Financial Program Specialist (Financial Specialist)

Bureau of Prisons/Federal Prison System • Washington, DC

2d

About The Position

The Financial Program Specialist provides oversight and guidance to institutional and regional staff in reviewing, analyzing, and evaluating the Bureau of Prisons (BOP) Trust Fund operation. The specialist recommends changes to maximize the use of manpower, money, and materials; prepares and verifies financial statements reflecting the Trust Fund’s status for audit by the Department of Justice Office of Inspector General; and monitors, reviews, and processes national program obligations for accuracy and timeliness. The position also liaises with BOP management officials at all levels to understand their needs for financial and budget data, promote use of that data in management processes, explain the effects of program changes on Trust Fund accounting and budgeting, and recommend management actions and alternatives based on data trends.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship is required.
• For GS-11, at least one year of specialized experience equivalent in difficulty and complexity to the next lower grade level, or a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree, three full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree, or a related LL.M.
• For GS-12, at least one year of specialized experience equivalent in difficulty and complexity to the next lower grade level; education cannot substitute for specialized experience.
• GS-11 qualifying experience may include providing guidance on routine financial issues involving accounting and budgeting principles and use of a financial reporting system for a Trust Fund operation; using automated financial systems and reports to determine whether transactions were processed timely; and working across financial systems, identifying the need for new procedures, and recommending system changes as data needs evolve.
• GS-12 qualifying experience may include applying accounting and budgeting principles, concepts, theories, and practices, as well as financial reporting standards, for a Trust Fund operation; using automated financial systems to assess financial information accuracy and accounting records and identify discrepancies; and independently reviewing diverse tasks and functions and recommending financial system, control, or procedure changes based on budget requirements and audit or review results.
• Applicants claiming qualifying education must provide legible transcripts with identifying information; academic degrees and coursework must be from an accredited or pre-accredited institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
• Appointment is subject to satisfactory completion of urinalysis, physical, and background investigation; applicants are also subject to NCIC and credit checks.
• Applicants must provide a primary residence address in their USAJOBS account or resume and may be required to provide proof of residence.
• For eligibility for secondary law-enforcement coverage, applicants must have three years of primary law-enforcement coverage by the vacancy closing date; individuals without it may still be considered for a non-law-enforcement position.
• Current federal law-enforcement employees selected for the secondary law-enforcement position must complete mandatory Introduction to Correctional Techniques (ICT) Phase I and Phase II courses if they have not already done so.
• Applicants should be committed to improving federal government efficiency, the ideals of the American republic, the rule of law, and the U.S. Constitution.

Responsibilities

• Provide oversight and guidance to institutional and regional staff reviewing, analyzing, and evaluating the BOP Trust Fund operation.
• Recommend changes to maximize utilization of manpower, money, and materials.
• Prepare and ensure the accuracy of financial statements showing the status of the Trust Fund operation for audit by the DOJ Office of Inspector General.
• Monitor, review, and process national program obligations for accuracy and timeliness.
• Liaise with BOP management officials at all levels to identify their financial and budgeting data needs and encourage use of that data in management processes.
• Explain the effects of program changes on Trust Fund accounting and budgeting operations.
• Recommend management actions and alternatives based on trends in financial and budget data.

Benefits

• A comprehensive federal employee benefits package is available to employees and their families.
• Travel and transportation reimbursement is authorized for this position.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree