Duties

The Financial Specialist is responsible for assisting in the support of the financial operations of the court. This work requires processing a high volume of financial transactions, interpreting and applying complex rules and regulations, maintaining a high level of processing accuracy, attention to detail and timeliness, and providing excellent customer service.

The incumbent has daily contact with the judges, court managers and staff, Administrative Office personnel, attorneys, bank personnel, and the general public and will perform a full range of duties.

The Financial Specialist position provides a full range of financial support services to the court and is responsible for funds received and disbursed by the court as well as other financial transactions and processing.

The entry level of this position assists with the ACR closeout for the district court and the bankruptcy court and will learn the case accounting structure for the district court. The following list of duties and responsibilities is considered CL-25 entry level. As the incumbent's knowledge, skills and abilities are developed, more complex duties and responsibilities will be assigned:

• Maintains, reconciles and analyzes accounting records, consisting of a cash receipts journal, registry funds, and deposit funds as well as subsidiary ledgers for allotments and other fiscal records.
• Reviews and/or performs accounts payable and accounts receivable duties; has responsibility for the accuracy and accountability of monies received and disbursed by the court.
• Prepares, updates, examines and analyzes a variety of reports as requested.
• Ensures that appropriate internal controls for disbursement, transfer, recording, and reporting of monies are followed.
• Reviews travel vouchers for payments related to expenses incurred for work or training related travel for appropriateness of payment.
• Responsible for files and documents related to the monetary aspects of Bankruptcy case management.
• Uses accounting software (JIFMS, JFinSys, ACR) and systems to record, store, and track information.
• Serves as point of contact and administrator for SmartBenefits transit subsidy program.
• Maintains control over cash drawer.
• Processes receipts in appropriate case accounts and general funds.
• Processes and pays bills and invoices incurred in court units. Calculates, prepares, and issues financial statements according to established procedures.
• Adds cases and case information for civil and criminal debt. Processes payments that are supported by registry or unclaimed funds orders. Debits, credits, and totals accounts on spreadsheets, databases, and financial software used by the court unit.
• Processes victim restitution payments including processing online payments, mobile app payments, and provide customer service to victims and their representatives. Works with U.S. Attorney's Office to reconcile criminal debt accounts and receivable records.
• Processes vouchers and payments for Criminal Justice Act panel attorneys, jurors, trustees, and other similar vouchers. Creates payment vouchers for reimbursement of CJA transcript expenses for court reporters.
• Complies with guidelines, procedures, and policies established by the Administrative Office and the court unit. Gives advice and explains requirements of the Guide to Judicial Policy as they relate to proper disbursement.
• Review vouchers for payments related to expenses incurred by the court for appropriateness of payment. Accepts responsibility for files and documents related to the monetary aspects of case management (e.g. registry orders, Judgments in a Criminal Case, etc.).
• Responsible for completing any special projects as needed.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

United States citizenship is required for consideration for this position.

Employees are required to adhere to the Code of Conduct for Judicial Employees .

Employees of the United States District and Bankruptcy Court for the District of Columbia are excepted service appointments. Excepted service appointments are "At-Will" and can be terminated with or without cause by the court.

Employees are required to use the Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) for payroll deposit.

The selected candidate will undergo a background check and a Moderate Risk Background Investigation (MBI). This is a five-year background investigation with five-year periodic updates.

Selection will be made consistent with the provisions of the Equal Employment Opportunity Plan adopted by the United States District and Bankruptcy Courts for the District of Columbia.

Qualifications

Required Specialized Experience:

To qualify for the CL-25/26: The candidate must also possess a minimum of one year of specialized experience.

To qualify for the CL-27: The candidate must also possess a minimum of two 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 functions areas of financial management and administration such as budgeting, accounting, auditing, or financial reporting that provided a knowledge of rules, regulations, and terminology of financial administration.

Preferred Experience: The ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing is critical. Must have excellent interpersonal skills and be able to effectively communicate with staff; must be able to maintain complete and highly accurate records and files.

Excellent organization skills, the ability to respond to requests on short notice, and the ability to manage multiple tasks and stringent deadlines are essential.

Must exercise good judgment, flexibility, and initiative.

Legal or court accounting experience highly preferred.

Must be proficient in Word, Excel and other computer systems. Experience using CGI Momentum or similar accounting or financial systems is a plus.

Education

A bachelor's degree from an accredited four-year college or university is required.

Additional information

Full-time employees of the United States District and Bankruptcy Courts for the District of Columbia are eligible for a full range of benefits to include:

• A minimum of 10 paid holidays per year.
• Paid annual leave in the amount of 13 days per year for the first three years, 20 days per year after three years, and 26 days per year after fifteen years.
• Paid sick leave in the amount of 13 days per year.
• Federal Employees' Retirement System (FERS).
• Optional participation in the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP), the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program (FEHBP), Federal Dental and Vision Insurance Program (FEDVIP), the Federal Employees' Group Life Insurance (FEGLI), the Flexible Benefits Program, the Commuter Benefit Program, and SmartBenefits (mass transit subsidy up to $300 per month).
• Employee Recognition Program, budget permitting.
• Tuition Assistance, budget permitting.
• Workers' Compensation Program.
• On-site physical fitness facility.
• Flexible work schedule.
• Federal Occupational Health Services Program (FOH)/ On-site Health Unit.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)/Work Life Services.
• Virtual Learning through the Judiciary Online University.
• Student Loan Forgiveness for Public Service Employees.
• Priority enrollment for children beginning at three months of age until kindergarten of all employees of the United States Courts in the Thurgood Marshall Child Development Center (TMCDC).

For more detailed information about Federal Judiciary benefits, please go to https://www.uscourts.gov/careers/benefits .