Duties

Summary

GPO employees possess a diverse representation of talent in many administrative fields and trades. We provide other agencies with innovative services for the printing, publishing, storage, and distribution of digital content. If you are an energetic, inventive individual looking for a challenging, yet rewarding career opportunity, GPO may be the place for you.

This position is part of the Office of the Chief Financial Officer, Government Publishing Office in Washington , District of Columbia.

Learn more about this agency

Responsibilities

• Performs cost analysis, studies and reports which require investigation of cost and production data and its applications rates.
• Develops assigned cost studies for new machinery, processes, or operations and recommends the adjusting of rates as necessary.
• Monitors soundness of price/cost variances and recommends appropriate action.
• Analyzes and compares production statistics and other statistical data to evaluate production standard performance.
• Analyzes and interprets printing and binding costs, production and reporting.
• Prepares production cost and other statistical reports for management.

Travel Required

Not required

Supervisory status
No

Promotion Potential
13

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

• U.S. Citizenship is Required.
• Selectee must successfully pass pre-employment prior to appointment
• Males born after 12/03/59 must be registered for Selective Service.
• Selectee may be required to serve a one year probationary period
• Suitability for Federal employment, as determined by a background investigation
• Documents supporting basic education requirements (i.e. school transcript(s), valid CPA/CIA, etc.) are required with application.

Qualifications

To qualify for the Cost Accountant, PG -0510-11/12, you must meet the following requirements:

BASIC REQUIREMENT

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". Similarly, "accountant" should be interpreted, generally, as "accountant and/or auditor.")

OR

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 two 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 nonconformance to the requirement of 24 semester hours in accounting, the applicant's education, training, and experience fully meet the specified requirements.

AND

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE FOR PG-11: You must possess one year of specialized experience at the PG-9 (or equivalent) level or higher. Specialized experience includes:

Completing reviews and analysis of cost and financial data, and the ability to develop standards, prices and rates.

Resolving problems, planning, coordinating or many activities, and comprehensive analysis of a variety of functions and operations.

Identifying changes in budgetary and/or financial policies, regulations, constraints, objectives, and available funds.

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE FOR PG-12: You must possess one year of specialized experience at the PG-11 (or equivalent) level or higher. Specialized experience includes:

Completing reviews and analysis of cost and financial data, and manufacturing processes to develop standards, prices and rates.

Resolving complex problems in extreme circumstance, requiring intensive planning, coordinating or many activities, and comprehensive analysis of a variety of functions and operations.

Identifying and analyzing changes in budgetary and/or financial policies, regulations, constraints, objectives, and available funds.

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.

All qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement(07/23/2021) to be considered.

Education

Substitution of education in lieu of specialized experience may be used for the PG-11 (or equivalent) grade level only. To substitute education at the PG-11 level, you must have a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree related to the work of this position; or have completed 3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. obtained from an accredited college or university; or have a combination of specialized experience and directly related education that equals at least 100% of the total requirement.

ARE YOU USING YOUR EDUCATION TO QUALIFY? You MUST provide transcripts or other documentation to support your educational claims. Unless otherwise stated: (1) official or unofficial transcripts which cites the name of the institution are acceptable, or (2) you may submit a list with all of your courses, grades and GPA, semester, year, and credit for the course. Official transcripts will be required from all selectees prior to receiving an official offer.

GRADUATE EDUCATION: One academic year of graduate education is considered to be the number of credits hours your graduate school has determined to represent one academic year of full-time study. Such study may have been performed on a full-time or part-time basis. If you cannot obtain your graduate school's definition of one year of graduate study, 18 semester hours (or 27 quarter hours) should be considered as satisfying the requirement for one year of full-time graduate study.

FOREIGN EDUCATION: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. For further information, visit: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html

Additional information

Reasonable Accommodation Requests: If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended and Americans with Disabilities Act 1990 as amended, that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be granted the opportunity to request a reasonable accommodation in your online application. Requests for Reasonable Accommodations for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for Reasonable Accommodation must be received prior to starting the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. Decisions on requests for Reasonable Accommodations are made on a case-by-case basis. If you meet the minimum qualifications of the position, after notification of the adjudication of your request, you will receive an email invitation to complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, if you received the link after the close of the announcement. To determine if you need a Reasonable Accommodation, please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments here: https://help.usastaffing.gov/Apply/index.php?title=Reasonable_Accommodations_for_USA_Hire

Employment of Relatives
Section 3110 of Title 5, U.S. Code, prohibits a Federal official from appointing, promoting, or advocating the appointment or promotion of a relative in the agency where the official is serving or exercises jurisdiction. In addition, Section 2302(b)(7) of Title 5, U.S. Code, makes it a "prohibited personnel practice" for a person in authority to "appoint, employ, promote, advance, or advocate for the appointment, employment, promotion, or advancement of a relative." For further information visit: https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/5/3110 and https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/5/2302

Separated Employees:
If you have separated from Federal Government employment, you may obtain a copy of your SF-50 via: National Personnel Records Center, Annex, 1411 Boulder Boulevard, Valmeyer, IL, 62295; FAX - 618-935-3014; or visit the National Archives Website.

Work Life Balance:
The GPO offers Transit subsidy for commuters using public transportation (Metro Bus/Rail, MARC, VRE, etc.).

Background Investigation:
To ensure the accomplishment of its mission, the GPO requires every employee to be reliable and trustworthy; this position requires a Suitability. To meet those standards, all selected applicants must undergo and successfully complete a background for a Public Trust. This review could include fingerprints and credit checks, as well as a full field FBI background investigation and tax and bar checks for attorney applicants. The background investigation covers a period of seven to ten years depending on the nature of the position; this process may take 6 weeks or longer. The Agency may rescind the tentative offer, if the candidate is unable to pass the background investigation.

The Selectee will work shift 1.

Additional vacancies may be filled through this announcement.

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 how well you meet the qualifications listed in this vacancy announcement. Your qualifications will be evaluated based on your application materials (e.g., resume, supporting documents), the responses you provide on the application questionnaire, and the result of the online assessments required for this position. You will be assessed on the following Competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics):

• Accountability
• Attention to Detail
• Customer Service
• Economics and Accounting
• Flexibility
• Integrity/Honesty
• Interpersonal Skills
• Learning
• Mathematical Reasoning
• Oral Communication
• Self-Management
• Stress Tolerance
• Teamwork
• Technical Competence

The assessment includes a cut score based on the minimum level of required proficiency in these critical general competencies. You must meet or exceed the cut score to be considered. You will not be considered for the position if you score below the cut score or fail to complete the assessment.

Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application materials or application questionnaire may result in your removal from consideration. Cheating on the online assessment may also result in your removal from consideration.

We DO NOT require a separate narrative statement responding to the competencies, however your resume must CLEARLY show possession of these competencies.

If you meet the minimum qualifications for this position, your application and responses to the online questionnaire will be evaluated under Category Rating selection procedures for placement in one of the following categories:

Best Qualified - for those who are superior in the evaluation criteria
Well Qualified - for those who excel in the evaluation criteria
Qualified - for those who only meet the minimum qualification requirements

The Category Rating Process does not add veterans' preference points or apply the "rule of three" but protects the rights of Veterans by placing them ahead of non-preference eligibles within each quality category. Veterans' preference eligibles who meet the minimum qualification requirements and who have a compensable service-connected disability of at least 10 percent will be listed in the highest quality category (except in the case of scientific or professional positions at the GS-09 level or higher).

Candidates determined to be Best Qualified may be referred to the Hiring Manager for further consideration and possible interview. The Category Rating Process does not add veterans' preference points, but protects the rights of veterans by placing them ahead of non-preference eligibles within each category. Within these categories, applicants eligible for veteran's preference will receive selection priority over non-veterans.

If after reviewing your resume and/or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications and/or experience, you may be excluded from further consideration for this position.

If you meet the qualifications stated above and you are among the top candidates your application may be referred to the Selecting Official for further review.

Background checks and security clearance

Security clearance
Other

Drug test required
Yes

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

Trust determination process
Suitability/Fitness , Credentialing

Required Documents

To apply for this position, you must submit a complete Application Package which includes:

1. Your resume showing work schedule, hours worked per week, dates of employment and duties performed.

• Content of Resume: Your resume or other written form you choose to describe your job-related experiences are used to verify your qualifications. Therefore, it is important that your resume accurately reflects the duties and responsibilities under each position you have held with each employer. In describing your experience, please be clear and specific. It is your responsibility to make sure your resume states complete information for each job entry (beginning and ending dates of employment stated as MM/YYYY; and total number of hours worked per week). If your resume does not provide enough information regarding your work history for us to make a creditable qualification determination, your application package may be rendered disqualified and you will no longer be considered for this position. To assist you in sending in a complete resume, use the checklist at: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/faq/application/documents/resume/what-to-include

• Veterans' Preference: When applying for Federal positions, those eligible Veterans should claim preference for 5pt (TP), 10pt (CP/CPS/XP), or for Sole Survivor Preference (SSP) 0pt, on the Occupational Questionnaire in the section(s) provided. Only veterans discharged or released from active duty in the armed forces under honorable conditions are eligible for veterans' preference.
• DD-214: If you are claiming Veterans' Preference, provide a copy of your DD-214 (Member Copy 4) Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, or other equivalent documentation to prove your entitlement and to verify your type of discharge. Failure to provide this information may result in your application not receiving preference.
• VA Letter and SF-15: If you are claiming Veterans' Preference based on a Compensable Disability, Widow or Spouse Entitlement, or as a Purple Heart recipient, you must submit your DD-214 or other proof of entitlement as described above; and SF-15, and the required proof of disability, i.e., Department of Veterans Affairs letter dated 1991 or later. Failure to provide this documentation may result in your application not receiving preference. (Please see veteran eligibility documentation for more information on veterans preference in federal hiring)
• Active Duty Service Members: If you are veteran who has not yet been discharged, you may provide a statement of intent to discharge from your agency to receive Veterans Preference under the VOW (Veteran Opportunity to Work) to Hire Heroes Act of 2011. Agencies are required to accept, process, and grant tentative veterans' preference to those active duty service members who submit a certification (in lieu of a DD-214) along with their job application materials. Agencies must verify the individual meets the definition of 'preference eligible' under 5 U.S.C. 2108 prior to appointment. A '"certification" is any written document from the armed forces that certifies you are expected to be discharged or released from active duty service in the armed forces under honorable conditions within 120 days after the certification is submitted by the applicant. The certification letter should be on letterhead of the appropriate military branch of the service and contain (1) the military service dates including the expected discharge or release date; and (2) the character of service. More information may be found at http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/veterans-employment-initiative/vet-guide/ .
• For Applicants qualifying on the basis of education: School transcript(s) - official or unofficial. A transcript is required if you are claiming to qualify based on your education. The information presented in the transcript must be verifiable; at the minimum the transcript should contain the name of the institution, applicant's name, list of completed courses, semester hours, and GPA. If you provide an unofficial transcript at the time of application and you are selected, you will be asked for official versions prior to an official job offer.

2. Other supporting documents:

• If you are requesting a reasonable accommodation to the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, submit documentation to support your request, including the Reasonable Accommodation Request Form found here . ( https://help.usastaffing.gov/Apply/index.php?title=Reasonable_Accommodations_for_USA_Hire )

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.