Management Program Analyst (UX/UI Designer), GS-0343-13, FPL GS-13, (Direct Hire) (Open Continuous)

This position is in the U.S. Department of Education (ED), Federal Student Aid (FSA), Technology Directorate (TD). The Technology Directorate provides information technology services for all FSA systems, promoting the effective and secure use of technology to achieve FSA's strategic objectives through sound planning, investments, integrated technology architectures and standards, effective systems development, production support, and cybersecurity services.

This is an open continuous announcement to fill current and future vacancies, until 08/14/2026. We encourage you to read this entire vacancy announcement prior to submitting your application. As a Management and Program Analyst (UX-UI Designer), GS-0343-13, you will be responsible for: Leading human centered design practices such as user experience (UX) research and interaction design (lxD) to help improve products on FSA's customer facing site, StudentAid.ed.gov. The site provides customers with a personalized and self service experience across multiple channels that covers the federal student aid journey which includes learning about financial aid, applying for financial aid, and managing aid including loans. Applying qualitative and quantitative methods to assess program efficiency, effectiveness, guidelines, practices, procedures, administrative operations, processes, and mechanisms, as well as evaluating progress toward program goals and objectives. Preparing reports and briefs for program management while implementing and promoting best practices in organizational change management. Leading and working independently to conduct and oversee UX 20 research to understand the needs of students, parents and borrowers and develop reports and recommendations to FSA stakeholders. Overseeing user research activities, including development of detailed customer journeys; analyzing FSA and servicer legacy websites to understand their functionality and gather requirements; eliciting requirements from customers, subject matter experts, and product owners; and assisting vendor and FSA staff. Leading the development interactive prototypes as part of the design process and stakeholder reviews while communicating requirements to vendors and providing feedback to vendors on deliverables. Collaborating with vendor and FSA staff to design the digital experience for students, parents, borrowers, schools, and partners; Working with the development team to understand technical constraints and communicating the desired functionality for the digital platform; answering user interface design questions; and participating in user acceptance testing.

Condition of Employment: As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you may be required to serve a probationary period or trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: Your performance and conduct; The needs and interests of the agency; Whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and Whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Upon completion of your probationary period OR trial period your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest. You must meet all qualification requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this vacancy announcement. 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. We will consider all qualifying experience, including any volunteer experience.