Program Analyst

**Duties**:

- Knowledge of the technical specifications involved in exchanging financial transaction messages between an Acquirer and a card issuer or processor.
- Provides advice, guidance, and recommendations on critical issuance policies and projects that are national in scope and impact to program operators and less experienced staff members.
- Prepares written reports and delivers presentations to stakeholders, conveying complex benefit delivery methods and operational considerations to various audiences with varying levels of program or technical knowledge.
- Frequently represent the program to internal and external stakeholders, to include other Federal agencies, State agencies, retailers, advocates, and EBT processors.

**Requirements**:
**Conditions of Employment**:

- You must be a US Citizen or US National
- Males born after 12/31/1959 must be Selective Service registered or exempt
- Subject to satisfactory adjudication of background investigation and/or fingerprint check
- Successful completion of one-year probationary period, unless previously served.
- Direct Deposit - Per Public Law 104-134 all Federal employees are required to have federal payments made by direct deposit to their financial institution

**Qualifications**:

- Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement including specialized experience and/or education, as defined below.
- To qualify for the GS-13 level, your resume must clearly demonstrate that you have one full year of specialized experience comparable in difficulty and responsibility to at least the GS-12 level in private and/or federal service. Example of qualifying experience include the following types of tasks performed on a regular and recurring basis:

- Providing nationwide guidance on the delivery of both federal and state benefits programs (e.g. Electronic Benefit Transfer, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families); and
- Analyzing transaction data to assess the efficiency and effectiveness of nationwide public benefits program such as the Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT); OR
- Actively developing public-private partnerships to design and implement effective Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) and other electronic benefit policies.

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; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

**Education**:
There is no substitution of education at this grade level.

**Additional information**:
USDA is offering a variety of strategic workplace flexibilities which allow us to recruit and retain the best talent that reflects the diversity of our country, improve employee morale, and make USDA an employer of choice. In support of this commitment, telework-eligible positions may be eligible to telework up to eight days a pay period, based upon the duties of specific positions. This position may also be eligible for flexible work arrangements as determined by Departmental policy and any applicable collective bargaining agreements.

This position is included in a bargaining unit represented by one of the following: AFGE Local 2735, NTEU Chapt. 226, 227, 237, 240, 255, 265 or 268.
- Benefits

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.

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.

**How You Will Be Evaluated**:
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

Applications will be evaluated in accordance with Office of Personnel Management's (OPM) Delegated Examining Procedures and USDA policy using category rating. Applicants who meet basic minimum qualifications will be placed in one of _two or three_ categories: Best Qualified, Well Qualified, or Qualified. Within these categories, applicants eligible for veteran's preference will receive selection priority over non-veterans. Category placement will be determined based on applicants' quality of experience and the extent they possess the following knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSA) or competencies:

- Technical Competence - Uses knowledge that is acquired through formal training or extensive on the job experience to perform one's job; works with, understands, and evaluates technical info