Clarification from the agency

Recent Graduates - Applicants within 2 years of receiving their degree or certificate by the closing date of this announcement. Veterans precluded from applying due to military service, must be within 6 years of receiving their degree or certificate. Applications will also be accepted from individuals expected to graduate within 45 days of the closing date of this announcement.

The Office of the Inspector General employs specialists who examine program performance and compliance with laws and regulations. These Performance Auditors participate in a full range of duties to support the audit of government programs, contracts, grants, and payments. This includes planning, assessing risk, establishing methodology, performing fieldwork, developing conclusions, reporting results, and following up on recommendations. More specifically:

As a GS-7, Performance Auditor (Recent Graduate), the individual receives training through classroom and specific on-the-job training assignments to become well versed in evaluation and audit techniques, DOJ programs, legislation and regulations, and industry practices. As a GS-7 Performance Auditor, typical work assignments include but are not limited to:

• Working with experienced staff, the incumbent analyzes information or conducts research to answer questions, evaluates operations or programs, and draws conclusions.
• Using logic to resolve multifaceted questions, gathers financial and operating records, traces transactions to and from source documents, and identifies unusual or questionable transactions or practices that do not fit instructions or guidelines.
• Reviewing and analyzing technical information, data, records, and/or results and using sound judgment to provide the basis for the development of an opinion on the efficiency and effectiveness of operations and make recommendations for action.
• Documenting information (for example, facts, ideas, or messages) in a succinct and organized manner and producing written information that is appropriate for the intended audience.
• Working with teammates on assigned tasks, facilitates sharing of information with others and fosters cooperation and team spirit.
• Engaging in ongoing development to become well versed in evaluation and review techniques, DOJ programs, legislation and regulations, and industry practices.

As a GS-9, Performance Auditor (Recent Graduate), the individual serves as a team member on an assigned audit or review project, assisting senior members in carrying out the activities involved in performance and financial reviews/evaluations of DOJ programs and activities. As a GS-9 Performance Auditor, typical work assignments include but are not limited to:

• Applying knowledge of audit and evaluation functions, uses judgment to choose and interpret the most applicable guidelines, analyze and define problems, and make recommendations on program performance issues or questions.
• Using logic to resolve multifaceted questions, gathers financial and operating records, traces transactions to and from source documents, and identifies unusual or questionable transactions or practices that do not fit instructions or guidelines.
• Reviewing and analyzing technical information, data, records, and/or results and using sound judgment to provide the basis for the development of an opinion on the efficiency and effectiveness of operations and make recommendations for action.
• Documenting information (for example, facts, ideas, or messages) in a succinct and organized manner and producing written information that is appropriate for the intended audience.
• Working with teammates on assigned tasks, facilitates sharing of information with others and fosters cooperation and team spirit.
• Engaging in ongoing development to become well versed in evaluation and review techniques, DOJ programs, legislation and regulations, and industry practices.

Responsibilities will increase and assignments will become more complex as your training and experience progress.

Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen or National.
• You must be able to obtain and maintain a security clearance.
• You must be registered for the Selective Service, if applicable.
• You must successfully pass and are subject to random drug screenings.
• You must meet all qualification requirements by the closing date of this announcement.
• You may be subject to a probationary period.
• If selected you must complete and sign a Pathways Recent Graduate Agreement.

Qualifications

Individual Occupational Education Requirement for All Grades
Degree in Auditing or in a related field such as Business Administration, Finance, Public Administration, and Accounting.

Additional related and accepted degrees include but are not limited to:
*Business-related: Communications/Public Relations, Economics, International Business/Studies, Management, Marketing, and Organizational Behavior/Psychology. *Government-related: Criminal Justice/Criminology; Diplomacy/International Policy, Affairs, or Relations; National/Homeland Security; Forensics; Government/History; Intelligence Analysis; Law/Legal Studies; Political Science; Public Management; Public Policy; and Security Policy. *Technically related: Computer Science, Cybersecurity, Engineering, Human Resources, Information Technology/Systems, Journalism/Investigative Reporting, Languages/Linguistics, Logistics, Management Information Systems, Mathematics/Statistics/Data Science, Sciences (anthropology, biology, chemistry, etc.), and Supply Chain Management.

OR

A combination of education and experience - at least 4 years of experience in Performance Auditing, or an equivalent combination of performance auditing experience, college-level education, and training that provided professional auditing knowledge. The applicant's background must also include one of the following:

1. A certificate as a Certified Internal Auditor or a Certified Public Accountant, obtained through written examination; or
2. Completion of the requirements for a degree that included substantial course work in auditing or accounting, e.g., 15 semester hours.

GS-7 Specialized Experience:
In addition to meeting the Individual Occupational Education Requirement above, applicants must meet at least one of the Specialized Experience requirements below:

One year of specialized experience at the next lower grade level (GS-05). Specialized experience at this level includes the following examples of duties/tasks:
- Assisting in planning and conducting research;
- Assisting in collecting, evaluating, and analyzing data;
- Employing reasoning and problem solving to achieve outcomes;
- Briefing peers, instructors, or management on assignment or project results; and
- Verifying facts or reported statistics to source documents

OR
Education: 1 year of graduate-level education or superior academic achievement (cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher).

OR
Combination of Education & Experience: Combinations of successfully completed education and experience may be used to meet total qualification requirements.

GS-9 Specialized Experience:
In addition to meeting the Individual Occupational Education Requirement above, applicants must meet at least one of the Specialized Experience requirements below:

One year of specialized experience at the next lower grade level (GS-07). Specialized experience at this level includes the following examples of duties/tasks:
- Assisting in planning and conducting research;
- Assisting in collecting, evaluating, and analyzing data;
- Employing reasoning and problem solving to achieve outcomes;
- Briefing peers, instructors, or management on assignment or project results;
- Assisting in preparing written reports, essays, or briefs;
- Assisting in conducting performance audits, evaluations, or inspections;
- Verifying facts or reported statistics to source documents; and
- Performing financial reconciliations or analyses.

OR
Education: 2 years of progressively higher graduate-level education leading to a master's degree or master's or equivalent graduate degree.

OR
Combination of Education & Experience: Combinations of successfully completed education and experience may be used to meet total qualification requirements.

How you will be evaluated

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

You will be evaluated based on how well you meet the qualifications listed in this vacancy announcement. You will be evaluated through the following assessment process:

USA Hire Assessment: Applicants will be required to complete a USA Hire Assessment. This assessment is online and measures the following competencies:

• Accountability
• Arithmetic/Mathematical Reasoning
• Attention to Detail
• Decision Making
• Flexibility
• Information Management
• Integrity/Honesty
• Interpersonal Skills
• Learning
• Problem Solving
• Reasoning
• Self-Management
• Teamwork
• Written Communication

You will be evaluated based on how well you meet the qualifications listed in this vacancy announcement. You will be evaluated by a panel of subject matter experts through the following assessment process:

Resume Review: Your resume will be reviewed to determine your technical qualifications.

Interview: Applicants who pass the resume review may be invited to an interview with an interview panel and/or selecting official.

For Category Rating: At the conclusion of the assessment process, qualified candidates will be placed into one of three categories. Best Qualified, Well Qualified, and Qualified.

Best Qualified Category = Meets the basic qualifications requirements described in the "Qualifications" section of this announcement and excels in the Competencies. The category assignment is a measure of the degree in which your background matches the competencies required for this position.

Well Qualified Category = Meets the basic qualifications requirements described in the "Qualifications" section of this announcement and demonstrates proficiency in the Competencies. (This category must be met to be considered under ICTAP procedures)

Qualified Category = Meets the basic qualifications requirements described in the "Qualifications" section of this announcement and demonstrates proficiency in the Competencies. (This category must be met to be considered under ICTAP procedures)

The Category Rating Process does not add veterans' preference points or apply the "rule of three," but protects the rights of veterans by placing them ahead of non-preference eligibles within each category. Preference eligibles who meet the minimum qualification requirements and have a compensable service-connected disability of at least 10 percent or higher will be listed in the highest quality category.

Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application materials or application questionnaire may result in your removal from consideration. Cheating on the online assessment may also result in your removal from consideration. If your resume or transcript is incomplete or does not support the responses you provided in your online questionnaire, or if you fail to submit all required documentation before the vacancy closes, you may be rated 'ineligible', 'not qualified', or your score may be adjusted accordingly.

To preview the application questionnaire, click the following link: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12911904

• Resume
  • Your resume must not exceed two (2) pages. If your resume exceeds the two-page limit, you will be removed from consideration for this announcement. The resume and required supporting documentation should provide the minimum qualifications and relevant experience for the announced position. 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, and 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.
• CTAP/ICTAP documentation (if applicable)
  • Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP): The ICTAP provides eligible displaced Federal competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. If your agency has notified you in writing that you are a displaced employee eligible for ICTAP consideration, you may receive selection priority if: 1) this vacancy is within your ICTAP eligibility; 2) you apply under the instructions in this announcement; and 3) you are found well-qualified for this vacancy. To be well qualified, you must satisfy all qualification requirements for the vacant position and (for scored examining) score 85 or better on established ranking criteria OR (for category rating criteria) rate equivalent to the Highly Qualified or better category using established category rating criteria. You must provide proof of eligibility with your application to receive selection priority. Such proof may include a copy of your written notification of ICTAP eligibility or a copy of your separation personnel action form. Additional information about ICTAP eligibility is at: http://www.opm.gov/ctap/index.asp.
  • The Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP): provides eligible surplus and displaced competitive service employees in the Department of Justice with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. If your Department of Justice component has notified you in writing that you are a surplus or displaced employee eligible for CTAP consideration, you may receive selection priority if: 1) this vacancy is within your CTAP eligibility, 2) you apply under the instructions in this announcement, and 3) you are found well-qualified for this vacancy. To be well qualified, you must satisfy all qualification requirements for the vacant position and (for scored examining) score 85 or better on established ranking criteria OR (for category rating criteria) rate equivalent to the Highly Qualified or better category using established category rating criteria. You must provide a copy of your written notification of CTAP eligibility with your application. Additional information about CTAP eligibility is at: http://www.opm.gov/ctap/index.asp.
• Veterans' Preference documentation (if applicable)
  • If you are a veteran and you are claiming 5-point veterans' preference, you must submit a copy of your DD-214 or other proof of eligibility.
  • If you are a veteran and you are claiming 10-point veterans' preference, you must also submit an SF-15, "Application for 10-Point Veterans' Preference" plus the proof required by that form. For more information on veterans' preference click here.
• Education documentation
  • Degree: Legible unofficial college transcript (If you are selected, an official transcript will be required before your first day)
• Schedule A documentation (if applicable)
  • Schedule A: DOJ welcomes and encourages applications from persons with disabilities and is firmly committed to satisfying its affirmative obligations under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 to ensure that persons with disabilities have every opportunity to be hired and advanced on the basis of merit within the Department. DOJ also encourages eligible Schedule A applicants to submit their resumes.

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