Program Analyst Job Description Federal Government

Management Analyst Jobs With The Federal Government

These positions primarily serve as analysts and advisers to management on the evaluation of the effectiveness of government programs and operations or the productivity and efficiency of the management of Federal agencies or both.

Positions in this series require knowledge of: the substantive nature of agency programs and activities agency missions, policies, and objectives management principles and processes and the analytical and evaluative methods and techniques for assessing program development or execution and improving organizational effectiveness and efficiency. Some positions also require an understanding of basic budgetary and financial management principles and techniques as they relate to long range planning of programs and objectives. The work requires skill in: application of fact-finding and investigative techniques oral and written communications and development of presentations and reports.

The federal government employs 70,919 management and program analysts of which 1,068 work overseas. The Department of the Navy is the largest employer with 9,516 civilians employed followed by the Department of the Army with 7,095 and there are 5,574 with the Veterans Administration. All cabinet level and large independent agencies employ substantial numbers in this series.

Federal Government Requirements:

• You must be a U.S. citizen to apply
• The yearly salary for a GS-12 is $79,720 to $103,639 per year

Typical Duties & Occupational Profile:

Duties

Education

Duties:

Public Affairs Research Analyst

A public affairs research analyst may work for government agencies, think tanks, and other organizations focused on areas such as defense, health care, energy, or environmental protection. A person in this role applies political, economic, and scientific research techniques to determine the benefits and drawbacks of current and proposed public policies. They advise legislators, government leaders, and industry executives on policy matters.

The median annual salary for public affairs specialists is $61,703, according to PayScale data from September 2019. The BLS projects that employment for management analysts, including public affairs research analysts, will grow by 14% from 2018 to 2028.

Management Analysts And Program Analysts: Their Role

Today, companies use technology to compute large amounts of data in the blink of an eye. This evolution has saved people a lot of time over the decades. However, the data is still not useful until it is analyzed and applied in the real world. This is where management and program analysts become essential. It is their duty to give the data meaning by analyzing it and making informed decisions on how they should conduct current and future transactions.

This is obtained by converting the large magnitude of data into the computer base and using specialized systems to examine if any substantial patterns are found. The conclusions would confirm if these trends could potentially harm or help the companys ability to perform its daily tasks. Based on the findings, an analyst would be able to give insight to senior staff or develop a practical plan in order to improve the jobs capability to function. Overall, both management and program analysts are responsible for improving an organizations efficiency in achieving its goals.

Don’t Miss: Free Government Car History Report

How Can Government Program Analysts Increase Their Salary

Increasing your pay as a Government Program Analyst is possible in different ways. Change of employer: Consider a career move to a new employer that is willing to pay higher for your skills. Level of Education: Gaining advanced degrees may allow this role to increase their income potential and qualify for promotions. Managing Experience: If you are a Government Program Analyst that oversees more junior Government Program Analysts, this experience can increase the likelihood to earn more.

How To Hire A Program Analyst

Consider the following when hiring a program analyst:

• Recruiting: Do you have the internal resources and tools to source and recruit for this role successfully?
• Complexity: Do you need a senior professional, or will mid, or even junior-level skills suffice?
• Duration: Is this a one-time project, or an indefinite need?
• Management: Can you effectively direct the work effort?
• Urgency: Are there any deadlines associated with this need?
• Headcount: Do you have the budget and approval for an internal employee, or should you consider alternate options?

Answering these questions will help determine the best course of action for your current hiring need. Fortunately, various great options exist for every scenario, no matter how unique. When hiring a program analyst, we recommend the following options:

You May Like: Collins Lake Resort Government Camp

The Skills Needed For Government Analyst Jobs

Government analysts use their skills in interpersonal relations and communication to collaborate with partners in government and industry to obtain information. While their data collection abilities enable them to cull information from multiple sources, analytical and advisory competencies help them make sense of the data and provide recommendations to leaders. Additional competencies include technical skills to work with various information systems and analytics applications.

Students seeking to cultivate the skills necessary to succeed as a government analyst can benefit from obtaining an advanced degree through a program such as Norwich University’s online Master of Arts in International Relations. As the nation’s first private military college, Norwich University offers a unique approach to preparing students for government analyst jobs. The program offers the following concentrations relevant to various government analyst roles.

Future Scope As A Program Analyst

The number of Program Analysts is predicted to grow exponentially in the upcoming years because of their higher demands.

Although employment growth in this field is relatively slow compared to other high-tech fields, it is still projected to grow as many companies find it more cost-efficient to work with computer service providers for several technical tasks.

With experience and knowledge, Program analysts can progress to the project manager position and supervise a team of analysts.

The candidates possessing exceptional skills may become information technology directors or chief technology officers of an organization.

You May Like: Government Home Loans For Low Income Earners

Leverage Your Internal Resources

You can utilize your own website, social media, and employees to assist in your search for top candidates.

A company website posting should be the first step in notifying prospective candidates that you are hiring. Social media can also be a powerful tool for spreading the word about your new opening. As far as exposure is concerned, this option can be as good as some job boards when you have a large enough following across various platforms, like LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and Twitter.

Current employees are every organizations greatest asset. Encourage your internal team to promote job openings to their network by offering cash and other incentives.

We recommend these options when:

• Your brand has great name recognition
• You can consistently monitor and respond to candidate activity through your website and social media accounts
• You have a process in place to quickly and broadly communicate job openings and requirements
• You have an effective employee referral program in place

If you arent sure which path is best, schedule a discovery call today with our seasoned recruiting professionals. The 4 Corner team is on standby to help you find the best option for your unique hiring need.

Prepare To Become A Government Analyst

As the demand for government analysts grows, individuals interested in the field should consider advanced education to gain specialized skills. Learn more about how Norwich University’s online Master of Arts in International Relations programand its concentrations in Cyber Diplomacy, International Development, International Security, and National Securitycan help prepare professionals to advance in their careers as government analysts.

Recommended Readings

Don’t Miss: How To Find Your Government Issued Identification Number

Program Analyst Job Description

Also known as Management Analysts, Program Analysts have a firm grasp of information technology and work either in private companies or in local, state, or federal government departments to improve and optimize operations, initiatives, processes, and procedures.

• Completely free trial, no card required.
• Reach over 250 million candidates.

Use 4 Corner Resources

The heavy lifting is done for you when working with a top-tier staffing company like 4 Corner Resources. We source, screen, recruit, and deliver only the most qualified candidate, saving you significant time and effort throughout the hiring process while you remain focused on your core business. Understanding your needs and ensuring the right candidate for the position is the key to our success.

This is the best route to take when:

• You need to fill the position quickly
• You want access to a vast talent pool of high-quality, prescreened candidates
• You intend to hire on a temporary, contract, or contract-to-hire basis and direct the work activity
• You are hiring a direct employee but arent able to recruit effectively or efficiently with your internal staff
• You arent familiar with current salary rates, market trends, and available skill sets

Read Also: Type 1 Diabetes Government Assistance

Job Description Of A Program Analyst

A Program Analyst assists and recommends the Program Manager in formulating, managing, and evaluating programs, operations, and procedures.

Besides that, they conduct research, evaluate complicated data sets and systems, find trends, and create reports and recommendations per the ongoing operations.

The Program Analysts are also in charge of establishing rules and procedures, aiding with budgets, monitoring, and analyzing functional & project progress.

Also, during the project, they are responsible for regularly analyzing and rectifying any issues. The interested candidates must be competent enough to provide expert advice to improve technologies and program efficiency.

Given their work, the program analysts possess excellent project management, analytical thinking, and problem-solving skills.

What Is A Government Analyst

Leaders in government need access to the right data at all times. They also need expert guidance to interpret information to make informed decisions. The government analyst position is born out of these needs.

Government analysts gather, record, analyze, and interpret information pertinent to the agency they represent. They can provide insights and recommendations to senior leaders, enabling them to take appropriate actions. Government analyst jobs take many forms. Examples include federal government analyst, intelligence analyst, research analyst, and public affairs research analyst.

Read Also: Federal Government It Spending Forecast

Requirements Of A Program Analyst

• A bachelors degree in business administration, computer science, or a closely related subject is required for the post of Program Analyst.
• A minimum of two years experience as a Program Analyst, Management Analyst, or other comparable position is required for this position.
• Exceptional organizational, communication, and report writing skills are necessary for the role of Program Analyst.
• The candidate should possess excellent time management and organizing capabilities.
• To work as a Program Analyst, advanced computer abilities and familiarity with a variety of databases and software systems are required.
• The Program Analyst should have the capability of obtaining and evaluating large amounts of data.
• It is also necessary to have outstanding problem-solving and critical-thinking capabilities.
• To acquire the position of Program Analyst, the candidate should be capable of managing multiple projects.

Roles And Responsibilities Of A Systems Analyst

Program analysts, often called management analysts, can work for private companies or in local, state or federal government divisions and departments. The program analyst who works in private enterprise helps to make a business more profitable. When a program analyst works in government, her purpose is to help make improvements to operations and procedures. A thorough understanding of information technology is critical to the success of a program analyst in private enterprise or in a government position.

You May Like: Kauai Government Employees Federal Credit Union

What Does A Government Analyst Do

Government analyst is a blanket term used to describe a number of analyst jobs that exist within government agencies. Management analyst, program analyst, policies analyst, and research analyst are four such categories that fall under the purview of this job. The United States federal government uses the term to describe positions that may not be as simple to define as other positions that have a more set task list. State governments also have government analyst jobs, but the actual definition and duties can vary from state to state.

Generally speaking, an analyst gathers, records, and analyzes data that pertains to a specific agency, program, or project. They may track policy development or watch legislative movement within a particular field. They compile the information and use it as an advisory tool to counsel management on the effectiveness of operations, programs, and policies.

Many government analyst job descriptions are rather complex and vague in some respects. There may be a certain flexibility in job duties, or terms that are not very detailed. This is due in part to the landscape of the government, but it also stems from a complex, varied job description that evolves according to the project.

Government Management And Program Analysts

Positions that fall under this series specifically focus on the operations that happen within the federal government. They primarily focus on how each agency and its individual components are able to utilize their systematic programs and function as a whole. They identify areas that need improvement.

These tasks are completed by a team of analysts who collaborate to provide the agency objective information on a variety of governmental matters. Financial management, assessing program development and amending policies/principles are just a few of the items that are regularly completed by management and program analysts in government.

Briana Richardson-Jones serves as a Justice Department program analyst. Before becoming a federal employee, she pursued a Bachelor of Arts in English and a Masters of Science in criminology with a public policy concentration. She believes she can help prospective and new employees navigate government efficiently while currently doing the same. Briana has discovered creative tips that can help others work smarter in the future. She also plans on combining her love for writing and criminal justice to educate readers about current events and community issues affecting people worldwide.

Recommended Reading: Does The Government Help Pay Rent

Advertise Your Opening On A Top Job Board

Your best option may be to advertise your opening on a proven job board. There are many widely used job sites out there that draw visits from qualified candidates. If you have someone internally who can dedicate the time and energy to sort through applications and screen individuals effectively, this can be a great choice.

We recommend using a job board when:

• Your internal recruiting team has the knowledge and experience to assess candidate qualifications
• You are hiring a direct employee and have time to manage the entire recruiting effort
• You have a process for receiving, screening, and tracking all resumes and applications
• You are prepared to respond to all applicants

There are many career sites out there. Here are the two we recommend for a program analyst opening:

LinkedIn

is a social network for job seekers, professionals, and businesses. With this popular job site, you can enhance your brand and advertise your open position to a wide audience of motivated, qualified candidates. Job postings on LinkedIn are also extremely streamlined and user-friendly, making it even easier for candidates to apply. Additionally, applicants can use their LinkedIn profile instead of a resume to expedite the process.

CareerBuilder

What Is A Program Analyst In The Federal Government

A program analyst in the federal government is hired to examine and improve current governmental programs. Government program analysts, sometimes called “government management analysts,” typically perform research on specific topics or projects and serve as consultants for managing those projects.

The knowledge base that the government analyst must possess depends upon the agency and the project terms.

The analyst must have a strong grasp of how those programs function for agency programs or activities. They should also know the agency policies, mission, objectives, and management processes and principles.

Government Program Analyst Tasks:

• Oversee strategy and implementation of project and program plans.

• Develop and implement policies and performance measurement goals.

• Coordinate and disseminate program goals, and identify partners and stakeholders.

• Identify, compile and analyze key data to guide decisions.

• Perform numerous writing tasks, including cost studies, reports on the programs they investigate, and written recommendations for improvements.

• Interact with government and private agencies to obtain information and participate in meetings with program officials and supervisors.

Read Also: Government Jobs In Georgetown Tx

Salary Information For Management Analysts

Management analysts earned a median annual salary of $81,330 in 2016, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. On the low end, management analysts earned a 25th percentile salary of $60,950, meaning 75 percent earned more than this amount. The 75th percentile salary is $109,170, meaning 25 percent earn more. In 2016, 806,400 people were employed in the U.S. as management analysts.

What Skills Are Needed To Pursue A Government Analyst Job

Threats to national and international security come in many forms, from a rogue nation-state seeking to build a nuclear arsenal to cyberattacks on critical government infrastructure and business systems. To gain insights on threats, leaders at the highest levels of government often turn to government analysts for information. Research and insights from government analysts help leaders enhance the effectiveness of their policies. Programs like an online Master of Arts in International Relations can equip professionals to serve the public in government analyst jobs.

You May Like: Apartments Near Fairfax Government Center

Responsibilities Of A Program Analyst

• Conducting research, evaluating data, detecting patterns, and spotting reports are the responsibilities of a Program Analyst.
• The Program Analyst also has to evaluate program requirements and make recommendations.
• Program Analysts also help in evaluating and formulating programs, policies, processes, and systems to optimize them.
• Creating or modifying existing policies and procedures is also the task of a Program Analyst.
• Supporting program managers with the establishment of budgets and schedules and the tracking of metrics is also the responsibility of the Program Analyst.
• They are also in charge of Identifying and advising on potential cost, scheduling, and performance issues.

Read more: Project Analyst Job Description