Program Specialist, GS-0301-13, FPL-13 (DE)

Full Job Description

This position is located in the Department of Education, Federal Student Aid, Policy Implementation Division, in Washington, DC.

The Policy and Implementation Division is responsible for evaluating operational policy changes and program operations issues and initiatives.

You may meet the minimum qualifications for the GS-13, if you possess the specialized experience.

Specialized Experience for the GS-13 One year of experience in either federal or non-federal service that is equivalent to at least a GS-12 performing two (2) out of three (3) of the following duties or work assignments: 1.

Experience in understanding, interpreting, and communicating to leadership, system operations, and external stakeholders' complex policies, requirements, and processes for subjects within the jurisdiction of federal law.

2.

Experience with successfully working independently, and with confidence, on policies, subjects, and projects with outcomes that are high stakes, high level, fast pace, and highly visible to executive leadership.

3.

Experience with managing high level projects simultaneously, and successful collaborate as a subject matter expert across business units/teams that range from operational systems to language for external communications.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs) The quality of your experience will be measured by the extent to which you possess the following knowledge, skills and abilities (KSAs).

You do not need to provide separate narrative responses to these KSAs, as they will be measured by your responses to the occupational questionnaire (you may preview the occupational questionnaire by clicking the link at the end of the Evaluations section of this vacancy announcement).

1. Knowledge of a wide range of qualitative and quantitative methods for assessing policies and improving program effectiveness and complex processes and systems. 2.

Ability to independently carry out all phases of work assignments to include planning and organizing evaluations and coordinating with management and/or staff members. 3.

Skill in using judgment and discretion in determining the intent, and in interpreting and revising existing policy, and regulatory guidance for use by others within or outside FSA. 4.

Skill in effective and efficient verbal, and written, communication and with the ability to develop written recommendations, present written agreements and policy guidance, brief recommendations and program concepts, and coordinate with points of contact at all grade levels.

5. Ability to provide analytical and advisory support to projects requiring the review and analysis of a variety of interrelated evaluation issues involving substantive agency programs. Major Duties:

APPLICATION LIMIT: This vacancy announcement is limited to the first 200 applications received and will close at 11:59PM Eastern Time on the day that we receive the 200th application, or at 11:59PM Eastern Time on the listed closing date, whichever occurs first.

We encourage you to read this entire vacancy announcement prior to submitting your application.

As a Program Specialist, GS-0301-13, you will be responsible for: Evaluate proposals for operational policy changes; critical program operations issues and initiatives; and improvements prepared by FSA components; and provide advice and recommendations to the Director of PID and other stakeholders on the most advantageous and effective course of action.

Liaison with other business units within FSA on project activities related to process development and integration activities, project planning activities, working with subject matter experts developing requirements, sequencing plans, and processing flow documentation.

Support major long-range operational, regulatory, and policy initiatives designed to attain significant improvements in the level of service delivered to FSA customers and partners and advise management in developing new approaches and concepts in planning and evaluating Title IV policy initiatives.

Represent the office at conferences with state and local educational institutions, and other stakeholders with authority to speak to them on Title IV policy and implementation initiatives.

Contribute to organizational and programmatic changes in response to changes in levels of appropriations or other legislative actions.