Clarification from the agency

The GAO is part of the Legislative Branch of the Federal government. As such, all positions are in the excepted service. Applicants employed by other federal excepted service agencies who do not have status gained in the competitive service must apply to announcement number GAO-21-NRE-0347-02-DE for consideration.

As a Senior Analyst, the incumbent serves as an individual program analyst on a research team. The Senior Analyst performs the full range of duties in support of GAO studies in response to requests from congressional committees, subcommittees, and those mandated by public laws and committee reports. Specifically, you will:

• Serve as an individual contributor, develop design matrix and researchable questions independently or in conjunction with engagement team members and a methodologist to assess program operations or procedures related to Federally funded programs and services for Tribes and its members.
• Collect and analyze data from a variety of sources including interviews with agency managers and program officials. Review program documents, reports and data. Select, refine, organize and present factual information and analysis in support of engagement objectives. In collaboration with other engagement team members, and based on consultation with the AIC and Assistant Director (AD), decide on form, content, scope, and depth of analysis. Evaluate and analyze data to determine relevance and reliability through referencing and indexing.
• Develop findings and recommendations and prepare written products that provide factual and analytical information in a clear, balanced manner that meet the needs of congressional clients and conform to all audit requirements and quality standards.
• When serving as the Analyst-in-Charge (AIC), lead engagements of low or medium scope and complexity. Oversee all aspects of design, data collection and analysis, message development and report writing and ensures the quality and value of the final product. Prioritize the work to ensure milestones are met. Assign work to team members to include expectations and deadlines for completing assignments. Coach, mentor and train team members. Ensure coordination with stakeholders.

Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. citizen
• Completion of a two year trial period may be required.
• Completion of a satisfactory background investigation.
• Selective Service registration if you are a male born after Dec. 31, 1959.
• You may be required to submit a financial disclosure statement

You must meet all qualifications and requirements BEFORE the closing date of this announcement.

Qualifications

Applicants must have at least one year (52 weeks) of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-12 grade/band level in the Federal service, or comparable experience in the private sector, to equip the candidate with the knowledge, skills and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position. Specialized experience is defined as conducting research and performing quantitative and qualitative analysis on program operations or procedures related to planning and evaluation of federal programs that serve Tribes and their members; extracting data for report findings and recommendations; and presenting findings to various audiences.

How you will be evaluated

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

If you meet the qualification requirements stated above, you will be further rated based on your responses to the vacancy questions. Please make sure that your responses to the vacancy questions are supported in your resume. Please follow all instructions carefully.  If you provide incomplete answers, fail to provide a narrative response to any vacancy question(s) that requires further explanation, or if your response to a vacancy question is "see resume”, your rating may be affected or you may be determined ineligible.

All applicants will be rated based on their responses to the assessment questions, in conjunction with the following Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSA’s):

• Expert knowledge of auditing policies, procedures and requirements including Generally Accepted Government Auditing Standards to independently perform assigned work, develop findings and make recommendations about government programs.
• Knowledge in designing program evaluations, including qualitative and quantitative research methods, to analyze federally-funded programs and services for Tribes and their members including program delivery through direct service, self-determination contracts, and self-governance compacts.
• Knowledge of the role and responsibilities of federal agencies, for example, Bureau of Indian Affairs, EPA, Indian Health Service, and Department of Energy's Office of Indian Energy Policy and Programs, that provide federal funds and services to Tribes and their members.
• Knowledge of the unique context of Tribes within the United States, including legal status, governance structures, revenue models, sovereignty, federal trust responsibility, government-to-government relationship, consultation, and treaty rights to assist with program evaluations.
• Knowledge of Tribal cultures, traditions and communication styles to help facilitate outreach and collaboration with Tribes and GAO.
• Knowledge of analytical concepts, principles, and practices to conduct the data collection, review and analysis process of the engagement.
• Ability to collaborate and work effectively in a team-based setting. 
• Ability to conduct research and develop reliable evidence to support report findings and recommendations.
• Ability to communicate orally and in writing to prepare reports, participate in interviews and meetings and to make presentations to agency officials, congressional staff and others.