Program Analyst - Funding Request

Universal Service Administrative Company • Washington, DC

3d • $60,000 - $75,000

About The Position

Our mission to achieve universal service addresses America’s current critical needs to build out broadband capabilities for telehealth, online learning, and keeping families connected. Join us and help USAC accomplish our mission to bridge the digital divide. Through its administration of the $10 billion Universal Service Fund (USF) programs on behalf of the FCC, USAC works to promote the availability of quality services at just, reasonable and affordable rates and to increase access to advanced telecommunications services throughout the nation.

This is an outstanding career opportunity for an individual interested in a genuine professional challenge in support of a public-spirited mission.

Working in a creative and fast-paced environment, the Program Analyst will analyze data to support one of USAC’s four core programs by identifying process improvements and efficiencies, working with management and applicants to resolve issues that may affect funding, develop and manage performance and funding-related reports.

Requirements

• Bachelor Degree and/or relevant technical training with no preferred certification. Two years of relevant professional-level work experience may be substituted for one year of required education.
• Three (3) to Four (4) years of working of professional directly related experience
• Experience working in the telecommunications industry, performing audit response functions and/or leveraging financial systems.
• Review and process funding request applications in accordance with established procedures to ensure compliance.
• Maintain consistent daily and weekly productivity levels to support team and annual performance targets.
• Provide guidance and assistance to applicants to facilitate timely and complete applications submissions.
• Provide guidance and support to junior staff by answering questions, reviewing work, and sharing best practices, while actively participating in new hire training through knowledge transfer to ensure a smooth transition and consistent application of program requirement.
• Demonstrated excellence in handling large volumes of workflows simultaneously while maintaining a superior attention to details.
• Proactive and highly organized, with strong attention to detail and follow through with the ability to handle multiple, complex tasks and establish priorities.
• Capacity to work independently without significant guidance and be able to exercise good judgment, taking the initiative when necessary.
• Excellent analytical and proven problem-solving skills.
• Analyze and interpret program data to identify any risks, issues, solutions, and recommendations.
• Demonstrate strong interpersonal skills and have strong verbal and written communication skills.
• The ability to identify and implement continuous process improvement.
• Proficient with the Microsoft Office suite (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, Visio.

Responsibilities

• Funding Request Processing: Apply best practices and standards to ensure the timely processing of funding requests for significant program initiatives. Your attention to detail and efficient processing will be vital in meeting milestones and maintaining efficient workflows.
• Collaborate with Cross-Functional Teams: Work closely with various internal teams, including IT, stakeholders, appeals and compliance teams. Your ability to manage timelines and address challenges collaboratively will be essential to successful project execution.
• Drive Business Process Development and Improvement: Take charge of business process development and enhancement, including establishing robust internal controls and commitment batch process. You will be instrumental in designing new processes, recommending improvements to existing ones, and fostering a culture of continuous process improvement across all teams.
• Documentation and Process Management: Support management and process owners in documenting policies, procedures, job aids, and process flows for both manual and automated processes. Ensuring clear and comprehensive documentation will enhance operational efficiency and compliance.
• Training new staff and promoting a culture of knowledge sharing: Play a key role in funding request processing by providing valuable insights and training for new staff, contributing to the successful promotion of a culture focused on learning and sharing knowledge.
• Performance Monitoring and Metrics: Maintain operational metrics and consistently meet weekly and monthly production targets to ensure the timely and efficient processing of forms.
• Identify Process Improvements: Continuously assess current procedures to identify areas of risk or inefficiency. Conduct research on relevant regulations to base business processes and develop and execute plans for operational improvements.
• Regulatory Standards Education: Learn and apply regulatory standards for form processing by working closely with senior team members to accurately interpret changes and ensure the team remains up to date with compliance requirements.
• Compliance Support: Contribute to compliance-related activities, including form corrections through granted appeals, FCC waivers, and customer escalations, reporting to management when necessary.
• Assist Senior Manager(s), Director(s), and others in various projects, as needed
• Other specific duties as assigned.

Benefits

• USAC supports our employees well beyond their salary with a system of benefits that rivals the top organizations in the country.
• Simply put: if you are committed to improving the lives of others, we are committed to improving yours.
• USAC provides low-premium, top-of-the-line medical, dental, and vision insurance in addition to disability and life coverage.
• Generous 401k contribution, Federal and floating holidays, paid sick leave and vacation time that increases every year.
• Regular telework schedule and opportunities to take professional development courses and training.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level