Summary
If you are looking for a position where you are responsible for working collaboratively, across the organization, to develop written directives, then this job is for you! The office of Planning, Policy, and Analysis develops PSA's strategic plan and framework, measures Agency progress against stated targets, and manages and provides guidance on the Agency's directives development process.
Bargaining Unit Status and chapter: Not Covered, AFGE Local 1456
This job is open to
The public
U.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.
Clarification from the agency
United States Citizens
Duties
As a Program (Policy) Analyst, you will:
- Manage the development of policies, procedures, and guidelines. Apply knowledge of the PSA mission and of pretrial and related criminal justice requirements to establish priorities, plans, and milestones for policy development. Prepare and coordinate policies and procedures ensuring that they meet mission requirements and those of customers and stakeholders.
- Assess policy implementation. In conjunction with other Agency staff, study or evaluate areas such as extent of policy implementation and effectiveness of policies in meeting objectives. Revise policies and procedures as necessary. Provide guidance to program staff in policy interpretation and application.
- Maintain awareness of and analyze new and revised federal policies and incorporate into PSA procedures.
- Provide expert input in development of policies, plans, and strategies to improve departmental data management.
- Establish governance policies and procedures, maintaining technical relevance as new techniques and procedures emerge.
Requirements
Conditions of employment
A candidate appointed at a lower grade level may be promoted up to the full performance level without further competition.
This announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies
Conditions of Employment
1. Must be a U.S. Citizen
2. Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective Service
3. Suitable for Federal employment, determined by a background investigation
4. May be required to successfully complete a probationary period, if not already completed
5. All applicants are subject to a comprehensive criminal background investigation, and required to submit to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment
6. All Federal employees are required to have Federal salary payments made by direct deposit to a financial institution of their choice
7. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process
8.Will be required to complete a Confidential Financial Disclosure Form within 30 days of appointment and annually thereafter
Qualifications
To qualify for this position, you must meet the specialized experience requirement below.
To qualify at the GS-12 level, you must possess one year of specialized experience assisting in the development of written materials relevant to criminal justice and/or administrative processes and procedures and, under close supervision, providing guidance to staff on the interpretation and application of written directives.
To qualify at the GS-13 level, you must possess one year of specialized experience independently developing written materials relevant to criminal justice and/or administrative policies and processes and procedures and providing guidance to staff on the interpretation and application of written directives.
NOTE: Your resume must clearly show the specialized experience related to this position. Failure to demonstrate how you possess the experience requirements will result in an "Ineligible" rating.
Education
There is no education substitution for specialized experience at the GS-12 and GS-13 grade level.
Additional information
1. If you are an eligible Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP) applicant as defined by 5 CFR § 330.702, you may apply for special selection over other applicants for this position. The Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) provides eligible displaced Federal competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. Click The Employee's Guide to Career Transition for more information on ICTAP eligibility.
2. If you are a veteran with preference eligibility and you are claiming 5-point veterans' preference, you should attach a copy of your DD-214 (unedited long version) or other proof of eligibility. If you are claiming 10-point veterans' preference, you must attach an SF-15, "Application for 10-point Veterans' Preference" plus the proof required by that form.
3. All qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement. Additional information on the qualification requirements is outlined in the OPM Qualifications Standards Handbook of General Schedule Positions. It is available for your review in our office, in other Federal agency personnel offices, and on OPM's web site at OPM Qualification Standards .
4. In accordance with Executive Order 14170 and the Merit Hiring Plan guidance issued by the U.S. Office of Personnel Management, applicants for this position are invited to respond to four essay questions. These questions are designed to provide you with an opportunity to share your commitment to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution, as well as your dedication to public service. While your responses are not required and will not be scored, we encourage you to thoughtfully address each question. Please provide a response of 200 words or less to each question. You will be asked to certify that you are using your own words and did not use a consultant or artificial intelligence (AI) such as a large language model (LLM) like ChatGPT or Copilot. Click here to review the questionshttps://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13022890.
Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.
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.
Your rating will be based on your responses to the job specific information provided in your resume. Your resume must clearly show how you possess the knowledge, skills, and abilities listed below. Failure to demonstrate how you possess the knowledge, skills, and abilities will result in a rating of "Qualified" by the rating panel.
1. Skill in verbal and written communication, specifically policy and procedure development in criminal justice or business administration areas.
2. Knowledge of and ability to analyze management and criminal justice programs and processes.
3. Ability to lead teams, projects, gain consensus and establish and maintain effective working relationships with stakeholders in a planning and evaluation environment.
Once the application process is completed, your application will be reviewed to ensure you meet the job requirements. You will be evaluated on the extent and quality of your experience, education and training. If you meet the basic qualification requirements, your resume will be forwarded to a panel for rating. Category Rating will be used to evaluate applicants using the following categories to further determine which applicants will be referred to the selecting official for final consideration.
Best Qualified: Applicants possessing a background that demonstrates a superior level on all evaluation criteria.
Well Qualified: Applicants possessing a background that demonstrates a satisfactory level on evaluation criteria.
Qualified: Applicants possessing the specialized experience described above.
Application of Veterans' Preference: Category rating and selection procedures place those with veterans' preference above non-veterans within each category. Veterans who meet the eligibility and qualification requirements, and who have a compensable service-connected disability of at least 10% are listed in the highest quality category (Best Qualified), except when the position being filled is scientific or professional at the GS-9 grade level or higher.
Required Documents
To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:
1. Your resume listing work schedule, hours worked per week, dates of employment, duties performed and salary information. Only resumes up to a total of 2 pages will be accepted. Applicants with resumes exceeding 2 pages will be removed from consideration. Resumes must be legible so they can be reviewed for eligibility, minimum qualifications and other position requirements listed in the job announcement.
2. Other supporting documents:
- DD-214 (member 4 copy) showing honorable discharge, SF-15 Form and VA letter, or certification of expected discharge or release from active duty for consideration under Veteran hiring authorities
- Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process.
- Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program Documentation, must include the following:
- SF-50 that documents the RIF separation action, position, grade level, and duty location; and
- Most recent performance appraisal
- Certification of Expected Separation or Reduction-In-Force Separation Notice or Notice of Proposed Removal may also be submitted
ICTAP Applicants: To be considered under the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP), applicants must submit all required documentation at the time of application and must be determined to be well-qualified for the position. Required documentation includes:
- Proof of ICTAP eligibility (displacement) which must include one of the following:
- an SF-50 documenting a Reduction in Force (RIF) action, certification of expected separation, Reduction in Force (RIF) separation notice, ora notice of proposed removal for declining a directed reassignment or transfer of function outside the local commuting area; and
- An SF-50 (Notification of Personnel Action) documenting your current or most recent position, grade level and duty location; and
- Your most recent performance appraisal, reflecting a rating of at least Fully Successful (or equivalent).
Only applicants who meet both ICTAP eligibility requirements and the well-qualified standard will be considered for selection priority. Failure to submit all required documents may result in a determination that you are not eligible for ICTAP consideration.
Only send documentation as requested/required by this announcement and that directly supports your qualifications for this position.
How to Apply
To apply for this position, you must complete the online application and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below.
The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on the closing date (08/14/2026) to receive consideration.
- To begin, click Apply Online to access an online application. Follow the prompts to select your USAJOBS resume and/or other supporting documents. You will need to be logged into your USAJOBS account or you may need to create a new account.
- You will be taken to an online application. Complete the online application, verify the required documentation, and submit the application.
- You will receive an email notification when your application has been received for the announcement.
- To verify the status of your application, log into your USAJOBS account, https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login, select the Application Status link and then select the More Information link for this position. The Application Status page will display the status of your application, the documentation received and processed, and your responses submitted to the online application. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process.
- If you are unable to apply online, you must request an alternative application which is available from the Human Resources Office. Please contact Nehdene Williams at (202) 220-5681 or Nehdene.Williams@psa.gov to obtain instructions on how to submit an alternative application.
Only resumes up to a total of 2 pages will be accepted. Applicants with resumes exceeding 2 pages will be removed from consideration. Resumes must be legible so they can be reviewed for eligibility, minimum qualifications and other position requirements listed in the job announcement.Next steps
Once the on-line application and supporting documents are received, you will receive an acknowledgement email that your submission was successful. After a review of your complete application is made, you will be notified of your rating and or referral to the hiring official. If further evaluation or interviews are required you will be contacted.