Program Analyst (Direct Hire)

Job Description

Summary

The Exploration Systems Development Mission Directorate is seeking a highly qualified individual to serve as a Program Analyst within the Business Office with direct support to the NASA Moon to Mars Program Planning and Control (PP&C) Directorate. You will be responsible for cross-functional work within PP&C focused on incorporating schedule, technical, risk and other factors into financial assessments for large, highly complex systems.

This job is open to

  • The public
    U.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.

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Duties

  • Duties described below are at the highest grade advertised. Duties assigned at lower grade levels will be of more limited scope, performed with less independence and limited complexity; duties will be commensurate with the grade of selected employee.
  • Perform cross-functional work focused on incorporating schedule, technical, risk and other factors into financial assessments for large, highly complex systems. Synthesize a wide variety of data.
  • Develop independent assessments such as those focused on obligations, cost, reserve posture, risk, milestones and schedule.
  • Present assessments during Monthly Integrated Performance Review with Program Planning and Control (PPC) Director and other Executive Leadership.
  • Support highly complex programs from a technical and resource perspective; understand elements of the program(s) and how it enables broader Mission Directorate and NASA strategic goals.
  • Support Planning, Programming, Budgeting and Execution processes and understand the associated processes within each phase of the overall cycle.
  • Promote effectiveness and efficiency of operations, develop recommendations and solutions for Executive Leadership, and enable effective and efficient allocation of resources through creative and strategic thinking.
  • Support Program Life Cycles and Agency programmatic milestones, decision making, and reporting through advanced understanding of processes.
  • Foster a culture of engagement, diversity, inclusiveness, excellence and innovation. Champion NASA’s commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility to create an environment that promotes a commitment to safety, integrity, and teamwork.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

  • This position is open to U.S. citizens, nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.
  • You must meet qualifications requirements by the closing date of this announcement.
  • Financial Disclosure, Drug Testing, Bargaining Unit, and/or the Travel Requirements for this position may differ and be required based on the duty location/NASA Center requirements.
  • Position subject to pre-employment background investigation or higher-level clearance. Investigation/Clearance may differ and be required based on the duties/location-NASA Center requirements.
  • Selected applicant(s) must be assigned to a duty location listed on the announcement.
  • This position may require a one-year probationary period.

Qualifications

Specialized experience is experience that has equipped you with the particular ability, skill, and knowledge to successfully perform the duties of this position and is typically in or related to this line of work.

To qualify for GS-13, you must have one year of directly related specialized experience equivalent to the GS-12 level:

  • Analyzing or evaluating the effectiveness of programs or projects focused on obligations, cost, reserve posture, risk, milestones, or schedule;
  • Developing assessments for presentation to leadership to support recommendations, solutions, or decision making;
  • Supporting Planning, Programming, Budgeting and Execution processes or assisting in identifying opportunities for process improvements or solutions to enable the allocation of resources.

To qualify for GS-14, you must have one year of directly related specialized experience equivalent to the GS-13 level:

  • Performing qualitative and quantitative analysis in evaluating the effectiveness of programs and projects focused on obligations, cost, reserve posture, risk, milestones, or schedule;
  • Developing and presenting independent assessments to executive leadership and developing recommendations and solutions for highly complex issues;
  • Supporting all phases of Planning, Programming, Budgeting and Execution by understanding processes, limitations and associated policy guidance for each phase of the overall cycle;
  • Identifying opportunities for process improvements and developing recommendations and solutions to enable the efficient allocation of resources.

Your resume must include a clear and detailed narrative description, in your own words, of how you meet the required specialized experience. Experience statements copied from a position description, vacancy announcement or other reference material constitutes plagiarism and may result in disqualification and losing consideration for the job. NASA prohibits the use of artificial intelligence (AI) or AI-assisted tool in drafting application and assessment responses. Please visit https://www.nasa.gov/careers/how-to-apply/#Artificial-Intelligence to review NASA’s guidance on the use of AI tools during the application process.

Education

This job does not have an education qualification requirement.

Additional information

Additional selections may be made for similar positions across NASA within the local commuting area(s) of the location(s) identified in this announcement. By applying, you agree to have your application shared with interested selecting official(s) within NASA. CTAP/ICTAP will be cleared for any additional selection from this announcement.

If you have special priority selection rights under the Agency Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) or the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP), you must:

– Indicate your eligibility when applying for a position. The questionnaire asks you to identify your ICTAP/CTAP eligibility.

– Meet the minimum qualifications requirements for the position

– Submit proof that you meet the requirements for CTAP/ICTAP as indicated in ‘Required Documents’

For additional information about CTAP/ICTAP eligibility, click here – https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/employee-guide-to-career-transition/#ictap.

Depending on position assignment, position may or may not be in a bargaining unit. To learn more about bargaining units at NASA please click here NASA Unions (Bargaining Units) | NASA.

  • Benefits
    A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
    Review our benefits
    Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.

How You Will Be Evaluated

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

Direct Hire Authority: These positions will be filled through the Office of Personnel Management’s Direct Hire Authority. Category rating and veterans’ preference will not be considered in evaluating applicants. For more information on Direct Hire Authority, please see: OPM Direct Hire Fact Sheet.

Veterans: Under the provisions of Direct Hire Authority, veterans’ preference does not apply. However, applicants who are eligible for veterans’ preference are encouraged to include that information in their application and submit supporting documentation (i.e. DD-214, or other substantiating documents). For more information please see: Veterans’ Preference information on the FedsHireVets website.

You will be evaluated for this position based on how well you meet the qualifications and eligibility requirements listed in this vacancy announcement. To determine your qualifications and referral status, we may review your resume and supporting documentation and compare it against your responses to the vacancy questionnaire. Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application materials or application questionnaire may result in your removal from consideration.

You will be assessed on the following competencies:

  • Business Management
  • Program/Project Analysis
  • Budget Administration
  • Financial Management

NASA considers 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.

  • Benefits
    A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
    Review our benefits
    Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
  • Required Documents
    As a new or existing federal employee, you and your family may have access to a range of benefits. Your benefits depend on the type of position you have – whether you’re a permanent, part-time, temporary or an intermittent employee. You may be eligible for the following benefits, however, check with your agency to make sure you’re eligible under their policies.
    A complete application package includes a resume, required documents and completion of the vacancy announcement questionnaire. Please see this guidance: What to include in your resume. Your resume should describe your specialized experience and support your answers to the vacancy announcement questionnaire. Please note: if any of the following types of information are included on your resume, your application package will be disqualified:
    • Classified or government sensitive information.
    • Social Security Number (SSN)
    • Photos of yourself
    • Personal information, such as age, gender, religious affiliation, etc.
    • Encrypted and digitally signed documents.

    If your resume contains any of the above information, you must redact that information prior to the submission of your application.
    The following documents are required:

    • Resume

    There may be other supporting documents (licenses, certification, veterans preference, etc.), depending on your answers to the questionnaire and job announcement description, that you may have to submit, please verify your application. Do not submit an OF-306 with your application.
    If you are a surplus or displaced employee (CTAP and ICTAP), submit proof that you meet the requirements for CTAP/ICTAP. This includes copies of your agency notice, most recent Performance Rating and most recent Notification of Personnel Action (SF-50) noting current position, grade level, and duty location.
    Official documents are required at the time of appointment for verification of eligibility and qualifications.

  • How to Apply
    Please read the entire announcement and all the instructions before you begin an application and have all required information available. We encourage you to provide a complete description of your educational achievements and include both paid and non-paid work in the experience portion of your resume. If you submit a resume that does not contain the required information, you may lose consideration.
    To apply for this position, you must complete the initial online application, to include the initial online assessment and submission of the required documentation specified in the Required Documents section below.
    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:
    1. To begin the application process, you will need to be logged into your USAJOBS account. If you do not have a USAJOBS account, you will need to create one before beginning the application process. Once logged in to your account, click on the “Apply” link.
    2. Follow the prompts to select your resume and/or other supporting documents to be included with your application package. We strongly encourage you to utilize the USAJOBS resume builder when creating your resume. Using the resume builder will help you ensure your resume includes important information related to your qualifications and eligibility for this position. Answer the questions presented in the application and attach all necessary supporting documentation. During the application process you can review, edit, delete and update your information. We’ll automatically save your progress as you go, so you won’t lose any changes. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process.
    3. After acknowledging you have reviewed your application package, complete the ‘Include Personal Information’ section as you deem appropriate and click to continue with the application process. You will be taken to the vacancy questionnaire which you must complete in order to apply for the position. Complete the online application, verify all required documentation is included with your application package, and submit the application.
    4. Click the Submit Application button prior to 11:59PM (ET) on the announcement closing date.
    NASA’s online application process provides step by step guidance to ensure you provide all needed information. If you are unable to apply online, please contact NSSC-CONTACTCENTER[redacted] for assistance. Be advised – application materials faxed, emailed, and/or mailed to NASA Headquarters will not be accepted for this announcement.
    NASA provides reasonable accommodations to a