Program Analyst

Clarification from the agency

This vacancy is opened to Agency Employees (Department of Veterans Affairs), P.L. 115-46, Sec 204; Appointment of a qualified former VA career-career conditional employee (P.L. 115-46 S204), T5 Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP), T5 Other - Interchange Eligibilities (Other), T5 Reinstatement (Reinstatement), and T5 Transfer (Transfer).

Major duties for this position include:

• Develop or refine data processing techniques for the purpose of automating data calculations to enhance reporting capabilities for the VR&E program.

• Develops data models to support user interfaces for automated information systems and maps data elements to user interfaces. Identifies data elements to support business rules in the modern claims processing system as required.

• Provides advice and assistance relative to the input for the data modeling and performance objectives relative to the recommended program changes of business processes or automated information systems; implementation of which will enhance management and delivery of VR&E's benefits services provided to Service members, Veterans, and their families.

• Collects, catalogues, and monitors the technical details of existing claims intake business processes and supporting systems. This includes documentation relating to business processes, data interfaces, data requirements, system requirements and other technical information.

• Provides in-depth analysis of program growth rate and trend analysis for all program performance measures to forecast future business needs throughout VR&E.

• Employs a wide range of analytical skills and leverages quantitative and qualitative methodologies to respond to a multitude of recurring and high priority internal and external information requests, timely and accurately.

• Develop and deploy real-time data for evidence-based decision making throughout the enterprise by leveraging existing and future technology.

• Conducts reviews of current or proposed data and information systems in relation to the needs of VR&E Service and associated field staff.

• Determines how data and information being used helps or hinders VR&E and VBA management in their decision-making processes.

• Consults and coordinates with Regional Office staff, Office of Information Technology (OIT) technical staff, VBA Central Office program staff, contract support staff, Veteran Service organizations, computer specialists and program analysts as applicable; to develop changes/revisions to existing data reporting mechanisms.

• Furnishes expert advice and technical assistance on issues concerned with proposed policies and procedural changes that may significantly affect the data intake and processing of Veterans claims and services.

• Collaborates with assigned project manager and contracting officer to monitor performance and elevate/identify contract issues and/or modifications.

• Prepares documentation necessary to develop reports for all levels of management and operations and identifies the data elements needed to complete the reports.

• Performs all other duties as assigned.

Conditions of employment

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year 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, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
• You may be required to serve a probationary period
• Subject to background/security investigation
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process

Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements I-9 Acceptable Documents.

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement:10/14/2026.

TIME-IN-GRADE REQUIREMENT: Applicants who are current Federal employees and have held a GS grade any time in the past 52 weeks must also meet time-in-grade requirements.

• For a GS-11 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-09 level.
• For a GS-12 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-11 level.
• For a GS-13 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-12 level.
• If you are a current VBA employee outside of the commuting area seeking reassignment or change to lower grade via this vacancy announcement, you must currently hold the GS 09 (or higher) and the promotion potential of your current position must be at least GS-13.

The grade may have been in any occupation, but must have been held in the Federal service. An SF-50 that shows your time-in-grade eligibility must be submitted with your application materials. These requirements also apply to former Federal employees applying for reinstatement.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENT: You may qualify based on your experience and/or education as described below:

GS-11 Grade Level: GS-11:To qualify for the GS-11 Applicants must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade (GS-09) in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization.

Specialized Experience: Specialized experience is defined as experience in one or more of the following Analytical skills:

• SQL Queries: Experience in writing complex SQL queries for data extraction and manipulation in database management systems such as MySQL, PostgreSQL, or Oracle.

• Modeling and Machine Learning: Experience in building predictive models and deploying machine learning algorithms using tools such as R or Python.

• Statistical and Regression Analysis: Proficiency in conducting statistical analyses and regression modeling to identify trends and relationships in data, utilizing software like Python, SAS, or R.

• Workload and Time Series Forecasting: Ability to analyze historical data for workload and time series forecasting, employing techniques and tools such as ARIMA, Prophet, or Excel.

• Data Extraction and Visualization: Expertise in extracting data from various sources and creating insightful visualizations using platforms like Tableau or Power BI.
  
  Education Substitution:

  Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree or 3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.M., if related

  OR Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level.
  

GS-12 Grade Level: GS-12:To qualify for the GS-12 Applicants must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade (GS-11) in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization.

Specialized Experience:

To qualify for the GS-12 Applicants must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade (GS-11) in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization.

Specialized experience:?Specialized experience is defined as experience in two or more of the following Analytical skills:

• SQL Queries: Experience in writing complex SQL queries for data extraction and manipulation in database management systems such as MySQL, PostgreSQL, or Oracle.

• Modeling and Machine Learning: Experience in building predictive models and deploying machine learning algorithms using tools such as R or Python.

• Statistical and Regression Analysis: Proficiency in conducting statistical analyses and regression modeling to identify trends and relationships in data, utilizing software like Python, SAS, or R.

• Workload and Time Series Forecasting: Ability to analyze historical data for workload and time series forecasting, employing techniques and tools such as ARIMA, Prophet, or Excel.

• Data Extraction and Visualization: Expertise in extracting data from various sources and creating insightful visualizations using platforms like Tableau or Power BI.

Education Substitution: There is no education substitution at this grade level.


GS-13 Grade Level: GS-13:To qualify for the GS-13 Applicants must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade (GS-12) in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization.

Specialized Experience:

Specialized experience is experience in three or more of the following Analytical skills:

• SQL Queries: Experience in writing complex SQL queries for data extraction and manipulation in database management systems such as MySQL, PostgreSQL, or Oracle.

• Modeling and Machine Learning: Experience in building predictive models and deploying machine learning algorithms using tools such as R or Python.

• Statistical and Regression Analysis: Proficiency in conducting statistical analyses and regression modeling to identify trends and relationships in data, utilizing software like Python, SAS, or R.

• Workload and Time Series Forecasting: Ability to analyze historical data for workload and time series forecasting, employing techniques and tools such as ARIMA, Prophet, or Excel.

• Data Extraction and Visualization: Expertise in extracting data from various sources and creating insightful visualizations using platforms like Tableau or Power BI.

Education Substitution: There is no education substitution at this grade level.

Combining Education & Experience: If you do not fully meet the length of experience and education described for a specific grade level (e.g. have six months of experience and some coursework but not a degree), the two can be combined to total 100% of the requirement. Click here for more information.

Volunteer Experience: 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; religions; 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.

Full vs. Part-Time Employment: Full-time employment is considered to be at least 35 hours per week. Part-time experience will be credited on a pro-rated basis; when including part-time employment in your resume you must specify the average hours worked per week.

Physical Requirements: The work is mostly sedentary; however, there may be some walking, standing, and carrying of light items such as papers, books, folders, and files.

For more information on these qualification standards, please visit the United States Office of Personnel Management's website at http://://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/.

How you will be evaluated

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

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE WILL NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE.

Narrative responses are not required at this time. If you are referred for consideration, you may be asked to submit additional job related information, which may include, but not limited to; responses to the knowledge, skills and abilities; completion of a work sample, and/or an interview.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):

• Data Modeling - Knowledge of advanced analytics such as modeling, workload forecasting, regression analysis, statistical analysis, machine learning, Structured Query Language, code development, time series forecasting, data extraction and visualization, and data science tools.
• Data Management - Knowledge of the principles, procedures, and tools of data management, such as modeling techniques, data backup, data recovery, data dictionaries, data warehousing, data mining, data archiving, data disposal, and data standardization processes.
• Financial Analysis - Knowledge of the principles, methods, and techniques of financial analysis, forecasting, and modeling to interpret quantitative and qualitative data; includes data modeling, earned value management, and evaluating key financial indicators, trends, and historical data.
• Organizational Performance Analysis - Knowledge of the methods, techniques, and tools used to analyze program, organizational, and mission performance; includes methods that deliver key performance information (for example, comparative, trend, diagnostic, root cause, predictive) used to inform decisions, actions, communications, and accountability systems.
• Decision Support - Knowledge of decision support theories, methods, and tools for identifying, synthesizing, representing, and evaluating the important aspects of a decision situation and prescribing the recommended course for decision makers and other stakeholders.

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. This position will utilize a Structured Interview Assessment which includes a pass/fail score based on the minimum level of required proficiency in these critical general competencies. You must meet or exceed the pass score to be considered. You will not be considered for the position if you score below the pass 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.

To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package to include the documents detailed below. Resumes may not exceed two pages and must be legible for review of eligibility, minimum qualifications and other position requirements listed in the job announcement. Your resume and supporting documentation will be verified. Failure to submit the documents as specified may result in loss of consideration for this job announcement.

• Resume:
  • Contact Information:
    • Name and how best to contact you, including email address and phone number
  • Relevant Work Experience:
    • For each relevant work experience, make sure you include:
      • Job Title and Employer (including series and grade for any Federal positions)
      • Start and end dates with month/year (e.g., 05/2019 - 08/2022)
      • The number of hours you worked per week
    • Ensure work experience descriptions are aligned with the job announcement and address all required qualifications. Brief descriptions should demonstrate your ability to perform the tasks at the required level as stated in the job announcement
  • Education/Certification/ Licensure:
    • When relevant or required for the position, include your possession of education/ certification/license and provide any required documentation such as transcripts, and/or details (type and date) of certifications and/or licenses
      • Education information should include:
        • Name of school/institution
        • Completion date
        • Degree type
        • Cumulative Grade point average (GPA)
  • Optional Details:
    • When relevant, include:
      • Current Security Clearance
      • Job-related training
      • Language skills
      • Organizations and affiliations
      • Professional publications
      • Eligibility for special programs (e.g., military spouses, individuals with disabilities, etc.)
• Current Federal Employees:
  • A copy of your most recent NON-award SF-50. The SF-50 must indicate proof of status and should identify your position title, series, grade, step, salary, tenure and type of service (Competitive or Excepted).
  • Your SF-50 reflecting when you entered your highest grade To verify you meet Time-in-Grade requirements, also submit a SF-50 reflecting when you entered your highest grade held (e.g. Promotion, Appointment, etc.).
• Current VBA Employees: If you are seeking a reassignment/change to lower grade, you must submit a copy of your most recent SF-50 (non-award) AND the SF-50 placing you into your current position.

Please use this checklist to make sure you have included other documents required for your application, such as a copy of your transcript (if using education to qualify), SF-50's (current/former Federal employees), documentation to support Veterans Preference claims, or ICTAP/CTAP documentation (for displaced Federal employees). You will not be contacted for additional information.

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