Clarification from the agency

All U.S. Citizens or U. S. Nationals

• Uses applicable accounting methods, procedures, and techniques to reconcile accounts within established deadlines.
• Analyzes system reports and statements to identify and resolve variances and discrepancies timely.
• Responds both professionally and timely to all agency inquiries.
• Articulates responses to customers professionally, utilizing proper grammar, with clear interpretations or guidance.
• Uses various computer and Microsoft Office programs, i.e. Outlook, Word and Excel to compile data from various sources to prepare reports.

Conditions of employment

• You must be a US Citizen or US National.
• Males born after 12/31/1959 must be Selective Service registered or exempt.
• Subject to satisfactory adjudication of background investigation and/or fingerprint check.
• Direct Deposit - Per Public Law 104-134 all Federal employees are required to have federal payments made by direct deposit to their financial institution.
• Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit https://www.e-verify.gov/.
• You will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period unless previous federal service is creditable.

Qualifications

Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement including specialized experience and/or education, as defined below.
GS-05: Have at least one (1) year of specialized experience, equivalent to the GS-04 level in Federal Service or equivalent responsibility in the private sector/pay systems that equipped me with the competencies to successfully perform as a Accounting Technician. Such experience includes: 1) Verifying and advising customer agencies of documentation received using automated personnel and payroll systems; 2) Researching payments in personnel and payroll systems and reports discrepancies to Supervisor; 3) Reviewing applicable Office of Personnel Management (OPM) and/or agency directives and procedures to ensure accuracy of required documentation and to calculate, certify, process, and audit service deposits and retirement adjustments; 4) Receives and reviews accounting documents for proper accounting codes, classification, signature, transaction codes, etc.; 5) Maintains funds control, reimbursement, credits, collection, customer orders, and general ledger by processing day to day accounting documents, such as, orders for records, documents, and general ledger are in agreement; and 6) Compiles selected data from various general ledgers accounts, subsidiary ledgers, listings, and files. NOTE: This experience must be demonstrated on your resume and/or supporting documents.
OR
Four (4) years above high school (Copy of transcripts are required).
OR
Combination of specialized experience and education: Have an equivalent combination of successfully completed specialized experience and education above high school level described above that makes up 100% of the qualifications required for the position. (Copy of transcripts are required.)

Additional qualification information can be found on the following Office of Personnel Management (OPM) website:
General Qualification Standards for Accounting Technician Series 0525
Link: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/0500/accounting-technician-series-0525/
Group Coverage Qualification Standard for Clerical and Administrative Support Positions
Link: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/#GS-CLER

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.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

Applications will be evaluated in accordance with Office of Personnel Management's (OPM) Delegated Examining Procedures and USDA policy. This means 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 to 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):

• Accounting
• Arithmetic/Mathematical Reasoning
• Auditing
• Customer Service
• Decision Making
• Flexibility
• Integrity/Honesty
• Interpersonal Skills
• Oral Communication
• Reading Comprehension
• Self-Management
• Teamwork
• Written Communication

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.
To preview the application questionnaire, click the following link: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12972488
This announcement will also include the following assessment: USA Hire Assessment, Resume and/or Structured Interview by Subject Matter Expects.
When we complete our selections, the remaining list of qualified candidates may be shared with additional Federal agencies. You will have an opportunity to opt-in if you would like your name, application materials, and assessment results shared with additional Federal agencies to be considered for employment. There is no guarantee of further consideration.
Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal Government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

The following documents are required for your applicant package to be complete. Encrypted documents will not be accepted. Failure to submit required, legible documents may result in loss of consideration.

• Resume that includes: Personal Information: name, address, contact information; Education; Work Experience related to this position as described in the major duties including work schedule, hours worked per week, dates of employment; title, series, grade (if applicable); other qualifications. Resume cannot exceed 2 pages.
• If education is required or you are using education to qualify, you must submit a copy of your college transcripts. An unofficial copy is sufficient with the application if it includes your name and the necessary course information; however, if you are selected, you will be required to submit official transcripts prior to entering on duty. Education must have been successfully obtained from an accredited school, college or university. If any education was completed at a foreign institute, you must submit with your application evidence that the institute was appropriately accredited by an accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education as equivalent to U.S. education standards. There are private organizations that specialize in this evaluation and a fee is normally associated with this service. For a list of private organizations that evaluate education, visit the NACES website. All transcripts must be in English or include an English translation.
• If claiming veteran's preference, you must submit a DD214, Certificate of Release from Active Duty, which shows dates of service and discharge under honorable conditions. If currently on active duty you must submit a certification of expected discharge or release from active duty service under honorable conditions not later than 120 days after the date the certification is submitted. Veteran's preference must be verified prior to appointment. Without this documentation, you will not receive veteran's preference and your application will be evaluated based on the material(s) submitted.
• If claiming 10-point veteran's preference you must provide the DD214 or certification requirements (see above bullet), plus the proof of entitlement of this preference as listed on the SF-15 Application for 10-point Veterans' Preference. The SF-15 should be included but is not required. Failure to submit these documents could result in the determination that there is insufficient documentation to support your claim for 10-point preference. For more information on veterans' preference visit FedsHireVets.
• Surplus or displaced employees eligible for CTAP, RPL, or ICTAP priority must provide: proof of eligibility (RIF separation notice, notice of proposed removal for declining a transfer of function or directed reassignment to another commuting area, notice of disability annuity termination), SF-50 documenting separation (as applicable), current performance appraisal with rating of at least "Fully Successful" or equivalent, and your most recent SF-50 noting position, grade level, and duty location with your application per 5 CFR 330.

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