Duties

Summary

This position is in the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), National Cemetery Administration (NCA), Business Transformation and Requirements Service (BTRS), in Washington, DC. BTRS is primarily responsible for gathering requirements and identification of effective technology solutions on behalf of the NCA business client(s).

Learn more about this agency

Responsibilities

The incumbent serves as the primary contact for all matters concerning information technology and NCA. Responsible for providing the necessary inputs to allow the BTRS staff to develop applications and products that directly support the Administration's mission and goals and interests in all information technology forums.

Incumbent is responsible for analyzing the business needs of their clients and stakeholders to help identify business problems and propose solutions. Activities include gathering, analyzing, documenting and presenting information in support of business cases, proposed projects, and technology requirements. This position requires explicit translation of multiple perspectives into requirements specification and continued dialogue with NCA stakeholders.

As the principal conduit through which business process requirements flow between the customer community and the software development team, the incumbent will play an instrumental role in collecting and disseminating product information to NCA. In defining business needs, the incumbent will assist the business client(s) or the product manager(s) in defining the project's business requirements, business objectives, and the ultimate vision of what the system is to accomplish.

Perform a wide variety of analytical duties connected with the management, coordination and execution of critical applications and development activities. Assist senior management with efforts to ensure adherence to business processes, change, and configuration management processes, development resource allocation, and schedule commitments. Expertly evaluate project schedules and resource allocations to ensure successful development of approved business initiatives. Track, analyze and coordinate multiple, complex application projects using principles and guidelines commensurate with NCA and VA policies and methodologies. Facilitate cross-functional and cross-team planning sessions to ensure integration of critical path activities.

Plan and/or accomplish special projects. Use Program and Project Management standard approaches to perform a variety of duties related to special projects involving administrative and/or technical support issues. Conduct extensive research and compilation of data from diverse sources. Extract and assemble information, conduct analysis and develop reports or presentations. Research and/or analyze problems, issues, or program requirements. Review information and applies standard program and project management techniques, develop recommendations and proposals, and implement needed changes and updates.

Develop new ways to resolve major administrative problems or plans the most significant administrative management aspects of professional or scientific programs. Develop administrative regulations or guidelines for the conduct of program operations or new criteria for measuring program accomplishments. Study, develop, interpret, and develop reports which contain findings and recommendations of major significance to top management of the agency, and often serve as the basis for new administrative systems, legislation, regulations, or programs.

Work schedule: Required to work Monday through Friday, 8:00 am to 4:30 pm.
Compressed/Flexible Schedule: May be available
Telework: May be available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Position Description Title/PD#: Program Analyst/140560
The full performance level of this position is GS-13. At the GS-12 level, you will perform similar duties but under closer supervision.
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.

Relocation Expenses: Not authorized
Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Travel Required

25% or less - You may be expected to travel for this position.

Supervisory status
No

Promotion Potential
13

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

• Subject to a background/security investigation.
• Designated and/or random drug testing may be required.
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
• You may be required to serve a probationary period.
• You must be a U.S. citizen to apply for this job.

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all specialized experience and time in grade requirements within 45 days of the closing date of this announcement, 11/10/2020.

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 within 45 days of the closing date of this announcement.

• For a GS-12 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-11.
• For a GS-13 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-12.

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 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.

Time-In-Grade requirements also apply to former Federal employees applying for reinstatement as well as current employees applying for Veterans Employment Opportunities Act of 1998 (VEOA) appointment.

Quality Ranking Factors: This position has a quality ranking factor (QRF). QRFsare competencies/KSAs that are expected to enhance performance in a position. Applicants with higher proficiency levels above those with lower proficiency levels on a quality ranking factor may be ranked higher, however a qualified applicant will not be found ineligible solely for failure to possess a quality ranking factor. With quality ranking factors, the focus is on the level of proficiency the applicant brings to the job. Applicants with higher proficiency levels should perform better on the job. To be credited for this experience it must be reflected in your resume. The QRF for this position is the following:

• Experience providing business and technical assistance relative to business needs, services, and requests relative to system capabilities; researching, testing, and planning for new information technologies integration into existing processes; executing data management and evaluation to meet stakeholder requests; determine support and resource requirements; accomplish long and short-range projects in modification of existing and/or new systems, software, hardware, and networks.

You may qualify based on your experience, as described below:

Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade (GS-11 for the GS-12 level of the vacancy and GS-12 for the GS-13 level of the vacancy) in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: Serving as the business and/or technical authority in support of information technology (IT) projects which include the development and management of systems requirements and creation and evaluation of data elements for complex IT systems deployed throughout a national enterprise office. Providing business and technical assistance relative to business needs, services, and requests relative to system capabilities; researching, testing, and planning for new information technologies integration into existing processes; executing data management and evaluation to meet stakeholder requests; determine support and resource requirements; accomplish long and short-range projects in modification of existing and/or new systems, software, hardware, and networks. Resolving critical problems and issues that result in business system organizational support, development, and management of IT products and solutions. Providing technical advice and project management in the identification, development, management, and delivery of hardware, software, application, and/or business needs and requirements of technology to supports enterprise mission and programs which may include providing advice regarding emerging IT issues and the impact to the agency.

You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position:

• Critical Thinking
• Customer Service
• Information Technology Program Management
• Planning and Evaluating
• Project Management
• Requirements Analysis

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: A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 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.

Physical Requirements: The work is primarily sedentary, although some slight physical effort may be required. Work is typically performed in an adequately lighted and climate-controlled office. May require occasional travel.

Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process.

Education

There is no educational substitution at this grade level.

Additional information

VA supports the use of telework as a way to help attract and retain talented individuals in public service, increase worker productivity, and better prepare the agency to operate during emergencies. This position may be authorized for telework. Telework eligibility will be discussed during the interview process.

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 (have a final rating of 85 or more) for this vacancy. 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/ .

Placement Policy: The posting of this announcement does not obligate management to fill a vacancy or vacancies by promotion. The position may be filled by reassignment, change to lower grade, transfer, appointment, or reinstatement. Management may use any one or any combination of these methods to fill the position.

It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.

This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.

Special Employment Consideration: VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply, including those eligible for hiring under 5 CFR 213.3102(u), Schedule A, Appointment of persons with disabilities [i.e., intellectual disabilities, severe physical disabilities, or psychiatric disabilities], and/or Disabled veterans with a compensable service-connected disability of 30% or more.

Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.

For more information on the "Who may apply" eligibility requirements, please refer to the OHRM Status Candidates and Other Candidate Definitions document.

If you are unable to apply online or need to fax a document you do not have in electronic form, view the following link for information regarding an Alternate Application .

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. If your resume does not support your questionnaire answers, we will not allow credit for your response(s).

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 contact for an interview. Your resume and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your rating or consideration for employment.

Background checks and security clearance

Security clearance
Not Required

Drug test required
No

Position sensitivity and risk
Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk

Trust determination process
Suitability/Fitness

Required Documents

To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:

• Resume

The following documents are accepted, and may be required if applicable to your eligibility and/or qualifications for this 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), documentation to support Veterans Preference claims, or CTAP documentation (for displaced Federal employees). You will not be contacted for additional information.

• Cover Letter
• DD-214/ Statement of Service
• Disability Letter (Schedule A)
• Disability Letter (VA)
• OF-306
• Other (1)
• Performance Appraisal
• Resume
• Separation Notice (RIF)
• SF-15
• SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action
• Transcript

Veterans' Preference: When applying for Federal Jobs, eligible Veterans should claim preference for 5pt (TP), 10pt (CP/CPS/XP), or for Sole Survivor Preference (SSP) in the questionnaire. You must provide a legible copy of your DD214(s) which shows dates and character of service (honorable, general, etc.). If you are currently serving on active duty and expect to be released or discharged within 120 days you must submit documentation related to your active duty service which reflects the dates of service, character of service (honorable, general, etc.), and dates of impending separation. Additionally, disabled Veterans and others eligible for 10-point preference (such as widows or mothers of eligible Veterans) must also submit an SF-15 "Application for 10 Point Veteran Preference" with required proof as stated on the form. Documentation is required to award preference. For more information on Veterans' Preference, please visit http://www.fedshirevets.gov/job/vetpref/index.aspx .