Clarification from the agency

United States Citizens

APPLICATION LIMIT: This vacancy announcement is limited to the first 150 applications received and will close at 11:59PM Eastern Time on the day that we receive the 150th application, or at 11:59PM Eastern Time on the listed closing date, whichever occurs first.  

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

As an Institutional Review Specialist, GS-1101-09, you will be responsible for:

• Conducting reviews of student financial assistance programs at institutions of postsecondary education with particular attention given to the administration and management of Title IV funds and determines whether these institutions are disbursing, utilizing, and administering federal funds appropriately.
• Working cooperatively with other departmental staff and provides an evaluation of compliance of institutions of postsecondary education, which includes reviewing, evaluating, and making recommendations on specific requests submitted by institutions, organizations, or agencies, in determining their feasibility, adequacy, and sufficiency.
• Preparing written reports disclosing, justifying, and supporting liabilities assessed and other areas of non-compliance to institutional officials and the appropriate ED offices.

As an Institutional Review Specialist, GS-1101-11, you will be responsible for:

• Making findings of noncompliance, assesses liabilities, and recommends improvements to the administration of the Title IV programs. Conveying and supporting those findings to key school personnel, including college presidents, chief fiscal officers, financial aid directors, deans, registrars, campus police officials, or other regional, State, and Federal regulatory agencies and responds to questions.
• Working cooperatively with other departmental staff and provides an evaluation of compliance of institutions of postsecondary education, which includes reviewing, evaluating, and making recommendations on specific requests submitted by institutions, organizations, or agencies, in determining their feasibility, adequacy, and sufficiency.
• Preparing written reports disclosing, justifying, and supporting liabilities assessed and other areas of non-compliance to institutional officials and the appropriate ED offices. Responding to inquiries from institutions, servicers, the general public, guarantee agencies and other State, Federal, and/or foreign government agencies regarding oversight and monitoring.

Conditions of employment

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

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.

Conditions of Employment

TELEWORK ELIGIBILITY:

• You may be eligible for occasional telework in which you are required to report to the office on a regular basis. Participation must be requested and approved by the supervisor and there must be a signed telework agreement. The number of telework days approved is determined by the agency policy, emergency situations, the approval of your immediate supervisor. You must have access to high speed internet and cell phone service meeting current Agency policy from the approved work location.  

Qualifications

Minimum Qualification Requirements
You may meet the minimum qualifications for the GS-09, if you possess the specialize experience, education, or a combination of the two.

Specialized Experience for the GS-9
One year of experience in either federal or non-federal service that is equivalent to at least a GS-07 performing two (2) out of three (3) of the following duties or work assignments:
1. Experience interpreting components of Title IV legislation, regulations and federal student aid policies and procedures pertaining to postsecondary educational institutions.
2. Experience evaluating and analyzing complex materials and making well documented assessments or recommendations based on pertinent facts, rules, regulations, and precedents.
3. Experience communicating complex issues, orally and written, related to Title IV federal student aid programs.

OR

EDUCATION (see EDUCATION SECTION of the vacancy announcement)

OR

A combination of both education and experience in which the total percentages must equal at least 100 percent to qualify an applicant for that grade level.

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 Title IV and Federal Student Aid policies and procedures. 
2.    Ability to evaluate pertinent facts and interpret applicable laws, rules, regulations, and precedents. 
3.    Skill in written and oral communication.

Specialized Experience for the GS-11
One year of experience in either federal or non-federal service that is equivalent to at least a GS-09 performing two (2) out of  three (3) of the following duties or work assignments:
1.  Experience in policy, procedures, and standards as they relate to administration of the Title IV student financial assistance programs. 
2.  Experience analyzing complex materials related to Title IV student aid eligibility and institutional aid administration requirements to ensure compliance with applicable federal student aid regulations.
3.  Experience effectively communicating, orally and in writing, decisions and recommendations regarding actions required to ensure compliance with Title IV regulatory requirements.

OR

EDUCATION (see EDUCATION SECTION of the vacancy announcement)

OR

A combination of both education and experience in which the total percentages must equal at least 100 percent to qualify an applicant for that grade level. 

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 policy, procedures, and standards as they relate to administration of the Title IV student financial assistance programs. 
2.  Skill in evaluating internal accounting controls, computer systems and regulations. 
3.  Skill in written and verbal communication preparing complex reports. 

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

We use a multi-step process to review and evaluate applicants:

1. Eligibility and Minimum Qualifications

Once the vacancy announcement closes, we will review your submitted resume and documents to determine if you meet the eligibility and minimum qualification requirements, including any required education, experience, and/or selective placement factors. You will be rated as ineligible if you are outside of the area of consideration (i.e., who may apply) or your application is missing any required documents. You will be rated as not qualified if you do not possess the minimum qualification requirements.

2. Rating and Ranking

If you are found to meet both the eligibility and minimum qualification requirements, we will assess the quality of your experience and the extent to which you possess the required KSAs by comparing your submitted resume and documents against your responses to the occupational questionnaire. Your application may be referred to a subject matter expert or panel of subject matter experts for further evaluation. Based on the outcome of this evaluation, you will be placed into one of three categories: Best Qualified, Well Qualified, or Qualified. If your responses to the occupational questionnaire are not substantiated by your submitted resume, you may be eliminated from receiving further consideration. Veterans’ Preference: Qualified veterans’ preference eligibles will be ranked ahead of qualified non-preference eligibles within each category for which they are qualified. Qualified veterans’ preference eligibles with a compensable service-connected disability of 10 percent or more (CPS and CP) will be placed at the top of the Best Qualified category, except in the case of scientific or professional positions at the GS-9 grade level or higher.

Based on the outcome of this evaluation candidates will be assigned a numerical score out of a possible 100 and be placed into one of three categories: Best Qualified, Well Qualified, or Qualified.  The three categories are defined below:

Best-Qualified Category – Applicants who have a score between 95 and 100.  Demonstrates better overall or key knowledge, skills, or abilities for a specific position.

Well-Qualified Category – Applicants who have a score between 85 and 94.99.  Possesses the knowledge, skills, and abilities which clearly exceed the minimum qualification requirements for the position but does not necessarily meet the definition of best qualified.

Qualified Category – Applicants who have a score between 70 and 84.99. Meets the minimum qualification standards for a specific position.

3. Referral and Selection

If you are found to be amongst the most highly qualified applicants, you will be referred to the selecting official. As part of the assessment and selection process, the selecting official may invite you to participate in a structured interview, check your references, and/or request that you submit a writing sample or complete a written assessment or exercise to further evaluate your qualifications for this position. If you require reasonable accommodation for any part of the interview process or written assessment or exercise, please inform the selecting official at the time of scheduling.