About This Position
This position is established to serve as senior program analyst and principal advisor to Athletics leadership, providing independent analysis and recommendations related to Athletics program funding, resource utilization, and operational strategy. The employee will focus on program-level financial strategy and operational analysis, not financial management or procurement authority; supports decision-making through analysis, forecasting, and advisory services within the Athletics mission space.
Qualifications
To meet the minimum qualifications for this position, you must meet the specialized experience requirements. To qualify for the Grade 13, you must have at least one year of experience equal or equivalent to the GS-12, it must include: Experience leading program analyses involving multi-faceted financial and operational data, advising senior leadership on program funding strategies, resource utilization, and long-term operational planning within a federal or comparable mission-driven organization. Experiencing developing and implemented advanced forecasting models and scenario analyses using tools such as Excel, Tableau, or statistical software, providing evidence-based recommendations that influenced strategic decisions at the highest management levels.
Experience managing sensitive, controversial, or high-impact programmatic issues involving multiple stakeholders, exercising sound judgment and discretion to reconcile conflicting priorities and deliver effective, actionable guidance aligned with organizational mission and federal regulations. KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES (KSAs): Your qualifications will be evaluated on the basis of your level of knowledge, skills, abilities and/or competencies in the following areas: Knowledge of management and program analysis principles, methods, and techniques sufficient to analyze Athletics operations and resource utilization. Knowledge of program coordination practices related to budgeting, travel, and purchasing sufficient to track execution and identify discrepancies.
Knowledge of analytical, qualitative, and quantitative techniques sufficient to analyze and measure effectiveness, efficiency, and productivity of management policies and programs related to the Department. Skill in collecting, organizing, and analyzing data to prepare reports and summaries for management use. Ability to interpret established policies and procedures and apply them to Athletics program operations.
For all types of consideration, 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 experience. For additional information about applying to Federal positions, please click on the following link: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-policies/#url=e4 All applicants must meet all qualification requirements by the closing date of this announcement.
Major Duties
As a Program Analyst, your duties include: Senior Program Analysis and Advisory Support Serves as the principal program analyst advising the Director of Athletics on Athletics and Physical Education resource utilization, funding strategies, and operational impacts. Independently analyzes Athletics program trends, funding execution, and operational requirements to identify risks, inefficiencies, and improvement opportunities. Develops alternative scenarios and recommendations to support leadership decision-making.
Programmatic Financial Strategy (Non-Financial Authority) Develops and analyzes current-year and out-year Athletics program projections to support planning and prioritization. Evaluates funding distribution across Athletics teams and activities to ensure alignment with program objectives and mission requirements. Advises leadership on potential impacts of funding changes, operational demands, and external constraints.
Reviews complex or sensitive program funding issues and recommends corrective actions or mitigation strategies. Program Coordination and Oversight Coordinates with Academy financial offices and MARAD stakeholders to ensure Athleticsprogram plans align with higher-level guidance and constraints. Serves as the Athletics program representative in discussions related to funding execution, travel operations, and resource planning.
Reviews program data and reports prepared by staff for accuracy, completeness, and strategic relevance. Policy and Process Improvement (Program-Specific) Analyzes Athletics-specific procedures related to program coordination and recommends improvements to enhance efficiency, accuracy, and compliance. Develops internal guidance and tools to improve Athletics program execution and reporting.
The ideal candidate is a strategic, mission-focused senior program analyst with strong expertise in program-level financial strategy, forecasting, and operational analysis for athletics or similar mission-driven programs; they translate complex policy and funding issues into clear, actionable recommendations for Athletics leadership, communicate effectively with stakeholders, and exercise sound, independent judgment on sensitive and interrelated matters.
Conditions of Employment
CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT: As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you may be required to serve a 1-year probationary 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 the 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.
SELECTIVE SERVICE: Males born after 12/31/1959 must be registered for the Selective Service. GOVERNMENT TRAVEL CARD: This position involves travel. A government contractor-issued travel card will be issued and must be retained for official business only.
BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION: You will be required to complete a background/security investigation and meet preliminary requirements prior to onboarding. PROBATIONARY PERIOD: Applicants may be required to successfully complete a one-year probationary period (unless already completed).
How You Will Be Evaluated
For this announcement, applications will be reviewed to determine if the applicant meets the basic qualifications for this position. The applications of individuals who meet the basic qualifications will be assessed to validate that the applicant possesses the Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs) at the level of proficiency needed to perform the job successfully. Applicants who are found to possess the necessary KSAs to perform the job may be referred to the selecting official for further consideration.
This announcement may be used to fill additional positions if similar vacancies occur within 90 days of the issue date of the referral certificate.
You may preview questions for this vacancy.
Additional Information
The Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs Act prohibits the Department of Transportation and its Operating Administrations from requesting an applicant's criminal history record before that individual receives a conditional offer of employment. In accordance with 5 U.S. Code ยง 9202(c) and 5 C.F.R ยง 920.201 certain positions are exempt from the provisions of the Fair Chance to Compete Act.
Applicants who believe they have been subjected to a violation of the Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs Act, may submit a written complaint to the Department of Transportation by email at, [email protected]. To learn more, please visit our page at: The Fair Chance to Compete Act | US Department of Transportation
How to Apply
You must submit a complete application package (including resume, vacancy questions and supporting documents) no later than 11:59 pm (EST) on the closing date of the announcement. To begin, click the "Apply Online" button on the job announcement posting.
Follow the directions to register, submit all required documents and complete the assessment questionnaire.
You may review your saved application(s) at https://help.usajobs.gov/ If you are having difficulty applying online, please contact the DOT Automated Staffing Office via email at: [email protected]
Required Documents
RESUME: In accordance with the OPM memorandum titled Merit Hiring Plan, dated May 29, 2025, resumes with a maximum of two (2) pages in length will be accepted as part of your application. These should be legible and in a readable font size. A determination of your eligibility and/or qualifications will be based only on those two (2) pages.
Your resume MUST contain specific information that can be used to make a qualification determination, including employment beginning and ending dates for each position, whether employment is Full-time or Part-time, or average number of hours worked per week, and position titles. If the position is/was in the Federal government, you will need to provide the position series and grade level. The resume should show relevant experience and education, as well as support the required specialized experience.
For assistance with the resume builder, please visit: https://help.usajobs.gov/how-to DISPLACED EMPLOYEES: If requesting consideration under the Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) or Interagency CTAP program (ICTAP), you must meet the standards for this vacancy and provide all of the following documents: your most recent performance appraisal, the proof of eligibility letter from the Agency, and your most current SF-50, displaying current series and grade. Qualified CTAP/ICTAP candidates receive priority and will be referred to the hiring manager. For more information, please review the OPM Employee's Guide to Career Transition.
Failure to submit any of the required documents by the closing date of the vacancy will result in your removal from consideration for this position. Please review your application prior to final submission and ensure you have submitted all appropriate documents. Uploading documents to USA Jobs does NOT ensure inclusion with your application to our system.
You must verify that the documents are in the system with your application prior to final submission.