Budget Analyst

Summary The purpose of this position is to perform work by applying budget analysis theory, concepts, methods and procedures connected with the budget formulation, and execution of the Department of Veteran Affairs (VAs) particular programs, systems, procedures, functions, and structure of the St. Cloud VA Health Care System, physically located in St. Cloud, MN. Responsibilities Major duties include, but are not limited to: Provides advice and guidance to program and line managers on the interpretation of budget estimates and the formulation of budget requests in support of the programs of the facility. Reviews facility budgetary and program requirements to assure their conformance with established agency policies and the intent of Congress. Provides advice to the assigned organization on modifying budget estimates in response to the annual mid-year and fall reviews. Reviews initial budget submission to ensure that planning guidelines are followed and the estimates for the fiscal programs are in line with targets. Develops proposed budgetary and procedural guidance (i.e., format for budget estimates) for issuance to the organization. Develops summary charts providing a synopsis of the facilitys budget request and highlights issues with pertinent background information so that effective budget decisions can be made. Participates in the fund distribution process and controls and reviews assigned areas at the planning, apportionment and allotment stages. Assists in the preparation of instructions pertaining to format, content, and underlying policy assumptions for facility preparation and submission of monthly budget operating plans. Reviews operating plans for conformation with established policies, plans, and objectives. Evaluates operating plans for reasonableness of workload, obligations, and outlay data. Insures that monthly and yearly trends are reflected in the operating plan and recommends any necessary adjustments. Reviews actual obligations, outlays, and workload levels to highlight potential operating and financial problems and takes appropriate action when necessary. Investigates and explains deviations from fiscal operating plans and program objectives. Develops monthly analyses of program actual and possible trends, with detailed explanation of significant deviations. Develops additional analysis providing historical data of programs and prepares special analyses, studies, and reports as requested by the supervisor and higher authority. Initiates, develops, and conducts special studies relating to facility business lines and ancillary programs accounts. 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 to 4:30pm Compressed/Flexible: Not authorized. Telework: Ad-Hoc: 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 up to six (6) or more hours per pay period. Telework eligibility will be discussed during the interview process. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Description/PD#: Budget Analyst/PD23547A and PD23546A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized. Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not approved. Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized. The VA Midwest Health Care Network advocates for a Whole Health System of care in each of the Medical Centers. This is an approach to healthcare that empowers and equips people to take charge of their health and well-being and live their lives to the fullest. As an employee operating in a Whole Health System of care, you will operate in a model with three core elements, seeking to create a personalized health plan for each Veteran. This is done in the context of healing relationships and healing environments and a connection back to the Veterans community. This aligns with the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Mission Statement to Honor Americas Veterans by providing exceptional health care that improves their health and well-being. 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 Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP) Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) – See “Additional Information” below for details. Qualifications To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 09/26/2024. 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 by the closing date of this announcement. For a GS-09 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-07. For a GS-11 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-09. 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. You may qualify for GS-09 based on your experience and/or education as described below: Specialized Experience: You must have one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade, GS-07, in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: providing analytical services to support the formulation, justification and execution stages of the budget process for an assigned organization for personnel salaries and expenses; works with data, forms, procedures, and guidelines for both appropriated and revolving fund budgets; analyzing a wide range of past and present program and employment statistics and financial data; reviewing requests for funding and proposed staffing levels in relation to current obligations and expenditures; determining the need to vary the sources and methods of obtaining information. OR, Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have successfully completed a masters or equivalent graduate level degree or two (2) years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree, or LL.B. or J.D., in a related field of the position to be filled. (TRANSCRIPTS REQUIRED) NOTE: Education at the graduate level must have been obtained in an accredited college or university and must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of this position. OR, Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have a combination of specialized experience and education beyond one full year (18 semester hours) of graduate level education. (TRANSCRIPTS REQUIRED). NOTE: One year of full-time graduate education is considered to be the number of credit hours that the school attended has determined to represent 1 year of full-time study. If that information cannot be obtained from the school, 18 semester hours should be considered as satisfying the 1 year of full-time study requirement. You may qualify for GS-11 based on your experience and/or education as described below: Specialized Experience: 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: experience applying budget regulations and methods to edit and review long-range budget for assigned accounts; experience with applying budget policies and processes to review, analyze, and evaluate requirements for financed and unfinanced obligations; executing a budget to ensure reliability of funding levels and ensure funds are allocated on a timely basis and obligated effectively for activities served; skill in applying principles, practices and methods of budget execution to determine whether obligations, expenditures, and requested allotments are within funding limitations in the approved budget; skilled in applying budget concepts, methods and techniques to form, execute and administer financial management of funds for assigned programs and activities; and skill in performing functions associated with the operating system and software capability to manipulate data, perform queries and produce reports. OR, Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have successfully completed a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree, or three (3) full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree, or an LL.M. if related, that demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of this position. (TRANSCRIPTS REQUIRED) OR, Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have a combination of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-09 grade level) and education (beyond a masters degree or masters equivalent graduate degree) to meet the total specialized experience requirements. (TRANSCRIPTS REQUIRED). Preferred Experience: Extensive experience in a setting providing hands on experience in all aspects of budget operations. Experience should include budget formulation, budget execution, and budget reporting. Experience in a governmental budget office where working independently as a major aspect of the work. You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position: Analytical Reasoning Budget Administration Communication Control of Funds 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: 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 carries 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. No special physical demands are required. Work Environment: Work is performed in an adequately lighted and climate controlled business office setting. There is occasional noise from normal office equipment. Occasional travel with overnight stays may be required infrequently. For more information on these qualification standards, please visit the United States Office of Personnel Managements website at https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/. Education 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: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/. Additional Information This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process. If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement. Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicants criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.