DutiesThis position is located in the Support Services Division (SSD) at a VA Regional Office (RO). The incumbent serves as a Financial Accounts Technician (FAT) under the supervision of the Supervisory Financial Administrative Specialist and performs accounting, civilian payroll, and accounts receivable functions in accordance with applicable laws, regulations, policies, and procedures. - Prepares audits of benefit awards; processing fiscal transactions-including one-time special payments and out of system payments to bring accounts to current status.
- Communicates with Veterans and their beneficiaries, as well as other governmental agencies, in person, by telephone or through written communication.
- Processes check tracers for Veterans and their beneficiaries for claims of non-receipt and initiates reclamation action when necessary.
- Examines expenditure vouchers prior to payment to assure that existing laws and regulations authorize the expenditure and that the amount is in compliance with set schedules.
- Ensures that vouchers are certified, appropriate documentation is attached, and the computations are mathematically correct having the authority to suspend or disallow payments when the criteria for payment is not met.
- Reviews and analyzes financial statements from the debtor, information in claims folders, and other correspondence associated with debts and prepares appropriate documents.
- Acts as a liaison with financial departments to answer overpayment inquiries from Veterans or their beneficiaries.
- Utilizes the payment information systems to determine interest and monthly payment disbursement.
- Analyzes all incoming mail to the Finance Section and correctly classifies documents for processing.
- Maintains and compiles info. for required monthly, quarterly, semi-annual, annual, special, and/or one-time reports, including workload reports.
- Maintains a system of accounting records for all financial management system transactions within the Regional Office.
- Posts and maintains manual and computerized ledgers and related subsidiary journals and journalizes corrective actions for erroneous conditions.
- Prepares all necessary documents for transfer of funds, whether intra-agency or inter-agency, and prepares budgets reports.
- Researches, interprets, and verifies which appropriation and general ledger accounts to establish for input.
- Makes necessary payroll adjustments, including leave record adjustments, and input info into Personnel and Accounting systems.
- As agent cashier performs research through several computerized programs to ID the benefit payment system where the debt resides to avoid unassociated deposits.
Promotion Potential: The selectee may be promoted to the full performance level without further competition when all regulatory, qualification, and performance requirements are met. Selection at a lower grade level does not guarantee promotion to the full performance level. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 8:00am - 4:30pm Compressed/Flexible: Hours may vary to effectively carry out the mission. Telework: Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Description/PD#: 37340A, 37341A, 37342A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required RequirementsConditions of Employment- You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job
- Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
- You may be required to serve a probationary period
- Subject to background/security investigation
- Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process
QualificationsTo qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 07/01/2024. Time-In-Grade Requirement: Applicants who are current Federal employees and have held a GS grade any time in the past 52 weeks must also meet time-in-grade requirements by the closing date of this announcement. For a GS-05 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-04. For a GS-06 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-05. For a GS-07 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-06. The grade may have been in any occupation, but must have been held in the Federal service. An SF-50 that shows your time-in-grade eligibility must be submitted with your application materials. You must provide a copy of your most recent SF-50, "Notification of Personnel Action"showing that you are in the competitive service and the highest grade or promotion potential held. If the most recent SF-50 has an effective date within the past year, it may not clearly demonstrate that you possess (1) year time-in-grade, as required by the announcement. In this instance, you must provide an additional SF-50 that clearly demonstrates (1) year time-in-grade.General Adjustment and Award SF-50's alone, cannot be used for time-in-grade verification purposes.You may qualify based on your experience and/or education as described below: For the GS-05:- Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-04 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Specialized experience is defined as experience in a payroll/accounting systems, approving vouchers, financial audits or monitoring a budget system ensuring expenditures are in compliance with applicable laws and regulations.
- Entering requests into various systems
- Timekeeping
- Computing pay requests through after Supervisor validates research of technical manuals
- Processing actions under strict supervision
- Awareness of payroll systems and actions required to input, correct and obtain information. OR,
- Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have completed a 4-year course of study leading to a bachelor's degree. OR,
- Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have an combination of specialized experience and education beyond combination of specialized experience s described and education as described and when combined equal 100% of the total requirement.
For the GS-06:- Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-05 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Specialized experience is defined as experience in a payroll/accounting systems, approving vouchers, financial audits or monitoring a budget system ensuring expenditures are in compliance with applicable laws and regulations:
- Computing pay requests through independent research of technical manuals.
- Processing recurring, official pay adjustment documents.
- Familiarity with automated payroll systems and actions required to input, correct and obtain information.
- Advising on pay plans and retirement systems in accordance with company guidelines/regulations.
- Providing technical advice to all employees regarding payroll, time and leave matters.
There is no educational substitution at this grade level.For the GS-07:- Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-06 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Specialized experience is defined as experience in a Federal payroll/accounting systems, approving vouchers, financial audits or monitoring a budget system ensuring expenditures are in compliance with applicable Federal laws and regulations. Examples of specialized experience would include:
- Performing quality reviews of Federal pay request actions.
- Researching and troubleshooting unusual or one-of-a kind Federal pay adjustments.
- Extensive knowledge of various Federal pay systems to include advising employees on Federal guidelines for pay plans and retirement systems.
- Auditing and reconciling various advanced payroll reports.
- Providing senior-level technical advice to Federal employees regarding payroll, time and leave matters.
There is no educational substitution at this grade level.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; religions; 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. Note: A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. Part-time experience will be credited on the basis of time actually spent in appropriate activities. Applicants wishing to receive credit for such experience must indicate clearly the nature of their duties and responsibilities in each position and the number of hours a week spent in such employment.Physical Requirements: Sedentary. For more information on these qualification standards, please visit the United States Office of Personnel Management's website at http://://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/. EducationThere is no educational substitution at GS-06 or GS-07 grade level.
For the GS-05, a transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.
Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html. Additional informationVA supports the use of telework as a way to help attract and retain talented individuals in public service, increase worker productivity, and better prepare the agency to operate during emergencies. This position may be authorized for telework. Telework eligibility will be discussed during the interview process.
Special Employment Consideration: VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply, including those eligible for hiring under 5 CFR 213.3102(u), Schedule A, Appointment of persons with disabilities [i.e., intellectual disabilities, severe physical disabilities, or psychiatric disabilities], and/or Disabled veterans with a compensable service-connected disability of 30% or more. Contact the Agency Contact for information on how to apply under this appointment authority via the Selective Placement Coordinator.
The Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) provide eligible displaced Federal/VA competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. To be qualified you must submit appropriate documentation (a copy of the agency notice, your most recent performance rating, and your most recent SF-50 noting current position, grade level, and duty location) and be found well-qualified (have a final rating of 85 or more) for this vacancy. Information about CTAP eligibility is on OPM's Career Transition Resources website at http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/employee-guide-to-career-transition/.
Placement Policy: The posting of this announcement does not obligate management to fill a vacancy or vacancies by promotion. The position may be filled by reassignment, change to lower grade, transfer, appointment, or reinstatement. Management may use any one or any combination of these methods to fill the position.
It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.
This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.
Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.
For more information on the "Who may apply" eligibility requirements, please refer to the OHRM Status Candidates and Other Candidate Definitions document.
If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement. A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits. Review our benefits Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
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