Become a Guardian of Public Resources: National Park Service Budget Analyst (GS-11)

Are you looking to align your financial acumen with a deep-seated passion for conservation, cultural preservation, and public service? The Department of the Interior’s National Park Service (NPS) is currently recruiting for a Budget Analyst (GS-11) to support operations at the Eugene O'Neill National Historic Site in Richmond, California.

This crucial administrative role offers a competitive salary of $93,358 to $121,371 per year and serves as the financial backbone for one of America's celebrated historic preservation sites. As a technical specialist in budgetary matters, the selected candidate will guide the execution of public funds, ensuring that our nation's historic, artistic, and cultural heritage remains preserved and accessible to future generations.

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About the Agency: The National Park Service & Department of the Interior

The Department of the Interior (DOI) protects and manages the Nation's natural resources and cultural heritage, providing critical scientific data and honoring trust responsibilities to American Indians, Alaska Natives, Native Hawaiians, and affiliated Island Communities. Within the DOI, the National Park Service (NPS) preserves unimpaired the natural and cultural resources and values of the National Park System.

Operating at the Eugene O’Neill National Historic Site—the secluded hills of Danville and Richmond where America’s only Nobel Prize-winning playwright penned some of his greatest masterpieces—the NPS administrative team works tirelessly behind the scenes. By joining this mission-driven agency, you contribute to a legacy of preservation, helping over 300 million annual visitors discover and connect with our shared history.

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Job Responsibilities

At the GS-11 level, the Budget Analyst functions as an expert administrative partner, performing complex budget formulation, presentation, execution, and tracking. Major responsibilities include:

• Budgetary Formulation & Execution: Utilizing specialized federal budget tracking systems to project funding needs, allocate resources, and monitor daily financial activities.
• Analytical Reporting & Advice: Drafting complex financial reports, preparing budget variance analyses, and presenting findings to senior park leadership to guide strategic decision-making.
• Regulatory Compliance: Interpreting statutory and regulatory frameworks to ensure all expenditures align with federal financial guidelines and congressional appropriations.
• Training & Guidance: Conducting training sessions for program managers and operations staff to clarify complex budgetary processes, procedures, and software systems.

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Requirements and Qualifications

Federal positions demand a high degree of accountability, and this role is no exception. To qualify for this GS-11 position, applicants must meet specific parameters on or before the closing date of September 4, 2026.

General Requirements

• Citizenship: Applicants must provide documented proof of U.S. citizenship.
• Adjudication: Candidates must successfully undergo a background investigation and receive a favorable suitability determination.
• Licensure: A valid, active state driver's license must be maintained throughout employment.
• Probationary Period: New hires may be required to serve a probationary period of 1 year to assess fitness for continued federal service.

Minimum Educational and Experience Qualifications

Applicants can qualify for the GS-11 grade level through one of three distinct pathways: specialized experience, graduate-level education, or a combination of both.

Qualification Pathway	Minimum Requirements	Required Documentation
Specialized Experience	At least 1 full year of experience equivalent to the GS-09 level in federal service. This must include experience in fund monitoring, financial reconciliation, budget formulation, and guiding regulatory compliance.	Detailed federal resume detailing exact duties, job titles, and hours worked per week.
Graduate Education	A Ph.D., equivalent doctoral degree, or 3 full years of progressively higher-level graduate-level education directly related to the field of work.	Complete college transcripts displaying course lists, credit hours, and degree conferral date.
Combined Education & Experience	A mathematical combination of post-graduate education (beyond the first 36 semester hours) and specialized GS-09 level experience totaling at least 100%.	Comprehensive resume and complete college transcripts.

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Salary Overview and Compensation

The salary for this GS-11 position ranges from $93,358 to $121,371 per year. This range is calculated based on the federal General Schedule (GS) locality pay table for the Richmond/San Francisco-Oakland bay area, which compensates for localized living costs. Step increases within the GS-11 grade occur periodically based on satisfactory performance and tenure, offering steady financial progression.

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Comprehensive Benefits

Working for the federal government provides access to one of the most robust benefits packages in the United States. Key benefits include:

• Healthcare & Wellness: Comprehensive coverage options under the Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) program, alongside dental, vision, and long-term care insurance.
• Retirement Security: Coverage under the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) three-tiered retirement plan, which includes a defined benefit pension, Social Security, and matching Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) 401(k) contributions of up to 5%.
• Paid Time Off: Paid annual leave (accrued based on years of service), sick leave, and 11 paid federal holidays annually.
• Telework Eligibility: Opportunities to work remotely from home up to several days a week, depending on agency policies and operational agreements.

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Step-by-Step Application Guide

To apply for this vacancy, follow this structured process before the September 4, 2026 deadline:

1. Review and Prep: Access the job announcement via the official USAJobs link. Assemble your documents, ensuring your resume strictly complies with federal formatting rules.
2. Initiate Application: Click 'Apply Online' on the USAJobs listing page to link your profile to the USA Staffing system.
3. Complete Questionnaire: Answer all vacancy-specific assessment questions honestly and in detail. Your responses must be supported by the details on your resume.
4. Upload Documentation: Submit your resume, official or unofficial transcripts (if qualifying via education), non-award SF-50 forms (for current/former federal employees), and performance evaluations.
5. Submit & Confirm: Submit the package prior to 11:59 PM Eastern Time on the closing date.
6. USA Hire Assessment: Following submission, monitor your inbox for an invitation to the USA Hire Assessments. Complete these timed, online cognitive and behavioral exams within the specified window.

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Pro Application Tips

• The Strict 2-Page Limit: The National Park Service enforces a hard cap on resume length for this announcement. Resumes exceeding 2 single-sided pages will not be reviewed, leading to automatic disqualification. Ensure your layout uses a minimum 10-point font and margins of at least 0.5 inches on all sides.
• Quantify and Clarify: Do not write generic statements like 'handled the office budget.' Instead, write: 'Formulated and tracked a $1.2 million annual operating budget, performing monthly reconciliation using automated financial tracking software.'
• Document Work Schedules: To receive credit for experience, you must list your exact working hours. State whether each job was 'Full-time (40 hours per week)' or 'Part-time (include exact hours).' Lack of schedule documentation will lead to a rating of 'not qualified.'

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Can I use volunteer experience to qualify?

Yes. The National Park Service highly values volunteer service. Active engagement with National Service programs (such as AmeriCorps or Peace Corps) as well as philanthropic, religious, or community-based organizations can provide qualifying experience. Ensure this experience is formatted on your resume just like paid work.

2. What happens if I do not complete the USA Hire Assessment?

Completing the USA Hire Assessment is a mandatory part of the application process. If you fail to complete the assessment within the designated time frame, your application will be marked incomplete and removed from consideration.

3. I am a current federal employee. Do I need to submit an SF-50?

Yes. Current and former federal employees must submit their most recent non-award SF-50 (e.g., showing a promotion, within-grade increase, or transfer) to prove tenure and time-in-grade eligibility. Award-based SF-50s are not acceptable.

4. Who can I contact for inquiries regarding this vacancy?

For administrative or application status inquiries, you can reach out directly to the staffing team at [email protected].

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Managing the financial health of the National Park Service is a noble, challenging, and rewarding endeavor. As a GS-11 Budget Analyst in Richmond, California, you will serve as a vital custodian of resources, ensuring that the legacy of the Eugene O'Neill National Historic Site remains vibrant. If you possess the required skills, analytical precision, and administrative drive, do not miss your chance. Prepare your two-page resume, assemble your transcripts, and submit your application package before the September 4, 2026 deadline.