Sr. Management and Program Analyst (System Engineer)

Summary

This position is located in the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA), Education Service (EDU), Technical Reporting, Initiatives, Automation and Development (TRIAD) Division. This announcement is being limited to the first 75 applications received. The announcement will close either on the published closing date at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST) or on the day when the number of applications reaches 75 at 11:59 p.m. (EST), whichever comes first.

Duties

This position serves as the Senior Management and Program Analyst to the Chief of Internal Requirements & Operations (INTRO) Team. Specific duties include: The incumbent is responsible for coordination of program initiatives, projects and policy activities relating to the INTRO team, the systems within the portfolio and subsequent testing management required for those applications. The Chief will rely heavily on judgment and recommendations made by this individual. The incumbent represents the Chief in meetings, tasks, working groups and in other areas. Serves as senior with decision making authority on efforts such as releases, to include Business Requirements Document (BRD) creation, Test Plan creation, develops and reviews test cases, as well as takes lead for the production triage calls covering test actions, completion percentage, defect statuses, impediments and next steps. Serves as reviewer of requirements and acceptance criteria developed during elicitation sessions for each Program Increment (PI) as well as working with INTRO Chief and AD on assigning Minimum Viable Product (MVP) status based upon being essential to the release. Responsible for leading pre and post Release activities, such as creating or collaborating on System Advisories for the field, Release Scope and Release Field Notes documents, Business concurrence on release application readiness meetings, planning and coordination amongst EDU leadership, RPO's, OIT and contractual developer support to ensure a successful release and subsequent rollout into Production. Serves as lead for Change Management to include the DGIB Intake team, requirements review, change request (CR) reviews and approvals, prioritization, and release scope review. Creates custom queries and dashboards in Jira for tracking requirements and CRs. Serves as a consultant to the Assistant Director and Chief on the more complex and difficult issues associated with IT Operations, releases, policies, and programs as they relate to administrative operations, as well as the delivery of Education benefits and services to Veterans. Responsibilities also include coordinating activities with VA and other VBA offices and managing the day-to-day administrative activities for the Assistant Director and Chief. The incumbent analyzes multifunctional programs, functions, and organizations on a region-wide or equivalent scope to determine whether the management systems in current use efficiently accomplish objectives sought and whether they provide controls necessary for sound management. Various analytical techniques are used, many of a complex nature. The incumbent analyzes and evaluates, on a quantitative or qualitative basis, the effectiveness of programs or operations in meeting established goals and objectives. In addition, evaluates region-wide programs against short- and long-range objectives manages, directs, or assists in managing or directing, one or more programs to deliver or support delivery of services and benefits to veterans, their dependents, or beneficiaries. This individual directs administrative activities within the product/service line to support the organization's business goals and objectives. Promotion Potential: Position is at the full performance level. Work Schedule: Full-time, Monday through Friday, 8:00 am - 4:30 pm Compressed/Flexible: Available Telework: This position is eligible for situational (ad hoc) telework only. The selectee is required to report to the official duty station each scheduled workday. Telework may be approved only on a case-by-case basis with supervisory approval. Routine or recurring telework is not authorized for this position. Virtual: This is a virtual position. Current EDU Staff with an out-based duty location will continue to report to their current approved duty location upon selection. Position Description/PD#: Sr. Management and Program Analyst (System Engineer); PD389860 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized . Financial Disclosure Report: Not Required This is not a bargaining unit position. Requirements

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period 1 year 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, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest. Additional Conditions of Employment are as follows: 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 or trial period 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 I-9 Acceptable Documents. 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. Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement:09/21/2026. TIME-IN-GRADE REQUIREMENT: As a current Federal, GS employee you must meet time-in-grade requirements by the closing date of this announcement. For a GS-14 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-13 level. If you are a current VBA employee requesting reassignment or change to lower grade via this vacancy announcement, you must currently hold the GS- 13 or higher and the promotion potential of your current position must be at least GS-14. 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. MINIMUM QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENT: You may qualify based on your experience as described below: GS-14 Grade Level: Specialized Experience: Leading and coordinating complex program and operational initiatives involving IT systems, software release, and organizational change management activities. Developing, reviewing, and analyzing Business Requirements Documents (BRDs), test plans, acceptance criteria, and releasing documentation to support system implementation and operational readiness. Managing release activities and coordinating with leadership, technical teams, contractors, and stakeholders to support successful product delivery and implementation efforts. Applying Agile and/or Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe) methodologies to support product planning, prioritization, requirements management and program delivery activities. Analyzing qualitative and quantitative data to evaluate program operations, identify issues, and develop recommendation for process improvements and organizational effectiveness. Preparing executive level reports, briefings, presentations, and recommendations for senior leadership regarding program operations, policy implementation, and strategic initiatives. Volunteer Experience: 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. Full vs. Part-Time Employment: Full-time employment is considered to be at least 35 hours per week. Part-time experience will be credited on a pro-rated basis; when including part-time employment in your resume you must specify the average hours worked per week. Physical Requirements:The work is primarily sedentary, although some slight physical effort may require. For more information on these qualification standards, please visit the United States Office of Personnel Management's website at http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/.

Education

There is no education substitution for this grade level. How You Will Be Evaluated

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE WILL NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. You will be evaluated based on how well you meet the qualifications listed in this vacancy announcement. Your qualifications will be evaluated based on your application materials (e.g., resume, supporting documents), your responses on the application questionnaire, and your responses to all assessments required for this position. You will be assessed on the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics): Accountability Attention to Detail Customer Service Decision Making Flexibility Influencing/Negotiating Integrity/Honesty Interpersonal Skills Learning Reading Comprehension Reasoning Self-Management Stress Tolerance Teamwork Software Testing and Evaluation - Knowledge of the principles, methods, and tools for analyzing and developing software test and evaluation procedures. Communication - Ability to establish and maintain effective communication (oral and written) with persons both at all organizational levels and with officials of other departments and agencies on policy, technical and administrative matters. Knowledge of Strategic goals and Analyzation - Extensive knowledge and understanding of the strategic goals of the Department's programs in order to analyze existing regulations, policies and procedures; originate or revise regulations, policies, and procedures; perform program evaluations; and provide expert advice in the solution of complex problems. Skill in Program and organizational Analysis - Skill in program and organizational analysis principles, methods, and interpersonal relations practices. The ability to apply those skills in the development of new approaches for planning, integration, and evaluation of the Department's programs. Systems Engineering - Knowledge of the practice of integrating multiple disciplines into a team as part of a structured development process throughout a system's life cycle. Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application materials or application questionnaire may result in your removal from consideration. Cheating on an assessment may also result in your removal from consideration. To preview the application questionnaire, click the following link:https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13064533 The USA Hire Assessments includes a cut score based on the minimum level of required proficiency in these critical general competencies. You must meet or exceed the cut score to be considered. You will not be considered for the position if you score below the cut score or fail to complete the assessment. Narrative responses are not required at this time. If you are referred for consideration, you may be asked to submit additional job related information, which may include, but not limited to; responses to the knowledge, skills and abilities; completion of a work sample, and/or an interview. Your resume and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your rating or consideration for employment. Other Information

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. Telework eligibility will be discussed during the interview process. The Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) provide eligible displaced VA competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. To be qualified you must submit appropriate documentation (a copy of the agency notice, your most recent performance rating, and your most recent SF-50 noting your current position, grade level, and duty location) and be found well-qualified (have a final rating of 85 or more) for this vacancy. Information about ICTAP and CTAP eligibility is on OPM's Career Transition Resources website at http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/employee-guide-to-career-transition/. Placement Policy: The posting of this announcement does not obligate management to fill a vacancy or vacancies by promotion. The position may be filled by reassignment, change to lower grade, transfer, appointment, or reinstatement. Management may use any one or any combination of these methods to fill the position. It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members. 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 (TJO). Please visit the Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP), https://www.va.gov/EMPLOYEE/documents/The-Fair-Chance-to-Compete-Act.pdf Reasonable Accommodation (RA) Requests: If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be granted the opportunity to request a RA in your online application. Requests for RA for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for RA must be received prior to starting the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. Decisions on requests for RA are made on a case-by-case basis. If you meet the minimum qualifications of the position, after notification of the adjudication of your request, you will receive an email invitation to complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, based on your adjudication decision. You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments if you received the link after the close of the announcement. To determine if you need a RA, please review: Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments. (https://appsupport-usastaffing.opm.gov/hc/en-us/sections/45063131363475-Reasonable-Accommodation-Information) For more information on the "Who may apply" eligibility requirements, please refer to the OHRM Status Candidates and Other Candidate Definitions document.