Posted Date:April 3, 2012
Author: | Robin Minor, Chief Compliance Officer, Federal Student Aid |
Subject: Director of School Eligibility Service Group, GS-1101-15, Vacancy Announcement, FSA-2012-0107
The U.S. Department of Education (ED) is looking for the best and brightest to ensure equal access to education and to promote educational excellence throughout the nation. If you are a highly motivated, creative individual who would like to be involved in establishing policies on federal financial aid for education, and distributing as well as monitoring those funds; collecting data on America's schools and disseminating research; focusing national attention on key educational issues; and prohibiting discrimination and ensuring equal access to education, ED is the place for you!
JOB ANNOUNCEMENT: FSA-2012-0107
POSITION TITLE: Director of School Eligibility Service Group
DIVISION TITLE: Federal Student Aid, Program Compliance Office, School Eligibility Service Group
SERIES, GRADE: GS-1101-15
SALARY RANGE: $123,758.00-$155,500.00
LOCATION: Washington DC Metro Area, DC
OPENING DATE: 04/02/2012
CLOSING DATE: 04/13/2012
How would you like to work for the largest organization within the Department of Education (ED) with approximately 1,000 employees located in Washington, DC and in 10 regional offices throughout the United States? That organization is the Office of Federal Student Aid (FSA), which has oversight of the nation's largest source of student aid for almost 11 million postsecondary students and their families. FSA also manages or oversees more than $556 billion in outstanding loans - representing almost 95 million student loans to more than 30 million borrowers.
This position is under the Office of Program Compliance (PC). Program Compliance is responsible for the oversight services of eligible postsecondary Title IV schools, lending institutions, guaranty agencies and servicers. The primary goal is to promote accountability among program participants in the administration of federally funded financial assistance (Title IV) and to advance FSA's goal of strengthening program integrity by improving institution and agency Title IV compliance. Program Compliance has oversight responsibility for approximately 6,000 schools that participate in the Title IV Federal Student Aid programs. Through its School Eligibility Service Group (SESG) core functions are performed for the eligible postsecondary Title IV schools and their servicers. This includes institutional and program eligibility, resolving and analyzing an institution's compliance audits and financial statements, conducting program reviews of institutional Title IV compliance, and management of an institution's method of payment. The Director of the School Eligibility Service Group reports to the Chief Compliance Officer and manages the SESG, providing overall direction and leadership for over 250 staff members. As a principal manager, is responsible for a broad spectrum of high-level, complex issues, particularly those involving sensitive matters that cross FSA program lines and/or have major planning, policy, operational implications. The Director provides strategic management for the SESG interpreting policy and goals of SESG, FSA and the Department to Group staff. Manages the planning and development of policies and procedures for monitoring schools participation in Title IV programs; coordinates all key activities related to gate keeping and addresses the positive or negative impact on SESG's gate keeping and oversight/monitoring responsibilities.
KEY REQUIREMENTS:
•You must be a U.S. Citizen. Drug Testing (if applicable).
•Must complete a Background Investigation and fingerprint check.
•Must complete a One-year Probationary Period. Driver's License.
•Relocation Expenses will not be paid. Financial Disclosure.
•Approximately 1-3 nights of overnight travel per month.
MAJOR DUTIES
Responsible for strategic management for the division; interprets policies, purposes, and goals, of SESG,FSA, and the Department to Group staff; establishes long-range priorities, deadlines, and goals; and oversees the analysis, review, and drafting of legislative proposals, program plans and policies, and program summaries for key officials.
Advises the Chief Compliance Officer (CCO), senior staff and other senior executives concerning the impact of existing and proposed legislation, regulations, policies, and procedures on participating institutions and impact for SESG oversight and monitoring activities; and provides expert analytical advice, guidance, and counsel on the implications of proposed modifications to existing compliance oversight processes; and coordinates all key activities and serves as a spokesperson for issues with other organizations inside and outside the Department.
Manages the planning and development of policies and procedures for monitoring postsecondary educational institutions participating in the financial assistance programs authorized by Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965. Ensures institutions are in compliance with Federal legislation, regulations, and Department policies; facilitates and leads meetings with supervisors; represents the CCO in consultations with the Office of the Inspector General and/or the Office of General Counsel (OGC); supports business process and quality improvement efforts; and forms teams to evaluate critical business and work processes and to strengthen customer service.
Provides guidance and oversight for the initiation and follow-up of limitation, suspension, termination, fine disqualification, and emergency actions against schools determined to be noncompliant with program requirements, as well as actions to suspend and disbar cited individuals and corporations from involvement in Title IV activities.
Participates in budget planning meetings; manages organizations, staffing, human resources, and employee relations activities; plans, coordinates, and reviews procurement requirements and actions; and serves as a procurement official for contracts.
EVALUATION
WARNING! High self-assessment in the vacancy questions that is not supported by information in your resume, and/or supporting documents may eliminate you from best-qualified status or result in a lowered score. Your responses to the vacancy questions must be substantiated by your on-line resume. Be sure that the experience/education as described on your resume contains accurate and sufficient information that clearly supports your responses to all of the questions by addressing experience and education relevant to this position. If you exaggerate or falsify your experience, education and/or your responses to questions, your ratings can/will be changed, or you may be removed from employment consideration. You should make a fair and accurate assessment of your qualifications.
Applicants who do not respond to the application questions may be rated ineligible.
Applicants are expected to possess the Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs) listed below to qualify for this position. These KSAs are addressed in the self-assessment questionnaire that you will complete for this announcement. You do not need to respond separately to the KSAs listed below. Your answers to the on-line experience questions will serve as responses to the KSAs.
Your application will be evaluated based on your ability to demonstrate the following knowledge, skills, and abilities/competencies (KSAs):
1. Knowledge of the legislation and regulations governing initial and ongoing participation of postsecondary institutions in the Department's student financial assistance programs.
2. Knowledge of Title IV programs.
3. Knowledge of higher education issues to anticipate probable future education institutional needs as the needs directly impact the Department's student financial assistance programs.
4. Knowledge of Department policies and procedures as well as of legislation processes, and keen political awareness and sensitivities on issues affecting the postsecondary community.
QUALIFICATIONS
1101 (GS-15) All qualified candidates must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-14 level in federal service. Examples of such experience include: providing recommendations to senior management on financial laws, regulations, policies and procedures; providing expert advice on activity budgeting, budget/forecast variance analysis, decision analysis justification, and performance monitoring.
SELECTIVE FACTOR
You must have work experience in the application of legislation, regulations, policies and procedures governing the administration of the Federal Title IV Student Financial Assistance Programs.
CANDIDATES WHO DO NOT MEET THE SELECTIVE FACTOR AUTOMATICALLY WILL BE FOUND INELIGIBLE FOR THE POSITION.
APPLICANTS MUST MEET QUALIFICATIONS REQUIREMENTS BY THE CLOSING DATE OF THIS VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT.
NOTE: Applications must be submitted by the closing date: April 13, 2012
Please see the job announcement at http://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/313296200 for application information.