The incumbent conducts evaluations, reviews, and audits of the Social Security Administration's (SSA) programs and operations to: measure the effectiveness of policies and procedures; assess the achievement of program goals; evaluate the economy and efficiency of operations; and identify vulnerabilities to fraud, waste and abuse.
Summary
The incumbent conducts evaluations, reviews, and audits of the Social Security Administration's (SSA) programs and operations to: measure the effectiveness of policies and procedures; assess the achievement of program goals; evaluate the economy and efficiency of operations; and identify vulnerabilities to fraud, waste and abuse.
Current or former Federal employees and veterans eligible under VEOA only. Please see additional specific information on who may apply in the Additional Information section.
Identifies existing data resources, researches and reviews relevant legislation, regulations, SSA policies and other internal and external reports to perform work assignments.
Develops plans to accomplish assignments in accordance with applicable standards, policies and procedures.
Sets standards for the completion of assignments, such as staff days of effort required and the scope and depth of research and analysis to be performed.
Modifies work plans by changing areas of emphasis and devises new approaches as determined by the analysis of preliminary findings.
Communicates project objectives and work plans to project team members and OIG executives at team meetings; and to Agency staff at entrance conferences.
Performs assignments in accordance with the work plans and applicable standards. Interviews others to gather information necessary to accomplish objectives.
Analyzes information gathered to evaluate compliance with program regulations, policies and procedures, to evaluate accomplishment of program goals and to assess the economy and efficiency of operations.
Formulates findings by identifying the cause(s) of conditions and developing recommendations to address them.
Prepares written reports, memos and other documents to summarize the results of reviews and to present recommendations. Develops special reports as projects progress when significant issues are identified that require immediate corrective action.
Presents the results of projects and addresses questions or concerns during team meetings and briefings with OIG executives and during exit conferences with SSA staff.
Researches, gathers and analyzes information that results in new project proposals.
Selective Service Registration: If you are a male applicant born after December 31, 1959, you must certify that you have registered with the Selective Service System, or are exempt from having to do so under the Selective Service Law. See www.sss.gov
Background and/or security investigation may be required.
Job offers are contingent on background / security investigation results.
Federal employees must be in good standing.
Federal employees must have a successful performance rating.
Selectees may be required to serve a 1-year probationary period.
All application materials must be received by the closing date.
Official Personnel Folders will not be reviewed.
Requests for copies of application documents will not be accepted.
All application forms submitted become the property of SSA Human Resources.
Qualifications
The specialized experience must be clearly described in your resume or you will be ineligible for consideration.
To qualify at the GS-9 level, applicants must possess one of the following:
At least 52 weeks of specialized experience at the GS-7, or equivalent, which is in or related to the work of the position to be filled which has equipped me with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position. Such experience must include at least one of the following: Assisting with audits as a member of the audit team, gathering information, and performing auditing tasks based on instruction from others.
OR
Possess a Master's or equivalent graduate degree OR have completed 2 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.B. or J.D., if related.
OR
A combination of graduate level education and specialized experience that together meets 100% of the qualification requirements for this position.
To qualify at the GS-11 level, applicants must possess one of the following:
At least 52 weeks of specialized experience at the GS-9, or equivalent, which is in or related to the work of the position to be filled which has equipped me with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position. Such experience must include at least two of the following: Planning, conducting and reporting on audits in accordance with Federal government auditing standards, as a member of the audit team, to measure the effectiveness of policies and procedures; assess the achievement of program goals; evaluate the economy and efficiency of operations; identify vulnerabilities to fraud, waste and abuse; and/or develop recommendations for program improvements.
OR
Possess a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree OR have completed 3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.M., if related.
OR
A combination of graduate level education and specialized experience that together meets 100% of the qualification requirements for this position.
To qualify at the GS-12 level, applicants must possess the following:
At least 52 weeks of experience at the GS-11 level, or equivalent, which is in or related to the work of the position to be filled which has equipped applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position. Such experience must include at least three of the following: Planning, conducting and reporting on complex and/or sensitive audits in accordance with Federal government auditing standards, as a member of the audit team, to: measure the effectiveness of policies and procedures; assess the achievement of program goals; evaluate the economy and efficiency of operations; identify vulnerabilities to fraud, waste and abuse; and/or develop recommendations for program improvements.
In addition, individuals must meet the Individual Occupational Requirement (IOR):
Possess a bachelor's degree (or higher) in auditing, business administration, finance, public administration, accounting, political science, mathematics, criminal justice, economics, information technology, or information security;
OR
Possess a combination of education and experience:at least 4 years of experience in performance auditing, or an equivalent combination of performance auditing experience, college-level education, and training that provided professional auditing knowledge. The applicant's background must also include one of the following:
A certificate as a Certified Internal Auditor or a Certified Public Accountant, obtained through written examination; or
Completion of the requirements for a degree that included substantial course work in auditing or accounting, e.g., 15 semester hours.
Education
PROOF OF EDUCATION: If you are qualifying on the basis of education or satisfying an educational requirement, submit a copy of your transcripts that includes your name, the name of the educational institution, course title(s), number of credits, grade, and date of completion. Unofficial transcripts or screenshots of electronic/web transcripts with the required information will be accepted at the time of application. You must submit your transcripts according to the application submission details of this announcement. Documents will not be accepted via email or regular mail. If selected, you may be required to provide your official college transcripts prior to the effective date of the personnel action placing you into the new position.
Foreign Education: If your transcripts show education completed in foreign colleges or universities, you must also provide documentation that the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in a conventional/accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university.
For GS-9: Master's or equivalent graduate degree, or successful completion of at least two academic years of progressively higher graduate education in a field that is directly related to the position, or LL.B. or J.D. in a field that is directly related to the position.
For GS-11: Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree, or three full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. or equivalent degree, or LL.M. in a field that is directly related to the position.
Combining Education and Experience: Experience and education as described above may be combined to meet the minimum qualification requirements. Experience and education will be computed as percentages of the overall requirements and must equal to 100 percent when combined. Only graduate education in excess of the amount required for the next lower grade level may be used to qualify applicants for positions at grades GS-9 and GS-11.
Note: One year of full-time graduate education is considered to be the number of credit hours that the school you attended has determined to represent one year of study. If this information cannot be obtained from your school, we will consider 18 semester/27 quarter hours to be equal to one year of full-time study.
Additional information
WHO MAY APPLY: Applications will only be accepted from applicants eligible for one of the following categories.
Federal employees currently serving under career or career conditional appointments;
Federal employees currently serving under the following types of appointments: Schedule A, Reg. 213.3102 (U) appointments for individuals with disabilities; Veterans Recruitment Appointments; and time limited appointments for veterans with a compensable service-connected disability of 30% or more;
Former Federal employees eligible for reinstatement (i.e., those who have career status or separated from a career-conditional appointment less than 3 years ago);
Current or former Federal employees eligible under the Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) or Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP); or
Veterans Employment Opportunity Act (VEOA) Eligibles (i.e., Preference-eligible veterans OR veterans who have been separated from the armed forces under honorable conditions after 3 years or more of continuous service).
Federal employees serving under excepted service appointments with competitive service compatibility (e.g. Postal Service, Foreign Service, an agency with an interchange agreement, etc.) may be eligible to apply. Please visit Excepted Service Appointments with Competitive Service Compatibility for more information.
NOTE: Excepted service employees serving under Schedule A appointments for Attorney positions or Pathways Programs appointments (Presidential Management Fellows, Recent Graduates, and Interns) are not eligible for consideration.
Position to be filled under the provisions of the Management Officials Promotion Plan. The best-qualified list for this vacancy may be used to fill the same or similar positions in a component(s) under the same Deputy Commissioner. Additional selections may be made within 6 months of the date the best qualified list is issued.
LOCALITY PAY: Salary will be set in accordance with locality pay provisions. Candidates currently receiving a higher locality pay than the office applied for are advised that should they be selected, they will lose entitlement to the higher locality pay.
Please view salary table for your area here: Salary Table
OTHER NOTES:
This position is a career ladder leading to GS-12.
The selectee will be required to file an OGE form 450, Confidential Financial Disclosure Report, in accordance with 5 CFR section 2634, subpart i.
This position is eligible for telework
Relocation expenses will not be paid.
This is a moderate risk public trust position. The selected employee will be required to complete a Standard Form 85P, Questionnaire for Public Trust Positions, in order to have the appropriate investigation conducted, unless the employee has been previously certified eligible to occupy a position at this level.
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.
Applicants will be rated based on the following knowledge, skills, and abilities:
Ability to communicate orally and in writing. GS-9=35 Points; GS-11=40 Points; GS-12=40 Points
Knowledge of government auditing/evaluation standards, policies and procedures. GS-9=35 Points; GS-11=40 Points; GS-12=40 Points
Ability to plan, organize, perform and report on assignments/projects. GS-9= 35 Points; GS-11=40 Points; GS-12=40 Points
In addition: Candidates referred to the selecting official will be asked to complete an exercise for a hypothetical situation to evaluate their ability to analyze information and communicate effectively in writing.
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.
RESUME
Your resume must provide all of the information necessary to make qualifications and eligibility determinations (e.g., experience related to your qualifications for this position, grade levels and dates of your current and prior positions, etc.). SSA employees may submit an SSA-45.
Your resume must specifically demonstrate, in your own words, the possession of the required experience related to the minimum qualifications, selective placement factors and/or evaluation criteria. Information that is copied or restated language from the vacancy announcement, rating criteria, KSAs and/or position description will not be considered. If this occurs, you may lose consideration for one or more grade levels or found ineligible.
PROOF OF EDUCATION
See information provided in the Education section of this announcement for details and requirements.
SF-50
If you are a current or former Federal employee, you must submit a Notification of Personnel Action (SF-50) that that reflects your grade/step, possession of time-in-grade (e.g., a Within-Grade Increase or Promotion/Reassignment dated more than one year ago), and career or career-conditional tenure in the competitive service. You may need to submit more than one SF-50 to prove possession of time-in-grade. Current SSA employees are not required to submit an SF-50.
If you are a former Federal employee with reinstatement eligibility, you must also submit your separation SF-50 showing your separation was not for performance or conduct reasons.
PERFORMANCE APPRAISAL
If you are a current Federal employee, you must submit a copy of your most recent performance appraisal. You must also include an explanation if you have changed agencies and have not yet received a performance appraisal from your new agency. If you are a new Federal employee who has not yet received a performance rating, you must upload an explanation.
Current SSA employees and VEOA applicants are not required to submit performance appraisals.
VETERANS EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES ACT (VEOA)
If you are applying under the Veterans Employment Opportunities Act (VEOA), you must submit your DD-214 (member 4 copy) and any other documentation demonstrating your preference eligibility, such as a disability letter.
NOTE: If you are a current Federal employee eligible under VEOA, you are subject to the time-in-grade requirement and must submit an SF-50 as required above.
INTERAGENCY CAREER TRANSITION ASSISTANCE PLAN (ICTAP)
If you are applying for selection priority under ICTAP, you must submit one of the following as proof of eligibility: a separation notice; a Notice of Personnel Action (SF-50) documenting your separation; an agency certification that you cannot be placed after injury compensation has been terminated; an OPM notification that your disability annuity has been terminated; or a Military Department or National Guard Bureau notification that you are retired under 5 U.S.C. 8337(h) or 8456.
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.
Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your eligibility. When answering the questionnaire, remember that your experience is subject to verification by the selecting official. You may be asked to provide specific examples or documentation of experience to support your answers, or you may be required to verify a response by a practical demonstration of your claimed ability to perform a task.
Notice Concerning Materially False, Fictitious, or Fraudulent Statements
Anything you claim in the occupational questionnaire or in your SSA-45 may be subject to verification. By completing the electronic application process, you are certifying that any statements you make are true, complete, and correct to the best of your knowledge and belief and are made in good faith. Materially false, fictitious, or fraudulent statements or representations are subject to disciplinary action.
To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:
The Occupational Questionnaire: Click on the Apply Online button to create an account or log into your existing USAJOBS account and follow the prompts to complete the occupational questionnaire.
Additional Required Documents, if applicable (See Required Documents section).
The complete Application Package must be submitted before 11:59 p.m. (EST) on 07/16/2021. Failure to upload any required documents will disqualify your application from consideration.
If you use assistive software or an adaptive device, or you are experiencing some other type of technical difficulty and/or otherwise require assistance with the application process, please contact Patrick Woods at Patrick.Woods@ssa.gov.
Individuals with disabilities may call us via Federal Relay using the (voice) contact telephone provided.
Due to our security procedures, our office will not accept any applications submitted via email, standard mail, or facsimile sent directly to the Servicing Personnel Office. Applicants are required to file through the online application process. The email address is listed only for inquiries about the position or the How to Apply process.
To check the status of your application or return to a previous or incomplete application, log in to your USAJOBS account.
OIG
6401 Security Boulevard
Baltimore, MD 21235
US
Next steps
After all of the applications have been evaluated, you will receive notification via email explaining the status of your application. If you applied incorrectly or submitted an incomplete application, we will be unable to send you an electronic receipt of your application. Please read the How to Apply instructions carefully to ensure that you submit a complete application.
To check the status of your application or return to a previous or incomplete application, log in to your USAJOBS account, select Application Status, and click on the more information link under the application status for this position.
Selection interviews may be conducted with one or more of the candidates, but there is no requirement that interviews be conducted. The hiring office will contact candidates directly for interviews. Interviews may be conducted via video conferencing software, if technically feasible. Applicants referred for consideration will receive a final disposition notice after selections have been made.
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
RESUME
Your resume must provide all of the information necessary to make qualifications and eligibility determinations (e.g., experience related to your qualifications for this position, grade levels and dates of your current and prior positions, etc.). SSA employees may submit an SSA-45.
Your resume must specifically demonstrate, in your own words, the possession of the required experience related to the minimum qualifications, selective placement factors and/or evaluation criteria. Information that is copied or restated language from the vacancy announcement, rating criteria, KSAs and/or position description will not be considered. If this occurs, you may lose consideration for one or more grade levels or found ineligible.
PROOF OF EDUCATION
See information provided in the Education section of this announcement for details and requirements.
SF-50
If you are a current or former Federal employee, you must submit a Notification of Personnel Action (SF-50) that that reflects your grade/step, possession of time-in-grade (e.g., a Within-Grade Increase or Promotion/Reassignment dated more than one year ago), and career or career-conditional tenure in the competitive service. You may need to submit more than one SF-50 to prove possession of time-in-grade. Current SSA employees are not required to submit an SF-50.
If you are a former Federal employee with reinstatement eligibility, you must also submit your separation SF-50 showing your separation was not for performance or conduct reasons.
PERFORMANCE APPRAISAL
If you are a current Federal employee, you must submit a copy of your most recent performance appraisal. You must also include an explanation if you have changed agencies and have not yet received a performance appraisal from your new agency. If you are a new Federal employee who has not yet received a performance rating, you must upload an explanation.
Current SSA employees and VEOA applicants are not required to submit performance appraisals.
VETERANS EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES ACT (VEOA)
If you are applying under the Veterans Employment Opportunities Act (VEOA), you must submit your DD-214 (member 4 copy) and any other documentation demonstrating your preference eligibility, such as a disability letter.
NOTE: If you are a current Federal employee eligible under VEOA, you are subject to the time-in-grade requirement and must submit an SF-50 as required above.
INTERAGENCY CAREER TRANSITION ASSISTANCE PLAN (ICTAP)
If you are applying for selection priority under ICTAP, you must submit one of the following as proof of eligibility: a separation notice; a Notice of Personnel Action (SF-50) documenting your separation; an agency certification that you cannot be placed after injury compensation has been terminated; an OPM notification that your disability annuity has been terminated; or a Military Department or National Guard Bureau notification that you are retired under 5 U.S.C. 8337(h) or 8456.
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.
Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your eligibility. When answering the questionnaire, remember that your experience is subject to verification by the selecting official. You may be asked to provide specific examples or documentation of experience to support your answers, or you may be required to verify a response by a practical demonstration of your claimed ability to perform a task.
Notice Concerning Materially False, Fictitious, or Fraudulent Statements
Anything you claim in the occupational questionnaire or in your SSA-45 may be subject to verification. By completing the electronic application process, you are certifying that any statements you make are true, complete, and correct to the best of your knowledge and belief and are made in good faith. Materially false, fictitious, or fraudulent statements or representations are subject to disciplinary action.
To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:
The Occupational Questionnaire: Click on the Apply Online button to create an account or log into your existing USAJOBS account and follow the prompts to complete the occupational questionnaire.
Additional Required Documents, if applicable (See Required Documents section).
The complete Application Package must be submitted before 11:59 p.m. (EST) on 07/16/2021. Failure to upload any required documents will disqualify your application from consideration.
If you use assistive software or an adaptive device, or you are experiencing some other type of technical difficulty and/or otherwise require assistance with the application process, please contact Patrick Woods at Patrick.Woods@ssa.gov.
Individuals with disabilities may call us via Federal Relay using the (voice) contact telephone provided.
Due to our security procedures, our office will not accept any applications submitted via email, standard mail, or facsimile sent directly to the Servicing Personnel Office. Applicants are required to file through the online application process. The email address is listed only for inquiries about the position or the How to Apply process.
To check the status of your application or return to a previous or incomplete application, log in to your USAJOBS account.
OIG
6401 Security Boulevard
Baltimore, MD 21235
US
Next steps
After all of the applications have been evaluated, you will receive notification via email explaining the status of your application. If you applied incorrectly or submitted an incomplete application, we will be unable to send you an electronic receipt of your application. Please read the How to Apply instructions carefully to ensure that you submit a complete application.
To check the status of your application or return to a previous or incomplete application, log in to your USAJOBS account, select Application Status, and click on the more information link under the application status for this position.
Selection interviews may be conducted with one or more of the candidates, but there is no requirement that interviews be conducted. The hiring office will contact candidates directly for interviews. Interviews may be conducted via video conferencing software, if technically feasible. Applicants referred for consideration will receive a final disposition notice after selections have been made.
Fair and transparent
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
