Budget Analyst

Summary

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Research Program strives to promote Veteran-centered care to improve patient experience and outcomes across VA healthcare and community settings, and to advance value-driven care by providing Veterans the highest quality care at the lowest financial burden. The position is vital within the Office of Research and Development (ORD) and the facilities where research programs are conducted. The position is with Office of Research and Development in Boston, MA.

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Duties

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Major Duties:

• Serves as the Procurement Specialist for the Research and Development Service, responsible for reconciling payments timely and checking the IPPS system for any outstanding payments. Resolves issues and grievances in matters related to budget and finance.
• Provides advice and guidance to researchers, program and line managers on government credit card and contract procurement options in support of the programs of the facility.
• Provides training and advice to the research employees on contracting processes and government purchase card program regulations.
• Serves as the Purchase Card Holder for Research and Development Service. Responsible for
  reconciling purchases in US BANK and cost control records with monthly, quarterly, and annual fiscal reports.
• Serves as an expert on research-related fiscal policies, regulations, and guidelines; applies appropriate policies per funding agency or activities.
• Performs work in formulation, presentation, and execution of budgets, including studies and audits on fund control/use.

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

Compressed/Flexible: Available

Telework: This position may be authorized for ad hoc telework. Telework eligibility will be discussed during the interview process. Ad hoc is defined as occasional, non-recurring telework.

Virtual: This position may be authorized for Virtual Work. Virtual Work eligibility is for current VA employees that are already subject to the return to in person work mandate in their current position.

Definition of Virtual Work: Employee works outside of original hiring duty station at a VA owned or leased space.

Return to Office (RTO): RTO mandates are in effect and selectees will be required to report to in person work unless they have an approved exception or an exemption. Any approval for an RTO exception, exemption, or extension will happen after a tentative job offer, but before a final job offer.

Position Description/PD#: Budget Analyst /46968A & 46969A

Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized

Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Authorized

Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

Requirements

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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
• Subject to background/security investigation
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements ( Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP)

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider:

• your performance and conduct;
• the needs and interests of the agency;
• whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
• whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.

Upon completion of your probationary period or trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 08/28/2026.

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. 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. Note: Time-In-Grade requirements also apply to former Federal employees applying for reinstatement as well as current employees applying for Veterans Employment Opportunities Act of 1998 (VEOA) appointment.

You may qualify based on your experience and/or education as described below:

Specialized Experience for GS-9: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade in the GS-07 normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to experience that demonstrates application of budget administration techniques, procedures, and guidelines, including:

• Assisting in the development, formulation, or execution of program budget plans.
• Gathering, extracting, and consolidating financial data from databases and reports for use in recurring budget estimates or analysis.
• Reconciling and verifying accuracy of budgetary data and records.
• Preparing and reviewing budgetary reports, spreadsheets, and justifications under guidance.
• Provide support in monitoring funds, tracking obligations and expenditures, and recording transactions in automated financial systems.
• Using standard PC-based applications (Excel, Word, Access) to track or report budget data.
• Interpreting basic financial guidance, regulations, or policies.

OR

Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have:

• Successfully a master's or equivalent graduate degree or 2 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.B. or J.D., if related

OR

Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level you must meet the following:

• Combination of specialized experience and successfully completed graduate level education (more than the first year or 18 semester hours) to meet total experience requirements.

Specialized Experience for GS-11: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade in the GS-07 normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to Experience that demonstrates comprehensive analysis, formulation, execution, and oversight of complex budgets, including:

• Independently developing, justifying, and defending budget estimates and requests for a major program or organization.
• Performing in-depth budget analysis and reviewing budget submissions for accuracy, compliance with policies, and adequacy to meet program objectives.
• Analyzing trends in financial obligations and expenditures to develop multi-year budget projects and recommendations.
• Coordinating with program managers and financial staff to resolve complex budgetary problems, negotiate solutions, and support research objectives.
• Leading or conducting training for staff and advising senior leadership on budget execution, status, or issues.

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 3 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree, or an LL.M., if related

OR

Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level you must meet the following:

• Combination of specialized experience and successfully completed graduate level education (more than two years or 36 semester hours) to meet total experience requirements.

You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position:

• Database Management Systems
• Research
• Analytical Thinking

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:

Physical Demands: The work is primarily sedentary. The position uses a computer and standard office equipment to

complete tasks. Work may also require walking and standing in conjunction with travel to and

attendance at meetings and conferences away from the work site. On occasion, the position may

carry light items.

Work Environment: Work is typically performed in an adequately lighted and climate-controlled office and involves

everyday risks or discomforts which require normal safety precautions.

For more information on these qualification standards, please visit the United States Office of Personnel Management's website at

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: 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:

Additional information

Receiving Service Credit for Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave : Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed.

This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.

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 applicant's 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.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

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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.

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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.