Clarification from the agency

Recent Graduates: If you completed a qualifying degree within the previous two years, you may apply. If you are a veteran who was prevented from applying during the 2-year period due to your military service, you may apply if your degree was completed within the last 6 years. Enrolled students: If you will complete your degree requirements by March 1, 2022, you may apply

This position is in the Office of Inspections (JE). JE is a multi-disciplinary organization that analyzes and evaluates GSAs programs and operations through management and programmatic inspections and evaluations that are intended to provide insight into issues of concern to GSA, Congress, and the American public. The office also coordinates quality assurance for the OIG, and analyzes potentially fraudulent or otherwise criminal activities in coordination with other OIG components.

As a Performance Auditor, you will perform the following duties:

• Assisting in conducting evaluations of GSA programs and operations, and/or contracts awarded by GSA.
• Conducting research and performing evaluation surveys to identify situations where waste, abuse, and mismanagement exist, and developing constructive recommendations for corrective actions.
• Participating in evaluations or inspections of existing GSA processes and procedures or programs, drafting proposed findings and recommendations for the improvement of GSA programs, operations, and administrative systems in order to promote efficiency and to achieve mission-oriented objectives.
• Using qualitative and quantitative analysis methods to analyze program-related data and policy issues.
• Identifying data requirements for effective program evaluations; monitors program trends through analyses, and use of data analyses techniques to evaluate programs.
• Reviewing new or proposed legislation, regulations, or policies, focusing on the potential impact on programs, operations, and/or management within a specific functional or program area.
• Assisting with drafting, reviewing, editing, and/or providing input to written materials, including program guidance, informational/decision memoranda, briefings, decisions, and recommendations/justifications.
  

Conditions of employment

• US Citizenship or National (Residents of American Samoa and Swains Island)

If selected, you must meet the following conditions:

Qualifications

The GS-7 salary range starts at $50,643 per year. The GS-9 salary range starts at $61,947 per year. If you are a new federal employee, your starting salary will likely be set at the Step 1 of the grade for which you are selected.

This position has a positive education requirement: Applicants must submit a copy of their college or university transcript(s) and certificates by the closing date of announcements to verify qualifications. If selected, an official transcript will be required prior to appointment.  

BASIC REQUIREMENTS FOR PERFORMANCE AUDITORS:
Degree: auditing or a related field such as business administration, finance, public administration, or accounting.
OR
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:
1. A certificate as a Certified Internal Auditor or a Certified Public Accountant, obtained through written examination; or
2. Completion of the requirements for a degree that included substantial course work in auditing or accounting, e.g., 15 semester hours.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS TO QUALIFY AT THE GS-9 LEVEL:  
In addition to the Basic Requirements listed above, to qualify at the GS-9 level you must possess at least one of the following:

1. One year of specialized experience that is equivalent to at least the GS-07 grade level in the Federal service. Specialized Experience for this position is experience assisting in the conduct of performance audits; assisting in the evaluation of policies, procedures, or internal controls to assess program performance; and evaluating compliance with laws and regulations. OR
2. A master's degree or equivalent graduate degree OR have completed two full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree. OR
3. A combination of graduate level education and appropriate experience that together meet the qualification requirements of this position.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS TO QUALIFY AT THE GS-7 LEVEL:  
In addition to the Basic Requirements listed above, to qualify at the GS-7 level you must possess at least one of the following:

1. One year of specialized experience that is equivalent to at least the GS-05 grade level in the Federal. Specialized experience is experience obtaining, verifying and summarizing auditing documentation; applying professional auditing principles, practices and skills; and obtaining and evaluating information, ensuring accuracy and reliability. OR
2. Have completed at least one full year of graduate level education (18 semester hours or the equivalent) in auditing, or in a related field such as business administration, finance, public administration, or accounting. OR
3. Have completed all the requirements for a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university PLUS demonstrated Superior Academic Achievement as defined below. OR
4. A combination of graduate level education and appropriate experience that together meet the qualification requirements of this position.

Superior Academic Achievement (SAA) at the baccalaureate level is fully qualifying at the GS-7 level. To claim SAA, submit documentation of one of the following:

1. Class standing -- You must be in the upper third of your graduating class in the college, university, or major subdivision, such as the College of Liberal Arts or the School of Business, based on completed courses.
2. Grade-point average (rounded to one decimal point) of:
   • 3.0 or higher out of a possible 4.0 ("B" or better) as recorded on your official transcript, or as computed based on 4 years of education, or as computed based on courses completed during the final 2 years of your curriculum; or
   • 3.5 or higher out of a possible 4.0 ("B+" or better) based on the average of the required courses completed in your major field or the required courses in your major field completed during your final 2 years of the curriculum.
3. Election to membership in a national scholastic honor society in one of the national scholastic honor societies listed by the Association of College Honor Societies.

How you will be evaluated

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

We will use a method called Category Rating to assess your application.  Here’s how it will work:

• You will be scored on the questions you answer during the application process, which will measure your possession of the following competencies or knowledge, skills, and abilities:
  1. Knowledge of professional performance audit, evaluation, and inspection principles and techniques
  2. Ability to conduct research into applicable laws, regulations, and policies, focusing on the potential impact on programs, operations, and/or management.
  3. Knowledge and skill in applying analytical and evaluative methods and techniques, both qualitative and quantitative.
  4. Ability to communicate effectively in writing in order to prepare a variety of written memoranda, guidance, and reports.
  5. Ability to communicate effectively through oral means to establish and maintain relationships with a variety of relevant stakeholders.

• Your answers to the questions will be used to place you in one of three categories:  Best Qualified, Well Qualified, or Qualified.
• We will verify your answers to the questions in your resume.  If your resume doesn’t support your answers, we may lower your score, which could place you in a lower category.
• Within each category, veterans will receive selection priority over non-veterans.