the job vacancy announcement. The decision on granting reasonable accommodations will be on a case-by-case basis.

Agency contact information

NASA Shared Services Contact Center
Phone
1-877-677-2123
Fax
1-866-779-6772
Email
nssc-contactcenter@mail.nasa.gov
Address
Johnson Space Center
2101 NASA Parkway
Houston, TX 77058
US
Learn more about this agency

Next steps

Once you submit your application package, you will receive an acknowledgement email and be provided regular status updates through USAJOBS. To verify the status of your application both during and after the announcement open period, log into your USAJOBS account: https://secure.login.gov/ All of your applications will appear on the Welcome page. The application record in your USAJOBS account provides an Additional Application Information page that provides information regarding the documentation you submitted and any correspondence we have sent related to this application, including the invitation to take the USA Hire assessment. The Application Status will appear along with the date your application was last updated. For information on what each Application Status means, visit: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/how-to/application/status/.

If you are found qualified, you may be referred to the hiring manager for further consideration. Whether or not you are contacted for an interview depends upon the location of the position and the judgment of the hiring manager.

If you are selected, you will be notified by phone or email with a tentative job offer. If you fail to meet the conditions of employment or any other pre-employment requirements, such as missing a scheduled appointment, we may rescind a tentative job offer.

An official, written job offer will be issued once all requirements have been verified.


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