Defense Finance and Accounting Service

FINANCIAL SPECIALIST

Finance & Insurance
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • U.S. citizenship required
  • Favorable security clearance required
  • 3 months of service post-competitive appointment in Federal service
  • Obtain/Maintain Financial Management Certification
  • Specialized experience in military payroll systems management at a GS-12 level or equivalent.

Responsibilities

  • Develop and implement military payroll systems and performance metrics.
  • Provide oversight and resolve pay account discrepancies for Army and Navy finance.
  • Standardize payroll policies and procedures using benchmarking studies.
  • Formulate and monitor functional area budgets and annual spend plans.
  • Prepare and defend technical system changes in meetings and conferences.

Benefits

  • Comprehensive federal employee benefits package.
  • Paid moving expenses for eligible hires.
  • Limited telework options, considered on a case-by-case basis.
  • Priority consideration for Military Spouse Preference candidates.
  • Potential for temporary promotions and filling additional vacancies.
Full Job Description
Summary

This job announcement uses the USA Hire Assessment to evaluate applicants. For more information, visit USA Hire Assessment.

Duties

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  • As a senior analyst, develops, implements, monitors and evaluates military payroll systems and offices, establishing performance metrics (balanced scorecards, productivity reports) to drive service improvements.
  • Provides oversight and customer support to the Army and Navy finance communities while resolving high-visibility pay account discrepancies.
  • Standardizes policies and systems across all payroll sites, utilizing benchmarking studies and best business practices to close operational performance gaps.
  • Formulates and monitors operating and capital budget for the functional area, justifies workload and work requirements, provides annual spend plan for budget executive on projected travel, and authors formal responses to reporting requirements.
  • Prepares and defends technical system changes at meetings and represents the Director on joint-service conferences. Develops and reviews staff papers and correspondence for actions, and provides staff assistance to the Military Pay leadership.


Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • Must be a U.S Citizen
  • This national security position, which may require access to classified information, requires a favorable suitability review and security clearance as a condition of employment. Failure to maintain security eligibility may result in termination.
  • Registered for Selective Service (males born after 12-31-1959)
  • Suitable for Federal employment
  • Time after Competitive Appointment: Candidates must have served 3 months after latest competitive appointment in the Federal service.
  • Obtain/Maintain Financial Management Certification


Qualifications

GS-13 QUALIFICATIONS: One year of specialized experience equivalent in level of difficulty and responsibility to that of the next lower grade (GS-12) within the federal service, which demonstrates the ability to perform the duties of the position, is required.

Specialized experience is defined as: Evaluating, standardizing, and optimizing military payroll systems, policies, and procedures across joint-service finance communities (Army and Navy). This includes formulating operating and capital budgets; analyzing system performance gaps using benchmarking metrics; defending technical system changes to Configuration Control Boards; and authoring formal coordination papers or responses for senior leadership, the Department of Defense (DoD), or the Government Accountability Office (GAO).

You may qualify for consideration if meeting specialized experience, education requirement, 90 days after competitive appointment requirement, and all other qualification requirements within 30 calendar days after the closing date of the announcement, unless otherwise indicated on the announcement.

The Security Designation will vary and dependent upon position and may require a secret clearance or higher. Employment in this position requires a background investigation which may delay starting date. If you are selected and cannot obtain a favorable security determination within a reasonable period of time due to disclosed/undisclosed background issues, the employment offer may be withdrawn. Individuals selected are required to obtain/maintain a favorable security determination to occupy a sensitive position within the agency as a condition of employment. Failure to maintain eligibility to occupy a sensitive position may result in termination. For more information see the security section of Understanding Vacancy Announcements.

This position requires you to obtain and maintain a Level 2 Certification under the DoD Financial Management (FM) Certification Program as a condition of employment. If you are selected, you will have to obtain this certification within two (2) years of your entry on duty in the position unless you are already in a position that requires a Level 2 Certification in which case you must complete the certification within the original 2-year period. Failure to become certified within the required time-frame may be grounds for removal from the position and/or from Federal service.

Additional information

  • Moving expenses will be paid.
  • The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 makes certain reimbursements/payments taxable. For information on these changes and the Relocation Income Tax Allowance (RITA), for which some appointees are eligible, click here.
  • For positions where relocation is paid (see Location block of vacancy announcement), you can learn more about relocation allowances and entitlements.
  • Telework availability is limited and will only be provided on a rare case-by-case basis during situations where Agency Leadership has determined that telework serves a compelling DoD need.
  • We may use this announcement to make a temporary promotion. For some positions, the temporary promotion may be made permanent without further competition.
  • Selections are subject to restrictions resulting from the DoD Program for Stability of Civilian Employment.
  • As a condition of employment, you may be required to serve a 1-year probationary period during which we'll evaluate whether your continued employment advances the public interest. The evaluation will consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment advances agency or governmental goals; and whether your continued employment advances the efficiency of the Federal service. At the end of the probationary period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification that your continued employment advances the public interest.
  • We may use this announcement to fill additional vacancies within 120 days of the closing date.
  • This position is Exempt from the Fair Labor Standards Act.
  • Travel requirement is seldom (1-24%).
  • This position is not covered by a bargaining unit.
  • Priority Placement Program (PPP) Military Spouse Preference (MSP) eligible candidates will receive priority consideration at the highest grade level for which they have applied and been determined best qualified up to and including the full performance level.
  • PPP Application Based Preference Eligibles (Military Reserve and National Guard technicians, Military Reserve and National Guard technicians receiving disability retirement, and Retained Grade employees) will receive priority consideration at the full performance level only.
  • Pay for first time hires to the Federal Government will typically be set at step 1 salary range for their respective grade level.
  • Retired Civil Service Employee: Employment of retired Federal employees receiving an annuity is subject to the requirements of the Department of Defense (DoD) policy guidance. (See DoD Instruction 1400.25, Volume 300, here.
  • Criminal History Inquiries- For some positions, criminal history inquiries may not take place before you receive a conditional job offer. Please see Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs Act of 2019 (dfas.mil) for more information on The Fair Chance to Compete Act, exceptions, and DFAS contact information.


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Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

Benefits

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A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

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Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.

About Defense Finance and Accounting Service

The Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS) is a United States Department of Defense (DoD) agency responsible for finance and accounting services. DFAS provides payment services to the United States Department of Defense and various other federal agencies. The agency's headquarters is located in Indianapolis, Indiana. DFAS was established in 1991 under the authority, direction, and control of the Under Secretary of Defense (Comptroller)/Chief Financial Officer to strengthen and reduce costs of financial management and operations within DoD.
Learn more about Defense Finance and Accounting Service
Size
12,000 employees
Industry
Founded
1991

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