About This Position
This vacancy is for a Budget Analyst position in multiple divisions located at the U.S. Census Bureau Headquarters in Suitland, Maryland. The Census Bureau is accessible from the Metro Rail Green Line - Suitland Station.
This Job Opportunity Announcement may be used to fill other Budget Analyst, 0560-12/13, positions within the Census Bureau in the same geographical location with the same qualifications and specialized experience.
Qualifications
To qualify for the position of Budget Analyst, at GS-0560-12/13, you must meet the basic qualification requirements listed below. For GS-12, you must have one year of experience at a level of difficulty and responsibility equivalent to the GS-11 grade level in the Federal services. Experience is defined as: providing interpretations of Congressional legislation, agency, and Office of Management and Budget (OMB) policies and precedents; performing budget analysis functions, such as budget formulation or budget execution; performing and assisting in a wide variety of analytical duties, such as developing, reviewing, justifying, and presenting budgets for an agency or projecting costs and revenues; providing advice or guidance on the Federal budget process and appropriate budgetary/financial accounting actions to be taken to meet business needs; and developing, recommending, and implementing budgetary policies affecting the financing and accomplishment of programs.
Education: Cannot be substituted for experience at this grade level. For GS-13, you must have one year of experience at a level of difficulty and responsibility equivalent to the GS-12 grade level in the Federal service. Experience is defined as: Providing authoritative interpretations of Congressional legislation, and agency and Office of Management and Budget (OMB) policies and precedents; performing budget analysis functions, such as budget formulation or budget execution; performing a wide variety of analytical duties, such as developing, reviewing, justifying, and presenting budgets for an agency or projecting costs and revenues; providing advice or guidance to top management or customers on the Federal budget process and appropriate budgetary/financial accounting actions to be taken to meet business needs; developing, recommending, and implementing budgetary policies affecting the financing and accomplishment of programs.
Education: Cannot be substituted for experience at this grade level. 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, 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.
After you submit this application, you will receive an e-mail informing you that a USA Hire assessment is required.
You will have 48 hours from the closing date of this announcement, 03/25/2026, to complete the assessment as this assessment is part of your application.
Major Duties
Provide interpretations of Congressional legislation and Office of Management and Budget (OMB) policies and precedents.
Assess budget policies to identify and make decisions on appropriate strategies to resolve budget issues presented by program staff.
Analyzes budgetary and accounting data, completes spreadsheets and budget exhibits.
Provide data and materials for conducting briefings and assist in the preparation of formal responses on issues for management and external stakeholders.
How You Will Be Evaluated
Your resume, optional cover letter and supporting documentation will be reviewed to determine if you meet the minimum qualifications for the position. If you meet the minimum qualifications stated in the job opportunity announcement, we will compare your resume, optional cover letter and supporting documentation to your responses on the scored occupational questionnaire (True/False, Yes/No, Multiple Choice questions) and place you in one of three pre-defined categories. These categories are "gold," "silver," and "bronze." Your resume and/or optional cover letter must support your responses to the scored occupational questionnaire, or your score may be lowered.
Candidates placed in the "gold" category will be identified for referral to the hiring manager and may be invited for an interview. Within each category, those entitled to veterans' preference will be listed at the top of the pre-defined category for which they are placed. Preference eligibles with a service-connected disability of 10% or more will be listed at the top of the highest quality category (gold).
The scored occupational questionnaire will evaluate you on the following competencies Technical Competence Attention to Detail Planning and Evaluating Writing For more information on category rating, please go to: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/hiring-information/competitive-hiring/#url=Category-Rating .
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, Arithmetic/Mathematical Reasoning, Attention to Detail, Budget Administration, Customer Service, Decision Making, Flexibility, Integrity/Honesty, Interpersonal Skills, Learning, Principles of Accounting, Reasoning, Self-Management, Stakeholder Management, Stress Tolerance, Teamwork, and Technical Credibility 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. CTAP and ICTAP candidates: CTAP and ICTAP candidates will be eligible for selection priority if it is determined that they have exceeded the minimum qualifications for the position by attaining at least a rating of 85 out of 100. Information about CTAP and ICTAP eligibility is on the Office of Personnel Management's Career Transition Resources website at: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/employee-guide-to-career-transition/ctap_guideline.pdf.
Do NOT include the following types of information in your application, if included on your resume you will not be considered for this position: Social Security Number (SSN) Date of Birth (DOB) Photos of yourself Personal information: such as age, gender, religious affiliation, etc.
Click the following link to preview the online questions before you start the application process: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12905066.
Additional Information
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 the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments.Additionally, the following links provide information on various hiring authorities that may enable you to apply through merit assignment procedures, or be eligible for a non-competitive appointment. VRA (GS-11 or below) VEOA (permanent positions) 30% or more disabled veteran Persons with disabilities CTAP ICTAP The Department of Commerce provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities.
If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please notify the Human Resources Office. The decision on granting reasonable accommodation will be on a case-by-case basis. TTY users can contact the Human Resources Office via the Federal Relay Service, 1-800-877-8339.
How to Apply
Please read the entire announcement and all the instructions before you begin an application. To apply and be considered for this position, you must complete all required questionnaires, assessments and submit all required documentation as specified in the How to Apply and Required Documents section.
The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on 03/25/2026to receive consideration. The application process is as follows: Click the Apply Online button. Answer the questions presented in the application and attach all necessary supporting documentation.
Click the Submit Application button prior to 11:59 PM (ET) on the announcement closing date. If you are required to complete any USA Hire Assessments, you will be notified after submitting your application. The notification will be provided in your application submission screen and via email.
The notification will include your unique assessment access link to the USA Hire system and the completion deadline. Additionally, in USAJOBS you can click "Track this application" to return to your assessment completion notice. Access USA Hire using your unique assessment link.
Access is granted through your USAJOBS login credentials. Review all instructions prior to beginning your assessments.
You will have the opportunity to request a testing accommodation before beginning the assessments should you have a disability covered under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended. Set aside about two (2) hours {Note: modify time as appropriate. Standard Assessments: 2 hours. FSA: 1 hour. ECTA 45 minutes. Executive Assessment: X hours. WSA: 25 minutes. DSA: 4 hours.} to take the USA Hire Assessments; however, most applicants complete the assessments in less time. If you need to stop the assessments and continue later, you can re-use your unique assessment link.
Your responses to the USA Hire Assessments will be reused for one year (in most cases) from the date you complete an assessment. If future applications you submit require completion of the same assessments, your responses will be automatically reused. Visit the USA Hire Applicant Resource Center for practice assessments and assessment preparation resources at https://support-usahire.opm.gov/hc/en-us.
To update your application, including supporting documentation: During the announcement open period, return to your USA JOBS account, find your application record, and click Edit my application. This option will no longer be available once the announcement has closed. To view the announcement status or your application status: Visit https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/howto/application/status/.
Applicants are strongly encouraged to apply online; however, if you are unable to apply online, please email the agency contact.
Required Documents
The documents you are required to submit vary based on the authority you are using to apply.
Your complete application includes your resume, your responses to the online questionnaire, and documents which prove your eligibility to apply.
Your application package should include the following documents: Resume: Your resume must not exceed two (2) pages. If your resume exceeds the two-page limit, you will be deemed disqualified and removed from consideration.
Your resume must include your educational and relevant work experience for the position for which you are applying to include the title and dates (mm/yy) of employment along with the number of hours worked per week. If your resume does not contain this information, your application may be marked as incomplete, and you will not receive consideration for this position. Veterans' Preference Documentation: Please indicate on your resume the type of veterans' preference you are claiming and provide the appropriate supporting documentation (DD-214 stating disposition of discharge or character of service, VA letter, SF-15, etc.) to validate your claim.
For more information regarding eligibility requirements, please go to: Veteran's Resource Page. Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) and Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) documentation, if applicable: CTAP applicants MUST submit the following documents: A copy of your RIF separation notice; notice of proposed removal for declining a directed geographic relocation outside of the local commuting area; a Certificate of Expected Separation (CES); or certification that you are in a surplus organization or occupation (this could be a position abolishment letter, a notice of eligibility for discontinued service retirement, or similar notice). A copy of your SF-50 "Notification of Personnel Action" noting current position, grade/band level, and duty location; A copy of your latest performance appraisal including your rating; and Any documentation from your bureau/operating unit that shows your current promotion potential.
ICTAP applicants MUST submit the following documents: A copy of your RIF separation notice; notice of proposed removal for declining a directed geographic relocation outside of the local commuting area; notice of disability annuity termination; certification from your former agency that it cannot place you after your recovery from a work-related compensable injury; or certification from the National Guard Bureau or Military Department that you are eligible for disability retirement. A copy of your SF-50 "Notification of Personnel Action", documenting your RIF separation, noting your position, grade/band level, and duty location, and/or Agency certification of inability to place you through RPL, etc.; A copy of your latest performance appraisal including your rating; and Any documentation from your agency that shows your current promotion potential. Education Documentation: If this position requires proof of higher education, or you are substituting education for experience, you must submit an unofficial transcript or a list of courses that includes the following information: name of accredited institution, grades earned, completion dates, and quarter and semester hours earned.
This also applies to Census Bureau employees. Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the requirements. Please refer to OPM's Qualification Policy for more information.
You are not required to submit official documents at this time; copies are sufficient. Special Instructions for Foreign Education: Qualifying education from colleges and universities in foreign countries must be evaluated in terms of equivalency to that acquired in U.S. colleges and universities. Applicants educated in whole or in part in foreign countries must submit sufficient evidence, including transcripts, to an accredited private organization for an equivalency evaluation of course work and degree.
You must provide a copy of the letter containing the results of the equivalency evaluation with a course-by-course listing along with your application. Failure to provide such documentation when requested will result in lost consideration. For further information on the evaluation of foreign education, refer to the U.S. Department of Education's web site at Academic and Professional Mobility | International Affairs Office (ed.gov).
NOTE: You will not be considered if you fail to provide all required documents. Resume