Budget Analyst-Technical Career Field (TCF) Trainee
What you'd do
This position is located within a two-division teaching hospital at the Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care System, Murfreesboro, TN. The incumbent serves as a participant in the Technical Career Fields Program under the direction of a qualified preceptor. The Technical Career Field (TCF) is a national workforce development program within VHA that was designed to replenish technical staff in critically identified positions.
Major duties
The VA has adopted Core Values and Characteristics that apply universally across the Department. The five Core Values define "who we are," our culture, and how we care for Veterans, their families and other beneficiaries. The Values are Integrity, Commitment, Advocacy, Respect and Excellence ("I CARE"). That's why we created the Technical Career Field (TCF) Program - one of the largest training programs at VA. TCF positions equip professionals (including veterans) with the specialized knowledge they need to support the delivery of quality health care for our Nation's veterans. 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 VA's 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. The selectee may be promoted to the full performance level without further competition when all regulatory, qualification, and performance requirements are met. Selection at a lower grade level does not guarantee promotion to the full performance level. Duties include, but are not limited to: Prepares and evaluates the Medical Center Budget within policy and regulations. Assembles and executes the annual budget for specific programs Prepares annual requests from services and appraises their validity. Makes recommendations for annual distribution of funding to control points which do not exceed annual plan. Determines and plans supportable FTE and prepares salary projections Prepares working papers for control and analysis to service chiefs and management using Excel, Access, and other applications. Distributes funds to control points Provides timely advice and assistance on financial matters to Service Chiefs and Management. Provides technical assistance with regard to program funding, control of funds, and allotment procedures Develops and implements policies and procedures, advises management on the proper use of funds, ensures managers maintain adequate funding levels and controls throughout the year, provides reports and budget updates, etc In a developmental capacity, performs routine and recurring budget administration duties which facilitate the conduct of more complex and detailed review and analysis functions conducted by the supervisor and higher-graded coworkers Compares figures in current estimates of funding needs by line item or object class with prior year expenditures and brings significant variations to the attention of the supervisor Assists higher-graded analysts in reviewing and analyzing budgetary data, information, and requests by verifying the accuracy and authenticity of data submitted Work schedule: Monday-Friday, 8:00AM-4:30PM CST Compressed/Flexible Schedule: Not Available Telework: This position may be authorized for Ad-Hoc telework only Virtual: This is a virtual position-Must comply with the RTO and report to the closest VA facility Position Description Title/PD#: Budget Analyst-Technical Career Field (TCF) Trainee/PD701290 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized.
What you need to qualify
To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 08/12/2026. Time-In-Grade Requirement: Applicants who are current Federal employees and have held a GS grade any time in the past 52 weeks must also meet time-in-grade requirements by the closing date of this announcement. For a GS-7 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-5. The grade may have been in any occupation, but must have been held in the Federal service. An SF-50 that shows your time-in-grade eligibility must be submitted with your application materials. Note: Time-In-Grade requirements also apply to former Federal employees applying for reinstatement as well as current employees applying for Veterans Employment Opportunities Act of 1998 (VEOA) appointment. You may qualify based on education and/or experience as described below: GS-7 Specialized Experience/Education Requirement: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-5 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Specialized experience is defined as: Review and analyze budgetary data, information, and requests Prepare preliminary budget estimates Crosscheck accuracy of budget and program data Ensures managers maintain adequate funding levels and controls Prepare salary projections OR Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have 1 full year of successfully completed graduate level education. OR Superior Academic Achievement (SAA): SAA at the baccalaureate level in the coursework detailed above is fully qualifying. Applicants who wish to apply under this provision must submit proof from their educational institution that they meet one of the criteria listed below. To qualify for Special Advancement for Achievement (SAA), applicants must have completed all the requirements for a bachelor's degree in a curriculum that is qualifying for the position to be filled and meet one of the following: Rank in the upper one-third of your class in the college, university, or major subdivision. A grade point average of "B" (a GPA of 2.95 or higher out of a possible 4.0) for all completed undergraduate courses, or those completed in the last two years of undergraduate study. A grade point average of "B+" (a GPA of 3.45 or higher out of a possible 4.0) for all courses in your major field of study, or those courses in your major completed in the last two years of undergraduate study. Membership in a national honor society (other than freshman honor societies) recognized by the Association of College Honor Societies. For a list of recognized honor societies please visit http://www.achsnatl.org/quick_link.asp. For more information regarding SAA please visit http://www.opm.gov/qualifications/SEC-II/s2-e5.asp#e4f OR Experience and Education Combination: Equivalent combination of successfully completed education and specialized experience directly related to the work of the position as outlined above that meets the requirements of the position. Only education beyond a bachelor's degree may be used to qualify applicants for the GS-07 level. You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position: Budget Administration Control of Funds Customer Service 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; religions; 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. Note: 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. 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. For more information on these qualification standards, please visit the United States Office of Personnel Management's website at https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/. 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.
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