This position is part of the Office of the Special Trustee for American Indians (OST). As a Accounting Technician you will be responsible for financial service functions at the field level, including collection of Individual Indian Money (IIM) accounts, verification and maintenance of accounts and accounting data. The incumbent will also provide customer service to walk-in visitors as well as callers and responds to questions of a routine to complex nature regarding various aspect of accounting.
Summary
This position is part of the Office of the Special Trustee for American Indians (OST). As a Accounting Technician you will be responsible for financial service functions at the field level, including collection of Individual Indian Money (IIM) accounts, verification and maintenance of accounts and accounting data. The incumbent will also provide customer service to walk-in visitors as well as callers and responds to questions of a routine to complex nature regarding various aspect of accounting.
Listed below are the full performance duties of this position at the GS-07. If you are selected at a lower grade level, you will have the opportunity to develop into these duties.
As an Accounting Technician GS-0525-5/6/7, your typical work assignments may include the following under supervision:
Prepare a variety of complex financial documents for trust fund account transactions and routine account maintenance.
Reconcile accounts and determine adjustments required to bring accounts into balance.
Responsible for processing Individual Indian Money (IIM) account disbursements and assures that all disbursements are correctly encoded per authorization, in accordance with the Code of Federal Regulation (CFR).
Provide beneficiary contact services to internal and external stakeholders by answering telephone calls, greeting visitors, and directing them appropriately.
Coordinate work with Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) Area programs, State, Municipal and tribal agencies in connection with IIM and tribal accounts.
Serve as a representative of Office of Special Trustee (OST) and provides support for outreach activities.
Establish and maintain individual jacket files on all accounts throughout the life cycle of the account.
Audit files to ensure all transactions are processed, in accordance with regulations and OST policies.
Ensure compliance with Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), Privacy Act and regulations to maintain the confidentiality of trust funds, documents, and records.
BACKGROUND SECURITY INVESTIGATION WILL BE REQUIRED FOR ALL NEW HIRES
APPOINTMENT MAY BE SUBJECT TO A 2 YR TRIAL OR 1 YR PROBATIONARY PERIOD
APPLICATIONS WILL ONLY BE ACCEPTED ONLINE
VALID STATE-ISSUED DRIVERS LICENSE IS REQUIRED
TRAVEL AND RELOCATION EXPENSES MAY BE PAID
RECRUITMENT INCENTIVE MAY BE PAID WITH A SIGNED AGREEMENT
RELOCATION INCENTIVE MAY BE PAID WITH A SIGNED AGREEMENT
Qualifications
Applicants must meet the qualification requirements contained in the OPM Standards. For this position, they are listed below.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS: SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: Experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled. To be creditable, specialized experience must have been equivalent to at least the next lower grade level in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization.
FOR GS-05 GRADE LEVEL: Applicants must possess A, B, or C below: A. One (1) year of specialized experience that equipped me with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of this position. This experience is related to the work of the position and equivalent to at least the GS-04 level in the Federal service that includes: assist with preparing financial document and trust asset account transactions using standardized procedures; analyze various financial documents for accuracy and completeness; input and review financial and accounting information into an automated financial and account system; identify invalid financial and accounting transactions. OR B. Successful completion of four (4) years of education above high school. This education must have been obtained in an accredited business, secretarial, or technical school, junior college, college or university. One year of full-time study is defined as 30 semester hours, 45 quarter hours, or the equivalent in a college or university, or at least 20 hours of classroom instruction per week for approximately 36 weeks in a business, secretarial, or technical school. OR C. A combination of specialized experience (as defined in A above) and education (as described in B above) that equates to one full year of experience. Only education in excess of the first 60 semester hours (i.e., beyond the second year) is creditable toward meeting the specialized experience requirement. One full academic year of study (30 semester hours) beyond the second year is equivalent to 6 months of specialized experience. First calculate the percentage of qualifying education you have as a percentage of the education required. Next, calculate the percentage of specialized experience you have as a percentage of the experience required. Then, add the two percentages. The total percentage must equal at least 100% for you to qualify for the position at the GS-05 grade level.
FOR GS-06 GRADE LEVEL: One (1) year of specialized experience that equipped me with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of this position. This experience is related to the work of the position and equivalent to at least the GS-05 level in the Federal service that includes: perform research to resolve financial account discrepancies and errors; recognize various financial transactions, codes or account disbursements by applying the appropriate procedures, practices and policies; answer customer questions about financial and account services; classify and code transactions into an automated financial and accounting system.
FOR GS-07 GRADE LEVEL: One (1) year of specialized experience that equipped me with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of this position. This experience is related to the work of the position and equivalent to at least the GS-06 level in the Federal service that includes: examine, verify and maintain accounts and accounting data; apply a variety of complex accounting procedures, practices, policies and standardized bookkeeping practices to prepare financial account documents; reconcile accounts and determine adjustments; resolve complex transactions in an automated financial and accounting system; resolve reconciliation errors and account disbursements; coordinate work with federal, state, and municipal procedures, policies, and regulations requirements.
Only experience and education obtained by the closing date of this announcement will be considered.
Time-In-Grade Requirements: Merit Promotion (status) candidates MUST have completed one year (52 weeks) of service at the next lower grade level.
Education
For the GS-06 and above, as a general rule, education is not creditable; however, graduate education may be credited in those few instances where the graduate education is directly related to the work of the position.
EDUCATION: Transcripts MUST be uploaded and electronically linked from USAJOBS at the time you apply and MUST include identifying information to include School Name, Student Name, credit hours, major, and grade-point average or class ranking, degree and date awarded. All academic degrees and coursework must be completed at a college or university that has obtained accreditation or pre-accreditation status from an accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Applicants are responsible for providing documentation that the educational requirements have been met. To qualify based on education you must submit a legible copy of your transcripts. Official transcripts are required upon selection if you qualified based on education.
Education must have been obtained from an accredited or pre-accredited institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the above requirements if you can show that the foreign education is comparable to that received in an accredited educational institution in the United States.
LOCATIONS/SALARY:
1 Vacancy in Billings, MT - Salary Range: $34,916 to $56,222
1 Vacancy in Fort. Hall, ID - Salary Range: $34,916 to $56,222
1 Vacancy in Fort Totten, ND - Salary Range: $34,916 to $56,222
1 Vacancy in Fort Washakie, WY - Salary Range: $34,916 to $56,222
1 Vacancy in Lakewood CO - Salary Range: $38,283 to $61,643
1 Vacancy in Lame Deer, MT - Salary Range: $34,916 to $56,222
1 Vacancy in New Town, ND - Salary Range: $34,916 to $56,222
1 Vacancy in Palm Springs, CA - Salary Range: $39,873 to $64,203
1 Vacancy in Pawhuska, OK - Salary Range: $34,916 to $56,222
1 Vacancy in Poplar, MT - Salary Range: $34,916 to $56,222
2 Vacancies in Sacramento, CA - Salary Range: $38,053 to $61,274
Additional information
CTAP/ICTAP: Department of the Interior (DOI) Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) procedures apply in filling this vacancy. 5 CFR 330, Career Transition Assistance for Surplus and Displaced Federal Employees requires the following order of selection for this position:
a) At Bureau option, personnel actions listed in 5 CFR 330.606(b);
b) Any well-qualified SSP candidate who applies within the local commuting area (Surplus and displaced employees will be given equal consideration);
c) At Bureau option, personnel actions not subject to RPL;
d) Qualified RPL candidates in the local commuting area;
e) At Bureau discretion, any other former displaced well-qualified DOI employee, e.g. a well-qualified RPL candidate who applies from outside the local commuting area;
f) Well-qualified ICTAP applicants in the local commuting area;
g) Other outside applicants (other agencies, nonstatus, etc.);
h) To be considered well-qualified, a CTAP/ICTAP applicant must meet the basic qualification requirements with a minimum score of 85 on the Assessment Questionnaire.
STATUS CANDIDATES: Consideration will be given to Non-Indian applicants (Status or Reinstatement eligibles) in the absence of a qualified Indian Preference eligible. Applicants not entitled to Indian or Veteran's Preference must be Federal civilian employees with competitive status or former Federal civilian employees with reinstatement eligibility and must submit latest Notification of Personnel Action, SF-50B, as proof.
VETERANS EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES ACT (VEOA): Preference eligibles may apply for permanent positions (career or career-conditional appointments) under merit promotion procedures for VEOA appointments; however, veteran's preference is not a factor in these appointments. To be eligible for a VEOA appointment, a veteran must be a preference eligible OR veteran separated after 3 or more years of continuous active service performed under honorable conditions. Applicants must submit a copy of their DD-214 (Member Copy 4) for verification of eligibility. For more information about this program and to determine whether you are eligible, click here.
If you are a veteran with preference eligibility and you are claiming 5-points veterans' preference, you must submit a copy of your DD-214 (Member Copy 4) or other proof of eligibility. If you are claiming 10-point veterans' preference, you must also submit an SF-15, "Application for 10-Point Veterans' Preference" plus the proof required by that form.
FORMER FEDERAL EMPLOYEES: Former Federal Employees are required to indicate whether they received a Voluntary Separation Incentive Payment (VSIP) buyout in their previous employment with the Federal government, and are required to submit a copy of the applicable Notification of Personnel Action (SF-50) regarding the VSIP. The majority of individuals, who accept reemployment with the Federal government within 5 years of receiving the VSIP amount, must repay the gross amount of the separation pay prior to reemployment.
Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered or exempt from Selective Service.
The Office of the Special Trustee for American Indians (OST) has determined that the duties of this position are suitable scheduled, situational and for emergency telework.
NOTE: Additional selections may be made from this announcement if identical vacancies occur within 90 days from the closing date.
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.
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.
How you will be evaluated
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
Once the announcement has closed, your resume and supporting documentation will be used to determine if you meet the qualifications listed on this announcement. If you are minimally qualified, your resume and supporting documentation will be compared to your responses on the assessment questionnaire to determine your level of experience. If you rate yourself higher than is supported by your application package, your responses may be adjusted and/or you may be excluded from consideration for this position. If you are found to be among the top qualified candidates, you will be referred to the selecting official for employment consideration.
Your qualifications will be evaluated on the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities and other characteristics):
Accounting
Applies Technology to Tasks
Customer Service
Technical Competence
Note: If, after reviewing your resume and/or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you inflated your qualifications and or experience, your rating may be lowered to more accurately reflect the submitted documentation. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your rating. Providing inaccurate information on Federal documents could be grounds for non-selection or disciplinary action.
Your application and resume should demonstrate that you possess the knowledge, skills, abilities and competencies required by the position. Do not provide a separate written narrative statement to the specialized experience in your resume. Rather, you must describe in your application how your past work experience demonstrates that you possess the knowledge, skills and abilities and competencies. Cite specific examples of employment or experience contained in your resume and describe how this experience has prepared you to successfully perform the duties of this position.
If your resume includes a photograph or other inappropriate material or content, it will not be used to make eligibility and qualification determinations and you may not be considered for this vacancy. If your resume includes copy & paste or narrative responses instead of job duties performed, it could possibly result in removal from consideration for this vacancy.
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.
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.
To apply for this position, you must submit a complete Application Package which includes:
1. Yourresume (must be current/updated and include the following):
Work Experience:
Position title
Dates of employment (include month/year)
Hours worked per week
Salary
Current supervisor's name and telephone number
Duties (Please be specific and include any accomplishments)
Education
References (include complete name and telephone number)
Must be 3 professional references
Most recent SF-50, "Notification of Personnel Action" showing you are/were in the competitive service and the highest grade or promotion potential held (if applying as a status candidate with current or former Federal Service)
DD-214 (member copy 4), SF-15 Form and VA letter, or certification of expected discharge or release from active duty from Veterans for consideration under Veteran hiring authorities (if applicable)
Noncompetitive appointment authority documentation, if applicable
Career Transition Assistance Program/Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program Documentation, if applicable (e.g. Certification of Expected Separation, Reduction-In-Force Separation Notice, or Notice of Proposed Removal; SF-50 that documents the RIF separation action; and most recent performance appraisal.)
College transcript(s): Copy of undergraduate education transcripts. Unofficial college transcripts are acceptable but official college transcripts will be required before entrance on duty. (If applicable)
2. Other supporting documents:
Form BIA 4432, Verification of Indian Preference for Employment (required for claiming Indian Preference). The form must be completed by the appropriate official with the federally-recognized tribe where the applicant is enrolled as a member. No other form will be accepted.
Cover Letter, optional
NOTE: Persons submitting incomplete applications will be given credit only for the information they provide. The applicant is responsible for submitting all required documentation in support of their application in order to receive full credit for their Indian preference, veteran preference, experience, training, and/or education. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION WILL NOT BE SOLICITED FROM THIS OFFICE.
DRIVING REQUIREMENT (Required only at time of appointment): Incumbent may be required, as an incidental duty, to operate a government-owned or leased motor vehicle, in the performance of duties, therefore, a valid driver's license is required. Incumbent must have a safe driving record within the three-year period immediately preceding submittal of GSA Form 3607 and be able to meet the safe driving requirements of the Office of the Special Trustee for American Indians (OST).
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
To apply for this position, you must complete the online application and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below.
A complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on the closing date of the announcement to receive consideration.
To begin, click Apply to access the online application. You will need to be logged into your USAJOBS account to apply. If you do not have a USAJOBS account, you will need to create one before beginning the application.
Follow the prompts to select your resume and/or other supporting documents to be included with your application package. You will have the opportunity to upload additional documents to include in your application before it is submitted. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process.
After acknowledging you have reviewed your application package, complete the Include Personal Information section as you deem appropriate and click to continue with the application process.
You will be taken to the online application which you must complete in order to apply for the position. Complete the online application, verify the required documentation is included with your application package, and submit the application.
IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE AND/OR EMPLOYMENT STATUS.
To verify the status of your application, log into your USAJOBS account (https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login), all of your applications will appear on the Welcome screen. The Application Status will appear along with the date your application was last updated. For information on what each Application Status means, visit: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/how-to/application/status/.
If you are unable to apply online, require reasonable accommodation in the application process, or an applicant with a disability, view the following link for information regarding an Alternate Application.
Office of the Special Trustee for American Indians
4400 Masthead Street NE
Suite 162
Albuquerque, NM 87109
US
Next steps
Once the online questionnaire is received you will receive an acknowledgement email that your submission was successful. After a review of your complete application is made you will be notified by email of your rating and or referral to the hiring official. If further evaluation or interviews are required you will be contacted.
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
To apply for this position, you must submit a complete Application Package which includes:
1. Yourresume (must be current/updated and include the following):
Work Experience:
Position title
Dates of employment (include month/year)
Hours worked per week
Salary
Current supervisor's name and telephone number
Duties (Please be specific and include any accomplishments)
Education
References (include complete name and telephone number)
Must be 3 professional references
Most recent SF-50, "Notification of Personnel Action" showing you are/were in the competitive service and the highest grade or promotion potential held (if applying as a status candidate with current or former Federal Service)
DD-214 (member copy 4), SF-15 Form and VA letter, or certification of expected discharge or release from active duty from Veterans for consideration under Veteran hiring authorities (if applicable)
Noncompetitive appointment authority documentation, if applicable
Career Transition Assistance Program/Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program Documentation, if applicable (e.g. Certification of Expected Separation, Reduction-In-Force Separation Notice, or Notice of Proposed Removal; SF-50 that documents the RIF separation action; and most recent performance appraisal.)
College transcript(s): Copy of undergraduate education transcripts. Unofficial college transcripts are acceptable but official college transcripts will be required before entrance on duty. (If applicable)
2. Other supporting documents:
Form BIA 4432, Verification of Indian Preference for Employment (required for claiming Indian Preference). The form must be completed by the appropriate official with the federally-recognized tribe where the applicant is enrolled as a member. No other form will be accepted.
Cover Letter, optional
NOTE: Persons submitting incomplete applications will be given credit only for the information they provide. The applicant is responsible for submitting all required documentation in support of their application in order to receive full credit for their Indian preference, veteran preference, experience, training, and/or education. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION WILL NOT BE SOLICITED FROM THIS OFFICE.
DRIVING REQUIREMENT (Required only at time of appointment): Incumbent may be required, as an incidental duty, to operate a government-owned or leased motor vehicle, in the performance of duties, therefore, a valid driver's license is required. Incumbent must have a safe driving record within the three-year period immediately preceding submittal of GSA Form 3607 and be able to meet the safe driving requirements of the Office of the Special Trustee for American Indians (OST).
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
To apply for this position, you must complete the online application and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below.
A complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on the closing date of the announcement to receive consideration.
To begin, click Apply to access the online application. You will need to be logged into your USAJOBS account to apply. If you do not have a USAJOBS account, you will need to create one before beginning the application.
Follow the prompts to select your resume and/or other supporting documents to be included with your application package. You will have the opportunity to upload additional documents to include in your application before it is submitted. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process.
After acknowledging you have reviewed your application package, complete the Include Personal Information section as you deem appropriate and click to continue with the application process.
You will be taken to the online application which you must complete in order to apply for the position. Complete the online application, verify the required documentation is included with your application package, and submit the application.
IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE AND/OR EMPLOYMENT STATUS.
To verify the status of your application, log into your USAJOBS account (https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login), all of your applications will appear on the Welcome screen. The Application Status will appear along with the date your application was last updated. For information on what each Application Status means, visit: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/how-to/application/status/.
If you are unable to apply online, require reasonable accommodation in the application process, or an applicant with a disability, view the following link for information regarding an Alternate Application.
Office of the Special Trustee for American Indians
4400 Masthead Street NE
Suite 162
Albuquerque, NM 87109
US
Next steps
Once the online questionnaire is received you will receive an acknowledgement email that your submission was successful. After a review of your complete application is made you will be notified by email of your rating and or referral to the hiring official. If further evaluation or interviews are required you will be contacted.
Fair and transparent
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
