Program Analyst (TAP Governance Program Analyst)

Summary

This position is in the Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) Office of Outreach, Transition, and Economic Development (OTED), in Washington, DC and reports to the Chief of Governance within the Transition Assistance Program (TAP) Team. OTED's mission is to collaborate, inform and advocate for Veterans, transitioning Servicemembers, survivors, family members, and all eligible beneficiaries by highlighting pathways to VA benefits and services to facilitate sustained successful connections.

This job is open to

Clarification from the agency

This vacancy is open to current permanent employees of the Department of Veterans Affairs, VBA, Veterans Employment Opportunities Act, 30 percent or more veterans, Schedule A, current/former VA employees who are CTAP eligible, ICTAP eligible current/former federal employees, Land Management, Reinstatement, Transfer employees in Competitive service, Interchange elig, VRA, Appointment of qualified former VA career/career-conditional employee, Military spouses, and Peace Corps/AmeriCorps Vista.

Duties

Specific duties include:

Participates in interagency TAP Governance as a VBA liaison and monitors operating programs, policies, services, and procedural activities supporting VA TAP initiatives for separating Servicemembers, Veterans, caregivers and their families.

Recommends objectives and operations for new and existing programs between other federal agencies and VBA within the scope of transition. The incumbent serves as a historical policy consultant when new information is released from Congress and the military departments that may have an impact on Veteran's transition.

Provides procedural background to other agencies regarding transition processes and how to integrate VBA and the other agencies' information systems to provide a seamless transition for service members from active duty to potential entitlement to VA benefits.

Responsible for major policy and tactical recommendations or decisions that have a direct and substantial effect on the implementation of VA TAP on military installations worldwide.

Works in close cooperation with other elements of VA, as well as interagency partners (such as Department of Defense, Department of Labor, etc.) as it relates to transitioning Service member benefits.

Manages and leads multiple projects or programs concurrently where effort involves coordination among multiple resources, other divisions, or agents outside of the organization.

Tracks, analyzes and reports on data provided through partnership agreements.

Provides recommendations to program refinements, defines short and medium range plans, and validates program requirements.

Research, learn and apply a wide range of qualitative and/or quantitative methods to identify, assess, analyze and improve team effectiveness, efficiency and work products.

Develops program mission, objectives, and strategies surrounding TAP. Include special projects related to the same.

Undertakes long- and short-range research and studies program activities to support the organization's business goals and objectives. Gathers and analyzes relevant data (Congress.gov, OMB regulations) and makes recommendations based on findings using available information resources such as Internet tools, manuals, and other reference material.

Serves as VA transition SME and decision maker on TAP policy, guidelines, military installation specific directives and procedural updates for contract personnel. May handle confidential acquisition data in support of the same.

Prepares clear and concise documents. Drafts briefing papers and answers Congressional and external stakeholder inquiries. Researches transitioning Service member issues and prepares all necessary administrative materials, correspondence, and justifications detailing reasons for decisions.

Develops innovative strategies, ideas and policies to ensure the VA is best supporting transitioning Service members, Veterans and their family members.

Deals with issues of both sensitive or of a high-profile nature while advising leadership on the national or local impact of changes in process, protocol, or legal statues, which may impact or shapes the future direction of the organization.

May act for his/her immediate supervisor when called upon to do so.

Prepares for and gives oral presentations to various audiences within OTED, VBA senior management, department level executives and outside agencies. Develops PowerPoint presentations covering highlights of new material and providing practical applications and examples.

Leads in-house efforts and participates actively as a team member or sub-group leader on project teams involving participants outside of VBA.

Performs other duties as assigned.

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. The grade progression for this position is GS-11/12/13.

Work Schedule: Full time, Monday through Friday, 8 am - 4:30 pm

Compressed/Flexible: Not available

Telework: Available

Virtual: This is not a virtual position

Position Description/PD#: Program Analyst (TAP Governance Program Analyst); GS-0343-11, PD# 39951-A; GS-0343-12, PD# 39939-A; GS-0343-13, PD# 39938-A

Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized

Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this 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

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement:10/01/2024.

TIME-IN-GRADE REQUIREMENT: Applicants who are current Federal employees, former Federal employees applying for reinstatement, or a current federal employee applying for Veterans Employment Opportunities Act of 1998 (VEOA) appointment must meet time in grade requirements. 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.

NOTE: This does not apply to Non-Federal Applicants, or applicants applying for consideration under Non-Competitive Authority (i.e "30% or more Disability", VRA, and/or Schedule A).

To verify your eligibility, you must submit a copy of your most recent Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50 (SF-50). You must provide a copy of your most recent SF-50 that indicates proof of status, and shows Time in Grade (for example, you were a career or career-conditional employee) and identifies your position title, series, grade, step, salary, tenure, and type of service (Competitive or Excepted). 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 also submit your most recent promotion or within-grade increase in addition to your recent SF-50. If you previously held a higher grade, you must also submit any SF-50 showing that grade. DO NOT submit Award SF-50's and/or General Adjustment SF-50's as they cannot be used to prove time-in-grade.

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. AND, you must meet the following minimum qualification requirement:

MINIMUM QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENT: You may qualify based on your experience and/or education as described below:

GS-11 Grade Level:

Specialized Experience: Applicants must have one (1) year of specialized experience and/or education equivalent to at least a GS-09 that has equipped them with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position. Specialized experience is defined as:

Building and maintaining effective relationships with key stakeholders

Prioritizing and completing assigned projects using sound project management principles

Participating in the analysis of quantitative and quantitative data to evaluate the effectiveness of programs

Tracking and reporting the progress of projects, tasks and initiatives OR, Education Substitution:

GS-11 ONLY- Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience for the GS-0343-11 grade level. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have the following:

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,

GS-11 ONLY -Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at the GS-11 level. To calculate, first identify the percentage of required education you have earned (when substituting, you cannot use the first 18 semester hours that you earned). Then identify the percentage of required experience you possess. Add the two percentages. The total percentage must equal at least 100 percent to qualify at the GS-11. For example, an applicant who has 9 semester hours of graduate level education (i.e. 50% of graduate education required) and 6 months of creditable specialized experience (i.e. 50% of the required experience) would equal 100% of the required experience for the position.: GS-12 Grade Level:

Specialized Experience: Applicants must have one (1) year of specialized equivalent to at least a GS-11 that has equipped them with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position. Specialized experience is defined as:

Building and maintaining effective relationships with key stakeholders

Prioritizing and completing multiple projects concurrently using sound project management principles

Independently analyzing and evaluating on a quantitative and qualitative basis, the effectiveness of programs

Tracking and reporting the progress of projects, tasks and initiatives

Education Substitution: There is no education substitution at this grade level GS-13 Grade Level:

Specialized Experience: Applicants must have one (1) year of specialized equivalent to at least a GS-12 that has equipped them with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position. Specialized experience is defined as:

Knowledge and skills in building and maintaining effective relationships with key stakeholders

Serving as a liaison between the agency/organization and stakeholders

Experience in strategic project development

Analyzing complex, technical issues to provide sound recommendations for resolutions and improvements;

Analyzing and interpreting data;

Formalizing program plans;

Managing multiple projects concurrently where effort requires coordination among multiple resources and entities.

Developing strategies for proactive coordination and collaboration with internal and external agents

Education Substitution: There is no education substitution at this grade level Combining Education & Experience: If you do not fully meet the length of experience and education described for a specific grade level (e.g. have six months of experience and some coursework but not a degree), the two can be combined to total 100% of the requirement. .

Volunteer Experience: 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.

Full vs. Part-Time Employment: Full-time employment is considered to be at least 35 hours per week. Part-time experience will be credited on a pro-rated basis; when including part-time employment in your resume you must specify the average hours worked per week.

Physical Requirements: Work is primarily sedentary, but involves use of a personal computer so a degree of manual dexterity and visual acuity to use these tools is required. Occasional standing, bending, walking, and stooping are also necessary. Some slight physical effort is required in that incumbent may be required to travel. No special physical demands are required.

For more information on these qualification standards, please visit the United States Office of Personnel Management's website at .

Education

A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.

Education must be accredited by an to be credited towards qualifications. Provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

All education claimed by applicants will be verified upon appointment. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a with your transcript to receive credit.

Additional information

This position is in the bargaining unit.

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.

The Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) and Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) provide eligible displaced Federal/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. about ICTAP and CTAP eligibility.

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. Contact the Agency Contact for information on how to apply under this appointment authority via the Selective Placement Coordinator.

Receiving Service Credit or Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. VA may offer newly-appointed Federal employee's credit for their job-related non-federal experience or active duty uniformed military service. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed.

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.

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.