Clarification from the agency

Open to U.S. Citizens/Nationals who have completed a degree or certificate from a qualifying education institution within the previous 2 years or are within 9 months of graduating. Veterans unable to apply within 2 years of receiving their degree, due to military service obligation, have a full 2-year eligibility period upon release or discharge from active duty. The eligibility period for veterans must be within 6 years of degree completion.

IRS Recent Graduates Program affords developmental experiences in the Federal Government intended to promote possible careers in the civil service to individuals who have recently graduated from qualifying educational institutions or programs. Selected applicants are placed in a dynamic, developmental program with the potential to lead to a civil service career in the Federal Government. In addition, the IRS implemented the new IRS Forward Recent Graduate Program that includes an additional year of formal development, training, networking, project teams, and may include rotational assignments.

Following the completion of program requirements, selectees may be considered for non-competitive conversion to a career/career-conditional or term appointment. All conversion requirements will be identified in the Participant Agreement. Program requirements include but are not limited to:

• Successful completion of at least 1 to 2 years of continuous service depending on the position;
• Completion of at least 40 hours of interactive training;
• Mentorship;
• Demonstration of successful job performance; and
• Meet the qualification position standards.

Conversion to the competitive service is not implied or guaranteed.

If selected, you will be placed in a developmental position as an Internal Revenue Agent, GS-0512-7/9, with promotion potential to GS-12 in one the division(s) listed below:

Large Business and International

A description of the business units can be found at: https://www.jobs.irs.gov/about/who/business-divisions

The following are the duties of this position at the full working level. You will have the opportunity to learn to perform these duties and will receive training to help you grow in this position.

As an Internal Revenue Agent you will:

• Conduct independent examinations and related investigations of complex income tax returns filed by individuals or business/organizational entities
• Conduct examinations of complex individual and business taxpayers involved in activities or transactions designated or structured to hide or conceal income such as offshore activities, multiple related entities and other means using a wide range of financial and other investigative skills
• Conduct package audits to determine that other required returns such as information, excise, or specialty returns are filed and conduct concurrent examinations of these and other returns when warranted
• Identify issues to be pursued based on large, unusual or questionable items which produce significant tax or compliance effect and utilizes the appropriate tax law and facts needed to resolve them. Recognize indicators of fraudulent activity and develops appropriate referrals
• Utilize standard accounting methods and techniques during the course of examinations in order to develop information regarding the income and financial operations of taxpayers
• Examine accounting systems and records including computerized accounting and financial information systems which reflect a variety of complex financial operations
• Gather and research data from a variety of sources, and/or specialized accounting practices unique to a particular trade or industry
• Utilize personal computers, including laptop computers to the extent necessary to complete the examination
• Confer with taxpayer or their representatives to explain the accounting and other issues involved and the applicability of pertinent tax laws and regulations and explains proposed adjustments.
• Consider the collectability of potential tax deficiencies at all stages of the examination. Solicits payment and offers installment agreements or refers to a Revenue Officer when appropriate
• Prepare lead sheets, work papers and reports documenting findings and conclusions
• As required may be assigned to instruct, review cases, provide expert testimony, participate in grand jury cases, examine special areas of taxation, participate as a cooperating agent in joint investigations, or perform any other special duties appropriate for knowledge required

Conditions of employment

-Will be required to provide proof of U.S. citizenship.
-Undergo an income tax verification and review of prior performance/conduct.
-All selectees must sign a Pathways Participant Agreement.
-Subject to a 1-year trial period
-Must successfully complete a background investigation, including a FBI criminal history record check (fingerprint check).
-Complete a Declaration for Federal Employment to determine your suitability for Federal employment, at the time requested by the agency.
-The employment of any candidate selected for this position may be conditional upon classification and/or audit of federal tax returns. This audit may include up to 2 years of returns.
-If you are a male applicant born after Dec 31, 1959, certify that you have registered with the Selective Service System or are exempt from having to do so.
-Have your salary sent to a financial institution of your choice by Direct Deposit/Electronic Funds Transfer.
-Go through a Personal Identity Verification (PIV) process that requires two forms of identification from the Form I-9. Federal law requires verification of the identity and employment eligibility of all new hires in the U.S. These documents must be unexpired original or certified copies.
-Provide proof of U.S. Citizenship. (Birth certificate showing birth in the U.S; Unexpired U.S. Passport; Certificate of Citizenship or Naturalization; or Report of Birth Abroad of a U.S. Citizen (Form FS-240))
-Tour of Duty: M-F, 8:00am-4:30pm
- Selected applicants who occupy positions in the Competitive Service must acknowledge the outcome of voluntarily leaving the Competitive Service prior to accepting an Excepted Service Appointment in the Pathways Program. See 5 CFR 302.102(b)(2).
- An official transcript must be provided to confirm degree completion prior to appointment to the position.
- If you are in a telework eligible position, you may be directed to temp telework on a full-time basis due to COVID 19. Employees must be within a 150-mile radius of their official assigned post-of-duty (POD) while in a telework status. Once normal operations resume, employees may be directed back to the office to perform the duties of their position. Telework eligibility does not guarantee telework; employees must meet and sustain IRS telework eligibility requirements and supervisor's approval to participate in the IRS Telework Program. As a reminder - If you are selected for a position, you are responsible for reporting to your designated POD (location).

Qualifications

In order to qualify, you must first meet Pathways Recent Graduate Program eligibility:

You must have, within the previous 2 years, completed all educational requirements for a qualifying associate, bachelor, masters, professional, doctorate, vocational or technical degree or certificate from a qualifying institution; or intended graduation is no more than 9 months from date of application;
-OR-
Veterans (as defined in 5 U.S.C. 2108) who, due to a military service obligation, were precluded from applying to a Recent Graduates Program during any portion of the 2-year eligibility period may have their eligibility period extended so that they receive the full 2 years of eligibility. The remaining 2-year eligibility period will begin upon his or her release or discharge from active duty. The veteran's eligibility period may not extend beyond 6 years from the date of completion of all requirements of an academic course of study.

Secondly, you must meet any basic requirements of the position and the experience requirements described in the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualification Standards for General Schedule Positions,


BASIC REQUIREMENTS OR INDIVIDUAL OCCUPATIONAL REQUIREMENT:

1. Degree: accounting, that included at least 30 semester hours in accounting or24 semester hours in accounting and an additional 6 semester hours in related subjects such as business law, economics, statistical/quantitative methods, computerized accounting or financial systems, financial management, or finance.

   or

2. Combination of education and experience: equivalent to 4 years that included courses equivalent to a major in accounting, i.e., at least 30 semester hours in accounting or 24 semester hours in accounting and 6 semester hours in related subjects as described in A above, in combination with appropriate experience or additional education.

Certificate

A certificate as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) obtained through written examination in a State, territory, or the District of Columbia meets the requirements for GS-5. Applicants with CPA certificates may also qualify for higher grade levels based on their education and/or experience.

Graduate Education

May have been in accounting, or with completion of the basic requirements described above, may have been in a related field such as business, finance, law, economics, management, statistical/quantitative methods, or computer science. The key consideration in determining if such graduate education should be credited is whether or not it provided the knowledge, skills, and abilities identified as necessary to perform the work at the grade level of the position being filled.

In addition to the above:

GS-07 LEVEL: In addition to meeting the basic requirement, you must have 1 year of specialized experience at a level of difficulty and responsibility equivalent to the GS-05 grade level in the Federal service. Specialized experience for this position includes: Knowledge of and skill in applying the principles, concepts and methodology of professional accounting and related fields; and skill in communicating and dealing effectively with others. Qualifying experience may have been in accounting, auditing, tax, financial, legal, or other work that required the knowledge and skill defined above; OR

One year of graduate level education in accounting, or a related field such as business, finance, law, economics, management, statistical/quantitative methods or computer science.

Superior Academic Achievement may be met by having a Bachelor's degree, with one of the following: A GPA of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale for all completed undergraduate courses or those completed in the last two years of study, or a GPA of 3.5 or higher on a 4.0 scale for all courses in your major field of study or those courses in your major completed in the last two years of study, or rank in the upper one third of your class in the college, university, or major subdivision, or membership in a national honor society recognized by the Association of College Honor Societies.

GS-09 LEVEL:In addition to the meeting the basic requirement, you must have 1 year of specialized experience at a level of difficulty and responsibility equivalent to the GS-07 grade level in the Federal service. Specialized experience for this position includes: Knowledge of and skill in applying the principle of accounting, auditing, tax, financial, legal or other work that required knowledge of and skill in applying the principles, concepts and methodology of professional accounting and related fields and skill in communicating and dealing effectively with others; OR

You may qualify if you have two years of graduate level education leading to a master's degree or master's (or equivalent) degree in accounting or related field of business, finance, law, economics, management, statistical/quantitative methods or computer science. Graduate level education is education above the bachelor's degree level.

The experience may have been gained in either the public or private sector or Volunteer Service. One year of experience refers to full-time work; part-time work is considered on a prorated basis.

To ensure full credit for your work experience, please indicate dates of employment by month/year, and indicate number of hours worked per week, on your resume.

For more information on qualifications please refer to OPM's Qualifications Standards.

How you will be evaluated

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

You will be evaluated based on how well you meet the qualifications listed in this vacancy announcement. Your qualifications will be determined based on your application materials (e.g., resume, supporting documents) and the responses you provide on the application questionnaire. Please be sure that your resume includes detailed information to support your qualifications for this position; failure to provide sufficient evidence in your resume may result in a "not qualified" determination. In order to be considered for this position, you must complete all required steps in the process and meet all qualifications. Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application materials or application questionnaire may result in your removal from consideration.

Rating: You will be assessed on the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics):

• Accounting
• Auditing
• Customer Service
• Decision Making
• Flexibility
• Interpersonal Skills
• Oral Communication
• Planning and Evaluating
• Self-Management
• Technology Application
• Writing

A category-like rating (Quality Group) will be used to rate, rank and select eligible candidates. If qualified, you will be assigned to one of two quality level categories, Superior/Best Qualified and Qualified depending on your responses to the online questions, regarding your experience, education, and training related to this position. Your rating may be lowered if your responses to the online questions are not supported by the education and/or experience described in your application.

Referral: If you are among the top qualified candidates, your application may be referred to a selecting official for consideration. Candidates, if required to participate in a selection interview (telephonic and/or in person at the discretion of the Selecting Official in accordance with hiring practices), will be interviewed in quality group order. We will not reimburse costs related to the interview such as travel to and from the interview site.

Veterans' preference is applied after applicants are assessed. Preference-eligibles will be listed at the top of their assigned quality group and considered before non-preference-eligibles in that quality group. Qualified preference-eligibles with a compensable service-connected disability of 10% or more will be listed at the top of the highest quality group for this position. For scientific and professional positions in grade GS-09 or higher, names of all qualified applicants are listed in order of their ratings, augmented by veteran preference, if any.