Program Analyst

Office of Budget and Program Analysis•Washington, DC

About The Position

The Engagement and Response Branch is the Department's primary liaison to Congressional Appropriations Committees, the Congressional Budget Office (CBO), the Government Accountability Office (GAO), and other external partners involved in oversight of USDA programs and funding. The Program Analyst serves as an analytical authority on Congressional engagement, budget-legislative analysis, and appropriations interpretation across USDA. At the full-performance GS-13 level, the incumbent leads Department-wide analysis and coordination for Congressional budget hearings and appropriations matters. Duties at the GS-11 and GS-12 levels are developmental.

Requirements

U.S. Citizen or U.S. National.
Males born after 12/31/1959 must be registered with Selective Service or exempt.
Subject to satisfactory adjudication of a background investigation and/or fingerprint check.
Must use direct deposit for federal payments.
Must successfully pass E-Verify employment verification.
May be required to serve a one-year probationary period or two-year trial period, as applicable to appointment type.
Subject to continuous automated record checks of criminal, financial, and public record databases if selected.
Current federal employees applying for promotion must meet the 52-week time-in-grade requirement at the next lower grade.
GS-11 experience qualification: one year of specialized experience comparable to GS-09 responding to inquiries regarding programming, budgetary, and financial management policy and performing detailed analytical reviews of appropriations bills, committee reports, and legislative documents; alternatively, qualifying doctoral-level education or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
GS-12 experience qualification: one year of specialized experience comparable to GS-11 responding to inquiries regarding programming, budgetary, and financial management policy; reviewing appropriations bills, committee reports, and legislative documents; and drafting, refining, and analyzing formal testimony and supporting materials for data accuracy, narrative clarity, and alignment with program and budget information.
GS-13 experience qualification: one year of specialized experience comparable to GS-12, including the GS-12 experience and developing organization-wide guidance and analytical products explaining the impacts of new budgetary statutory requirements and appropriations provisions.
Education may substitute for specialized experience at GS-11 as described in the posting, but not at GS-12 or GS-13.
Applicants must meet applicable qualifications and eligibility requirements, including specialized experience and/or education, by the announcement closing date.

Responsibilities

Serve as the senior program analyst responsible for USDA’s enterprise process for preparing, coordinating, and supporting Departmental participation in Congressional budget hearings.
Lead analytical review and development of briefing materials by validating data quality, ensuring program information is accurate, and confirming alignment with Administration priorities.
Evaluate appropriations provisions and determine their operational, budgetary, legal, and strategic impacts.
Develop analytical frameworks and hearing strategies for OBPA and USDA leadership, advising on risks, recommended responses, and key narrative themes.
Analyze complex statutory language, interpret program implications, and recommend implementation strategies to ensure compliance with Congressional intent.
Prepare leadership decision-support materials, including impact analyses, risk assessments, and operational options.
Evaluate legislative trends, emerging program issues, and political sensitivities likely to shape Congressional questioning and affect USDA hearing readiness.
Ensure statements reflect validated program positions, incorporate analytical insights, and anticipate Congressional concerns.
Oversee USDA’s analytical interactions with the Congressional Budget Office (CBO).
Manage official hearing records by reviewing transcripts, identifying substantive corrections, and resolving factual or analytical discrepancies.
Analyze Congressional intent by integrating input from the Office of General Counsel, policy offices, and mission areas.
Advise senior leaders on implications of General Provisions and amendments that may affect multiple programs or mission areas.