Posted Date:February 27, 2013
| Author: | Robin Minor, Chief Compliance Officer, Federal Student Aid |
Subject: Institutional Review Specialist Vacancy Announcement
| Department: | Department Of Education |
| Agency: | Federal Student Aid |
| Job Announcement Number: | FSA-2013-0044 |
| SALARY RANGE: | $49,581.00 to $88,349.00 / Per Year | OPEN PERIOD: | Tuesday, February 26, 2013 to Monday, March 11, 2013 | SERIES & GRADE: | GS-1101-09/11 | POSITION INFORMATION: | Full-time - Permanent | PROMOTION POTENTIAL: | 12 |
| DUTY LOCATIONS: | 3 vacancies - San Francisco, CA, US View Map |
WHO MAY APPLY: The area of consideration for this position is "All Recruiting Sources"-All qualified U.S. citizens. Announcement FSA-2013-0053 is open concurrently with an area of consideration of "Federal Agencies" for status candidates. Applicants with non-competitive eligibility (i.e. VEOA, Sch. A, etc.) should also apply under announcement FSA-2013-0044.
JOB SUMMARY:
Join our Team! Federal Student Aid (FSA) is Funding America's Future, One Student At A Time. Our Vision: To be the most trusted and reliable source of student financial aid, information and services in the nation.
How would you like to work for the largest organization within the Department of Education (ED) with approximately 1,200 employees located in Washington, DC and in 10 regional offices throughout the United States? That organization is the office of Federal Student Aid (FSA). FSA is the largest provider of student financial aid in the nation, providing more than $150 billion each year in grants, loans, and work-study funds to 15 million students attending college or career school. FSA is also responsible for managing or overseeing $948 billion in outstanding loans - representing 163 million student loans to more than 38 million borrowers. Just think: you will be among a team of experts who are responsible for helping millions of students achieve their goals. At Federal Student Aid, we are proud to sponsor millions of American minds pursuing higher education. Every part of our team from student aid delivery and servicing operations to vendor and contract management to budgeting and cost control plays an essential role in achieving our mission.
This position is located in the U.S. Department of Education, Federal Student Aid, Program Compliance, School Eligibility Service Group (SESG). The School Eligibility Service Group is responsible for the oversight services of 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. Each division within School Eligibility Service Group (SESG) has the responsibility for the oversight of specific institutions. Institutions are generally assigned to a division based on the location of an institution's main campus or its unique ownership structure. Each division may be responsible for some or all of the oversight responsibilities under the purview of the SESG. The incumbent may be assigned to any School Participation Teams or Division within the School Eligibility Service Group (SESG).
KEY REQUIREMENTS
• Relocation Expenses will not be paid
• Drug Testing (if applicable)
• Must complete a Background Investigation and fingerprint check
• Must complete a One-year Probationary Period
• Must be a U.S. citizen
• Overnight travel 5 nights per month
DUTIES:
Works with Program Compliance team members to develop background data. Conducts reviews of student financial assistance programs at postsecondary educational institutions to determine whether such institutions are in compliance with Federal statutory and regulatory provisions governing the administration and management of the student aid programs. Through on and off site visits, determines whether these institutions are disbursing, utilizing, and administering Federal Funds appropriately. Prepares written reports of review findings and of recertification, audit, and financial analysis issues, transmitting results of the on or off-site review to the supervisor or senior reviewer for review for technical accuracy, soundness of judgment, recommendations, and consistency with national policy and procedures.
Follows up on the resolution of all deficiencies noted in the review, including analysis of institutional responses to the report and operational procedures necessary to adjust the institution's reporting and funding status. Works closely with case management team members and representatives of institutions in analyzing institutional applications for participation in the student financial aid programs. Responsible for reviewing, evaluating, and making recommendations on specific applications submitted by the institution to determine feasibility, adequacy, and sufficiency.
Assist in reviewing and processing alternative method of payment request. Reviews and resolves less complicated audits of postsecondary educational institutions' and servicers' administration of student financial assistance programs, including the technical analysis of audit reports and resolution of audit findings.
QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED:
1101
(GS-9)
Two years of graduate education. OR
A master's degree or equivalent degree. OR
All qualified candidates must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-7 level in the Federal Service. Examples of such experience may include: reviewing, verifying, analyzing, and evaluating financial operating data/systems; examining financial procedures, documents, and reports for completeness, validity, and quality; conducting quantitative analyses of financial data; developing cost calculations using cost estimating models and software; formulating segments of annual budget estimates; performing routine budget administrative duties; preparing financial reports; and providing technical assistance on finance issues.
Combination of education and experience.
(GS-11)
Three academic years of graduate education. OR
A doctoral or equivalent degree. OR
All qualified candidates must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-9 level in the Federal Service. Examples of such experience may include: reviewing and recommending improvements in automated financial systems and manual operations; conducting operational reviews; performing financial, operational and technical analyses; conducting research: and recommending improvements in financial operations.
Combination of education and experience.
SELECTIVE FACTOR: Experience related to legislation, regulations, policies and procedures governing the 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 QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS BY THE CLOSING DATE OF THIS VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT.
HOW YOU WILL BE EVALUATED:
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 ensuring programmatic compliance.
2. Ability to conduct Title IV program reviews.
3. Skilled in creating, editing, and writing documents using word processing, excel, and databases.
4. Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing.
5. Ability to use various programs and databases in computers.
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 will be rated ineligible.
Eligible candidates will be placed for selection consideration into three (3) categories as described below:
1 - Qualified Category
2 - Well Qualified Category
3 - Best Qualified Category
Do not overstate or understate your level of experience and capability. You should be aware that your ratings are subject to evaluation and verification.
BENEFITS:
The Department of Education/Federal Student Aid offers a comprehensive benefits package including paid vacation and sick leave, federal holidays, health and life insurance, and participation in the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS), including the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP). Click on http://www.opm.gov/insure/index.aspx to find out more about federal benefits.
Why Work at ED/FSA?
The U.S. Department of Education (ED)/Federal Student Aid (FSA) is a great place to work. For more detailed information regarding our various work sites, please click on the link below:
http://www.ed.gov/about/jobs/open/edhires/ed-locations.html
As an ED/FSA employee, you will benefit from our family-friendly work environment. As part of our commitment to maintain a productive balance between work and home, we offer excused leave for Parent/Teacher Conferences (4 hours); excused leave for annual health screenings (4 hours); and matching leave for community volunteer service. Other incentives such as Telecommuting and Alternative Work Schedules also may be available to you.
ED/FSA offers positions that are fair and competitive in compensation; developmental opportunities to exhibit teamwork and goal-oriented projects to enrich your federal career.
OTHER INFORMATION:
"Veterans interested in receiving tips on preparing a Federal resume and/or how to prepare for an interview, may send an email to Iwork@ed.gov to schedule an appointment for a session. Veterans Counseling Session must be placed in the subject line of the email."
The Federal Government is committed to expanding access to employment by hiring people with disabilities; providing technical assistance and information on reasonable accommodations for people with disabilities; and identifying and removing barriers to work. Persons with disabilities may apply for jobs filled either competitively (where qualified individuals compete with one another through a structured process), noncompetitively (where a qualified individual may be selected based on a special appointing authority), or through an excepted appointing authority for people with disabilities (i.e. Schedule A). People who are selected for a Federal job must meet the qualification requirements for the position and be able to perform the essential duties of the job with or without reasonable accommodation. For information on "People with Disabilities" please visit http://opm.gov/disability/PeopleWithDisabilities.asp
Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) - Eligible federal employees who were in positions and who were displaced from their positions may be eligible for selective priority over other candidates, under the ICTAP or the CTAP. Information about these programs may be found at the following links. In order to qualify, your application must receive a score of 85 in comparison with the knowledge, skills and abilities criteria. If you believe you are eligible for this special consideration, it is critical that you read the information provided in the links below.
(CTAP) http://www.ed.gov/about/jobs/open/edhires/ctap.html
(ICTAP) http://www.ed.gov/about/jobs/open/edhires/ictap.html
Student Loan Default
Applicants selected for positions are subject to a background check to verify that he or she has not defaulted on any loan funded or guaranteed by the U.S. Department of Education. Applicants found to be in default will be contacted to make arrangements for repayment prior to being made an official offer of employment.
ADDITIONAL SELECTIONS MAY BE MADE WITHIN 90 DAYS OF THE OPENING DATE OF THIS ANNOUNCEMENT, SHOULD VACANCIES OCCUR.
HOW TO APPLY:
Please carefully read the information provided under the link listed below. The section entitled "How to Apply" provides detailed instructions on faxing your supporting documentation. All required supporting documentation MUST be received by midnight Eastern Time on the closing date of the announcement. You are encouraged to thoroughly review the list of supplement documents required. It is critical to note that many documents may not pertain to you. You are only required to submit those that apply to you. http://www2.ed.gov/about/jobs/open/edhires/appendix.html
REQUIRED DOCUMENTS:
FSA Employees are required to submit transcript only, if applying based on education.
Veterans' Preference Documentation (DD214, VA letter, SF-15) Required from applicants if applying for an appointment under special veterans' appointing authority
Education Documentation Submit a copy of your transcripts of courses showing title, number of credits, grade, and date of completion.
No forms will be accepted after the closing date.
AGENCY CONTACT INFO:
Dana Dessesow
Phone: 202-377-4623
Fax: 000-000-0000
Email: Dana.Dessesow@ed.gov
Agency Information:
EDUCATION-OFC OF FEDERAL STUDENT AID
830 First Street, NE
Room L-118-5
Attn: Human Resources Services
Washington, DC
20202
US
Fax: 000-000-0000
WHAT TO EXPECT NEXT:
We will inform you of the status of your application at four stages: (1) Upon receipt of your application; (2) Upon minimum qualification determinations; (3) Upon issuing the highly qualified candidates to the hiring official; and finally (4) once a selection is made. It is essential that you have a current e-mail address on file with USAJOBS. You will be notified of our application status by the servicing Human Resources Specialist via email. You may also check the status of your application at USA JOBS.