Duties

Summary

This position exists in the Financial Operations Division (FOD), Office of the Chief Financial Officer. FOD assures reasonable and timely Agency financial reporting ans ensures oversight and security access of the Agency within the parameters of the Department's Financial System and related administrative feeder subsystems.
Learn more about this agency

Responsibilities

• Reconciles disbursements and collections through FMMI to generate and submit financial statements; utilizes GTAS, GWA and Treasury processes for reporting and reconciliation.
• Performs analysis functions to identify and correct accounting errors. This includes monitoring general ledger adjustments, Reimbursable Agreements and year end close documents
• The incumbent reviews and develops guidelines, standard operating procedures and instructions on accounting matters, financial systems and subsystem processes.
• Provides training to FSIS personnel as required or requested and provides assistance to program officials on accounting operations and procedures
• Conduct analysis, surveys and reviews of methods, policies and procedures to provide a basis for a sound and progressive management improvement program.
• Reviews and analyzes internal accounting reports to assure the proper integration of data from accounting and various other financial feeder subsystems.
• Interprets data, recommends, and executes corrective action to correct imbalances.
• Provides technical and expert advice on complex financial and accounting issues.

Travel Required

Occasional travel - You may be expected to travel for this position.

Supervisory status
No

Promotion Potential
12

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

• Satisfactory background investigation and/or fingerprint check required.
• U.S. Citizenship is required.
• May be subject to satisfactory completion of one year probationary or trial period.
• If you are selected, you may need to complete a Declaration for Federal Employment (OF-306) prior to being appointed to determine suitability for Federal employment and to authorize a background investigation.
• False statements or responses on a resume or application can jeopardize employment and may be grounds for disciplinary action, including removal from Federal service.
• Have your salary sent to a financial institution of your choice by Direct Deposit/Electronic Funds Transfer.
• If you are newly hired, the documentation you present for purposes of completing the Department Homeland Security (DHS) Form I-9 on your entry-on-duty date will be verified through the DHS "E-VERIFY" system.
• Federal law requires the use of E-VERIFY to confirm the employment eligibility of all new hires. Under this system, the new hire is required to resolve any identified discrepancies as a condition of continued employment.
• Selectee must be able to obtain and maintain a security clearance. Failure to successfully meet these requirements could lead to adverse action proceedings including possible termination.
• Male applicants born after December 31, 1959, must complete a Pre-Employment Certification Statement for Selective Service Registration.

Qualifications

Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement including time-in-grade restrictions, specialized experience and/or education, as defined below.

Time in grade:
Applicants must meet one year at the next lower grade to be considered for the next higher grade (e.g. one year at the GS-9 grade level for consideration for the GS-11 grade level.)

For the GS-11 level: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-9 level) that demonstrates:
Professional knowledge of the theory, concepts and practices of accounting; accounting operations; financial information systems and software capabilities; and provide technical direction to obtain efficiency and economy of operations, etc. Additionally, your resume must include the following:

- Ability to apply knowledge to broad assignments and to specialized areas of accounting
- Organize and analyze financial and management data
- Experience with accounting and accounting related systems
- Knowledge of fiscal law statutes, transactions and systems
- Problem solving abilities

For the GS-12 level: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-11 level) that demonstrates:
Professional knowledge of the theory, concepts and practices of accounting; accounting operations; financial information systems and software capabilities; and provide technical direction to obtain efficiency and economy of operations, etc. Additionally, your resume must include the following:

- Ability to apply knowledge to broad and difficult assignments and to specialized areas of accounting
- Solve controversial problems with regulations, financial reporting, reimbursable rate calculations and organizational and functional operations of the various programs
- Interpret and evaluate financial and management data
- Define project specifications based on the alternatives results selected
- Develop and evaluate proposals to integrate a number of administrative support or functional program accounting systems

For more information on the qualifications for this position, click here

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.

Education

Education requirements for both grade levels (GS-11 and GS-12):
Degree: accounting; or a degree in a related field such as business administration, finance, or public administration that included or was supplemented by 24 semester hours in accounting. The 24 hours may include up to 6 hours of credit in business law. (The term "accounting" means "accounting and/or auditing" in this standard. Similarly, "accountant" should be interpreted, generally, as "accountant and/or auditor.")

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

- Twenty-four semester hours in accounting or auditing courses of appropriate type and quality. This can include up to 6 hours of business law;
- A certificate as Certified Public Accountant or a Certified Internal Auditor, obtained through written examination; or
- Completion of the requirements for a degree that included substantial course work in accounting or auditing, e.g., 15 semester hours, but that does not fully satisfy the 24-semester-hour requirement of paragraph A, provided that (a) the applicant has successfully worked at the full-performance level in accounting, auditing, or a related field. e.g., valuation engineering or financial institution examining; (b) a panel of at least higher level professional accountants or auditors has determined that the applicant has demonstrated a good knowledge of accounting and of related and underlying fields that equals in breadth, depth, currency, and level of advancement that which is normally associated with successful completion of the 4-year course of study described in paragraph A; and (c) except for literal non-conformance to the requirement of 24 semester hours in accounting, the applicants education, training, and experience full meet the specified requirements.

Additional information

- Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP), Reemployed Priority List (RPL), or Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP): To exercise selection priority for this vacancy, CTAP/RPL/ICTAP candidates must meet the basic eligibility requirements and all selective factors. CTAP/ICTAP candidates must be rated and determined to be well qualified (or above) based on an evaluation of the competencies listed in the How You Will Be Evaluated section. When assessed through a score-based category rating method, CTAP/ICTAP applications must receive a rating of at least 85 out of a possible 100.

- This announcement may be used to fill multiple vacancies

- Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc) should contact: USDAs TARGET Center at 202-720-2600 (voice and TDD).

- This position is eligible for telework and other flexible work arrangements. Employee participation is at the discretion of the supervisor.

- It is the policy of the Government not to deny employment simply because an individual has been unemployed or has had financial difficulties that have arisen through no fault of the individual. To see more information visit CHCO Council.

- More information on applying under special hiring authorities such as the Veteran's Recruitment Act (VRA), 30 percent disabled veterans, certain military spouses and Schedule A Disabled may be found on the USAJOBS website.

- Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act (LMWFA) provides current or former temporary or term employees of federal land management agencies opportunity to compete for permanent competitive service positions. Individuals must have more than 24 months of service without a break between appointments of two or more years. Service must be in the competitive service and have been at a successful level of performance or better.

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 your qualifications for this position as evidenced by the education, experience, and training you described in your application package, as well as the responses to the Occupational Questionnaire to determine the degree to which you possess the knowledge, skills, abilities and competencies listed below:

• Financial Management
• Problem Solving
• Oral and Written Communication
• Planning and Project Management
• Technical Knowledge

Your application, including the online Assessment Questionnaire, will be reviewed to determine if you meet (a) minimum qualification requirements and (b) the resume supports the answers provided to the job-specific questions. Your resume must clearly support your responses to all the questions addressing experience and education relevant to this position. Applicants who meet the minimum qualification requirements and are determined to be among the best qualified candidates will be referred to the hiring manager for consideration. Non-Competitive candidates and applicants under some special hiring authorities need to meet minimum qualifications to be referred.
Note: If, after reviewing your resume and/or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications and or experience, your rating may be lowered to more accurately reflect the submitted documentation. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your rating. Providing inaccurate information on Federal documents could be grounds for non-selection or disciplinary action up to including removal from the Federal service.

Clicking the link below will present a preview of the application form; i.e. the online questionnaire. The application form link below will only provide a preview and does not initiate the application process. To initiate the online application process, click the "Apply" button to the right.

To view the application form, visit: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/10593659

Background checks and security clearance

Security clearance
Other

Drug test required
No

Position sensitivity and risk
Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk

Trust determination process
Suitability/Fitness

Required Documents

- Resume that includes: 1) personal information such as name, address, contact information; 2) education; 3) detailed work experience related to this position as described in the major duties including work schedule, hours worked per week, dates of employment; title, series, grade (if applicable); 4) supervisor's phone number and whether or not the supervisor may be contacted for a reference check; 5) other qualifications.
- College Transcripts: If education is required or you are using education to meet qualification requirement, you must submit a legible copy of your college transcripts. The transcript must include your name, the name of the college, and the date a degree was awarded. An unofficial copy is sufficient with the application; however, if you are selected, you will be required to submit official transcripts prior to entering on duty. All transcripts must be in English or include an English translation.

You must submit the documents below if you claim any of the following:

- Current and Former Federal Employees:
1. Most recent non-award Notification of Personnel Action (SF-50) showing that you are/were in the competitive service, highest grade (or promotion potential) held on a permanent basis, position title, series and grade AND
2. Most recently completed performance appraisal (dated within 18 months) showing the official rating of record, signed by a supervisor, or statement why the performance appraisal is unavailable. Do not submit a performance plan. [Note: FSIS bargaining unit employees are exempted from this requirement.] For more information click Competitive Hiring.
- Current Permanent FSA County Employees: Most recent non-award Notification of Personnel Action (SF-50/equivalent) showing highest grade or promotion potential held on a permanent basis, position title, series and grade AND most recent performance appraisal (dated within 18 months) per above.
- Veteran Hiring Authorities: VEOA, VRA and 30% Disabled Veterans: DD-214, Certificate of Release from Active Duty showing dates of service and discharge under honorable conditions. Disabled veterans must include VA letter & SF-15 if claiming 10 pt. preference. Current active duty members must submit certification that they are expected to be discharged or released from active duty under honorable conditions no later than 120 days after date the certification is submitted. Veterans Preference Information .
- Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act:
a. Copies of Notification of Personnel Action(s) (SF-50s) showing the employee has served in appropriate appointment(s) for a period/periods that total more than 24 months without a break between appointments of two or more years. (Include initial hire actions, extensions, conversions and separation SF-50s for each period of work).
b. Documentation of Acceptable Performance for Service Time:
1. Performance rating(s) showing an acceptable level of performance for period(s) of employment counted towards their eligibility, signed by supervisor(s); or
2. If documentation of rating does not exist for one or more periods, a statement from the employee's supervisor(s) or other individual in the chain of command indicating an acceptable level of performance for the period(s) of employment counted towards their eligibility; or
3. Applicants who do not provide a performance appraisal or other performance documentation for any period that they are using for eligibility under the LMWFA, shall provide:
a. A stated reason as to why the appraisal/documentation is not available; and
b. A statement that their performance for all periods was at an acceptable level, their most recent separation was for reasons other than misconduct or performance, and they were never notified that they were not eligible for rehire based on performance. This shall be in lieu of providing copies of the performance appraisals.
- Schedule A, Persons with Disabilities Appointment: Sch A letter from a physician, local, state or federal rehabilitation office citing eligibility under 5 CFR 213.3102 (u). See eCFR Part 213.
- Surplus or displaced employees eligible for CTAP, RPL, or ICTAP Priority: Proof of eligibility (RIF separation notice, notice of proposed removal for declining a transfer of function or directed reassignment to another commuting area, notice of disability annuity termination), SF-50 documenting separation (as applicable), and your most recent SF-50 noting position, grade level, and duty location with your application per 5 CFR 330.
- Other Special Hiring Authorities: If claiming eligibility under a Special Hiring Authority not listed above submit appropriate supporting documentation. See Hiring Authorities .

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.