Financial Specialist (PDP) (Direct Hire)

The incumbent will be appointed at the GS-7 or 9 level depending on qualifications. This position is developmental: Incumbents at the GS-7 or 9 may be non-competitively promoted to the next higher grade upon completion of an Individual Development Plan (IDP), meeting time-in-grade requirements, and the recommended approval for promotion by their supervisor.

To meet the minimum qualifications for this position, you must meet either the education or experience qualifications for the grade at which you are requesting consideration.

To qualify for the GS-07 on Experience, you must have at least one year of experience equal or equivalent to the GS-05 it must include: Experience gathering and entering data to produce reports and queries from various systems or databases; OR Experience utilizing standard procedures and customer service techniques; OR Experience organizing and accomplishing work assignments and meeting deadlines.

To qualify for the GS-07 on Education alone, you must have at least 1 year of graduate-level education OR superior academic achievement. **Superior Academic Achievement is based on (1) class standing, (2) grade-point average, or (3) honor society membership. 1. Class standing -- Applicants must be in the upper third of the graduating class in the college, university, or major subdivision, such as the College of Liberal Arts or the School of Business Administration, based on completed courses. 2.

Grade-point average (G.P.A.) -- Applicants must have a grade-point average of: 3.0 or higher out of a possible 4.0 ("B" or better) as recorded on their official transcript, or as computed based on 4 years of education, or as computed based on courses completed during the final 2 years of the curriculum; or 3.5 or higher out of a possible 4.0 ("B+" or better) based on the average of the required courses completed in the major field or the required courses in the major field completed during the final 2 years of the curriculum.

You can also qualify based on a combination of graduate level education and experience. This must be fully supported by your resume and transcripts, provided with your application.

To qualify for the GS-09 on Experience, you must have at least one year of experience equal or equivalent to the GS-07 it must include: Experience analyzing and interpreting data to produce reports and queries from various systems or databases; OR Experience utilizing standard procedures and customer service techniques; OR Experience organizing and accomplishing multiple work assignments and meeting deadlines.

To qualify for the GS-09 on Education alone, you must have 2 years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a master's degree or have been awarded a master's or equivalent graduate degree. You can also qualify based on a combination of graduate education and experience. This must be fully supported by your resume and transcripts, provided with your application.

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: Principles of Finance - Knowledge of the basic principles, practices, and methods of financial management, including requisitions, apportionments, allotments, investments, fiscal management, activity reporting, and fiscal year guidelines.

Written Communication -Writes in a clear, concise, organized, and convincing manner for the intended audience. Oral Communication - Expresses information (for example, ideas or facts) to individuals or groups effectively, considering the audience and nature of the information (for example, technical, sensitive, controversial); makes clear and convincing oral presentations; listens to others, attends to nonverbal clues, and responds appropriately.

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/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-policies/#url=e4 All applicants must meet all qualification requirements by the closing date of this announcement.

The Federal Aid Highway Program supports state highway systems by providing financial assistance for the construction, maintenance, and operations of the nation's 3.9-million-mile highway network. This includes the Interstate Highway System as well as primary highways and secondary, local roads. FHWA is charged with implementing the Federal Aid Highway Program in cooperation with state and local governments.

The mission of the Federal Lands Program is to improve transportation to and within Federal and Tribal Lands by providing technical services to the highway/transportation community as well as building accessible and scenic roads that ensure the many national treasures within our nation's Federal Lands can be enjoyed by all.

FHWA's PDP is an entry-level/new employee program designed to introduce participants to the technical, administrative, and program management aspects of administering the Federal-aid Highway and Federal Lands Highway Programs. The PDP is up to 24-months of entry-level career development training for participants to learn and apply technical skills to advance.

As a Financial Specialist, you will: Act as a technical resource on FHWA procedures and guidance on Federal laws, regulations, Executive Orders, and directives related to finance considerations applicable to the Federal Aid Highway Program or Federal Lands Program in the following areas: funding advice and guidance, financial management improvements, project funds management, audit resolution, and innovative finance.

Participate with other Federal agencies and State Departments of Transportation (DOTs) on pertinent financial management concerns relative to highway issues, with the goal of advancing Federal Aid and Federal Lands programs and projects. Work with the Finance Manager to implement and conduct financial management system reviews and evaluations of the DOTs, local governments, and other Federal Agencies.

Assist in the approval of reimbursement claims, project agreement modifications, advance construction conversions, and conducting the final review and approval of final project claims. Participate on interdisciplinary team reviews or activities, work groups, and task forces to address project or program issues or to ensure implementation of the financial management program.

The ideal candidate for this position is an entry level Financial Specialist who has a desire to learn the technical, administrative, and program management aspects of financial management in the agency. The ideal candidate should have between 0 to 5 years of experience, be mobile and willing to travel to remote locations for extended periods of time and be able to work independently and in a team environment.