Budget Analyst

$70,448 - $110,803/Yr

United States Department of Veterans Affairs - East Orange, NJ

Part-time,Full-time - Entry Level

East Orange, NJ

Administration of Human Resource Programs

About the position

The Budget Analyst position at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Research Program is integral to promoting Veteran-centered care and improving patient experiences across VA healthcare settings. Located within the Office of Research and Development (ORD) at the East Orange, NJ VA Hospital, this role is designed to oversee the fiscal program for Research Service, ensuring that both immediate and long-range financial plans are strategically developed and executed. The position is structured as a multi-grade career ladder, allowing for progression from GS-9 to GS-11 based on performance and availability of higher-level work. As a Budget Analyst, you will be responsible for formulating and executing budgetary plans, interpreting financial data from various sources, and serving as an expert on research-related budgetary policies and regulations. Your duties will include reviewing grant budget requests, assembling historical cost data, and providing administrative support to senior staff and Principal Investigators (PIs). You will also maintain cost accounting ledgers, reconcile fiscal reports, and advise on purchasing habits. The role requires performing financial audits, monitoring contracts, and creating bills of collection. Additionally, you will apply analytical methods to evaluate research plans and identify opportunities for process automation to enhance financial tracking and reporting. This position is not virtual, and candidates must either reside within a commutable distance or be willing to relocate. The work schedule is Monday to Friday, from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM, and while telework may be authorized, it will be discussed during the interview process. The role demands a strong understanding of budget administration, financial management, and the ability to work collaboratively with various stakeholders to resolve conflicts and ensure the smooth operation of the Research Service's fiscal responsibilities.

Responsibilities

• Oversees all aspects of the Research Service fiscal program in conjunction with the Administrative Officer and Associate Chief of Staff for Research.
• Develops budgetary plans, projections, and reports, interpreting information from various sources.
• Serves as an expert on research-related budgetary policies, precedents, goals, objectives, regulations, and guidelines.
• Reviews and assures grants budget requests are complete, appropriate, and justified for project needs.
• Assembles historical data on cost trends, forecasts, allocates, and tracks fiscal expenditures and human resources demand.
• Provides broad administrative support to senior staff and Principal Investigators on research study expenditures, budget, funds, and reports.
• Maintains cost accounting ledgers for current and prior year appropriations assigned to research.
• Formulates and executes short-and-long term budget plans.
• Reconciles cost control records with monthly, quarterly, and annual fiscal reports.
• Advises investigators on purchasing habits, including quarterly and yearly allocations.
• Performs financial audits of accounts and financial records to certify or attest that financial statements fairly represent the financial position of Research and Development.
• Monitors contracts and submits timely extensions.
• Creates bills of collection and sends and monitors receipt for payment by other institutions.
• Approves payment of invoices for billing by other organizations via Intergovernmental Personnel Agreements.
• Applies qualitative and quantitative analytical methods to analyze and evaluate research plans and funding for future budget years.
• Identifies and implements opportunities to automate or simplify financial processes.
• Prepares management reports related to the status of funds, expenses, obligations, employees, and workload.
• Serves as a Contracting Officer Representative designee for the service and oversees areas of acquisition administration and contractor's performance.
• Serves as the service's focal point to resolve problems or conflicts that may arise.

Requirements

• U.S. Citizenship is required to apply for this job.
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
• One year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-7 level in the Federal service, including skills in budget formulation, justification, and execution within a healthcare or research environment.
• Alternatively, a master's or equivalent graduate degree or 2 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education may substitute for experience.
• Combination of education and experience may also be used to meet total qualification requirements.

Nice-to-haves

• Experience in a healthcare or research environment is preferred.
• Familiarity with federal budgetary policies and regulations is advantageous.

Benefits

• Comprehensive benefits package as a federal employee, including health insurance, retirement plans, and paid time off.
• Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position held.