Summary

This position is located in U.S. Department of Education (ED) Office of Federal Student Aid (FSA) The Office of Federal Student Aid administers the federal financial aid programs under Title IV. These programs provide billions of dollars in federal loans, grants, and work-study funds to students and their families for education beyond high school. By funding America's future, one student at a time, FSA is committed to keeping the promise made through the Higher Education Act of 1965.

Duties

Help

APPLICATION LIMIT: This vacancy announcement will close at 11:59PM Eastern Time on the listed closing date July 24, 2026.

We encourage you to read this entire vacancy announcement prior to submitting your application.

As an Institutional Review Specialist, GS-1101-12, you will be responsible for:

• Making findings of noncompliance, assesses liabilities, and recommends improvements to the administration of the Title IV programs.
• Evaluating schools' application for Title IV participation (initial, reinstatement, or renewal certification, or reporting changes to existing program scope, locations, and other institutional information) and determines schools' ability to administer the federal student aid programs.
• Making recommendations and initiating action to transfer an institution to heightened cash monitoring or reimbursement method of payment.
• Preparing written reports to schools, servicers, and Department of Education officials to document, justify, and support liabilities assessed and to disclose all areas of non-compliance.

As a Complaint Resolution Specialist GS-1101-12, you will be responsible for:

• Receiving, reviewing and responding to students/borrowers Title IV complaints regarding their school, loan servicer, lenders, guaranty agencies and other loan program participants.
• Reviewing workload data and reports to identify trends and makes recommendations to address the issue; identifies possible approaches and strategies to resolve complex cases.
• Researching case files, databases, and/or tracking systems to gather relevant information to aid in the resolution of complaints.
• Responding to students and borrower complaints, documents case actions and resolutions, maintains records and prepares complaint activity reports, as requested.

Requirements

Help

Conditions of employment

• Males 18 and over must be registered with the Selective Service.
• Relocation will not be paid.
• Must be a US Citizen
• Must complete a Background Investigation and Fingerprint check.
• You may be subject to serve a one-year probationary period.

Condition of Employment:

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you may be required to serve a probationary period or trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider:
• your performance and conduct;
• the needs and interests of the agency;
• whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
• whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Upon completion of your probationary period OR trial period your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advaces the public interest.

You must meet all qualification requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this vacancy announcement.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills, and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. We will consider all qualifying experience, including any volunteer experience.

Qualifications

This is an open continuous announcement with cutoff dates. Applications will be referred based on receipt of application and established cutoff dates as follows:

1st cutoff date: 06/29/2026

2nd cutoff date: 07/10/2026

Last cutoff date: 07/24/2026

Minimum Qualification Requirements

You may meet the minimum qualifications for the GS-12, if you possess the specialize experience below.

Specialized Experience for the GS-12

One year of experience in either federal or non-federal service that is equivalent to at least a GS-11 performing two (2) out of three (3) of the following duties or work assignments:

1. Experience analyzing financial or accounting principles, theories, concepts, and practices applicable to financial analysis to determine financial stability or risk mitigation.
2. Experience analyzing internal controls, computer systems, regulations or other relevant material to determine if Title IV funds are safeguarded as specified in federal regulations.
3. Experience interpreting and applying Title IV regulations, federal student aid policies, and program procedures in higher education, loan servicing, financial services, or similar regulated environments.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs)

The quality of your experience will be measured by the extent to which you possess the following knowledge, skills and abilities (KSAs). You do not need to provide separate narrative responses to these KSAs, as they will be measured by your responses to the occupational questionnaire (you may preview the occupational questionnaire by clicking the link at the end of the Evaluations section of this vacancy announcement).

1. Knowledge of analytical and evaluative methodology to obtain relevant information and assess compliance with Federal law and regulations.
2. Skills to gather, compile, validate, and refine data; recognize their significance; and correlate with other data elements to identify and assess possible disparities.
3. Knowledge of financial management, accounting controls, and information technology sufficient to ensure that funds are adequately safeguarded and used only for the purpose specified.
4. Skills in written and verbal communication to prepare written responses, reports, summaries, and findings.

Education

Education cannot be substituted for experience for this position and grade level.

Additional information

Veterans' Career Counseling: If you are a veteran interested in receiving tips on preparing a Federal resume and/or how to prepare for an interview, you may email [redacted] to schedule a session with a career counselor ("Veterans Counseling Session" should be placed in the subject line of the email).

Student Loan Default: If selected for this position, we will verify that you have not defaulted on any loan funded or guaranteed by the U.S. Department of Education. If you are found to be in default, we will contact you to make arrangements for repayment prior to making an official offer of employment.

Suitability and Investigation: If selected for this position, you will be required to complete the Declaration for Federal Employment (OF-306) to determine your suitability for federal employment and successfully complete a pre-appointment investigation/background check.

Non-Essential: This position is considered non-essential for purposes of reporting to work during federal government closures.

Financial Disclosure: This position does not require financial disclosure.

Bargaining Unit: This position is included in the bargaining unit (American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local 252).

Selections: Agencies have broad authority under law to hire from any appropriate source of eligibles and may fill a vacancy in the competitive service by any method authorized. We may make additional selections from this vacancy announcement within 90 days from the date the selection certificates are issued, should vacancies occur. We may also share selection certificates amongst program offices across the agency.

This position may be filled under either the Institutional Review & Complaint Resolution Specialist.

Expand Hide additional information

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

Help

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.

As an ED employee, you will also benefit from our family-friendly work environment. As part of our commitment to maintain a work life balance, we offer excused leave for Parent/Teacher Conferences (3 hours); excused leave for annual health screenings (4 hours); and matching leave for community volunteer service. Other flexibilities that may be available to you include alternative work schedules. You may be eligible to receive a recruitment incentive for this position. To receive this incentive payment, you will be required to sign a service agreement obligating you to remain with the U.S. Department of Education for a specified period as agreed upon. You may be eligible to receive a relocation incentive for this position. To receive this incentive payment, you will be required to sign a service agreement obligating you to remain with the U.S. Department of Education for a specified period as agreed upon. You may be eligible to participate in the Student Loan Repayment Program as a recruitment incentive for this position. To receive student loan repayments, you will be required to sign a service agreement obligating you to remain with the U.S. Department of Education for a specified period as agreed upon.

Review our benefits

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.