Policy Analyst/Senior Policy Analyst

Summary

This position is for a Policy Analyst/Senior Policy Analyst with the Division of Housing Mission and Goals (DHMG), Office of Affordable Housing and Community Investment (OAHCI). In this role, the incumbent will perform various tasks related to affordable rental and homeownership markets.

Duties

Division of Housing Mission and Goals The Division of Housing Mission and Goals (DHMG) is responsible for FHFA policy development and analysis; oversight of housing and regulatory policy; oversight of the mission and goals of the Enterprises; and oversight of housing finance and community and economic development mission of the FHLBanks. The Division's activities also support the Director's responsibilities as a member of the Federal Housing Finance Oversight Board, the financial Stability Oversight Board, and Financial Stability Oversight Council. Work performed in DHMG includes data analyses, market surveillance, systemic risk monitoring, and analysis affecting housing finance and financial markets. Office of Affordable Housing and Community Investment The Office of Affordable Housing and Community Investment (OAHCI) provides effective oversight over the affordable housing, community investment and fair lending activities of Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, and the Federal Home Loan Banks. OAHCI ensures that the regulated entities operate consistently with their charters and statutes to advance their public missions. This includes oversight of the regulated entities' affordable housing goals, the Enterprises' Duty to Serve, and the FHLBanks Affordable Housing Program, Community Investment Program, and community support requirements. Position Overview The Policy Analyst/Senior Policy Analyst position will perform assignments by analyzing developments, setting policy, and developing guidance in the affordable rental and homeownership markets; monitoring regulated entity activities and evaluating their impact; analyzing developments in the mortgage finance activities of the regulated entities to determine the impact of those activities on affordable housing policy choices and regulations; and evaluating the regulated entities' affordable housing and/or community investment requirements. Major Duties & Responsibilities The Policy Analyst/Senior Policy Analyst duties listed below are at the EL-14 grade level. Depending on the grade level selected, the incumbent will perform the following duties with varying levels of supervision and difficulty: Represent and support the views of the Office, Division, and the FHFA on inter-office, intra-office, and inter-agency working groups and task forces. Present the views of the Associate Director and the Office in a professional manner and is responsible for understanding these views prior to participating in these groups. Represent the OAHCI, DHMG and the FHFA as a subject-matter expert with the regulated entities and other external stakeholders. Design and implement effective housing finance regulations, policies, procedures, and guidelines. Identify necessary program modifications based on knowledge or experiences with the programs and recommend changes to FHFA regulations and policies, as appropriate, to ensure continued effectiveness of the programs of the regulated entities. Analyze the full range and complexity of statistical data and technical reports in addition to management information requirements to help develop improved business processes for application to Office programs and/or supervision operations. Plan and perform extensive policy analysis of proposed legislation, existing statutes, Congressional testimony, and Enterprises' reports. Analyze trends and advise management as to both actual and potential implications to pertinent Agency program operations. Research, analyze, and resolve the most complex written and telephonic inquiries regarding housing-finance programmatic and policy issues. Design and implement effective housing finance regulations, policies, procedures, and guidelines. Identify necessary program modifications based on knowledge or experiences with the programs and recommend changes to FHFA regulations and policies. Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

You may qualify for your desired series and grade level if you meet the following qualification requirements: MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: Minimum Qualification EL-12: Applicants must have 52 weeks (one-year) of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level as described below. Experience: I qualify for the EL/GS-12 because I have at least 52 weeks of specialized experience at the EL/GS-11 or equivalent demonstrating work experience with the statements described below. Examples of specialized experience include: Analyzing, monitoring, and evaluating single and/or multifamily affordable housing finance and/or community development policy and the impact on real estate financial market. Interpreting federal, state, and local laws and regulations governing single and/or multifamily affordable housing. Assisting with drafting regulations, policy statements, advisory bulletins, memoranda, correspondence, and special reports regarding single and/or multifamily affordable housing programs. Monitoring and assessing regulated entity regulatory performance and compliance. Minimum Qualification EL-13: Applicants must have 52 weeks (one-year) of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level as described below. Experience: I qualify for the EL/GS-13 because I have at least 52 weeks of specialized experience at the EL/GS-12 or equivalent demonstrating work experience with the statements described below. Examples of specialized experience include: Analyzing complex housing finance data, market trends, and affordable housing and/or community development changes to support policy development. Conducting special studies or major projects to identify operational or regulatory issues and providing recommendations to improve program plans or policies. Interpreting and applying federal, state, and local laws and regulations governing single and/or multifamily affordable housing operations and compliance, ensuring alignment with organizational policies and objectives. Developing well-supported policy recommendations, preparing policy papers, issue briefs, or regulatory guidance for senior leadership and/or external stakeholders. Conducting outreach and consultation with industry experts, advocacy groups, trade associations, investors, or other government agencies to gather input on policy issues. Minimum Qualification EL-14: Applicants must have 52 weeks (one-year) of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level as described below. Experience: I qualify for the EL/GS-14 because I have at least 52 weeks of specialized experience at the EL/GS-13 or equivalent demonstrating work experience with the statements described below. Examples of specialized experience include: Conducting advanced analyses of legislation, affordable housing program activities, and affordable-housing and/or community investment requirements to develop policy recommendations that informed Agency/organizational decisions and regulatory actions. Designing and refining housing-finance regulations, policies, and evaluation frameworks, ensuring alignment with statutory mandates and improving the effectiveness of programs serving under-served markets. Leading outreach with housing-finance experts, advocacy groups, and/or regulated entities to gather insights, communicate Agency/organizational priorities, and supporting development of high-impact policy initiatives. Serving as a technical authority on complex, sensitive affordable-housing and/or community investment issues, providing guidance to senior leadership, and mentoring junior analysts. 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, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

Evaluations

This position is being filled through the Federal Housing Finance Agency's hiring authority granted by the Housing Economic Recovery Act (HERA). Through this hiring authority, FHFA is permitted to use excepted service hiring procedures instead of competitive service procedures. For this reason, CTAP, ICTAP, and Veteran's Preference are not applicable. However, applicants who would normally be eligible for these priority considerations are still highly encouraged to apply. You will be evaluated based on how well you meet the qualifications listed in this vacancy announcement. Your qualifications will be evaluated based on your application materials (e.g., resume, supporting documents), your responses on the application questionnaire, and your responses to all assessments required for this position. You will be assessed on the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics): Accountability Attention to Detail Customer Service Decision Making Flexibility Influencing/Negotiating Integrity/Honesty Interpersonal Skills Learning Reading Comprehension Reasoning Self-Management Stress Tolerance Teamwork The USA Hire Assessments includes a cut score based on the minimum level of required proficiency in these critical general competencies. You must meet or exceed the cut score to be considered. You will not be considered for the position if you score below the cut score or fail to complete the assessment. Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application materials or application questionnaire may result in your removal from consideration. Cheating on an assessment may also result in your removal from consideration. We recommend that you preview the online questions for this announcement before you start the application process. To preview the application questionnaire, click the following link: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13015834 All of the information you provide will be verified by a review of the work experience and/or education as shown on your application forms, by checking references or through other means, such as the interview process. This verification could occur at any stage of the application process. Any exaggeration of your experience, false statements, or attempts to conceal information may be grounds for rating you ineligible. In accordance with the Fair Chance Act, the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) may not request, in oral or written form, that an applicant for an appointment to (FHFA) disclose criminal history record information before the appointing authority extends a tentative offer to the applicant. Allegations of FHFA violations of this Act may be submitted to fairchanceactcomplaints@fhfa.gov or to Fair Chance Act Complaints, Office of Human Resources Management, Employee Relations Branch, FHFA 400 7th Street, SW Washington DC 20219 within 30 days from the agency employee's alleged non-compliance with the law.

How to apply Please read the entire announcement and all the instructions before you begin an application. To apply and be considered for this position, you must complete all required questionnaires, assessments and submit all required documentation as specified in the How to Apply and Required Documents section. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on the closing date of the announcement to receive consideration. The application process is as follows: Click the Apply Online button. Answer the questions presented in the application and attach all necessary supporting documentation. Click the Submit Application button prior to 11:59 PM (ET) on the announcement closing date. If you are required to complete any USA Hire Assessments, you will be notified after submitting your application. The notification will be provided in your application submission screen and via email. The notification will include your unique assessment access link to the USA Hire system and the completion deadline. Additionally, in USAJOBS you can click "Track this application" to return to your assessment completion notice. Access USA Hire using your unique assessment link. Access is granted through your USAJOBS login credentials. Review all instructions prior to beginning your assessments. You will have the opportunity to request a testing accommodation before beginning the assessments should you have a disability covered under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended. Set aside about two (2) hours to take the USA Hire Assessments; however, most applicants complete the assessments in less time. If you need to stop the assessments and continue later, you can re-use your unique assessment link. Your responses to the USA Hire Assessments will be reused for one year (in most cases) from the date you complete an assessment. If future applications you submit require completion of the same assessments, your responses will be automatically reused. Visit the USA Hire Applicant Resource Center for practice assessments and assessment preparation resources at https://support-usahire.opm.gov/hc/en-us. To update your application, including supporting documentation: During the announcement open period, return to your USAJOBS account, find your application record, and click Edit my application. This option will no longer be available once the announcement has closed. To view the announcement status or your application status: Visit https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/howto/application/status/. Your application status page is where you can view your application status, USA Hire assessment completion status, and review your notifications sent by the hiring agency regarding your application. If you are unable to apply online, you must request an alternative application which is available from the Human Resources Office. Please contact Ryan Stanger at ryan.stanger@fhfa.gov or 771-233-7320 to obtain an alternative application.

Other information An Overview of FHFA's Benefits provides a summary of benefits for the current fiscal year. If selectee is a current FHFA employee; their benefits remain the same. Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered or exempt from Selective Service (see https://www.sss.gov/RegVer/wfRegistration.aspx). Career Transition Assistance Programs: These programs apply to Federal employees who have been involuntarily separated or whose positions are surplus. To receive selection priority, you must: (1) meet CTAP/ICTAP eligibility criteria; (2) be rated well-qualified with a score of 90 or above; and (3) submit required documentation. For more information, visit: For more information visit: http://www.opm.gov/rif/employee_guides/career_transition.asp. FHFA is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, and gender identity), national origin, disability, age (40 or older), genetic information, parental or marital status, prior protected EEO activity, political affiliation, or any other non-merit factor. Reasonable Accommodation (RA) Requests: If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be granted the opportunity to request a RA in your online application. Requests for RA for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for RA must be received prior to starting the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. Decisions on requests for RA are made on a case-by-case basis. If you meet the minimum qualifications of the position, after notification of the adjudication of your request, you will receive an email invitation to complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, based on your adjudication decision. You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments if you received the link after the close of the announcement. To determine if you need a RA, please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments. REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION: FHFA provides accommodations to applicants with disabilities unless it would create an undue hardship. To request an accommodation, contact reasonableaccommodations@fhfa.gov. All requests are reviewed case by case. Ethics: FHFA employees are subject to government-wide ethical standards of conduct, financial disclosure requirements, and post-employment prohibitions. In addition, certain FHFA employees are prohibited from accepting compensation from Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac for a two-year period after terminating employment with FHFA. Furthermore, to avoid financial conflicts-of interest or the appearance of conflicts-of-interest, FHFA employees may need to divest or sell certain assets they, their spouse, or minor children own or control, including securities issued by Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, or the Federal Home Loan Banks. Employees who work on Federal Home Loan Bank issues may need to sell or divest financial interests with any of the Federal Home Loan Bank members, which may include stock in bank holding companies, insurance companies, and other financial services firms. Questions regarding these requirements and prohibitions should be directed to the Office of General Counsel at (202) 649-3088.