Financial Analyst (DIRECT HIRE)

Summary

This position is in the Office of the Secretary (OST), Office of the Assistant Secretary for Budget and Programs and CFO, OST Chief Financial Officer (CFO), Volpe Financial Management. The incumbent of this position serves as a Financial Analyst performing a variety of financial management duties, utilizing professional knowledge of accounting and financial management principles and procedures.

Duties

As a Financial Analyst, you will: Knowledge and understanding of the substance and operation of various programs conducted by the Secretarial Office of the Office of the Secretary (OST) to which the analyst is assigned. The analyst can respond quickly and effectively both verbally and in writing to information requests, program issues, and a wide range of questions from top management that are raised on a day-to-day basis. These responses are provided to the Finance Officer, Director of Financial Management, OST CFO, Deputy Assistant Secretary, the DOT CFO, or other Secretarial officers. Makes recommendations for improving programs conducted by the Secretarial Offices. Analyzes financial statements of one or more Secretarial Offices within the Office of the Secretary on a continuing basis to develop verbal and written recommendations on accounting related actions for the Finance Officer, Director of Financial Management, and OST CFO. Analysis is based on knowledge and data gained through discussions with program managers, program analysts, budget analysts, administrative officers, fund administrators, and operating officials within OST; discussions with OST staff members; and regular review of a variety of budget and program reports. Recommendations reflect knowledge of budget policy, methods and procedures; the programs involved; the law; relevant Departmental, Presidential, and congressional policies; the past performance of the program; and the expertise and judgments of other elements of OST. Analyzes financial statements of one or more Secretarial Offices within the Office of the Secretary on a continuing basis to develop verbal and written recommendations on accounting related actions for the Finance Officer, Director of Financial Management, and OST CFO. Analysis is based on knowledge and data gained through discussions with program managers, program analysts, budget analysts, administrative officers, fund administrators, and operating officials within OST; discussions with OST staff members; and regular review of a variety of budget and program reports. Recommendations reflect knowledge of budget policy, methods and procedures; the programs involved; the law; relevant Departmental, Presidential, and congressional policies; the past performance of the program; and the expertise and judgments of other elements of OST. accounting records and promptly prepares apportionments, allotments, and operating plans. Monitors, tracks, and reports on program obligations. Works with OST Offices to ensure that program funding data is entered into the financial system expeditiously and correctly. Ideal candidate statement: Financial Analyst with expert knowledge of federal budget, accounting, and financial management processes. Proven track record of managing high-visibility special projects, tracking complex funding obligations, and ensuring GAAP and Treasury Financial Manual compliance. Exceptional communicator skilled at managing personal contacts across multiple agency subdivisions and delivering data-driven briefings to CFO-level leadership to guide strategic organizational objectives.

Requirements

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. GOVERNMENT TRAVEL CARD: This position involves travel. A government contractor-issued travel card will be issued and must be retained for official business only. 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).

Qualifications

To meet the minimum qualifications for this position, you must (1) meet the Education Requirement for the series, (2) provide a copy of transcripts for verification, AND (3) meet either the education or experience qualifications for the grade at which you are requesting consideration. 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 performing a variety of analytical work that involves identifying, researching, analyzing, and monitoring financial management records; and/or preparing straightforward reports and statements that contain timely, accurate, and essential financial management information; and/or reviewing and evaluating financial systems for effectiveness of internal controls and integrity of the financial. 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 ensuring compliance with generally accepted accounting and financial management principles and standards; and/or planning and conducting financial management analyses of complex, interrelated administrative processes; and/or reviewing and analyzing financial reports generated by the financial system and determining compatibility of each with plans of the unit; and/or analyzing the effect of new or revised regulatory changes and developing applicable procedures You cannot qualify on education at the GS-12 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: (missing KSA's) 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.

Evaluations

DESCRIBE YOUR EXPERIENCE: Please be clear and specific when describing your experience, as HR evaluates applications strictly on the facts provided and will not make assumptions. To receive full credit, your narrative responses must be written in paragraph format and explicitly match your resume. Begin each response by listing the exact position title, organization, employment dates (MM/YYYY–MM/YYYY), full- or part-time status, average weekly hours, and federal series/grade (if applicable). Within the body of the paragraph, clearly describe your specific duties, actions taken, tools used, and measurable outcomes. HR will cross-check these details against your resume; if your resume does not fully support every claim and timeframe, the experience will not be considered for credit, which may result in an ineligible determination. All applicants: Your application will be reviewed in two phases determine how you move forward in the hiring process. Phase I: Your resume will be reviewed to determine your technical qualifications for this position based on the required specialized experience. ONLY two (2) pages of your resume will be reviewed. Additional information beyond your resume (e.g., cover letter, links embedded in your resume) will not be reviewed. Applicants passing “Phase I” will move on to the “Phase II” of the assessment process where your application will be reviewed and rated based on the KSAs/Competencies listed in the vacancy announcement by a Subject Matter Expert (SME). You may preview questions for this vacancy.

How to apply To be considered, you must submit all required resume details and applicable documents no later than 11:59 (EST) by the closing date of the announcement. Note: Uploading documents to USAJobs does not automatically attach them to this application. You must review and verify that all files are successfully transferred to our system before final submission. Late or incomplete applications will be disqualified. To begin, click the "Apply Online" button on the job announcement posting. Follow the directions to register, submit all required documents and complete the assessment questionnaire. You may review your saved application(s) at https://help.usajobs.gov/ If you are having difficulty applying online, please contact the DOT Automated Staffing Office via email at: Transjobs@dot.gov

Other information The Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs Act prohibits the Department of Transportation and its Operating Administrations from requesting an applicant's criminal history record before that individual receives a conditional offer of employment. In accordance with 5 U.S. Code § 9202(c) and 5 C.F.R § 920.201 certain positions are exempt from the provisions of the Fair Chance to Compete Act. Applicants who believe they have been subjected to a violation of the Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs Act, may submit a written complaint to the Department of Transportation by email at, FairChanceAct@dot.gov. To learn more, please visit our page at: The Fair Chance to Compete Act | US Department of Transportation This announcement may be used to fill additional positions if similar vacancies occur within 90 days of the issue date of the referral certificate.