Financial Planning Specialist: Your Career with the Defense Health Agency
The Defense Health Agency (DHA) is currently seeking a highly qualified Financial Planning Specialist to join its team in Falls Church, Virginia. This role is pivotal in maintaining the financial health of programs that support over 9.5 million uniformed service members, retirees, and their families. If you have a background in budget execution, audit readiness, and federal financial policy, this may be the career-defining move you have been waiting for.
Job Responsibilities
As a Senior Financial Analyst, your duties will be broad and intellectually stimulating. You will be expected to:
- Oversee financial policies and procedures for operational concepts.
- Lead programming efforts for key acquisition objectives.
- Interpret complex federal financial policies to guide program decisions.
- Develop and maintain Planning, Programming, Budgeting, and Execution (PPBE) products.
- Manage and monitor approved program execution to ensure audit readiness.
Requirements
To qualify for this position (NH-0501-04), candidates must possess at least one year of specialized experience at the next lower grade level. This experience must include:
- Analyzing budget execution data to identify shortfalls.
- Preparing budget estimates for resource requirements.
- Monitoring obligations for compliance.
Comparison of Financial Roles
| Feature | Financial Planning Specialist (DHA) | Standard Financial Analyst |
|---|---|---|
| Focus | Acquisition & Medical Readiness | General Accounting |
| Oversight | Defense Acquisition Workforce | Corporate / Private |
| Clearance | Secret Required | Not Typically Required |
| Environment | Federal / Military Health | Commercial/Private |
Salary and Benefits
The salary range for this position is $143,913 to $197,200 per year, which includes locality pay. Beyond salary, employees enjoy the standard suite of federal benefits, including robust health insurance, retirement planning, and a strong emphasis on work-life balance through telework eligibility.
Application Tips
The application process is highly structured. Ensure your resume is exactly two pages or less—resumes exceeding this length are automatically rejected. Use clear, descriptive language rather than dense jargon, and verify that you have provided detailed information regarding your past employer and hours worked.
Serving as a Financial Planning Specialist with the Defense Health Agency is an opportunity to use your financial expertise to support those who protect our nation. If you meet the criteria and are ready for a challenge, submit your application package before November 1, 2026.
Why This Financial Planning Specialist Job Matters
Join the Defense Health Agency as a Financial Planning Specialist and influence the budgetary operations that support 9.5 million lives.
Financial Planning Specialist Job Overview
The Defense Health Agency (DHA) is seeking a skilled Financial Planning Specialist to operate out of Falls Church, Virginia. This role, situated within the PEO Medical Systems J-6 Solutions Delivery, serves as a high-level consultant responsible for the integrity of financial policies, budget execution, and audit readiness for vital medical, dental, and pharmacy programs.
Requirements for Financial Planning Specialist
- Must be a U.S. Citizen
- One year of specialized experience at the NH-03 level or equivalent
- Proficiency in analyzing budget execution data to identify variances
- Expertise in preparing budget estimates and supporting resource requirements
- Ability to monitor obligations to ensure compliance with funding purposes
- Must be able to obtain and maintain a Secret security clearance
- Willingness to complete a 1-year probationary period
Preferred Qualifications for Financial Planning Specialist
- Experience within the Defense Acquisition Workforce
- Familiarity with DOD 5000.52-M Acquisition Career Development guidelines
- Strong background in federal audit readiness and financial policy interpretation
Federal Benefits & Perks
- ✓Federal health, dental, and vision insurance options
- ✓Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) participation
- ✓Paid annual leave and sick leave
- ✓Flexible work arrangements (telework eligibility)
- ✓Comprehensive federal life insurance programs
💡 How to Apply Financial Planning Specialist Job & Insider Tips
Application Steps for Financial Planning Specialist Job
- Log into your USAJOBS account or create a new profile
- Prepare a resume that is strictly two pages or less
- Complete the mandatory online questionnaire via the USA Staffing portal
- Upload required supporting documentation (e.g., performance appraisals)
- Submit your application package before the 11:59 PM EST closing date on November 1, 2026
- Verify receipt of application through the USAJOBS dashboard
💡 General Tips
- Keep your resume to two pages; any longer and your application will be excluded.
- Use plain language and avoid internal acronyms when describing your experience.
- Be specific with your work history, including employer names, dates, and hours worked per week.
- Ensure all uploaded documents clear the virus scan process before the deadline.
- Double-check that you have re-selected your documents after linking them to the specific application.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I substitute my education for the work experience requirement?
No, this specific position requires qualifying work experience only; education cannot be substituted for the experience requirements.
Is this position eligible for telework?
Yes, this position is eligible for telework options according to agency policy.
Will the agency pay for my relocation expenses?
No, the payment of Permanent Change of Station (PCS) costs is not authorized for this position.
What is the security clearance level?
This position requires a Secret level security clearance.
Can I use education to meet the experience requirement?
No, this position explicitly requires experience-based qualification.
Job from Defense Health Agency
The Defense Health Agency operates as a combat support agency and an integrated health care system. Our mission is to provide medical, dental, and pharmacy programs across the Department of Defense. Our professionals are inspired by a shared goal: to improve health and build readiness for the Joint Force anywhere in the world.