Strategic Financial Leadership in Alaska: Supervisory Budget Officer Position with the National Park Service

The National Park Service (NPS) stands as one of America's most cherished public institutions, responsible for safeguarding millions of acres of wild landscapes, historic monuments, and vibrant cultural resources. Operating in the vast expanse of Alaska requires specialized leadership, precise fiscal oversight, and strategic management of complex resource allocations.

The Department of the Interior is currently seeking a highly qualified professional to serve as a Supervisory Budget Officer (GS-13) within the Alaska Region, Office of the Comptroller. This senior leadership post offers a unique opportunity to shape financial decision-making for national parks across Alaska, with duty stations available in Anchorage, Alaska or Denali Park, Alaska. Offering a base salary range of $120,348 to $156,455 per year plus a Cost of Living Allowance (COLA), this role demands a seasoned financial expert capable of translating budget policy into real-world operational success.

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

The Department of the Interior (DOI) protects and manages the nation’s natural resources and cultural heritage, provides scientific information regarding those resources, and honors trust responsibilities to American Indians, Alaska Natives, and affiliated island communities.

Nested within the DOI, the National Park Service (NPS) carries out a legacy established over a century ago: to preserve natural and cultural resources for the enjoyment, education, and inspiration of present and future generations. The Alaska Region presents an extraordinary working environment, covering iconic national parks, preserves, and monuments that draw global visitors and demand intricate multi-layered budgeting. Within the Office of the Comptroller, financial management staff work diligently behind the scenes to ensure every federal dollar allocated supports stewardship, public safety, conservation, and facility maintenance.

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Job Responsibilities & Core Duties

As a Supervisory Budget Officer, you will serve as a primary technical authority on budgetary policies, oversight, personnel-related requirements, and financial guidance across the Alaska Region.

Key responsibilities for this role include:

• Regional Financial Oversight: Plan, direct, and manage all aspects of regional budget formulation, execution, and financial planning across diverse operational programs.
• Strategic Budget Analysis: Evaluate funding requests, analyze expenditure patterns, and project multi-year financial trends to equip executive leadership with sound decision-making data.
• Resource Allocation & Controls: Review and approve budget requests from various divisions, ensuring adherence to statutory controls and maximizing the impact of multiple funding streams.
• Policy Implementation: Formulate and implement innovative methods, tools, and technical procedures to resolve complex financial challenges and streamline management processes.
• Stakeholder Coordination: Represent the regional financial management team in discussions with bureau leadership, Department of the Interior officials, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), and external partners.
• Team Leadership & Development: Supervise, mentor, and guide a regional team of budget professionals, fostering a collaborative work environment while maintaining strong internal accounting controls.

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Duty Station Comparison: Anchorage vs. Denali Park

Candidates selected for this vacancy will have the opportunity to choose between two distinctive duty stations in Alaska. Both locations offer unique lifestyle benefits and financial incentives.

Feature	Anchorage, Alaska	Denali Park, Alaska
Setting	Major metropolitan center with urban amenities	Gateway to Denali National Park & Preserve
Environment	Coastal city surrounded by mountains and state parks	Wilderness-adjacent mountain region
Cost of Living Allowance (COLA)	3.00% addition to base salary	1.49% addition to base salary
Housing Options	Urban apartments, suburban family homes	Rural housing, mountain cabins, local park communities
Community Amenities	International airport, healthcare facilities, shopping	Seasonal tourist community, close-knit local population

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Qualification Requirements & Specialized Experience

To qualify for this GS-13 position, candidates must meet specific professional standards prior to the announcement closing date of November 5, 2026.

Minimum Educational & General Requirements

• Citizenship: U.S. Citizenship or U.S. National status is mandatory.
• Education: No substitution of education for specialized experience is permitted at the GS-13 level.
• Clearance & Fitness: Must pass a background investigation, suitability check, and E-Verify screening.
• Financial Disclosures: Must complete an OGE-450 Confidential Financial Disclosure report within 30 days of appointment.
• Credentials: Must be able to obtain and maintain an official government credit card with travel and purchase authority.

Required Specialized Experience

Applicants must possess at least one full year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-12 grade level in federal service. This experience must clearly demonstrate:

1. Acting as a technical authority on budgetary policies, financial guidance, and personnel-related fiscal requirements;
2. Analyzing the potential long-term impacts of budgetary decisions across national or regional programs; AND
3. Developing new operational techniques, financial controls, and methods to resolve complex budgetary problems.

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Salary Overview & Cost of Living Allowance (COLA)

Position compensation is set under the General Schedule (GS) pay scale at grade GS-13:

• Base Salary Range: $120,348 – $156,455 per year.
• Cost of Living Allowance (COLA): Non-foreign COLA is added to base pay to help offset higher living expenses in Alaska. The current rates are 3.00% for Anchorage and 1.49% for Denali Park.

In addition to basic pay, employees receive annual step increases based on acceptable performance, alongside opportunities for performance-based awards.

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Comprehensive Federal Benefits Package

Federal employment with the National Park Service offers robust protection and support for your personal and financial future:

• Healthcare Insurance: Comprehensive coverage options under the Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) program with substantial government contribution.
• Dental & Vision: Supplemental dental and vision plans available under FEDVIP.
• Retirement System: Coverage under the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS), featuring a three-tiered structure: FERS basic pension, Social Security, and the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP).
• TSP Matching: Agency matching funds up to 5% of your base contribution.
• Paid Time Off: 13 to 26 days of annual leave per year (based on service tenure), 13 days of sick leave, and 11 paid federal holidays.
• Work-Life Balance: Telework flexibility per agency guidelines and employee wellness programs.

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Essential Application Tips & Resume Strict Rules

Applying for high-level federal positions requires meticulous attention to detail. Failure to strictly follow application directives can result in immediate disqualification.

Mandatory 2-Page Resume Limit

Unlike typical federal resumes that stretch across several pages, this position enforces a strict two-page limit.

• Resumes longer than 2 pages will not be reviewed.
• Body text font size must be at least 10-point.
• Margins must remain at least 0.5 inches on all sides.
• Do not attempt to attach supplemental pages disguised as resume extensions.

Document Submission Checklist

1. Detailed Resume: Ensure clear listing of dates (Month/Year), position titles, series/grade (if federal), and exact hours worked per week (e.g., 40 hours/week).
2. SF-50 (For Federal Employees): Submit your latest non-award SF-50 demonstrating competitive service status and time-in-grade eligibility.
3. Performance Appraisals: Upload your most recent performance evaluation showing an official rating, signed by your supervisor within the past 18 months. If unavailable, provide a written explanation.
4. Award List: Provide a list of awards received within the last 5 years to receive due weight consideration during candidate evaluations.
5. CTAP/ICTAP Documentation: Displaced federal employees must attach official separation notices and supporting SF-50s to claim priority consideration.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: What is the closing date for this vacancy?
A: Applications must be submitted through USAJOBS by 11:59 PM Eastern Time on November 5, 2026.

Q: Are volunteer hours considered toward experience?
A: Yes! Qualifying paid and unpaid volunteer experience—including service through Peace Corps, AmeriCorps, or local community organizations—is given full credit if relevant skills are demonstrated.

Q: Is there a probationary period?
A: Yes, candidates must successfully complete a one-year probationary period. A supervisory probationary period may also apply if you have not previously served as a federal supervisor.

Q: Can current federal employees apply?
A: Yes, this position is open to current or former federal employees with competitive service status, CTAP/ICTAP eligible individuals, and internal agency candidates.

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Serving as a Supervisory Budget Officer for the National Park Service in Alaska represents an exceptional career milestone for experienced financial managers. By taking stewardship of regional budget strategy, you directly contribute to protecting Alaska's iconic natural heritage while guiding a dedicated financial team.

Review your qualification materials, prepare your concise two-page resume, and submit your application prior to the November 5, 2026 deadline to embark on this extraordinary professional journey in the Last Frontier!