Clarification from the agency

Recent College Graduates US Citizens

This is a developmental position with promotion potential to a Budget Analyst, GS-0560-09.  At the lower levels, the selectee will perform developmental assignments under closer supervision than that required at the full performance level of GS-09.  Assignments become progressively more difficult until the next performance level is reached.  At the full performance level GS-09, duties may include:

• Perform segments of assignments related to a variety of budgetary, administrative and statistical functions to support funding execution and monitor the execution of funds and/or assigned program budgets to assure that funds are properly allocated, obligated, and expended in a timely and effective manner to achieve program goals and objectives, and comply with statute.
• Exercise and enforce budget controls through review and tracking of the obligation and expenditure of funds.
• Conduct recurring analyses of obligation and cost data to identify funding trends, patterns, and variances from planned program fiscal performance to monitor program and project performance and identify potential problems.
• Prepare special analyses of obligation and expenditure projections to assist management in decision making and identify and resolve accounting errors with the operations offices, laboratories and HQ accounting duties.
• Review, edit and provide recommendations to narrative justifications for budget submissions from organizational components to assure accuracy of estimates and program/budget logic and data; completeness of material; and conformance to budgetary policy, the organization, the agency, OMB, and Congressional requirements.

Conditions of employment

• You must be a United States Citizen.
• This employer participates in the e-Verify program.
• See "Other Information" section regarding Selective Service requirements.
• Resume question responses must be submitted online.
• Subject to satisfactory security and suitability determinations.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS:

To be considered for this Recent Graduate position, you must:

•Have completed, within the previous two years, a qualifying associates, bachelors, masters, professional, doctorate, vocational or technical degree or certificate from an accredited educational institution;
•Veterans who were unable to apply for Pathways Recent Graduate jobs due to active military service are eligible for two years after release or discharge from active duty, up to six years after completing degree requirements.

To be eligible for conversion to a permanent or term position, conversion is not mandatory or guaranteed, Recent Graduates must:

1. Be a United States citizen.
2. Have successfully completed at least one-year of continuous service in addition to all requirements of the Program.
3. Demonstrate successful job performance.
4. Meet the Office of Personnel Management's qualifications for the position to which the Recent Graduate will be converted.

Click here for more information on the Pathways Program: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/working-in-government/unique-hiring-paths/students/

• Subject to the appropriate background investigation to determine suitability or fitness for federal employment.
• This position is included in a Bargaining Unit.
• The duration of a Pathways appointment is a trial period.
• Must complete a Pathways Recent Graduates Program Participant Agreement

Qualifications

Basic Requirements for GS-5 through GS-09:

A 4-year course of study leading to a bachelor's degree which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of the position.   Such fields may include business administration, economics, accounting, governmental budgeting, and public administration

In addition to meeting the "Basic Requirements" described above, you must also meet the "Specialized Experience Requirements" described below.

You must also submit a copy of your college or university transcripts (official or unofficial photocopy) to support your educational claims.  Failure to submit this documentation by the closing date will result in disqualification from further consideration.  Official transcripts will be required if you are selected to fill the position. College transcripts are still required if you currently occupy or previously occupied the series for which you are applying.

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

GS-05: Applicants must possess a 4-year course of study leading to a bachelor's degree. 

GS-07:

In addition to the basic education requirement listed above, to qualify at the GS-07 level, applicants must possess one the the following:

At least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level GS-05 grade level in the Federal service.

Specialized experience for this position is defined as: 

• Performance of developmental assignments of moderate difficulty where work assignments consisted of analyzing and resolving  routine  budgetary problems.
• Assisting in the preparation of reports and briefings.
• Assisting in applying budget functions to support budget formulations, budget execution by compiling resource data from various financial management reports, and assisting on program cost analysis and program cost estimating

OR

Superior Academic Achievement. Superior academic achievement is defined as any of the following: 

• standing in the upper third of the graduating class in the college, university, or major subdivision
• grade point average of 3.0 out of a 4.0 overall or during the final 2 years of the curriculum
• grade point average of 3.5 out of 4.0 in the major field overall or during the final 2 years of the curriculum
• Election to membership in a national scholastic honor society. Grade-point averages are to be rounded to one decimal place. For example, 2.95 will round to 3.0 and 2.94 will round to 2.9

OR

One full academic year of graduate education or law school or superior academic achievement

• An academic year of graduate education is defined as 18 semester hours or 27 quarter hours should be considered as satisfying the 1 year of full-time study requirement or the number of credit hours that the school attended has determined to represent 1 academic year of full-time study. 

GS-09:

In addition to the basic  requirements listed above, to qualify at the GS-09 level, applicants must possess one of the following:

One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-07 grade level in the federal service.

Specialized experience for this position is defined as: 

• Compile findings and makes recommendations for development and implementation of procedures for financial management and budgeting functions.
• Interpret current and historical data, analyzing past and projected future costs; reviewing request for funds, obligations, expenditures, outstanding payments and balances.  
• Assisting in applying application of common financial management methods and various budgets and cost functions involving formulation, justification, and/or execution for organizations, programs, or projects and in the initiation and/or development of plans and programs,

OR

Two full academic years of progressively higher level graduate education or masters or equivalent graduate degree or LL.B. or J.D.

Your application and resume should demonstrate that you possess the following knowledge, skills and abilities (KSAs). Do not provide a separate narrative written statement. Rather, you must describe in your application how your past work experience demonstrates that you possess the KSAs identified below. 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. DO NOT write "see resume" in your application!

1. Knowledge of commonly used budgetary methods, practices, procedures, regulations, policies, and processes to formulate, justify, and execute assigned budget
2. Knowledge of automated data processing software programs and capabilities used to accomplish budget/funding tasks.
3. Ability to analyze and evaluate program effectiveness problems, trends, and significant program accomplishments
4. Skill in gathering, assembling, and analyzing source of factual information, such as that found in accounting reports, payroll records, work reports, or inventory and supply data
5. Skill in preparing written forms, schedules, and reports related to the obligation and expenditures of funds.   Skill in assessing conformance and accuracy to budget submissions.

"Experience" refers to paid and unpaid experience. Examples of qualifying unpaid experience may include: volunteer work done through National Service programs (such as Peace Corps and AmeriCorps); as well as work for other community-based philanthropic and social organizations. 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.

CTAP/ICTAP candidates: To be considered "well qualified" you must meet all of the requirements as described in this section.

You must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of this announcement.

How you will be evaluated

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

The Department of Energy uses an application tracking system to evaluate the responses you provide in the applicant assessment questionnaire to place you into an initial quality category via OPM's Category Rating procedures. Then, the HR Office and/or Subject Matter Expert (SME) will conduct a quality review of your application and supporting documentation to ensure you have been placed into the appropriate quality category.

Your application is rated based on the extent and quality of your experience, education (when applicable), and training as described in your resume and applicant assessment. Your credentials are measured against the established duties of the position at the grade level(s) being advertised.

The quality categories are usually defined as "Best Qualified", "Well Qualified", and "Qualified", although they may differ slightly based on individual agency policy.

If you are eligible for career transition assistance plans such as ICTAP or CTAP, you must meet the definition of "well qualified" which is defined as having a score of 85 or better.

If you are a Veteran Preference eligible candidate, you will be listed at the top of whichever quality category your rating places you in. CP/CPS veterans are placed at the top of the highest category for all positions except professional and scientific positions at GS-9 and higher.

If your resume is incomplete or does not support the responses you provided in your online questionnaire, or if you fail to submit all required documentation before the vacancy closes, you may be rated 'ineligible', 'not qualified', or your score may be adjusted accordingly.
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