GS-5 to GS-12 Resources Analyst
Skills/Knowledge Matrix
Core Competencies Demonstrates knowledge of/skills in Executes, produces, or participates in:
# Entry Level (GS-5/7) Requirement: Supports basic project needs by performing fundamental, basic, and routine activities while gaining subject matter expertise in resources discipline areas. Assists in carrying out various resources activities and develops knowledge and understanding of various budgetary and financial systems. Metrics for achievement of performance requirements are geared toward recall of appropriate Level 1 basic systems, policies, and procedures and their application in work and developmental activities
# Approximately equivalent to PMDP Level 1
Basic Financial

GSFC financial systems, policies, and procedures, including
# General budgetary guidelines set forth by the Office of Management and Budget
# Agency budget policies, regulations, directives, precedents, and program documents, including FMM, NPDs, NPGs, BOIMRA, etc.
# Completing tasks and assignments in a timely and accurate fashion
# Performing daily on-the-job responsibilities

General Budgeting Concepts and Principles
# Technical makeup of project and relation to schedule and cost
# Organization’s planning, programming, and budgeting system and its use for developing budget requests, plans, and timetables
# Cost/schedule variance tools and techniques and application of tools and techniques
# Federal budget process; Congress’, OMB’s, NASA’s, and GSFC’s roles in the budget process
# Assisting in review and analysis of the progress of financial activities in meeting organization’s objectives
# Using cost/schedule variance tools and techniques and applying tools and techniques under guidance of senior analyst

Budget Preparation and Execution
# Overall structure of Agency, Center, project, and institutional budgets
# Assigned program/account areas such as component, subsystem, or instrument, etc.
# Full cost management process, at a rudimentary level, as it relates to the budget plan
# Budget advocacy process; preparation of supporting material under guidance of senior analyst
# Financial and workforce requirements development process in particular program/project areas
# Commitment, obligation, cost accrual, and disbursement processes
# PR package preparation
# Assisting in the preparation of budget submissions according to prescribed formats and specifications in assigned program/account areas
# Various levels of budget reviews including reviews by directorate management
# Assisting in identifying financial and workforce resources needed to meet specific program/project objectives at each stage of the budget formulation process
# Executing budget plan in assigned program/account areas
# Initiating commitments and reprogrammings
# Preparing procurement request and change request packages

Program/Project Management and Control
# Program/project management and control principles in daily work
# Schedule management principles and tools
# Basic elements of acquisition process
# Basic elements of risk management process
# Basic elements of configuration management process
# Program/project changes and their impact on cost and schedule
# Agency policy regarding reimbursable and cooperative agreements, if applicable
# Process for subauthorization of funds
# WBS
# Financial reporting
# Carrier accounts
# Becoming familiar with products/processes
# Providing PSR, MSR, and other input to Project Manager
# Management review meetings
# Monthly project review meetings
# Monitoring schedule performance on contracts
# Monitoring status of procurement actions throughout the acquisition cycle
# Assisting with the evaluation of cost proposals
# Conducting cost studies for a variety of decision-making processes
# Assisting in the preparation of the cost portion of RFPs
Computer

Data management systems, including
# ORS, OLCAS, SPS/ASAP, AMS, RAMIS
# Basic elements of NASA Integrated Financial Management System and applicability to particular functional area

Computer applications and operating systems
# IBM/Mac Operating Systems, Internet, MS Office, Eudora, Time Management Software
# Applying basic knowledge of automatic data processing concepts, tools, hardware, and software
# Using data management systems for planning, analysis, and control
Interpersonal

Time and Workload Management
# Task prioritization

Effective written and oral communications
# Effective writing
# Input to project management
# Developing external interfaces
# Appropriate training including PIP I
# Developing and implementing IDP
# Preparing and delivering written reports
# Preparing and delivering regularly scheduled oral presentations: PIP I, PSR, MSR
Organizational/ Institutional

Institutional Environment
# Center organization, history, and culture
# Project organization, technical content, and focus
# Program terminology, concepts, and principles
# Relevant laws and regulations, e.g., appropriation law, Government Performance Results Act, OMB circulars, CFO Act, and their impacts
# Obtaining information on and becoming familiar with project and center organization
# Developing an understanding of technical content and focus of project

Core Competencies Demonstrates knowledge of/skills in Executes, produces, or participates in:
# Mid-Level (GS-9/11) Requirement: Supports basic project needs by performing fundamental, basic, and routine activities while gaining subject matter expertise in resources discipline areas. Carries out various resources activities and develops experience in various budgetary and financial systems. Demonstrates new knowledge and skills acquired at this level and continues performing activities and demonstrating skills described at Level 1A.
# Metrics for achievement of performance requirements are geared toward recall and understanding of appropriate Level 1 basic systems, policies, and procedures and their application in work and developmental activities
# Approximately equivalent to PMDP Level 1
Basic Financial Analysis

General Budgeting Concepts and Principles
# FMM content
# BOIMRA content
# Full cost accounting
# Performing daily on-the-job responsibilities
# Applying basic knowledge of budget, cost accounting, cost/schedule management and program terminology, concepts and principles to daily responsibilities

Budget Preparation and Execution
# Project budget development
# Contract accrual development
# In-house estimate process
# Full cost management process as it relates to the budget plan
# Developing budget submissions according to prescribed formats and specifications with justification, supporting materials, and historic statements that support project requirements
# Identifying financial and workforce resources needed to meet specific program/project objectives at each stage of the budget formulation process
# Developing contract accruals

Program/Project Management and Control
# Financial analysis techniques including the Earned Value Management System (EVMS)
# PEB event input
# Reimbursables
# Source Evaluation Board process
# FAR content
# Pricing reports
# Scheduling analysis
# Contractor and/or in-house financial analysis
# Evaluating cost proposals
# Performing contractor and/or in-house financial analysis
# Performing scheduling analysis
# Monitoring tasks and/or contracts
# Preparing the cost portion of RFPs

Internal Control Systems, Policies, and Procedures
# Roles and responsibilities of oversight and partnership organizations within and outside GSFC and NASA
# Defining roles and responsibilities of oversight and partnership organizations within and outside GSFC and NASA
Computer

Computer applications, operating, and data management systems
# Advanced MS Office, Advanced Internet
# Using advanced computer skills and knowledge of data management systems to perform budgetary and project management and control activities
Interpersonal

Improved communication skills
# Continuing professional development including PIP II
# Improving presentation skills through increased preparation and delivering of internal project presentations
# Problem-solving team or process-improvement team
# Resources group/resources retreat presentations
Organizational/ Institutional

Institutional Environment
# Outside committees and activities including working group meetings

Core Competencies Demonstrates knowledge of/skills in < Executes, produces, or participates in:
# Senior Level (GS-11/12) Requirement: Functions independently and applies knowledge and experience to a variety of complex situations. Performs complex activities while adding to subject matter expertise in resources discipline areas. Independently carries out various resources activities and is knowledgeable of budgeting and accounting concepts and practices and budgetary and financial systems.
# Participates in project activities such as budget preparation and execution and project management and control.
# Demonstrates new knowledge and skills acquired at this level and continues performing activities and demonstrating skills acquired at Level 1.
# Metrics for achievement of performance requirements are geared toward recall of appropriate Level 1 basic systems, policies, and procedures and their application in work and developmental activities
# Approximately equivalent to PMDP Level 2
Independent Financial Analysis

General Budgeting and Accounting Concepts and Practices
# Budget, cost accounting, cost/schedule management, and program terminology concepts and principles
# Key issues and potential barriers to budget and resources management effectiveness
# Project’s/organization’s planning, programming, and budgeting system and its use throughout the program and budget cycle to develop budget requests, plans, and timetables
# GSFC’s fiscal policies and procedures
# Serving as lead analyst for contract/system/ subsystem
# Using existing financial systems and integrating new applications

Budget Preparation and Execution
# Complete/final POP package preparation process and content
# Budgeting and accounting for complex funds including reimbursable and subauthorized funds
# Input, retrieval, and analysis of automated budget data
# Budget and contractor analysis
# Supporting organizations involved in the budget process
# Preparing final POP package
# Developing, coordinating, and integrating budget and schedule plans for assigned area of responsibility
# Differentiating and applying the appropriate budgeting processes and tools to short- and long-range budget activities
# Preparing budget analyses, including estimating future year costs and computing and justifying inflationary and unplanned increases
# Incorporating full cost principles into budget development and execution activities
# Formulating, explaining, and recommending budget options to management and decision-making officials at the project and installation levels
# Analyzing current funding position and estimating end-of-year position, identifying significant budget variances and other problems. Using information in subsequent budget years
# Reporting cost/schedule performance, explaining variances relative to plan, and recommending corrective action
# Updating budget operating plan

Program/Project Management and Control

Use of advanced financial and schedule techniques for
# QED/CPAP input preparation
# SEB process
# Independent contractor and/or in-house financial analysis
# Advanced EVMS
# Proposal analysis
# Analysis, synthesis and presentation of data obtained from multiple sources
# Application of analytical tools for establishing systems and techniques for monitoring of financial progress and status
# Performing independent contractor/in-house financial analysis
# Performing advanced EVMS analysis
# Advising and/or serving on SEB
# Analyzing proposals
# Advising project management on budget and cost/schedule management policies and procedures
# Interpreting and applying new or revised budgeting and cost/schedule management principles and concepts
# Developing programmatic status reports for program/project reviews, e.g., EVMS
# Correlating schedule with cost plans
# Applying program/project planning, analysis, and control techniques for integrated cost and schedule management
# Evaluating all elements of a project to confirm existence of coordinated schedule
# Performing financial management of and monitoring tasks and contracts to ensure quality, cost, schedule, and technical performance and advising project management of appropriate corrective action
# Preparing independent, in-house cost estimates for new acquisitions and change orders
# Supporting negotiations of contracts and modifications, including reimbursable and cooperative agreements
# Evaluating cost proposals
# Supporting development of acquisition plans
# Using configuration control to control project/program requirements at each phase of the life cycle
# Evaluating impact of changes on cost and schedule and recommending action
# Acting as Financial Manager as appropriate
# Carrying out daily on-the-job responsibilities
Computer
Interpersonal

Communication skills
# Interpersonal communication
# Report writing
# Leadership
# Mentoring
# Establishment and maintenance of effective working relationships with management and colleagues
# Team problem-solving and facilitation
# Making appropriate presentations to project management
# Providing on-the-job training of junior-level RAs
# Mentoring
# Developing peer-level intradiscipline and interdiscipline communications skills
# Problem-solving or process improvement team
# Developing task assignment and delegation skills
Institutional/ Organizational

Institutional Environment
# NASA and government wide policies and procedures
# Federal budget process
# Serving as financial consultant and advisor in management technical working groups and special ad hoc advisory panels to expedite solutions to project/organization problems

GS-13/14 Financial Manager
Skills/Knowledge Matrix
Core Competencies Demonstrates knowledge of/skills in Executes, produces, or participates in:
# Financial Manager (GS-13/14) Requirement: Expert member of the business support team with demonstrated capability to apply sound financial management principles in the areas of cost control, performance measurement, financial analysis, budget preparation and execution, and pricing. Demonstrates new knowledge and skills acquired at this level and continues performing activities and demonstrating skills acquired at Level 2.
# Metrics for achieving performance requirements include recall and application of appropriate Level 1 (GS-5/9) and Level 2 (GS-11/12) knowledges/skills and adaptation to specific situations and challenges in a GS-13/14 project environment.
# Approximately equivalent to PMDP Level 3
Expert Financial Analysis

General Budgeting and Accounting Concepts and Practices
# Quantitative and qualitative evaluation
# Synthesis of diverse technical, schedule, and resources information.
# Federal, Agency, and GSFC budgets and cost/schedule management principles and concepts
# Impact of requirements on external organizations and NASA organization operations, including major program and support areas
# Concepts, theories, principles, and practices of general and cost accounting, budgetary control, program analysis, and financial analysis
# Involved and diversified accounting concepts, theories, and relationships, and the ability to apply and adapt them to theoretical and practical financial problems with innovation, versatility, and judgment
# Anticipating impact of new budget and cost/schedule management policies, practices, and procedures on the organization and directing appropriate action
# Reviewing and approving financial documents and funding actions
# Approving QED/CPAP input
# Serving as audit request liaison
# Identifying and interpreting planning requirements resulting from legislation and oversight agencies’ directives
# Creating and presenting resources materials

Budget Preparation and Execution
# Federal budget process and the NASA planning, programming, budgeting, and accounting system in order to develop and execute long-range, multi-year budgets
# Reviewing and presenting POP package
# Serving as budget process lead for Office, GSFC, project, or program
# Ensuring that budgeting decisions contain consistent assumptions based on federal, NASA, and GSFC budget climate and forecasts
# Preparing budget narratives and exhibits for OMB and congressional budgets on behalf of project, installation, or NASA
# Explaining and recommending budget options to management and decision-making officials
# Identifying and interpreting authoritative guidance and establishing procedures to ensure compliance and consistency within program/account areas
# Interpreting requirements for budget implementation within context of NASA organization
# Guiding others and evaluating organizational impact of full cost processes on budget execution

Program/Project Management and Control
# All operating functions and objectives of the project/program
# Directing and/or applying program/project planning, analysis, and control techniques for integrated cost and schedule management to major project or program
# Developing, implementing, and executing processes and procedures on new programs and projects, consistent with program/project management and control principles
# Directing the development and modification of program/project management systems
# Presenting programmatic status reports at program, project installation, and Agency reviews
# Performing schedule planning, management, and control for office, project, or program
# Advising management of major schedule and cost problems and implementing workarounds
# Managing contracts to ensure quality, cost, schedule, and technical performance
# Coordinating project/program changes using information from various areas and disciplines
# Designing, developing, and implementing a Risk Management System
# Supporting procurement activities
# Approving reprogrammings, pricing reports, and in-house cost estimates
# Presenting Monthly Status Reviews
# Coordinating Code 150/Program Office requests
# Serving as member of a Configuration Control Board
# Reengineering internal processes for IFMS and/or recommending IFMS changes
# Performing daily on-the-job responsibilities
# Coordinating and communicating with external management

Internal Control Systems, Policies, and Procedures
# Analyzing resources management data and procedures and identifying control system weaknesses and corrective solutions
# Commenting on audit reports
# Computer Designing, implementing, and managing a program, project, or office automated management system
# Responding to audit findings, and applying improvements to automated systems
Interpersonal

Communication and team skills
# Presentation skills
# Team leadership
# Program/project report writing
# Documentation review
# Human motivation and small group dynamics
# Team problem-solving and facilitation
# Coordinating efforts of junior RAs
# Leading team efforts (both internal and external)
# Serving as a team leader
# Serving as a work group chair
# Developing and delivering presentations to senior management
# Developing intraorganizatiol and interdiscipline communication skills
# Directing and managing a staff of professional and clerical resources personnel in order to effectively administer the project/program resources activities
# Institutional/ Organizational Roles and responsibilities of oversight and partnership organizations within and outside GSFC and NASA, e.g., Treasury, GAO, GSA, OMB
# The operating programs, functions, and objectives of the Agency
# OMB and GAO regulations and NASA and GSFC policies and directives to develop budgetary plans for missions that involve contractors and extensive contracts within NASA, other government agencies, and foreign governments
# Serving as Business Management Council Chair
# Becoming aware of issues in government/private sector financial management
# Obtaining and studying policy and funding operations of other agencies

GS-14/15 Deputy Project Manager for Resources
Skills/Knowledge Matrix
Core Competencies Demonstrates knowledge of/skills in Executes, produces, or participates in:
# Executive Level (GS-14/15) Requirement: Operates at the executive level and exercises a broad scope of responsibility and high visibility. Contributes business management expertise to the technical program/project objectives and applies business, financial management, and performance measurement techniques to program/project objectives.
# Has Directorate/project/program-wide responsibility for business management heading a team of lead business skills specialists and their supporting personnel.
# Supervises a team of specialists in the areas of finance, budget, performance measurement, scheduling, pricing, and configuration management
# Has responsibility for applying sound business techniques to the accomplishment of program/project objectives
# Demonstrates new knowledge and skills acquired at this level and continues performing activities and demonstrating skills acquired at Level 3.
# Approximately equivalent to PMDP Level 4.
# Expert Financial Management Financial and Accounting Systems, Policies, and Procedures Adapts generalized policy guidance to the fiscal aspects of the varied operations and numerous organizational segments
# Exercises responsibility for budget and accounting system operations relating to planning, analysis, formulation, justification, presentation, and review of multiyear program or project operations
# Works with involved and diversified financial concepts, theories, and relationships
# Financial Analysis Applies financial concepts, theories, and relationships to theoretical and practical financial problems with versatility, judgment, and breadth and depth of perception
# Recommends and suggests management actions and alternatives that can be taken when available accounting data discloses unfavorable trends
# Reviews and analyzes financial and administrative activities within the organization
# Meets with management officials in applying financial data to management problems
# Translates program goals and objectives in terms of dollar costs in budget forecasts for various programs across all Agency Enterprises
# Budget Development Conducts numerous and diverse cost studies for a variety of decision-making processes
# Analyzes and resolves critical resource problems
# Participates in various levels of budget reviews, including reviews by Center general management and by HQ executive-level management
# Develops and implements workforce, travel, R&D, and institutional budgets
# Providing authoritative advice and guidance to program and line managers on the interpretation of budget estimates and the formulation of budget requests in support of multiyear development of major space flight programs
# Modifies budget estimates as necessary to conform to changes in technology, manufacturing deadlines, and program direction
# Directs or conducts the reviews of the program, project, or organization budget, advising management on budgetary considerations and problems, and recommending solutions
# Interprets budgetary policies and guidance
# Interprets Agency, OMB, and congressional policies and/or regulations for justifying and submitting budget estimates
# Provides management expertise during all phases of the budget cycle and assures that all plans are developed in accordance with NASA policies and procedures
# Reviews proposed program and resource guidance issued by NASA and assesses their impact on resources
# Understands the Federal budget process and the NASA planning, programming, and budgeting system
# Understands NASA policies and regulations covering most aspects of appropriated fund budgeting under the federal budget process
# Applies the Agency’s policies, regulations, and guidelines to review, approve, or recommend for approval the budgetary plans for the program, project, or organization, taking into account the effect of changing economic and fiscal policies
# Budget Execution Executes the budget as approved, ensuring that objectives are met within the established guidelines and available workforce resources
# Data Management Develops data management systems to use on a program, Center, or Agency level
# Audit Request Liaison Activities Develops responses to audit and other inquiries by various activities such as NASA audit, GAO, Center management, and NASA HQ program management
# Program/Project/Organization Management and Control Knowledgeable about legal principles governing business transactions and business relationships
# Organizes, plans, directs, coordinates, and leads the resources/business management operations effectively
# Reviews long-range budgetary and program requirements to assure their conformance with established Agency policies and congressional intent
# Supplies management expertise to the establishment of technical objectives and guidelines covering all areas of responsibilities
# Complies with budget and schedules and deadlines concerning the manufacture and delivery of products or services
# Practices all facets of effective project/program management
# Coordinates among numerous and diverse administrative and scientific/engineering disciplines, other NASA Centers, NASA HQ, other government entities, universities, other scientific institutions, private industry, and foreign government participants
# Recommends adjustments in staffing necessary to accomplish the organization’s mission
# Certifies integrity of internal management controls, principles, operations, and procedures
# Analyzes, integrates, and manages resources and functional elements, including workforce/personnel budgets, configuration management, technical/project plans, procurements, logistics, and scheduling
# Implements and evaluates business resources management concepts for integration into mission/program/project management initiatives
# Assures accomplishment of all business-related functions for the program, or project, or organization
# Acquisition and Contract Management Determines the time phasing for acquisition and use of funds to coincide with payments to contractors for completion of milestones in developing, procuring, and/or modifying systems
# Evaluates cost proposals and establishes cost/price objectives for contract negotiations
# Implements NASA procurement regulations
# Formulates agreements, plans, memoranda of understanding (MOUs) as required with other organizations, NASA HQ Program Offices, other Centers, agencies, and international organizations s they relate to the organization’s responsibilities
# Participates in PEB procedures and determines evaluation criteria
# Ensures implementation and monitoring of plans, agreements and MOUs, and initiates changes or modifications as necessary