This position is located in the Applied Research and Methods (ARM) team. The ARM team consists of several Centers which collectively offer expertise in many areas including engagement design, economics, data analysis, evaluation, actuarial science, statistics, and surveys. In addition to the Centers, GAO Technical Chiefs provide expertise in economics, statistics, actuarial science, and accounting. To learn more about ARM, please visit us at: ARM
Summary
This position is located in the Applied Research and Methods (ARM) team. The ARM team consists of several Centers which collectively offer expertise in many areas including engagement design, economics, data analysis, evaluation, actuarial science, statistics, and surveys. In addition to the Centers, GAO Technical Chiefs provide expertise in economics, statistics, actuarial science, and accounting. To learn more about ARM, please visit us at: ARM
The opportunity is open to all qualified United States Citizens.
This position is being advertised under a direct hire authority and may be filled in any of the listed GAO office locations.
The ARM team is seeking an experienced professional to serve as a Senior Actuary; responsible for providing consulting services and support to GAO mission teams, primarily with regard to retirement benefit programs and retirement security issues. The incumbent will also assist as appropriate in other actuarial practice areas, including but not limited to health care, property and casualty / general insurance, and life.
Advises and/or assists teams in selecting and implementing appropriate methodologies for engagements in accordance with GAO standards, as they relate to actuarial issues. Reviews teams' work at all stages, providing conceptual and technical advice, addressing technical or conceptual errors, omissions, or misconceptions. Participates in interviews of external experts on topics that relate to actuarial issues and assists team in accurately documenting the interview findings.
Participates in aspects of design, researchable question development, data collection and analysis, message development, and report writing and ensures the quality and value of the final product as it relates to actuarial issues. Edits or drafts report sections as warranted to ensure technical accuracy, clear exposition of key concepts, and the appropriate level of detail. Makes actuarial concepts and applications accessible to non-technical audiences to promote understanding of key policy decisions and issues.
Provides advice on how actuarial data should be identified, collected, and analyzed for engagements. Reviews related actuarial program documents, reports, and data. Selects, refines, organizes, and presents factual information and analysis in support of engagement objectives. In collaboration with engagement team members, decides on actuarial scope, form, content, and depth of analysis.
Performs actuarial analyses, applying actuarial science methodologies and modeling techniques.
Contributes to primary data collection as it relates to actuarial issues. In conjunction with team members and other specialists, develops and pretests questionnaires, structured interviews and other data collection instruments used to collect primary data to meet the goals of the engagement. Evaluates and analyzes data to determine relevance and reliability. As required, performs indexing and referencing tasks.
In conjunction with team members, develops findings and recommendations and prepares GAO products that provide factual and analytical actuarial information in a clear, balanced manner that meets the needs of congressional clients.
Ensures that products meet all GAO standards for quality and are in conformance with all agency policies and requirements.
On occasion, makes formal presentations on actuarial issues at meetings or conferences.
Must be a U.S. Citizen.
Must be registered for Selective Service, if applicable.
Must meet/maintain background and suitability requirements for employment.
Completion of a probationary period is required.
Completion of a financial disclosure statement is required.
Qualifications
In addition to the education requirements, you must have 1 year (52 weeks) of specialized experience at the next lower band or level equivalent to the GS-13 in the federal service, or comparable private or public sector experience which has equipped you with the skills and knowledge to successfully perform the duties of the position. Specialized experience for this position is defined as practical experience applying actuarial science concepts, practices, and techniques to identify financial risk posed by retirement security programs; producing accurate work products that provide factual, analytical, and conceptual actuarial information; and presenting information to targeted audience to ensure proper interpretation and implementation of actuarial recommendations.
SELECTIVE PLACEMENT FACTOR (SPF):
In addition to the education and specialized experience requirements, you must also possess at least one of the following actuarial certifications: Associate of the Society of Actuaries OR Fellow of the Society of Actuaries.
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. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.
Education
You must meet the individual occupational requirements for actuary positions. Documentation to verify your education MUST be submitted with your application in order to be considered.
You may qualify by meeting the requirements described in either paragraph A or paragraph B below:
A. Bachelor's degree that included courses in actuarial science, mathematics, relevant statistics, business, finance, economics, insurance, or computer science totaling at least 24 semester hours. This course work must have included a minimum of 12 semester hours of mathematics that included differential and integral calculus and one or more courses in mathematics for which these calculus courses were prerequisites.
OR
B. Combination of education and experience that includes both of the following requirements: 1) One year of professional actuarial experience equivalent to the GS-13 and Associateship in the Society of Actuaries or the Casualty Actuarial Society or being an Enrolled Actuary; AND 2) completion of a minimum of 24 semester hours of courses in actuarial science, mathematics, relevant statistics, business, finance, economics, insurance, or computer science at a four year college or university. This course work must have included a minimum of 12 semester hours of mathematics that included differential and integral calculus and one or more courses in mathematics for which these calculus courses were prerequisites.
YOU MUST SUBMIT A COPY OF YOUR TRANSCRIPT SHOWING THIS COURSEWORK. FAILURE TO DO SO WILL RESULT IN AN INELIGIBLE RATING.
Additional information
This is a bargaining unit position.
Based on staffing needs, additional selections may be made through this vacancy announcement.
Selectee will be required to file a Financial Disclosure Statement.
Travel and relocation expenses will not be paid for by the GAO.
Males born after 12/31/59 and at least 18 years of age must be registered with the Selective Service System. Visit SSS.
Selectee will be required to complete questions contained on the Declaration for Federal Employment (OF-306) at the time a tentative job offer is made. At the time of appointment, selectee will be required to update the OF-306.
Selectee will be subject to a determination of suitability for Federal employment.
GAO provides reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. To request accommodation, please email ReasonableAccommodation@gao.gov.
GAO's policy is to provide equal employment opportunity for all regardless of race, religion, color, sex (including pregnancy), national origin, age, disability, genetic information, sexual orientation, or gender identity.
GAO is part of the Legislative Branch of the Federal government. As such, all positions are in the excepted service. Initial appointments, permanent or indefinite, to the GAO require completion of a probationary period.
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.
The position(s) advertised in this announcement are covered by a direct hire authority. Traditional rating and ranking of applicants, including category rating, does not apply to this vacancy. Your qualifications will be initially evaluated against the basic qualifications only. Qualified applicants will be referred for consideration in accordance with the Office of Personnel Management Direct Hire guidelines. Veterans' Preference does not apply to positions covered by the direct hire authority.
Please make sure that your responses to the assessment questions are supported in your resume and follow all instructions carefully. If you provide incomplete answers, fail to provide a narrative response to any assessment question(s) that requires further explanation, or if your response to an assessment question is "see resume" or like answer, you may be determined ineligible.
All applicants will be evaluated based on their responses to the assessment questions, in conjunction with the following Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSA's):
Mastery of actuarial sciences research concepts, practices, and techniques, especially as they involve programs and problems related to financial risks posed by retirement security programs.
Mastery of qualitative and quantitative techniques for analyzing and evaluating the effectiveness, efficiency, and productivity of government programs and operations.
Skill in selecting, organizing, and presenting appropriate information in a concise and balanced manner and to communicate such information to target audiences.
Ability to conduct research and develop reliable evidence to support report findings and recommendations.
Skill in project management to ensure timely completion of assignments with available resources.
Ability to utilize strong critical thinking skills to analyze the work of others, both actuaries and non-actuaries, for conceptual and technical accuracy, inclusion of key concepts, and effectiveness of communication.
Ability to communicate orally and in writing to prepare reports, participate in interviews and meetings, and to make presentations to agency officials, congressional staff, and others.
Ability to collaborate and work effectively in a group setting.
Ability to multitask and effectively balance competing demands.
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:
RESUME:You are encouraged to use the USAJOBS resume builder to create your resume. In describing your experience, please be clear and specific. In addition to describing duties performed, you must provide the exact dates of each period of employment (from MM/YY to MM/YY) and the number of hours worked per week. We will not make assumptions regarding your experience. Failure to provide this information may result in disqualification.
TRANSCRIPTS: If you are using your education to qualify (even partially), you must submit a copy of your transcripts. Transcripts do not need to be official, but if you are selected for this position and you used your education to qualify, you will be required to provide official transcripts. Foreign Education: If you are submitting a transcript from a non-US educational institution, applicants must submit all necessary documents to a private U.S. organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign educational credentials, commonly called a credential evaluation service.
SF-50: Current or former federal employees should submit their most recent Notification of Personnel Action (SF-50 or equivalent), showing position information (pay plan, series, grade), tenure, and type of service (competitive/excepted).
PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATION/LICENSE: Proof of professional registration, licensure, or evidence of passing written test (if applicable).
If you fail to submit any of the above required documents, your application will be considered incomplete and will result in loss of consideration. It is your responsibility to ensure all required documents have been submitted.
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 résumé (you are encouraged to create a resume using the USAJOBS resume builder) and/or other supporting documentsto 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.
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, you must request an alternative application which is available from the Human Resources Office. Please contact at or
Applied Research and Methods
441 G St., NW
Washington, DC 20548
US
Next steps
Once your online application is submitted you will receive a confirmation notification by email. Your application will be evaluated by the Human Resources Office to determine your eligibility for the position. After the evaluation is complete, you will receive another notification regarding the status of your application.
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:
RESUME:You are encouraged to use the USAJOBS resume builder to create your resume. In describing your experience, please be clear and specific. In addition to describing duties performed, you must provide the exact dates of each period of employment (from MM/YY to MM/YY) and the number of hours worked per week. We will not make assumptions regarding your experience. Failure to provide this information may result in disqualification.
TRANSCRIPTS: If you are using your education to qualify (even partially), you must submit a copy of your transcripts. Transcripts do not need to be official, but if you are selected for this position and you used your education to qualify, you will be required to provide official transcripts. Foreign Education: If you are submitting a transcript from a non-US educational institution, applicants must submit all necessary documents to a private U.S. organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign educational credentials, commonly called a credential evaluation service.
SF-50: Current or former federal employees should submit their most recent Notification of Personnel Action (SF-50 or equivalent), showing position information (pay plan, series, grade), tenure, and type of service (competitive/excepted).
PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATION/LICENSE: Proof of professional registration, licensure, or evidence of passing written test (if applicable).
If you fail to submit any of the above required documents, your application will be considered incomplete and will result in loss of consideration. It is your responsibility to ensure all required documents have been submitted.
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 résumé (you are encouraged to create a resume using the USAJOBS resume builder) and/or other supporting documentsto 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.
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, you must request an alternative application which is available from the Human Resources Office. Please contact at or
Applied Research and Methods
441 G St., NW
Washington, DC 20548
US
Next steps
Once your online application is submitted you will receive a confirmation notification by email. Your application will be evaluated by the Human Resources Office to determine your eligibility for the position. After the evaluation is complete, you will receive another notification regarding the status of your application.
Fair and transparent
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
