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(General) Subject: Guarantor and lender Review Specialist Vacancy Announcement

Posted Date:April 30, 2013

Author: Robin Minor, Chief Compliance Officer, Federal Student Aid

Subject: Guarantor and lender Review Specialist Vacancy Announcement

SALARY RANGE:

$50,154.00 to $84,146.00 / Per Year

OPEN PERIOD:

Monday, April 22, 2013 to Friday, May 03, 2013

SERIES & GRADE:

GS-1101-09/11

POSITION INFORMATION:

Full time - Permanent

PROMOTION POTENTIAL:

12

DUTY LOCATIONS:

5 vacancies in the following location(s):
Chicago, IL, USView Map
New York - New York, NY, USView Map
Dallas, TX, USView Map

WHO MAY APPLY:

One or more vacancies may be filled through this announcement.
The area of consideration for this position is "All Recruiting Sources" for all U.S. citizens. Announcement FSA-2013-0103 is open concurrently with an area of consideration of "Federal Agencies" for status candidates.
Applicants eligible for appointment under special appointing authorities (i.e. VEOA, Sch. A, etc) should also apply under announcement FSA-2013-0103.

JOB SUMMARY:

Join our Team! Federal Student Aid (FSA) is Funding America's Future, One Student At A Time Vision: To be 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 1,000 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. Just think: In addition to managing and monitoring ED's billions of dollars of student aid, you will be among a team of experts who will focus on innovations for upgrading student aid delivery and servicing operations, vendor and contract management, budgeting and cost control, and financial and operational management all while providing quality customer service.

This position is located in any one of the established division offices in the Program Compliance Office, Financial Institution Oversight Service Group (FIOSG). Program Compliance Office is responsible for administering a program of monitoring and oversight of the postsecondary educational institutions, guaranty agencies, lenders, and servicers participating in the Department's Title IV programs. The Division offices evaluate and perform program reviews of participating lenders, servicers, secondary markets, and guaranty agencies and provide assistance to those recipient groups in correctly implementing the Federal Family Education Loan (FFEL) program administered by FSA.

The position is responsible for evaluating account categories, analysis, evaluation and synthesis of authoritative alternatives/recommendations. The Guarantor and Lender Review Specialist develops alternatives on the impact of alternative recommendations to management

At the grade 9 level, employees perform tasks under supervision or in a trainee capacity. This is a development position with full potential to grade 12.

KEY REQUIREMENTS

  • You must be a U.S. Citizen. Security Clearance is Required.

  • Must complete a Background Investigation and fingerprint check

  • Must complete a One-year Probationary Period

  • Relocation Expenses will not be paid. Drug Testing (if applicable).

  • Drivers License. Approx. 5-14 nights of overnight travel per month.

DUTIES:

As a Guarantor and Lender Review Specialist, you are a valued member of a dynamic team. You are in key role from day one and your work has visible impact. You will conduct reviews of participating guaranty agencies, secondary markets,lenders, and loan servicing organization' student loan profiles. Review administrative and fiscal policies; interest billing and other Federal reporting documents; individual loan files; and financial statements. You will conduct reviews of participating institutions for compliance with legislation, regulations, standards, and procedures. Review institutional procedures and record maintenance. Conduct reviews of guaranty agencies assuring statutes, regulations, policies and procedures are in compliance with FFEL program. Determines when findings of a review require assistance from the Office of the Inspector General (OIG).

Discuss review process, findings, violations with senior officials of lending institutions, guaranty agencies, loan service organizations, co-workers, other Federal officials, students, and the general public; and make recommendations with institutional and agency executives.

You will prepare written reports of program review findings, conduct and participate in workshops, seminars, and conferences; provide assistance in the interpretation of laws and regulations; recommend changes or improvements in techniques, methods, and materials; provide orientation and training to new program personnel; identify and recommend solutions to problems; and make decisions relative to the intent of regulations for which precedent policy is not available.

QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED:

1101
(GS-9)

All qualified candidates must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-07 level in 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. OR
Two years of graduate education. OR
A master's degree or equivalent degree. OR
Combination of education and experience.

(GS11)

All qualified candidates must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-09 level in federal service.

Examples of such experience may include: conducting studies of work processes and procedures; identifying organizational problems, reviewing production standards, and recommending solutions; reviewing and evaluating reports and studies on employee or organizational efficiency and productivity, work flow, operational analysis, costs, or equipment utilization; participating in the development of directives; writing reports that include improvement recommendations; and designing, developing, and implementing reporting systems. OR

Three academic years of graduate education. OR

A doctoral or equivalent degree. OR
Combination of education and experience.

For full qualifications go to: http://www.opm.gov/qualifications/index.asp

APPLICANTS MUST MEET QUALIFICATIONS REQUIREMENTS BY THE CLOSING DATE OF THIS VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT.

HOW YOU WILL BE EVALUATED:

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 - Applicants who have a "Q" score between 70 and 84.99 meets the specialized experience outlined in the Minimum Qualification Requirements section of this announcement. 2 - Well Qualified Category - Applicants who have a "WQ" score between 85 and 94.99 exceeds the Minimum Qualification Requirements based on review of resume and vacancy specific questions. 3 - Best Qualified Category - Applicants who have a "BQ" score between 95 and 100 Outstanding level based on review of resume and vacancy specific questions. Do not overstate or understate your level of experience and capability. You should be aware that your ratings are subject to evaluation and verification.

To perform successfully the duties of this position, applicants are expected to possess the Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs) listed below. Your answers to the on-line experience questions will serve as responses to the KSAs.

  1. Knowledge of legislation, regulations, policies, and manuals governing the Federal Family Education Loan Program.

  2. Ability to analyze and evaluative techniques.

  3. Judgment skills.

  4. Analytical skills to evaluate lender and guarantor internal accounting controls, computer systems, regulations, and other materials.

  5. Ability to communicate orally and in writing.


To preview questions please click here.

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 not required to submit supporting documentation.

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.

AGENCY CONTACT INFO:
Frances Walker
Phone: 202-377-3742
Fax: 202-275-0486
Email: Frances.Walker@ed.gov

Agency Information:
EDUCATION-OFC OF FEDERAL STUDENT AID
400 Maryland Ave. S.W.
Attn: Human Resources Services
Washington, DC
20202
US
Fax: 202-275-0486

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.