Financial Management Specialist - DIRECT HIRE

Clarification from the agency

Applications will be accepted from any U.S. Citizen. Due to the potential of a high volume of applicants, not all applicants may receive consideration. Direct Hire Authority will be used to fill this position. The 'Rule of Many', Veterans Preference and traditional rating and ranking of applicants does not apply to this vacancy.

The Financial Management Specialist:

GS-07:

• Assists in monitoring the cost accounting, funds control, and billing methodologies and procedures for OFM ensuring methodologies and procedures are consistent provide accurate financial information and fall within all current policies and directives of OFM, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), Office of the Inspector General (OIG), or other policy setting organizations as appropriate.
• Assists in developing and implementing effective internal controls to safeguard WCF resources and ensure financial data integrity.
• Assists in developing financial studies and/or participates in studies to evaluate the addition or removal of services from the WCF. Studies include resource requirements, financial costs, organizational realignments, overhead and operating expense requirements.
• In a developmental capacity, recommends the most cost-effective service arrangements for the WCF activities including costs, revenues, advances, and operations and recommends the most suitable allocation techniques for nonrate-based services.

GS-09:

• Monitors the cost accounting, funds control, and billing methodologies and procedures for OFM ensuring methodologies and procedures are consistent provide accurate financial information and fall within all current policies and directives of OFM, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), Office of the Inspector General (OIG), or other policy setting organizations as appropriate.
• Assists in developing and implementing effective internal controls to safeguard WCF resources and ensure financial data integrity.
• Recommends or develops the most cost-effective service arrangements for the WCF activities including costs, revenues, advances, and operations.
• Analyzes and updates as required the cost accounting and billing information in the accounting system.

GS-11:

• Develops and monitors the cost accounting, financial controls, and billing methodologies and procedures for each
  assigned WCF Line of Business.
• Ensures methodologies and procedures are consistent with TRANServe’s and the customers’ needs for timely and accurate financial information and fall within all current policies and directives of the Department, the Office of
  Management and Budget (OMB), Office of the Inspector General (OIG), or other policy setting organizations as appropriate.
• Serves as liaison between TRANServe and the Office of Financial Management (OFM), which include preparing input for responses to inquiries from Congressional committees, the OMB, the OIG, DOT, and non-DOT customers and OFM.
• Analyzes the customer agreements quarterly to monitor cash flow requirements in accordance with the WCF regulations. Analyzes billing data to ensure adherence to established billing methodology.

GS-12

• Develops and/or participates in studies to evaluate the overhead charges and specific product charges from the Parking and Transit Benefit programs. Studies include resource requirements, financial costs, organizational realignments, overhead and operating expense requirements.
• Develops and monitors the cost accounting, financial controls, and billing methodologies and procedures for each
  assigned WCF Line of Business.
• Ensures methodologies and procedures are consistent with TRANServe’s and the customers’ needs for timely and
  accurate financial information and fall within all current policies and directives of the Department, the Office of
  Management and Budget (OMB), Office of the Inspector General (OIG), or other policy setting organizations as
  appropriate.
• Analyzes and reconcile the cost accounting and billing information in the accounting system to the TRANServe systems and records.

GS-13:

• Monitors the cost accounting, funds control, and billing methodologies and procedures for OFM ensuring methodologies and procedures are consistent provide accurate financial information and fall within all current policies and directives of OFM, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), Office of the Inspector General (OIG), or other policy setting organizations as appropriate.
• Assists in developing and implementing effective internal controls to safeguard WCF resources and ensure financial data integrity.
• Assists in developing financial studies and/or participates in studies to evaluate the addition or removal of services from the WCF. Studies include resource requirements, financial costs, organizational realignments, overhead and operating expense requirements.
• Analyzes and updates as required the cost accounting and billing information in the accounting system. This will be monthly for fee-based lines of business, annually and/or monthly for allocated lines of business. Reviews WCF rates to ensure full cost recovery of rate-based services provided by the assigned WCF Lines of Business. Determines and recommends the most suitable allocation techniques for non-rate-based services.

Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. citizen & meet specialized experience to qualify
• Submit application and resume online by 11:59 PM EST on the closing date
• Required documents must be submitted by the closing date.
• Direct Hire Authority/SME will be used to fill this position

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you may be required to serve a 1-year probationary period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider:

• your performance and conduct;
• the needs and interests of the agency;
• whether your continued employment would advance the organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
• whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.

Upon completion of your probationary period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

• SELECTIVE SERVICE: Males born after 12/31/1959 must be registered for the Selective Service.
• BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION: A background security investigation is required for all selected individuals. Appointment will be subject to the applicant’s successful completion of the security investigation and favorable adjudication. Failure to meet these requirements will be grounds for termination.
• PROBATIONARY PERIOD: Applicants may be required to successfully complete a one-year probationary period (unless already completed).

NOTE: Security levels will vary, based on the grade.

Qualifications

To meet the minimum qualifications for this position, you must meet the Education Requirement for the series meet either the education or specialized requirements qualifications for the grade at which you are requesting consideration. 

To qualify for the GS-07 on Experience, you must have at least one year of experience equal or equivalent to the GS-05 it must include:

• Experience assisting with the development of financial studies.
• Experience responding to written and verbal inquiries pertaining to work related activities; create memorandums, and reports.
• Experience assisting in monitoring cost accounting, funds control and billing methodologies.

To qualify for the GS-07 on Education alone, you must have at least 1 year of graduate-level education OR superior academic achievement.

•    **Superior Academic Achievement is based on (1) class standing, (2) grade-point average, or (3) honor society membership.
•    1. Class standing -- Applicants must be in the upper third of the graduating class in the college, university, or major subdivision, such as the College of Liberal Arts or the School of Business Administration, based on completed courses.
•    2. Grade-point average (G.P.A.) -- Applicants must have a grade-point average of: 3.0 or higher out of a possible 4.0 ("B" or better) as recorded on their official transcript, or as computed based on 4 years of education, or as computed based on courses completed during the final 2 years of the curriculum; or 3.5 or higher out of a possible 4.0 ("B+" or better) based on the average of the required courses completed in the major field or the required courses in the major field completed during the final 2 years of the curriculum.

You can also qualify based on a combination of graduate level education and experience. This must be fully supported by your resume and transcripts, provided with your application.

To qualify for the GS-09 on Experience, you must have at least one year of experience equal or equivalent to the GS-07 it must include:

• Experience monitoring cost accounting, funds control and billing methodologies.
  Experience analyzing and updating cost accounting and billing information in an accounting system.
• Experience assisting in preparing and updating consolidated billing estimates.

To qualify for the GS-09 on Education alone, you must have:

•  2 years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a master's degree or have been awarded a master's or equivalent graduate degree.

You can also qualify based on a combination of graduate education and experience. This must be fully supported by your resume and transcripts, provided with your application.

To qualify for the GS-11 on Experience,  you must have at least one year of experience equal or equivalent to the GS-09 it must include:

• Experience developing and monitoring cost accounting, funds control and billing methodologies.
• Experience analyzing and reconciling the cost accounting and billing information.
• Experience assisting in the development and implementation of internal controls.

To qualify for the GS-11 on Education alone, you must have:

• 3 years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree or Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree.

You can also qualify based on a combination of higher level graduate education and experience. This must be fully supported by your resume and transcripts, provided with your application.

To qualify for the GS-12 on Experience,  you must have at least one year of experience equal or equivalent to the GS-11 it must include:

• Experience analyzing billing data for adherence to regulations and established billing methodologies.
• Experience developing and monitoring cost accounting, funds control and billing methodologies.
• Experience analyzing and reconciling the cost accounting and billing information. 

You cannot qualify on education at the GS-12 level; you must have experience.

To qualify for the GS-13 on Experience, you must have at least one year of experience equal or equivalent to the GS-12 it must include:

• Experience monitoring the execution of budgets through the review of financial documents, examination of accounting records, and analyzing changes in personnel salaries, expenses, and related costs on the annual and long-range budget.
• Experience preparing briefing materials addressing the status of funds and provides information to management officials concerning obligations and expenditures incurred.
• Experience conducting complex studies and projects that impact all phases of the budget process (formulation, presentation, and execution).

You cannot qualify on education at the GS-13 level; you must have experience.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES (KSAs): Your qualifications will be evaluated on the basis of your level of knowledge, skills, abilities and/or competencies in the following areas:

• Financial Management (*) - Prepares, justifies, and/or administers the budget for program areas; plans, administers, and monitors expenditures to ensure cost-effective support of programs and policies; assesses financial condition of an organization.
• Budget Administration - Knowledge of the principles and practices of budget administration and analysis; including preparing, justifying, reporting on, and executing the budget; and the relationships among program, budget, accounting, and reporting systems. 

The ideal candidate for this position is an oriented Financial Analyst with experience and knowledge with the ability to navigate complex fiscal operations, able to align budget and execution to support goals and compliance, be able to participate in a team environment and add value.
For all types of consideration, 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, 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.

For additional information about applying to Federal positions, please click on the following link: https://www.opm.gov/frequently-asked-questions/employment-faq/federal-hiring/how-do-i-apply-for-federal-jobs/

Students enrolled in a qualifying degree program can apply if the anticipated graduation date is within six months of closing date of the announcement. Graduation transcript must be received before start date.

Other applicants must meet all qualification requirements by the closing date of this announcement.

How you will be evaluated

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

For this announcement, applications will be reviewed to determine if the applicant meets the basic qualifications for this position. The applications of individuals who meet the basic qualifications will be assessed to validate that the applicant possesses the Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs) at the level of proficiency needed to perform the job successfully. Applicants who are found to possess the necessary KSAs to perform the job may be referred to the selecting official for further consideration.

This announcement may be used to fill additional positions if similar vacancies occur within 90 days of the issue date of the referral certificate.

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