Financial Management Specialist (Internal Controls)

Federal Emergency Management Agency•Washington, DC

About The Position

This position is in the Office of the Chief Financial Officer and focuses on developing, implementing, documenting, and maintaining internal controls over government financial reporting. The role plans and conducts OMB Circular A-123 or Internal Control Framework reviews to assess the design and effectiveness of internal controls, the reliability of financial reporting, and compliance with applicable laws and regulations. The ideal candidate has knowledge of the Government Accountability Office Green Book and its standards for internal control. The specialist supports the Agency financial management program by addressing financial and budget-related issues, maintaining financial staff services that contribute to management control over program operations, and advising on Agency risk management and internal controls. The position provides technical and administrative guidance to officials implementing internal controls and represents OCFO in interagency and external discussions and on Agency task forces. FEMA employees have regular and recurring emergency management responsibilities and may be recalled at any time. This position may involve irregular hours, work away from the official duty station, extensive travel with little advance notice, and extended deployments to emergency sites with austere and operationally challenging conditions. Selected employees must attend a three-week, in-person training course in Emmitsburg, Maryland within six months of onboarding; FEMA covers travel expenses. Future promotion depends on performance at a higher level, continuing need, and administrative approval.

Requirements

U.S. citizenship.
Successfully pass and maintain a Public Trust-High Risk background investigation; this may include a credit check and review of financial and other records.
Register for Selective Service, if applicable.
Current federal employees must meet time-in-grade requirements, including 52 weeks at the next lower grade or equivalent grade band.
Obtain and maintain a Government credit card.
Be able to deploy with little or no advance notice anywhere in the United States and its territories for an extended period.
At GS-11, have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least GS-09, demonstrating experience reviewing financial and program data for accuracy, integrity, and compliance; researching financial transaction discrepancies and reconciling data; and recommending financial decisions based on research results. The posting also describes a doctoral degree, three years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a doctorate, or an LL.M. as an alternate qualification pathway, while later stating that there is no educational substitution.
At GS-12, have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least GS-11, demonstrating coordination with subject-matter experts on audit engagements and general controls assessments, tracking and reporting on large datasets, and conducting internal control evaluations of financial management processes.
If selected, complete a three-week in-person training course in Emmitsburg, Maryland within six months of onboarding.
A one-year probationary period applies to new Federal competitive service employees and new supervisors and managers.

Nice To Haves

Experience and knowledge of methods, standards, and principles for developing, implementing, documenting, and maintaining internal controls over government financial reporting.
Knowledge and experience with the Government Accountability Office Green Book, Standards for Internal Control.

Responsibilities

Plan and conduct OMB Circular A-123 or Internal Control Framework reviews to assess internal control design and effectiveness, financial reporting reliability, and compliance with applicable laws and regulations.
Resolve financial and budget-related issues, questions, and problems associated with the Agency financial management program.
Maintain an integrated system of financial staff services that contributes to effective management control over program operations.
Advise on Agency risk management and assist senior management in establishing and promulgating an Agency-wide internal controls program.
Provide administrative and technical direction and guidance to personnel and officials responsible for implementing internal control practices.
Represent the Deputy CFO/CFO in contacts with DHS, OMB, GAO, Congress, states, and non-Federal agencies and activities concerning OCFO work.
Represent OCFO on Agency task forces that develop internal control guidelines and standards.