Duties

This is a term appointment not to exceed 1 year. This appointment may be extended not to exceed 4 years.

APPLICATION LIMIT: This vacancy announcement is limited to the first 125 applications received and will close at 11:59PM Eastern Time on the day that we receive the 125th application, or at 11:59PM Eastern Time on the listed closing date, whichever occurs first.

We encourage you to read this entire vacancy announcement prior to submitting your application.

As a Management and Program Analyst, GS-0343-13, you will be responsible for:

Responsible for planning, developing, and coordinating the implementation of new Departmental policies and procedures, guidelines, and directives applicable to the policy direction of the Assistant Secretary.

Work assignments would include research and analysis for issues and proposals, developing guidance, best practices, fact sheet, and informational type documents, and preparing and facilitating technical assistance supports and events.

Obtains and presents information. Provides supervisor with background, reference, program, and policy information, either as requested by her/him, or as known to be necessary from incumbent's knowledge of activities and plans.

Performs research from a variety of sources such as regulations, memoranda, proposed legislation, orders, circulars, reports of special boards and committees and other reference materials maintained by incumbent.

Research often requires interpretation and adaptation if there are no precise guidelines. Compiles other data obtained verbally since the Assistant Secretary questions may be specialized and not a matter of widespread knowledge. Conducts studies on confidential and controversial matters. Organizes material to present a clear and usable compilation.

Provides analysis, preparation, and editing of interpretative responses to inquiries of substantial complexity requiring immediate action, and of interest to the highest level of government (including the White House and the Congress) and the educational community.

Performs analyses and evaluations to identify methods and strategies to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of the organization and its programs, systems, procedures, and functions.

Plans, conducts, and carries out evaluations and applies advanced quantitative and qualitative techniques to assess the effectiveness of programs and administrative operations, to determine compliance with applicable regulations and policies, and to ensure programs, operations, procedures, and systems support the achievement of organizational goals and objectives.

Analyzes and evaluates efficiency and management of operations. Provides advice to management on organization design, methods, and procedures. Develops, analyzes, and evaluates new or modified program and management policies, regulations, goals, or objectives.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

• Relocation will not be paid.
• Males 18 and over must be registered with the Selective Service.
• Must be a US Citizen.
• You may be subject to serve a one-year probationary period.
• Background investigation is required.

You must meet all qualification requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this vacancy announcement.

If you are a current federal employee, you must meet all time-in-grade and time-after competitive appointment qualifications within 30 days of the closing date of this vacancy announcement. To verify that you meet these requirements, we will review your responses to the core eligibility questions on the occupational questionnaire, as well as your submitted resume and required documents. To make an accurate determination, you will need to include on your resume your federal position title, pay plan, occupational series, grade level, agency, dates for which you held the grade level (stated as MM/YYYY to MM/YYYY, OR MM/YYYY to PRESENT), and total hours worked per week. 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).

Condition of Employment:

As required by Executive Order 14043, Federal employees are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 regardless of the employee's duty location or work arrangement (e.g., telework, remote work, etc.), subject to such exceptions as required by law. If selected, you will be required to be vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination by November 22, 2021 or before appointment or onboarding with the agency, if after November 22. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request of the agency a legally required exception from this requirement.

Qualifications

Specialized Experience for the GS-13

One year of experience in either federal or non-federal service that is equivalent to at least a GS-12 performing two (2) out of three (3) of the following duties or work assignments:

1. Experience in researching, analyzing, and summarizing complex education issues including policies, laws, and regulations, utilizing a variety sources and types of information, and on short timelines.

2. Experience developing and drafting written, research-based education policy ideas, proposals, and documents.
3. Experience in planning and project managing activities or initiatives, which involved multiple phases and coordination with project teams and stakeholders.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs)

The quality of your experience will be measured by the extent to which you possess the following knowledge, skills and abilities (KSAs). You do not need to provide separate narrative responses to these KSAs, as they will be measured by your responses to the occupational questionnaire (you may preview the occupational questionnaire by clicking the link at the end of the Evaluations section of this vacancy announcement).

1. Knowledge of Federal policies, laws, and regulations on early childhood, elementary and secondary, higher education and federal financial aid, including policies designed to address the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
2. Skills in researching, analyzing, and summarizing complex policies, laws, and regulations, utilizing a variety sources and types of information, and on short timelines.
3. Ability to develop and draft written, research-based policy ideas, proposals, recommendations, and documents draft documents, of varying length, with clarity accuracy, and concision for multiple diverse audiences, including for consideration by senior leadership.
4. Knowledge in qualitative and quantitative techniques for researching and measuring effectiveness, efficiency and productivity of policies and programs and identifying, anticipating, proposing solutions and resolve issues or problems, early.
5. Skills in planning and project managing high-profile activities or initiatives, which involved multiple phases and coordination with multi-disciplinary project teams and diverse stakeholders.

Additional information

Veterans' Career Counseling: If you are a veteran interested in receiving tips on preparing a Federal resume and/or how to prepare for an interview, you may email sro_recruiting@ed.gov to schedule a session with a career counselor ("Veterans Counseling Session" should be placed in the subject line of the email).

Student Loan Default: If selected for this position, we will verify that you have not defaulted on any loan funded or guaranteed by the U.S. Department of Education. If you are found to be in default, we will contact you to make arrangements for repayment prior to making an official offer of employment.

Suitability and Investigation: If selected for this position, you will be required to complete the Declaration for Federal Employment (OF-306) to determine your suitability for federal employment and successfully complete a pre-appointment investigation/background check.

Essential/Non-Essential: This position is considered non-essential for purposes of reporting to work during federal government closures.

Financial Disclosure: This position does not require financial disclosure.

Telework: During the current period of mandatory telework required by the Agency's COVID-19 response, telework will be mandatory. When it is determined the Agency will be moving to the reopening phase, employees will be expected to physically return to the office of their official duty locations. Telework days and any required waiting period for eligibility will be determined at that time.

Bargaining Unit: This position is not included in the bargaining unit.

Selections: Agencies have broad authority under law to hire from any appropriate source of eligibles and may fill a vacancy in the competitive service by any method authorized. We may make additional selections from this vacancy announcement within 90 days from the date the selection certificates are issued, should vacancies occur. We may also share selection certificates amongst program offices across the agency.