Financial Administrator Job

Vacancy No. DEST-12688176-25-CEB Department U.S. Courts
Salary $67,660.00 to $131,826.00 Grade 27 to 28
Perm/Temp Permanent FT/PT Full-time
Open Date 2/11/2025 Close Date 2/28/2025
Job Link Apply Online Who may apply Public
Locations:
Baltimore, MDGreenbelt, MD


Summary

The United States District Court, District of Maryland, is seeking qualified applicants for the position of full-time Financial Administrator. The Financial Administrator performs supervisory and day to day administrative work and provides oversight of all aspects of the financial functions of the court, ensuring accuracy, completeness of data and quality of service.

This job is open to

Clarification from the agency

This is a sensitive position within the Federal Judiciary. The selected candidate will be hired provisionally, pending the successful completion of the required background investigation and favorable employment suitability determination. This position is subject to an in-depth background check and a reinvestigation every five years.

Duties

The incumbent serves as a first-line supervisor over the finance department and ensures compliance with the appropriate guidelines, policies, regulations and internal controls consistent with the Guide to Judiciary Policy and the Treasury Financial Manual. The incumbent is responsible for developing team members, cultivating a positive team morale, and providing leadership for the department.

Responsibilities

  • Supervise employees involved in financial activities, including work planning, assignment, performance evaluation, and recommending disciplinary actions. Assist in developing work standards, oversee office functions, and resolve disputes. Maintain accurate documentation and employee records, and train staff on policies, procedures, and internal controls.
  • Oversee day-to-day accounting and financial functions of the court, implementing and evaluating financial policies, procedures, and protocols. Advise the Clerk of Court, Chief Judge, and managers on financial matters and lead special financial initiatives.
  • Maintain, reconcile, and analyze accounting records, including registry and deposit funds, and subsidiary ledgers. Manage accounts payable/receivable, ensuring the accuracy of payments received and disbursed. Prepare regular and non-standard financial reports for court, the Administrative Office, U.S. Treasury, financial institutions, and other agencies. Develop and maintain financial analysis spreadsheets.
  • Research and analyze financial issues, trends, and areas for improvement. Respond to inquiries and prepare written correspondence. Interpret legislation, court rules, and directives impacting financial management.
  • Perform reviews to ensure compliance with the Guide to Judiciary Policy, internal controls, and accounting principles. Identify findings, recommend changes, and assist with audit activities and updates to the Internal Controls Manual.
  • Ensure proper internal controls for disbursement, transfer, recording, and reporting of funds. Review vouchers for appropriateness and accept responsibility for files related to case management. Collaborate with IT staff to customize programs supporting financial transactions.
  • Supervise and train financial support staff, monitor and prioritize work, and ensure compliance with internal controls, policies, and procedures.
  • Use various accounting systems and tools, assisting and training other court employees in their use.
  • Serve as the court's point of contact for cardholders, reviewing monthly statements for accuracy. Liaise with judges, attorneys, court staff, and federal agencies on financial matters.
  • Prepare and review Attorney Admissions transactions and reports.
  • Certifying Officer for all USDC disbursements.
  • Assist in the creation, evaluation, and implementation of financial policies and procedures.
  • Monitor the Court Registry Investment System (CRIS) to ensure compliance with judicial orders regarding fund transfers.
  • Align resources to support internal and external financial evaluations, including audits and self-assessments.
  • Develop programs to detect fraud and prevent errors, recommending improvements to financial processes and systems. Ensure expenditures align with Judiciary policies.
  • Prepare and file all required financial reports with the AO in a consistent and timely manner.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

  • Applicants must be a United States citizen or national or a permanent resident who is seeking citizenship in the United States. Successful candidate for this position is subject to a full fingerprint and background records check and mandatory electronic direct deposit of salary payment.
  • This is a sensitive position within the Federal Judiciary. The selected candidate will be hired provisionally, pending the successful completion of the required background investigation and favorable employment suitability determination.
  • Selected applicant will be required to complete a one-year probationary period. Failure to successfully complete the probationary period may result in termination of employment. Positions in the United States Courts are excepted appointments, are not under the Civil Service System, and are "At-Will" employees.
  • Employees must adhere to the Code of Conduct of Judicial Employees which is available at: https://www.uscourts.gov/administration-policies/judiciary-policies/ethics-policies/code-conduct-judicial-employees.
  • The court reserves the right to modify the conditions of this job announcement, to withdraw the job announcement, and/or to commence interviews immediately, any of which actions may occur without prior written or other notice.

Qualifications

  • The successful candidate must possess a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in a field closely related to the subject matter of the position.
  • To qualify for the CL-27, the candidate must also possess a minimum of two years of specialized experience; and to qualify for the CL-28, the candidate must possess a minimum of three years of specialized experience.
  • Specialized experience includes progressively responsible experience that is in, or closely related to, the work of the position that has provided the particular knowledge, skills and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position. For example, progressively responsible experience in at least one, but preferably two or more of the functional areas of financial management and administration such as accounting, auditing, or financial reporting that provided a knowledge of rules, regulations, and terminology of financial administration.
  • Accounting and/or finance experience in the Federal Judiciary is preferred. This experience includes an in-depth body of knowledge of judicial policies, practices, regulations, and terminology related to court administration or finance.
  • Must be able to exercise a high degree of judgment, flexibility, and initiative.
  • Must have excellent interpersonal skills and be able to effectively communicate with staff to determine needs and maintain complete and accurate records and files. The ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing is critical.
  • Excellent organizational skills, the ability to respond to requests on short notice and the ability to manage multiple tasks and stringent deadlines are essential.
  • Prior supervisory or management experience is preferred, but not required. Candidates should, at a minimum, be able to discuss management and staff development philosophies.

Education

The successful candidate must possess a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in a field closely related to the subject matter of the position.

Additional information

  • The United States District Court is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All applications will be reviewed to identify the best qualified candidates.
  • In the event a position becomes vacant in either division or in a similar classification within a reasonable time from the original announcement, the Clerk of Court may select an appointee from the candidates who responded to the initial announcement without posting the vacancy.

How You Will Be Evaluated

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

Applicants will also be evaluated by a combination of education and experience with specialized experience similar to the posted position.

Required Documents

Interested applicants should submit one of each of the following combined into a single PDF:

  1. Cover letter stating the reason for your interest in the position;
  2. Current resume; and
  3. Completed and signed AO-78 Application for Federal Judicial Branch Employment (fillable form can be found on the Employment Opportunities page of the court's website, https://www.mdd.uscourts.gov/).
Application packages should be sent as a single PDF document to: jobs@mdd.uscourts.gov - Include the job title for which you are applying in the subject header of the email. Submissions will not be considered complete unless all items have been received as a single PDF.

If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:

Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.

How to Apply

Submit a cover letter stating the reasons for your interest in the position, a resume, and a completed AO-78 Application for Federal Employment as a single PDF document to: jobs@mdd.uscourts.gov no later than February 28, 2025 and include the job title for which you are applying in the subject header of the email.

Failure to submit a complete and signed cover letter, AO-78, and resume will result in immediate disqualification. Description of Work section of the AO-78 must be completed to include salary information. Indicating "see resume" is not acceptable. Incomplete and/or unsigned applications will not be considered, returned or retained. Only applicants selected for an interview will be contacted and must travel at their own expense.

Agency contact information

US District Court of Maryland
Address
US District Court, District of Maryland
101 W. Lombard Street
4th Floor
Baltimore, MD 21201
US

Next steps

Due to the volume of applications received, the court will only communicate with those individuals invited for an interview.


Note: We cannot accept applications on behalf of Federal Agencies. Application instructions are listed within the Job Description.


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