Clarification from the agency

Applications will be accepted from any U.S. citizen. Direct Hire Authority will be used to fill this position. The 'Rule of Three', Veterans Preference and traditional rating and ranking of applicants does not apply to this vacancy. This is not a Bargaining unit position.

The Budget Analyst duties typically performed include assisting in the preparation of budget estimates and justifications; interpreting OMB directives and circulars; providing information and advice to program managers; reviewing Departmental and/or Operating Administration budget submissions for reasonableness, accuracy, and conformance with procedures and guidelines; monitoring budget; recommending reprogramming of funds as needed.

• Provides planning and advice on a broad range of issues that will enable optimal execution, prioritization, and coordination of budget formulation, execution, and analysis.
• Establishes and maintains control and continuous surveillance and performs coordination during all phases of the life cycle of assigned projects and works with others to coordinate strategic initiative projects throughout assigned areas.
• Monitors compliance with budget operational policies; recommends changes as required.
• Assesses changes and deviations to determine budget impacts; recommends change or proposes alternative solutions. Remediates identified deficiencies in key control objectives, quality of documentation, and supporting documentation.
• Identifies operational trends of budget activities for issue resolution and provides recommended courses of action to reverse unfavorable trends.
• Analyzes policy changes directing respective functional area key processes and the impacts to auditable processes. Assists with standard checklists and reviews programs.

The Office of the Assistant Secretary for Budget and Programs/Chief Financial Officer is looking for highly motivated individuals who can perform assignments requiring the application of fundamental budget principles to successfully complete assignments. 

Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. citizen & meet specialized experience to qualify
• Submit application and resume online by 11:59 PM EST on the closing date
• Required documents must be submitted by the closing date.
• Direct Hire Authority will be used to fill this position

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:

• SELECTIVE SERVICE: Males born after 12/31/1959 must be registered for the Selective Service.
• GOVERNMENT TRAVEL CARD: This position involves travel.  A government contractor-issued travel card will be issued and must be retained for official business only.
• TELEWORK ELIGIBILITY: This position may be eligible for occasional and/or regularly scheduled telework.  The number of telework days approved will be determined by your immediate supervisor or manager following the agency’s telework policy and guidance. If participating in the telework program, you will be required to sign a telework agreement detailing agency telework policy requirements, working conditions, and expectations for the position.
• PCS/RELOCATION/RECRUITMENT:  Permanent Change of Station (PCS), Relocation, and Recruitment Incentive authorization varies by position/selection and a service agreement may be required.
• PROBATIONARY PERIOD: Applicants may be required to successfully complete a one-year probationary period (unless already completed).

Qualifications

To meet the minimum qualifications for this position, you must (1) meet the Education Requirement for the series, (2) provide a copy of transcripts for verification, AND (3) meet either the education or specialized experience requirements.

To qualify for the GS-09 on Experience, you must have at least one year of experience equal or equivalent to the GS-07, it must include:

• Experience with budget analysis functions such as development, preparation, and revision of the budget, fund estimates, and project plans;
• Experience providing required data and assistance in developing budget and program planning summaries.
• Experience assisting in the review and coordination of budgetary documents, allocations, and operating budgets; and performing analysis of unit budget needs.

To qualify for the GS-09 on Education alone, you must have:

• 2 years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a master's degree or have been awarded a master's or equivalent graduate degree.

You can also qualify based on a combination of graduate education and experience. This must be fully supported by your resume and transcripts, provided with your application.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES (KSAs): Your qualifications will be evaluated on the basis of your level of knowledge, skills, abilities and/or competencies in the following areas:

• Budget Administration-Knowledge of the principles and practices of budget administration and analysis; including preparing, justifying, reporting on, and executing the budget; and the relationships among program, budget, accounting, and reporting systems.
• Control of Funds - Knowledge of the principles, procedures, and requirements for maintaining control and accountability of obligations and expenditures for all appropriations and fund accounts (for example, revolving, non-appropriated, multiyear, and single-year appropriations).
• 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.
• Analytical - Payroll analysis and projections, monitoring and reviewing all budget, working capital fund, and payroll activities of all· Washington Offices, the five Maritime Administration Region Offices, the three Ready Reserve Fleets, and the Merchant Marine Academy.
• Written Communication - Writes in a clear, concise, organized, and convincing manner for the intended audience.
• Oral Communication - Ability to communicate effectively in both oral and written form. Ability to handle difficult and stressful situations with professional composure.

For all types of consideration, 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).  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

For additional information about applying to Federal positions, please click on the following link: https://www.opm.gov/frequently-asked-questions/employment-faq/federal-hiring/how-do-i-apply-for-federal-jobs/

Students enrolled in a qualifying degree program can apply if the anticipated graduation date is within six months of closing date of the announcement. Graduation transcript must be received before start date.

Other applicants must meet all qualification requirements by the closing date of this announcement.

How you will be evaluated

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

For this announcement, all applicants will be reviewed to determine if they meet the basic qualifications for this position, specifically the educational requirements.  Applications that are verified to meet the basic qualifications will be referred to the selecting official.

Applicants will not be rated or ranked.  Veteran’s Preference does NOT apply.

DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE: PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC.  WE WILL NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE.  All answers provided in the on-line process must be substantiated by a resume.  If, upon review, it is determined that your resume and/or supporting documents do not support your answer choices, your application may be removed from consideration.

Please ensure that your work history provides enough details to support your answers.