Program Analyst

Veterans Benefits Administration • Washington, DC

1d

About The Position

This position is in the VA Central Office Veteran Readiness and Employment (VR&E) Service. The Program Analyst collects and analyzes qualitative and quantitative data to provide information needed to carry out the VR&E mission. The position may be filled in Washington, District of Columbia; Indianapolis, Indiana; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; or Nashville, Tennessee.

The analyst develops and refines data-processing techniques, data models, and reporting mechanisms to support automated information systems and business processes. The role analyzes program performance and trends, forecasts future business needs, develops data for evidence-based decision-making, and evaluates whether current or proposed data systems meet VR&E’s needs. It also provides technical advice on policy and procedural changes, coordinates with internal and external stakeholders, monitors contract performance with project and contracting staff, and prepares management and operational reporting documentation.

Requirements

• For GS-11, one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least GS-09, or qualifying doctoral-level graduate education or a combination of education and experience.
• For GS-12, one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least GS-11; experience must cover at least two listed analytical skill areas.
• For GS-13, one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least GS-12; experience must cover at least three listed analytical skill areas.
• Relevant analytical skill areas include writing complex SQL queries for data extraction and manipulation; building predictive models and deploying machine-learning algorithms; statistical analysis and regression modeling; workload and time-series forecasting; and extracting data and creating visualizations.
• Current or former Federal employees subject to the time-in-grade requirement must meet the applicable 52-week requirement at the next lower grade and submit supporting SF-50 documentation.
• U.S. citizenship is required.
• Selective Service registration is required for males born after December 31, 1959.
• Applicants may be subject to a probationary period and a background or security investigation.
• Selected applicants must complete online onboarding and provide acceptable identification for Form I-9 requirements.
• Education used to qualify must be from an accredited institution; transcripts are required when qualifications are based in whole or in part on education. Foreign education requires a certificate of foreign equivalency.
• The work is mostly sedentary, with occasional walking, standing, and carrying light items.

Responsibilities

• Develop or refine data-processing techniques to automate calculations and improve VR&E reporting capabilities.
• Develop data models that support user interfaces for automated information systems and map data elements to those interfaces.
• Identify data elements needed to support business rules in the modern claims processing system.
• Advise and assist with data modeling and performance objectives for proposed program, business-process, or automated-system changes.
• Collect, catalogue, and monitor technical details of claims intake business processes and supporting systems, including process, interface, data, and system requirements documentation.
• Analyze program growth and trends across performance measures to forecast future business needs.
• Use quantitative and qualitative analytical methods to respond accurately and promptly to recurring and high-priority information requests.
• Develop and deploy real-time data to support evidence-based decision-making throughout the enterprise using existing and future technology.
• Review current or proposed data and information systems against the needs of VR&E Service and field staff, and assess how data use supports or impedes management decision-making.
• Coordinate with Regional Office staff, OIT technical staff, VBA Central Office program staff, contract support staff, Veteran Service organizations, computer specialists, and program analysts to develop changes to data reporting mechanisms.
• Provide expert advice and technical assistance on proposed policies and procedural changes that may affect data intake and processing of Veterans’ claims and services.
• Work with the assigned project manager and contracting officer to monitor performance and identify or elevate contract issues and modifications.
• Prepare documentation for reports used by all levels of management and operations, and identify the data elements needed for those reports.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Federal employees receive a comprehensive benefits package; specific benefits depend on position type and eligibility.
• VA may grant credit for job-related non-federal experience or active-duty uniformed military service when determining annual leave accrual, if requested and approved before appointment.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree