Financial Specialist (Contracting) Job in Washington DC Metro Area - 96292963 - ZAIBP0OVYK8PS

Job Title:
FINANCIAL SPECIALIST (CONTRACTING)

Department:
Judicial Branch

Agency:
U.S. CourtsSub

Agency:
US Sentencing Commission

Job Announcement Number:
#11-03

SALARY RANGE:
$74,872.00 - $136,771.00 /year

OPEN PERIOD:
Wednesday, February 02, 2011 to Thursday, February 02, 2012
SERIES & GRADE:GS-0301-12/14

POSITION INFORMATION:
Full-Time  Permanent

DUTY LOCATIONS:
1 vacancy - Washington DC Metro Area, DC

WHO MAY BE CONSIDERED:
Applications will be accepted from all groups of qualified individuals.

JOB SUMMARY:

The U.S. Sentencing Commission is an independent federal agency in the Judicial Branch of government consisting of seven members appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate and two non-voting ex-officio members. The agency staff consists of approximately 100 employees. The Commission develops and revises guidelines for federal district court judges to consider in sentencing offenders convicted of federal crimes. The Commission monitors and evaluates the use of the guidelines, conducts research and education programs on guideline application and sentencing matters generally, and recommends improvements in federal sentencing practices. Additional information about the Commission can be accessed via the Commission's website at http://www.ussc.gov.

Additional Duty Location Info:
1 vacancy - Washington DC Metro Area, DC

The incumbent reports to the Director of Administration and is responsible for coordinating and performing financial activities that support the financial operations of the Commission. Duties include, but are not limited to: (1) Serving as a contracting officer with responsibility for planning, preparing and executing all contractual actions for assigned projects. Prepares the solicitation package, procures for a variety of products and/or services and monitors contracts to ensure compliance with terms and conditions of the contract; (2) Developing spending plans, financial reports and performing budget execution responsibilities; (3) Conducting research and analysis related to financial matters, travel regulations, appropriations law, and procurement; (4) Responsibility for monitoring and updating agency policies and procedures related to finance, according to current business practices, and ensuring current information is posted on the Commission's intranet policy website; (5) Assisting the Director of Administration in the formulation and presentation of the agency's budget and budget materials (i.e., tables, narratives, briefing materials); (6) Providing financial oversight, technical advice, assistance, leadership, and support to peers and management regarding financial activities; (7) Setting priorities and goals, and preparing work plans; and, (8) Performing other duties as assigned and directed by the Director of Administration.

QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED:

Basic requirements: Knowledge of federal contracting laws, regulations, principles, policies, and procedures to develop and issue solicitations and contracts. Serves as the Commission's contracting specialist responsible for the life cycle management of various contracts.

One year of specialized work experience equivalent to the previous level in the federal service is required. For example, one year of specialized experience at the GS-11 level is required to qualify for appointment at the GS-12 level. Specialized experience is defined as progressively responsible work experience, without more than normal supervision, as a contracting officer in a federal agency in any branch of government, that has equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities that will enable the individual to successfully perform the duties of this position, and that is typically in or related to the work of this position.

Applicants must be technically proficient and have advanced experience working in MS Excel spreadsheets and good word processing skills using MS Word.

Applicants must also have the following experience.

• Comprehensive knowledge and demonstrated work experience in the area of federal contracting as outlined in the Duties and Responsibilities section of this announcement, and the mandatory and preferred qualifications requirements of this position.

• Knowledge of appropriations law, contracting regulations, and federal travel regulations. The ability to conduct independent, thorough, research; analyze findings; interpret policy, rules, and regulations, and summarize information so that it may be conveyed verbally and in writing to a variety of audiences.

• Financial experience that meets or more than meets the mandatory qualifications outlined in this announcement, and superior administrative, and interpersonal skills, including the ability to negotiate and perform a variety of tasks, while working under pressure.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

Team leader and/or program management experience is strongly preferred but not required. Experience in the area of federal budget formulation, execution, and monitoring is also strongly preferred but not required.

HOW YOU WILL BE EVALUATED:

The U.S. Sentencing Commission evaluates applicants through a structured interview. Applicants may also be screened for some jobs through a narrative/application review, and/or a preliminary telephone interview. Applicants who do not address the qualification requirements (mandatory and preferred) in his or her application materials as stated in the vacancy announcement are automatically disqualified from consideration and must re-apply before the closing date to be considered for employment. The Office of Human Resources: (1) Reviews the applicant's resume and cover letter to ensure the proper materials are submitted, (2) ensures that the applicant's resume and/or cover letter addresses all of the qualification requirements (mandatory and preferred) as stated in the vacancy announcement; and, (3) determines whether the applicant meets the qualification requirements for the particular position and notifies the applicant about the status of his or her application. Applicants who meet the mandatory qualification requirements will be considered and their application materials will be forwarded to the screening panel for review. Applicants who do not meet the mandatory qualification requirements for the position are automatically disqualified from consideration. In addition, some applicants may be tested using various assessment tools not listed on the vacancy announcement to verify an applicant's experience, knowledge, and training directly related to the job in order to identify the best qualified applicants for consideration and selection.

BENEFITS:

The Commission participates in the following federal benefits: The Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) program; the Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance Program (FEDVIP), the Federal Employees Group Life Insurance (FEGLI) program, federal retirement, the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP), and the federal leave program. In addition, the Commission participates in the Judiciary's Flexible Spending Program for dependent care, health care, and commuter reimbursement, the Judiciary's Long Term Care Program, or government-wide Long Term Care Insurance Program, unemployment, and Workers' compensation benefits.

The Commission offers a monthly transit subsidy to employees who use mass transit to commute to and from work, subject to the availability of funds. The Commission offers compressed work schedules (CWS), which is a fixed work schedule that enables full-time employees to complete the basic 80-hour biweekly work requirement in less than 10 workdays. The Commission offers regular telework to employees in positions deemed eligible by the staff director, who meet the requirements of an approved telework arrangement in which an employee performs official duties at home or at the COSC in Reston, Virginia, which is also an approved telework center for the purposes of the Commission's Telework Policy. The Commission also offers training opportunities to employees through the Judiciary and Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts (AOUSC) Online University (JOU Online University), which offers academic credit and professional credit programs through web-based learning. This online training tool assists employees of the Commission with taking online courses in a flexible way, by offering training courses in the areas of: Staff training and development; credit toward undergraduate degree programs; continuing education and non-credit certificate programs; executive education; contract training; credit credentials courses for continuing professional education and credit for individuals who hold credentials and achieve certifications associated with several globally-recognized sponsored organizations.

OTHER INFORMATION:

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

This position is in the excepted service and does not carry the tenure rights of positions in the competitive Civil Service. All new Commission employees, those converted from a temporary appointment to a permanent appointment, and all rehired former Commission employees are required to serve a one year probationary period. The probationary period begins on the effective date of the employee's appointment, conversion, or rehire. Employment is contingent upon a favorable FBI criminal background check, and requires electronic fingerprinting.

HOW TO APPLY:

This position is Open Until Filled, however, the 1^st Cut-off for review of applications is March 1, 2011. In order to be considered, all applicants must submit a resume and cover letter that addresses all of the qualification requirements listed in this announcement, and if available, provide a recent job performance evaluation to:

United States Sentencing Commission

One Columbus Circle, N.E.

South Lobby, Suite 2-500

Washington, D.C. 20002-8002

Attention: Office of Human Resources

Announcement Number 11-03

Note: Applicants who applied under #11-02 will be considered and need not re-apply under this announcement.

Applications may be E-mailed in the following formats only: PDF Document, WordPerfect 7, or MSWord 2007, to Vacancy2@ussc.gov. In order to be considered for employment, all application materials must be received in the Office of Human Resources by electronic mail at Vacancy2@ussc.gov or regular mail at the address listed above, by CLOSE OF BUSINESS (5:00 P.M.) on the closing date. For additional information or for a copy of this vacancy announcement, please visit our Internet web site http://www.ussc.gov. Application materials will not be returned. Applicants must be a U.S. citizen or eligible to work in the United States as mandated by the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986. Employees are required to participate in electronic fund transfer, mandated by the Federal Compensation Act.

AGENCY CONTACT INFO:

Recruitment
Phone: 202 502 4500 Agency Information:
U.S Sentencing Commission
ONE COLUMBUS CIR, N.E
SUITE 2-500 SOUTH LOBBY
WASHINGTON, DC 20002
US

WHAT TO EXPECT NEXT:Once your complete application is received we will conduct an evaluation of your qualifications and determine your ranking. The most highly qualified candidates will be referred to the hiring manager for further consideration and possible interview. We expect to make a selection within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement. You will be notified of the outcome.