Program Analyst.

Food Safety and Inspection Service; Urbandale (IA); On-site; USD 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is seeking an experienced analyst to lead analytical projects, coordinate data collection, and draft high-impact findings for federal oversight. You will review regulations, advise on operational impact, and ensure responses align with policy and audit requirements.

The role emphasizes cross-functional leadership, coordination with GAO/OIG, and preparation of final reports for FSIS management.

Qualifications

• Led analytical projects or teams coordinating analysts and ensuring on-time, quality deliverables.
• Reviewed regulations to assess operational impact for leadership decisions.
• Conducted qualitative evaluations using interviews and document reviews.
• Coordinated data-collection activities with internal stakeholders for management reports.
• Served as audit liaison with GAO, facilitating information exchange for senior officials.

Responsibilities

• Develops, modifies, or provides input to project plans and coordinates data collection activities.
• Drafts reports for comment and leads or collaborates on significant findings.
• Keeps abreast of evaluation, policy analysis, survey design, and regulatory enforcement.
• Reviews new regulations to determine impact and assist management utilization.
• Coordinates with program officials to ensure responses comply with policies and audits.

Skills

Analytical project leadership

Policy analysis

Data collection coordination

Qualitative/quantitative evaluation

Audit liaison with GAO/OIG

Job description

• Develops, modifies, or provides input to project plans; researches information and coordinates data collection activities with personnel within and outside FSIS.
• Drafts reports for comment and leads or collaborates on the development of significant findings and recommendations.
• Stays abreast of developments in evaluation, policy analysis, survey design, qualitative and quantitative analyses, food safety, food security, food inspection systems, and regulatory enforcement.
• Reviews and analyzes new and proposed regulations to determine impact on program operations and management; provides advice and support to management personnel for best utilization.
• Works directly with program officials to ensure written responses are consistent with FSIS policies and comply with GAO and OIG requirements; prepares communications to auditors and obtains clearances.
• Serves as team or project leader; organizes and coordinates contributions of team members; prepares final reports and briefs FSIS management officials.
• Identifies information needs for program managers by applying evaluation and survey techniques to gather management information for FSIS decision-makers.
• Conducts audit liaison and coordination functions with GAO, OIG, and outside entities; plans, coordinates, and attends conferences; analyzes prior audit issues and prepares advice for senior managers.
• Maintains FSIS systems to ensure tracking of audits, audit reports, recommendations, and status; initiates follow-up as needed

Duties

• Develops, modifies, or provides input to project plans; researches information and coordinates data collection activities with personnel within and outside FSIS.
• Drafts reports for comment and leads or collaborates on the development of significant findings and recommendations.
• Stays abreast of developments in evaluation, policy analysis, survey design, qualitative and quantitative analyses, food safety, food security, food inspection systems, and regulatory enforcement.
• Reviews and analyzes new and proposed regulations to determine impact on program operations and management; provides advice and support to management personnel for best utilization.
• Works directly with program officials to ensure written responses are consistent with FSIS policies and comply with GAO and OIG requirements; prepares communications to auditors and obtains clearances.
• Serves as team or project leader; organizes and coordinates contributions of team members; prepares final reports and briefs FSIS management officials.
• Identifies information needs for program managers by applying evaluation and survey techniques to gather management information for FSIS decision-makers.
• Conducts audit liaison and coordination functions with GAO, OIG, and outside entities; plans, coordinates, and attends conferences; analyzes prior audit issues and prepares advice for senior managers.
• Maintains FSIS systems to ensure tracking of audits, audit reports, recommendations, and status; initiates follow-up as needed

Requirements

Conditions of employment

• You must be a US Citizen or US National.
• Males born after 12/31/1959 must be Selective Service registered or exempt.
• Subject to satisfactory adjudication of background investigation and/or fingerprint check.
• Successful completion of one-year probationary period, unless previously served. Refer to the Next Steps section for more information.
• Subject to one year supervisory/managerial probationary period unless prior service is creditable. New USDA supervisors must successfully complete all components of the required training program before the end of their probationary period.
• Direct Deposit: Per Public Law 104-134 all Federal employees are required to have federal payments made by direct deposit to their financial institution.
• Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit https://www.e-verify.gov/.
• False statements or responses on a resume or application can jeopardize employment and may be grounds for disciplinary action, including removal from Federal service.
• If you are selected, you may need to complete a Declaration for Federal Employment (OF-306) prior to being appointed to determine suitability for Federal employment and to authorize a background investigation.

Qualifications

Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement including specialized experience and/or education, as defined below.

Specialized Experience

Applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-12 level) that demonstrates the statements below:

• Led analytical projects or teams, coordinating the work of analysts and ensuring deliverables met quality, timeliness, and strategic objectives.
• Reviewed proposed regulations to assess operational impact, preparing clear analyses that informed leadership decisions on policy, resources, and program adjustments.
• Conducted qualitative program evaluations using interviews, document reviews, and other methods to identify program strengths, gaps, and actionable recommendations.
• Coordinated data‑collection activities with internal stakeholders, ensuring complete, accurate, and consistent information for use in program studies and management reports.
• Served as an audit liaison with GAO, facilitating information exchange, preparing responses, and supporting senior officials throughout the audit engagement process.

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 and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

For more information on how to qualify for this position,

Education

There is not education requirement or substitute for this position.

Additional information

Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP), Reemployment Priority List (RPL), or Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP): Visit the

Reasonable Accommodation (RA) Requests: If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be granted the opportunity to request a RA in your online application. Requests for RA for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for RA must be received prior to starting the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. Decisions on requests for RA are made on a case-by-case basis. If you meet the minimum qualifications of the position, after notification of the adjudication of your request, you will receive an email invitation to complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, based on your adjudication decision. You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments if you received the link after the close of the announcement. To determine if you need a RA, please review the

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding.

Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.