Budget Specialist (Pathways Recent Graduate)

Clarification from the agency

Individuals who have obtained a qualifying Associates, Bachelor's, Master's, Professional, Doctorate, Vocational or Technical degree/certificate from a qualifying educational institution, within the previous 2 years OR 6 years for Veterans. The eligibility period for veterans must be within 6 years of degree completion date. The first 100 applications will be accepted or the announcement will remain open until the closing date.

As a participant in the Recent Graduates Program, you will receive both formal and on-the-job training to develop the required knowledge and skill to successfully perform the duties of the position.   Duties may include:

• Assisting in the formulation of the CFTC’s annual budget request, including gathering financial data, conducting analyses, and helping prepare budget justification materials presented to the Commission, the Administration, and Congress.
• Supporting the allocation of appropriated funds across operating accounts in accordance with the Commission’s annual operating plan.
• Monitoring budget execution, tracking obligations and expenditures, and preparing reports on financial status and variances.
• Assisting in tracking full-time equivalent (FTE) staff-year usage and contributing to recommendations for reprogramming or reallocating financial and staffing resources.
• Helping ensure compliance with the Government Performance and Results Act (GPRA) by contributing to the development of the Commission's five-year strategic plan, annual performance plan, and annual performance report.
• Conducting research, analyzing trends, validating data accuracy, and preparing briefing materials, charts, or presentations for internal stakeholders.
• Collaborating with budget analysts, program offices, and leadership to support financial operations and strategic decision-making.

Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. citizen.
• Enrolled/accepted in an accredited educational institution.
• Qualifying unofficial school transcripts are required with application.
• Maintain enrollment at least half time as defined by the institution.
• If selected, official transcripts must be submitted prior to establishing a start date.
• Must maintain eligibility and enrollment for the duration of the internship.

Qualifications

Applicants must meet the qualifications requirements by the closing of this announcement. 

This standard allows eligibility through meeting either the requirements specified in the section titled Education or the requirements specified in the section titled Experience.  

At the CT-7 level, you will receive training and perform tasks of limited scope and complexity. At the CT-9 and CT-11 levels, you will work with increasing independence and responsibility.

CT 7:
• Completion of a bachelor’s degree; OR
• Completion of 1 full year of graduate-level education; OR
• Superior Academic Achievement (SAA), if applicable.
CT 9:
• Completion of a master’s or equivalent graduate degree; OR
• 2 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education; OR
• Demonstrated specialized experience equivalent to the CT 7 level in financial analysis, budgeting, or related fields.
CT 11:
• Completion of a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree; OR
• 3 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education; OR
• Demonstrated specialized experience equivalent to the CT 9 level performing analytical, budget, or financial operations work.

Applicants must submit a copy of undergraduate and/or graduate transcripts; unofficial copies are accepted for the application package.  See the Required Documents section for more information.

***All requirements must be met by the closing of this announcement. Final transcripts must be submitted prior to establishing an official start date***

How you will be evaluated

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

Your application will be evaluated and rated under CFTC Category Rating and Selection Procedures. Your resume and supporting documentation will be used to determine whether you meet the job qualifications listed on this announcement. If you are minimally qualified for this job, your resume and supporting documentation will be compared to your responses on the online assessment questionnaire. If you rate yourself higher than is supported by your application materials, your responses may be adjusted and/or you may be excluded from consideration for this job. Your application will then be placed in one of three categories: Best Qualified, Well Qualified, or Qualified. Names of all candidates in the best qualified category will be sent to the hiring official for employment consideration. Candidates within the best qualified category who are eligible for veteran's preference will receive selection priority over non-veteran preference eligibles.

• Your DD-214 or Statement of Service shows if you qualify for Veterans' Preference, the Veterans Employment Opportunities Act of 1998 or the Veterans Opportunity to Work to Hire Heros Act. We prefer the member 4 copy of your DD-214.
• If you are a disabled veteran and want to claim preference, you must submit a letter on VA letterhead with your overall combined service-connected disability rating.
• Your resume should include relevant work experience, applicable education and your contact information. For current or previous federal employees, include the pay plan, series and grade.
• Transcripts may support your qualifications for a federal job and can include high school, college or other schools.

You must provide a complete Application Package, which includes:

• Your resume must be no more than 2 pages (2 page max) showing relevant duties, when the duties were performed (MM/YY), and your work schedule.  Your resume must indicate your citizenship and if you are registered for Selective Service if you are a male born after 12/31/59.  Your resume must also list your educational and work experience including the following information for each employment listed: job title; duties and accomplishments; employer's name and address; supervisor's name and phone number; starting and ending dates formatted in month/day/year; hours worked per week; salary; if the employment was federal: title, series, and grade/pay band.  Your resume should list your graduation date.  Your resume may be used to validate your responses to the scored occupational questionnaire.
• You must submit an unofficial transcript or a list of courses that includes the following information: name of accredited institution, grades earned, completion dates, and quarter and semester hours earned.  Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the requirements.  Please refer to http://www.opm.gov/qualifications/policy/ApplicationOfStds-04.asp for more information.  Your transcript should list your graduation date.

Veterans Preference: If you are entitled to veteran preference, you should indicate the type of veteran preference you are claiming on your resume. In order to verify your veteran preference entitlement, please submit a copy of your veteran's documentation including a DD-214 (member 4 copy preferred, however, the documentation provided must contain dates and character of service); official statement of service from your command if you are currently on active duty; or other official documentation (e.g., documentation of receipt of a campaign badge or expeditionary medal) that shows your military service was performed under honorable conditions.  In addition, if you are a disabled veteran, a Purple Heart recipient, or widow/widower of a veteran, the spouse of a disabled veteran or the natural mother of a disabled or deceased veteran, you must submit a Standard Form (SF) 15, “Application for 10-Point Veteran Preference,” and the other required documentation identified on the reverse side of the SF-15 to support your preference claim. Although veteran preference points are not assigned under the category rating procedures described under “How You Will Be Evaluated,” veteran preference eligibles are listed ahead of non-veterans within each category for which they are qualified. 

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