NOAA WPO Financial Analyst

FedWriters•Silver Spring, MD

11d•$30 - $42•Hybrid

About The Position

Are you a finance professional who wants your work to matter — not just on a balance sheet, but in the real world? The purpose of this position is to provide comprehensive financial analysis, budget formulation, and fiscal management support for the Weather Program Office's research portfolio and operational activities. The NOAA Weather Program Office (WPO) is a programmatic office located in NOAA Research that supports world-class weather research to save lives, reduce property damage, and enhance the national economy by selecting and funding research that supports and fosters collaborations with NOAA's research laboratories and the weather enterprise (i.e., NOAA, other Federal agencies and entities, state and local governments, academia, and the private sector). WPO's Programs work closely with the National Weather Service to develop and transition weather research to improve knowledge about tropical cyclones, severe storms, extreme precipitation, air pollution, and social science -- and to integrate weather, water, and climate forecasting and mitigation. This role serves as a key financial management professional responsible for strategic budget formulation, financial systems management, and fiscal oversight of WPO's research programs. The incumbent will drive cross-functional coordination with senior leadership and program managers to ensure accurate budget execution, maintain expertise in NOAA financial systems, and provide critical financial analysis to support organizational decision-making. This role is essential to WPO's fiscal integrity and strategic planning processes. FWI has been recognized as a Top Workplace by the Washington Post in 2024 and 2025, offering excellent growth opportunities in a collaborative environment.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree (BA/BS) in a technical or business discipline such as finance, accounting, economics, business administration, or related field.
At least 4+ years of professional and/or academic experience in financial analysis, budget management, or fiscal operations. Advanced degrees or certifications may qualify for shorter periods of required experience.
Advanced Smartsheet experience to develop and manage dashboards.
Strong proficiency in financial systems and database management, preferably with experience in federal financial systems.
Demonstrated expertise in budget formulation, execution, and financial analysis techniques.
Knowledge of federal funding mechanisms including grants management, direct funding, and budget operating procedures.
Advanced skills in spreadsheet applications, data analysis tools, and financial reporting software.
Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities with attention to detail and accuracy in financial data management.
Excellent communication skills with ability to present complex financial information to diverse audiences including senior leadership.
Understanding of federal financial regulations, compliance requirements, and fiscal accountability standards.
Ability to work collaboratively with cross-functional teams and manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment

Nice To Haves

Professional certification such as CPA, CFA, or federal financial management certification.
Experience working with NOAA financial systems (BAS, EDW-Oracle E-Business Suite, FMDS, MARS) or similar federal financial management platforms.
Background in federal budget processes, grants management, and research program funding.

Responsibilities

Drive strategic budget formulation for WPO by leading cross-functional coordination with senior leadership and program managers, ensuring timely and accurate data integration into financial systems and budget planning processes.
Serve as knowledge expert in NOAA Financial Systems including BAS, EDW-Oracle E-Business Suite, FMDS, Smartsheet, and MARS, providing technical support and guidance on system utilization and data management.
Develop comprehensive monthly spend plans that align with program budgets and strategic objectives, working collaboratively with Program Managers to ensure accurate execution and compliance with fiscal requirements.
Distribute funding directly through various mechanisms including Grants, Direct Cites, and Budget Operating Plans (BOPs), ensuring proper documentation and compliance with federal funding regulations.
Review all spending transactions to ensure funding availability and prevent cost overruns, maintaining rigorous oversight of budget execution across all WPO programs and initiatives.
Reconcile budget execution against accounting data on a regular basis, identifying and resolving discrepancies to maintain accurate financial records and reporting.
Conduct specialized financial analyses using historical data to forecast future budget needs, trends, and resource requirements to support strategic planning and decision-making.
Present financial trends, performance insights, and budget analyses to senior leadership, providing clear and actionable recommendations for fiscal management and program optimization.
Serve as primary point of contact for responding to all data calls from NOAA Finance, ensuring timely and accurate submission of financial reports and information requests.
Support fiscal year-end processes, budget justifications, and congressional reporting requirements as needed to maintain organizational compliance and transparency.