Budget Analyst Technical Career Field (TCF) Trainee

TCF is a national workforce development program within VHA designed to replenish technical staff in critically identified positions. The TCF career fields represent those technical areas where VA-specific knowledge and experience are essential for success. Selectees will follow a structured two-year individual development plan and will receive training and mentorship from a subject matter expert (preceptor). Trainees must remain at the hiring grade for a minimum of one year. Selectees will also be required to sign Mobility Training and Continued Service Agreements.

The TCF career fields represent those technical fields where VA-specific knowledge and experience is desirable for success in the field. Individuals selected follow a formal training plan for two years during which they are trained coached and supervised by a preceptor.

As part of the VAs succession planning the Technical Career Field (TCF) training program was created to ensure individuals are trained in critical areas that have current or predicted shortages. The program is nationally funded to include salary benefits and training/travel dollars. At the time of acceptance into the TCF program trainees will be asked to sign mobility training and service agreements. Relocation expenses for acceptance into the training program or for placement are not funded by the TCF program. Please keep in consideration the training program is meant for those individuals who plan on staying with the VA a minimum of 3 years after completion of their training program.

Selectees will be required to complete and sign the following paperwork; Mobility Training and Continued Service Agreements.

Although not guaranteed with more than 150 freestanding facilities and hundreds of clinic locations we will strive to place trainees in positions that will work for their needs and the needs of the VA.

This is a developmental position leading to a GS-9 performing assignments intended to broaden skills and provide practical experience leading to progressively more complex assignments performed under progressively less supervision. You will ultimately acquire the background necessary to perform at the full performance level of GS-9. Promotion is at the discretion of the supervisor and is contingent upon satisfactory performance availability of higher level work and availability of funds.

Duties include but are not limited to the following:

• Receives intensive on-the-job training in budgeting principles procedures analytical methods and federal financial regulations.
• Completes a structured curriculum consisting of formal classroom instruction informal training sessions and practical assignments in budget operations.
• Participates in guided learning experiences that introduce the trainee to VA financial systems budget cycles and administrative workflows.
• Performs routine well-defined duties involving budget formulation justification and execution.
• Supports recurring budget reports by assembling information and updating tracking tools.
• Consolidates and enters budget data into established forms schedules worksheets and VA financial reporting systems.
• Uses Microsoft Word Excel PowerPoint email and other computer systems to prepare budget documents spreadsheets presentations and correspondence.
• Performs budget tasks requiring analytical reasoning with numbers.
• Reviews and verifies financial data and reports findings for supervisory review.
• Assists with developing budget estimates for assigned VA programs or cost centers.
• Prepares data summaries and supporting information for recurring budget execution reports.
• Assists with preparing basic analyses related to budget trends changes in obligations or shifts in program requirements.
• Prepares routine emails correspondence and internal VA documents for review.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 8:00am - 4:30pm
Recruitment & Relocation Incentives: Not authorized

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
• 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 ( Effective May 7 2025 drivers licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
• Training-Service Agreement and Mobility Agreement required
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP)

As a condition of employment for accepting this position you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public 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.

TO QUALIFY FOR THIS POSITION AT THEGS-5 GRADE LEVEL YOU MUST MEET ONE OF THE FOLLOWING CRITERIA:

EXPERIENCE: You must possess 3 years of general experience 1 year of which was equivalent to at least Federal GS-4. General experience demonstrates the ability to analyze problems to identify significant factors gather pertinent data and recognize solutions; plan and organize work; and communicate effectively orally and in writing. Such experience may have been gained in administrative professional technical investigative or other responsible work.
NOTE: Experience must be fully documented on your resume and must include job title duties month and year start/end dates AND hours worked per week. A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. Part-time experience will be credited on the basis of time actually spent in appropriate activities.

OR

SUBSTITUTION OF EDUCATION FOR GENERAL EXPERIENCE: You must have successfully completed a full 4-year course of study in any field leading to a bachelors degree in an accredited college or university.
NOTE: Transcripts (unofficial or official) must be submitted with your application materials. Education cannot be credited without documentation. A. Yes

OR

COMBINATION OF EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION: You must possess an equivalent level of education above a bachelors degree and experience as described above to meet the total qualification requirements for this position.
NOTE: Experience must be fully documented on your resume and must include job title duties month and year start/end dates AND hours worked per week. A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. Transcripts (unofficial or official) must be submitted with your application materials. Education cannot be credited without documentation.

You will be rated on the following Competencies as part of the assessment questionnaire for this position:

• Accountability
• Arithmetic/Mathematical Reasoning
• Attention to Detail
• Customer Service
• Decision Making
• Flexibility
• Integrity/Honesty
• Interpersonal Skills
• Learning
• Reasoning
• Self-Management
• Stress Tolerance
• Teamwork

IMPORTANT: A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. All experience listed on your resume must include the month and year start/end dates. Part-time experience will be credited on the basis of time actually spent in appropriate activities. Applicants wishing to receive credit for such experience must indicate clearly the nature of their duties and responsibilities in each position and the number of hours a week spent in such employment.

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.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: The work is sedentary. Most tasks are performed while seated at a desk or table although occasional walking and standing are required in visiting other offices or in going to and from meetings and conferences.

For more information on these qualification standards please visit the United States Office of Personnel Managements website at