Job: Entry Level Budget and Accounting Analyst

Jobing Description

Entry Level Budget and Accounting Analyst
JOB SUMMARY:

The United States Postal Service Office of Inspector General's (USPS OIG) mission is to provide reports to Postal Service Executives, the Board of Governors, and Congress to help the Postal Service maximize revenues (over $65 billion a year), minimize costs, and prevent and detect fraud, waste, abuse and mismanagement.

The USPS OIG is seeking a highly qualified applicant to fill our Budget and Accounting Analyst position in the Chief Information Office located in Arlington, VA. The successful candidate will have demonstrated performance in budget and accounting analysis, problem solving, gathering and analyzing data related to accounting, budget and financial activities. The successful candidate must be highly motivated.

Candidates will be evaluated on the skills that they possess that are directly related to the duties of the position and/or the experience, education and training that indicate the applicant's ability to acquire the particular knowledge and skills needed to perform the duties of the position. Only those candidates who meet all qualification and eligibility requirements and who submit a complete application package by 11:59 pm EST on Monday, February 27, 2012 will be considered.

The USPS OIG uses a Pay Banding system, which is equivalent to the Federal GS scale. Grade and salary determinations will be made based upon a candidate's education and professional experience.

This position is being advertised at the Journey Band, Entry level, equivalent to a GS-5 - 9. The salary range for this position is $34,075 - $67,114. The salary figures include locality pay. Promotion potential up to a GS-13 equivalent at management's discretion.

Relocation expenses will not be paid.

KEY REQUIREMENTS
* Must be a US Citizen
* Must be able to pass a physical examination
* Must be able to pass a drug screening
* Must be able to pass a background investigation
* Must be able to obtain/maintain a government-issued credit card
* Must pass a writing assessment if a finalist being considered for position

DUTIES:

Please note that the duties and responsibilities associated with this position may vary based upon the agency's needs at the time of hire. The following description of major duties and responsibilities is only intended to give applicants a general overview of the expectations.

Budget:

* Provided analysis and advice on a range of financial matters to program managers and staff including authoritative interpretations of budgetary policy and guidance. Provides analysis and advice on routine financial matters to organizational staff.
* Develops procedures and methods to budget for long-range funding and to meet changing program needs. Develops procedures to link budgetary and program information to meet reporting requirements and assist managers in meeting their program responsibilities.

Financial:

* Analyzes operations, financial systems, periodic and special reports, and systems edits to develop information on trends, anomalies, or problems and develops solutions; plans and executes changes to the content and nature of financial reports and application of computer technology to accounting functions.
* Plans, develops, and coordinates financial management improvements necessary to comply with United States Postal Service directives.

QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED:

In order for your application package to be considered, you must meet all eligibility requirements by 11:59PM EST on Monday, February 27, 2012:

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:

* Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university
* At least 4 years of budget and accounting experience

HOW YOU WILL BE EVALUATED:

EVALUATION FACTORS

Your resume MUST reflect that you have experience, knowledge and/or skills in each of the following Evaluation Factors listed below:

* Knowledge of budget, finance, accounting, and/or other financial services and systems to conduct difficult assignments involving interfaces, and interrelationships between and among, programs, systems, functions, policies and various issues.
* Ability to analyze information for problems, develop solutions and make decisions related to budget requests, justifications and executions, and presentation
* Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing
* Ability to work in teams, whether as a team member or a team leader, and to foster team communication and creativity

BENEFITS:

Pay is only part of the compensation you will earn working for the USPS OIG. We offer a broad array of benefits programs to meet the needs of you and your family. Here are some highlights.

Our health insurance program is a nationally recognized model that offers you choice and flexibility along with a substantial employer contribution to premiums. And you can pay your share of premiums as well as your out-of-pocket costs with pre-tax dollars.

Our leave policy provides ample time off to take care of your personal, your recreational and your health care needs. In addition to 10 paid holidays every year, you will accumulate 13 days of sick leave each year along with 13 to 26 vacation days, depending on your years of employment.

To help you manage responsibilities outside of your job and enhance your peace of mind while you are at work, USPS OIG offers a range of family friendly flexibilities including flexible work schedules, telework; health and dependent care flexible spending accounts; and employee assistance programs.

Federal Employees Health Benefits Program (FEHB)
http://www.opm.gov/insure/new_employ/index.asp

The Government's health benefit program has approximately 180 health plan options throughout the United States, including consumer-driven health care and preferred provider network options. At least a dozen plan choices are available to each employee, which allows for a broad choice so that employees can select the plan that best meets their own individual health care needs. While specific benefits vary among FEHB plans, none can impose a waiting period or require a medical exam to enroll in their plan.

Dental and Vision Insurance
http://www.opm.gov/insure/new_employ/index.asp?ProgramId=2

Dental and Vision benefits are available to eligible Federal and Postal employees, retirees, and their eligible family members on an enrollee-pay-all basis. This Program allows dental insurance to be purchased on a group basis which means competitive premiums and no pre-existing condition limitations. Premiums for enrolled Federal and Postal employees are withheld from salary on a pre-tax basis.

Enrollment takes place during the annual Federal Benefits Open Season in November and December. New and newly eligible employees can enroll within the 60 days after they become eligible.

Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
http://www.opm.gov/insure/new_employ/index.asp?ProgramId=5

FSAs allow employees to increase their disposable income because the amounts they contribute are not subject to Federal income, FICA, State or local income taxes. The Federal Government offers both a Health Care FSA and a Dependent Care FSA. Employees can use the Health Care FSA for expenses that are tax-deductible, but not reimbursed by any other source, including out-of-pocket expenses and non-covered benefits under their FEHB plans. Some examples are non-covered dental services, lasik surgery, health plan deductibles, and co-payments and coinsurance. FSAs for dependent care are available for employees with dependent children or qualifying dependent adults when the care is necessary to allow the employee to work.

Leave and Holidays
http://www.opm.gov/oca/index.htm

Employees are entitled to at least 13 days of vacation leave as well as 13 days of sick leave each year. Depending on years of service, employees can earn up to 26 days of vacation leave each year. In addition, Employees get 10 days paid holiday each year.

Family Friendly Flexibilities
http://www.opm.gov/oca/leave/index.htm

The USPS OIG provides many programs for workers to support their needs for individual flexibility. For example, Flexible Work Schedules allow employees to adjust their work hours in order to take a day off each pay period. Also, USPS OIG's Alternative Work Schedule (AWS) allows employees to select certain arrival and departure times that best suit their needs within their working day.

Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS):
http://www.opm.gov/retire/pre/fers/index.asp

Your retirement benefits are based on your years of service and salary history.

Thrift Savings Plan (TSP):
http://www.tsp.gov/

With the Thrift Savings Plan, you can self-direct your retirement savings program through multiple investment options. This Plan is very similar to a 401(k) plan.

Retirement:
http://www.opm.gov/retire/pre/fers/index.asp

New employees who had previous Government service may be eligible to participate in the Civil Service Retirement System. Check the website for eligibility.

Federal Employees Group Life Insurance (FEGLI):
http://www.opm.gov/insure/new_employ/index.asp?ProgramId=4

FEGLI is a group term life insurance program. It consists of Basic life insurance coverage and three options. In most cases, if you are a new Federal employee, you are automatically covered by Basic life insurance and your payroll office deducts premiums from your salary unless you waive the coverage. In addition to the Basic, there are three forms of Optional insurance that you can elect, (Standard, Additional, and Family). The program offers the opportunity to retain your coverage for your entire life.

Long Term Care Insurance Program:
http://www.opm.gov/insure/new_employ/index.asp?ProgramId=6

As a new employee, you have the opportunity to apply for long term care insurance under the Federal Long Term Care Insurance Program (FLTCIP) with minimal underwriting. However, applying for long term care insurance coverage does not automatically guarantee you will be approved for that coverage and enrolled. The decision to approve your application will be based on your answers and explanations on the application. A limited number of medical conditions will prevent a new employee from being approved for coverage. Long term care insurance helps people perform daily activities if they have an ongoing illness or disability. This Program offers a choice of benefits that can provide a variety of services, including but not limited to: nursing home care, assisted living facility care, adult day care and at home care. Please see the link for specific information.

OTHER INFORMATION:

This agency provides Reasonable Accommodations to applicants with disabilities. If you require accommodations for any part of the application and/or hiring process, please call 703-248-2210. The decision on granting an accommodation request will be made on a case by case basis.