Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement including time-in-grade restrictions, and specialized experience as defined below. Time in Grade: Current federal employees applying for a promotion opportunity must meet the time in grade requirement of 52 weeks of federal service at the next lower grade level in the normal line of progression for the position being filled. For the GS-12: Applicants must possess one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level (GS-11), or it's non-federal equivalent. Specialized experience is defined as measuring and analyzing the effectiveness and productivity of administrative and technical programs to find efficiencies; applying fact-finding and investigative techniques to conduct studies; analyze findings from studies, or technical programs to make recommendations to workflow, or organizational processes; drafting reports based on existing procedures or observations of program activities. There is no substitution of education for experience at the GS-12 level. For the GS-13: Applicants must possess one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level (GS-12), or it's non-federal equivalent. Specialized experience is defined as analyzing and evaluating the effectiveness of program operations; researching and investigating new or improved business and management practices for application to agency programs or operations; assisting in the testing and implementation of solutions; planning, developing, and implementing a variety of operational and administrative initiatives; working with senior analysts on developing strategic vision for annual goals and long-range plans of operations throughout all organizational units; coordinating management initiatives, determining administrative management and program support trends and weaknesses; advising necessary corrective actions as needed to improve operating effectiveness. There is no substitution of education for experience at the GS-13 level. NOTE: To be considered for this position, you must meet all qualification and eligibility requirements for the GS-0343 series set forth in the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualification Standards by the closing date of the announcement. A copy is available at: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards 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.