Budget Analyst

Summary

This position is located in the Dept of Veterans Affairs, Office of Benefits, Benefits Budget Staff. The incumbent performs a wide variety of administrative and analytical duties connected with the budget formulation, presentation, and execution of VBA's mandatory accounts.

Duties

• Major Duties: Applies a thorough understanding of the budgeting system and its use throughout the budget cycles for the development of budget requests for assigned mandatory accounts. Prepare a variety of reports covering the status of funds, expenses, and obligations as required by higher level management. Advises the supervisor and other interested parties on the status and availability of funds in different budget accounts. Prepares and executes Transfers of Dispersing Authority and FMS entries to maintain fund balances. Prepares, reviews, and analyzes Internal, Office of Management and Budget (OMB), President's, and Mid-Session Review budget submissions for conformance with appropriate guidance, directives, circulars, and laws. Prepares, revises and/or edits narrative and quantitative data to ensure the narrative justification is clear and concise, and the information is accurate. Prepares and presents clear and concise briefing materials as requested for management, OMB,Congressional Budget Office (CBO), and other stakeholders. Initiates, develops, and implements process changes to make the Benefits Budget Staff more efficient in serving our customers. Performs analysis to prepare ten-year budget estimates for assigned mandatory accounts. Performs analysis of budget requirements for assigned benefit programs by employing techniques such as cost-benefit analysis and then makes recommendations on appropriate funding levels. Develops financial operating plans for assigned benefit programs and then monitors the execution of those plans through continuing dialogue with business line managers, review of written documents, and examination of accounting reports. Promotion Potential: The selectee may be promoted to the full performance level without further competition when all regulatory, qualification, and performance requirements are met. Selection at a lower grade level does not guarantee promotion to the full performance level. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00am - 4:30pm Compressed/Flexible: Yes Telework: Ad-hoc telework (situational telework) available as determined by the agency policy. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Description/PD#: PD38791A, PD38792A, and PD38793A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Physical Requirements: Work is primarily sedentary but involves use of a personal computer so a degree of manual dexterity and visual acuity sufficient to utilize these tools is required. Some physical effort is required in that incumbent lifts and carry reference books, working papers and similar items to and from meetings. A moderate amount of standing and walking is required in getting to and from meeting places away from the worksite. The incumbent may become fatigued due to reading difficult types of printed and handwritten material over an extended period. No special physical demands are required. Local Commuting Area: The local commuting area for this position is defined as a radius of 50 miles from Washington, DC. This includes all locations that fall within a 50-mile driving distance from 810 Vermont Ave NW, Washington, DC 20420.

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 09/22/2026. 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 your most recent non-award SF-50 has an effective date within the past year, it may not clearly demonstrate you possess one-year time-in-grade, as required by the announcement. In this instance, you must provide an additional non-award SF-50 that clearly demonstrates one-year time-in-grade. 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. If the most recent SF-50 has an effective date within the past year, it may not clearly demonstrate you possess one-year time-in-grade, as required by the announcement. In this instance, you must provide an additional SF-50 that clearly demonstrates one-year time-in-grade. Note: Time-In-Grade requirements also apply to some former Federal employees applying for reinstatement, as well as current employees applying for Veterans Employment Opportunities Act of 1998 (VEOA) appointment. See the Required Document section below for more information regarding the SF-50s needed to verify time-in-grade. You may qualify based on your experience and/or education as described below: Specialized Experience GS-11: You 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. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: Supports the development of funding justification and reports for OMB and Congressional budget processes. Assists in analyzing and conducting complex assignments to determine the impact to VA budget for Veterans benefits and related initiatives Providing intermediary budgetary advice to management that impact veteran benefit payments and issues. Experience interpreting legislation and regulatory policy guidance regarding agency budget processes with supervision. Prepares cost estimates for legislative proposals with guidance. Reviews funding requests for reasonableness and correct funding source. Assembles and compiles background data for budget estimates. OR Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have 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 You may also combine education and experience to qualify at the GS-11 level. Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have a combination of specialized experience and education beyond the graduate level that exceeds the amount required for the next lower grade. Specialized Experience GS-12: You 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. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: Independently develops and edits funding justifications and reports for OMB and Congressional budget processes. Conducts complex analyses to determine impacts on VA's budget for veterans' benefits and related initiatives, often leading projects. Provides expert budgetary advice to management, influencing decisions on veteran benefit payments. Interprets complex legislation and regulatory policy guidance regarding agency budget processes, advising others. Develops and prepares cost estimates for legislative proposals, regulations, and management initiatives. Reviews and analyzes budget submissions for conformance with guidance and laws. Specialized Experience GS-13: You 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. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: Leads the development and editing of funding justifications and reports for OMB and Congressional budget processes, setting standards for others. Designs and executes highly complex analyses to determine impacts on VA's budget for Veterans benefits and related initiatives, shaping strategic direction. Provides authoritative budgetary advice to senior management, directly impacting veteran benefit payments and agency policy Interprets and applies intricate legislation and regulatory policy guidance regarding agency budget processes, mentoring junior analysts Develops and implement process changes for greater efficiency Prepares and presents briefing materials for management, OMB, CBO, and other stakeholders Ensures accuracy of ten-year projection entries in the Federal Budget Database (MAX). 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. Note: Resume must include job title and employer name, number of hours worked per week, start and end dates (including month and year), list of duties and responsibilities for each position held. In addition, if the experience was a federal position, you must list series and grade for each position held. Failure to include this information may result in an ineligible rating. A full year of work is considered to be 40 hours of work per week. Part-time experience will be credited on the basis of time actually spent in appropriate activities. Applicants wishing to receive credit for such experience must indicate clearly the nature of their duties and responsibilities in each position and the number of hours a week spent in such employment. 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/.

Requirements

You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job To be considered for this position, you must complete all required steps in the process. In addition to the application and questionnaire, this position requires an online assessment. The online assessment measures critical general competencies required to perform the 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 Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment. As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you may be required to serve a one year probationary period or two year trial 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 one year probationary period or two year trial period your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

Education

There is no educational substitution at the GS-12 and GS-13 grade level. A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education. Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: Recognition of Foreign Qualifications | International Affairs Office. The Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) provide eligible displaced VA competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. To be qualified you must submit appropriate documentation (a copy of the agency notice, your most recent performance rating, and your most recent SF-50 noting current position, grade level, and duty location) and be found well-qualified for this vacancy. To be found well qualified, applicants must meet the following qualifications: GS-11: Must be able to demonstrate analytical reasoning to identify, analyze, and conceptualize budgetary inconsistencies. Communicate findings and recommendations clearly to management. Compiles and organizes financial data, collaborates with counterparts for accuracy in budget submissions. Shows proficiency in interpreting and applying federal budgetary laws, regulations, and policies. GS-12: Must be able to demonstrate independent analytical reasoning and judgment in developing and editing funding justifications and reports for OMB and Congressional budget processes. Leads complex analyses and projects to assess impacts on VA's budget for veterans' benefits, providing expert advice that influences management decisions. Interprets complex legislation and regulatory guidance, prepares cost estimates for proposals and initiatives, and reviews budget submissions for compliance with laws and policies. GS-13: Must be able to demonstrate leadership in developing comprehensive financial documentation and guiding others in best practices for budget development. Capable to conduct sophisticated evaluations that inform long-term planning and resource allocation for veterans' programs, influencing organizational priorities. Provides high-level guidance to senior leaders, candidates are expected to clarify complex fiscal regulations and policies, support professional growth among junior staff, and drive improvements in operational processes. Expert in preparing informative presentations for executive audiences and maintaining precise multi-year financial forecasts is essential for success at this level. Information about CTAP eligibility is on OPM's Career Transition Resources website at http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/employee-guide-to-career-transition/.

How to apply

Please read the entire announcement and all the instructions before you begin an application. To apply and be considered for this position, you must complete all required questionnaires, assessments and submit all 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: To begin, click Apply Online to create a USA JOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USA JOBS resume and/or other supporting documents. Answer the questions presented in the application and attach all necessary supporting documentation. Click the Submit Application button prior to 11:59 PM (ET) on the announcement closing date, 09/22/2026. 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. Access USA Hire using your unique assessment link. Access is granted through your USAJOBS login credentials. 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. 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. Your responses to the USA Hire Assessments will be reused for one year (in most cases) from the date you complete an assessment. If future applications you submit require completion of the same assessments, your responses will be automatically reused. Beginning September 27, 2025, Federal agencies will only accept resumes up to two pages in length to comply with the Merit Hiring Plan. Resumes longer than two pages will result in ineligibility for further consideration for the position. USAJOBS will not allow you to upload or build resumes longer than two pages, and you will need to update the resumes in your profile before applying for a job. Resumes should include information relevant to the knowledge, skills, abilities, and competencies of the position to which you are applying. VA is unable to make assumptions about qualifications if not clearly listed. Resumes must be legible so they can be reviewed for eligibility, minimum qualifications and other position requirements listed in the job announcement. Your resume must be 5MB or less. We recommend saving and uploading your resume as a PDF to maintain formatting and number of pages. We also accept GIF, JPG, JPEG, PNG, RTF, TXT, PDF, ODT or Word (DOC or DOCX). We do not accept PDF portfolio files. We recommend using a sans-serif font size like Lato, if available. Other widely available options are Calibri, Helvetica, Arial, Verdana, Open San Source Sans Pro, Roboto or Noro Sans. Make your page margins 0.5 inches. Consider using 14-point size font for titles and 10-point for the main text in your resume. The resume builder can help you create a resume using these recommendations and uses the information in your USAJOBS profile to help you get started. Helpful Hints for Creating a Two-Page Resume: Prioritize most relevant and recent experience Use concise, results focused language Align language from the job announcement Focus on demonstrating skills and competencies Remove outdated or unrelated experience Use the USAJOBS resume builder Additional guidance on this new requirement and resume building tools can be found at: https://help.usajobs.gov/faq/application/documents/resume/page-limit and https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/hiring-information/merit-hiring-plan-resources/applicant-guidance-on-the-two-page-resume-limit/ 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.