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Program Analyst

Department of the Interior
Bureau of Trust Funds Administration
Office of Trust Analysis and Research
This job announcement has closed

Summary

The Bureau of Trust Funds Administration (BTFA) supports the Secretary of the Department of the Interior to fulfill their trust responsibilities by providing fiduciary guidance, management, and leadership for Tribal Trust and Individual Indian Money accounts. We Excel, Native America Prospers. For more information about our bureau, go to: http://www.btfa.gov/

Overview

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Hiring complete
Open & closing dates
09/29/2023 to 10/13/2023
Salary
$98,496 to - $183,500 per year

The salary for the selectee will be adjusted to include locality-based pay entitlements as it pertains to the remote work location.

Pay scale & grade
GS 13 - 14
Location
2 vacancies in the following location:
Anywhere in the U.S. (remote job)
Remote job
Yes
Telework eligible
Not applicable, this is a remote position.
Travel Required
Occasional travel - You may be expected to travel for this position.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
14
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Not Required
Drug test
No
Position sensitivity and risk
Moderate Risk (MR)
Trust determination process
Announcement number
BTFA-6320-23-RC-063 (MP)
Control number
752021200

Duties

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This position is located within the Department of the Interior, Bureau of Trust Funds Administration, Trust Operations - Settlement Support, Office of Trust Analysis and Research.

At the full performance level GS-14the major duties of this position include, but are not limited to the following:
1. Provides appeals analyst support to the OTAR Settlement Division's Administrative Appeals Program by handling standard and complex administrative appeals cases from inception to final disposition that are brought pursuant to 25 CFR part 2, Subpart H.
2. Reviews account holder filings, creates electronic appeals files, dockets cases, researches account holder claims, drafts decisions, compiles administrative records for use in litigation challenging BTFA decisions.
3. Performs lead role in managing projects related to major OTAR areas of work, which include but are not limited to: historical accounting, records production, administrative appeals, and enhancements of OTAR applications and systems.
4. Serves as a Contracting Officer's Representative (COR) or, until COR II certification obtained, supports COR in managing and administering contracts.
5. Recommends and implements changes to procedures or policies to improve performance of OTAR programs, as well as trains new or less experienced personnel on the Administrative Appeals Program templates, policies, procedures, and review of documents to support the quality of their work.
6. Provides briefings and/or briefing materials, decision memoranda, issue papers, talking points, and reports for the Settlement Division Chief, OTAR Director, TO-SS Deputy Bureau Director, BTFA leadership, and other key Departmental officials.
7. Serves as project manager and primary point of contact on assigned trust-related litigation support cases, which can include recommending appropriate research, analysis, and accounting methods for addressing trust-related issues, directing the work of contractors conducting analysis of mismanagement and damage claims, preparing specific historical accountings, and responding to records production requests.

Salary Information
GS-13: $98,496 (Step 1) - $158,432 (Step 10) per annum.
GS-14: $116,393 (Step 1) - $183,500 (Step 10) per annum

First time hires to the Federal government normally start at the lower salary range of the grade level.

The salary for the selectee will be adjusted to include locality-based pay entitlements as it pertains to the remote work location.

This vacancy may be used to fill additional positions as vacancies become available.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  1. You must be a U.S. Citizen.
  2. You will be subject to a background/suitability investigation/determination.
  3. You will be required to have federal payments made by Direct Deposit.
  4. You must submit ALL required documents and a completed questionnaire.
  5. Selective Service: 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 http://www.sss.gov/.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualification Requirements:
Specialized Experience

To qualify for the GS-13, you must possess at least one full year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-12 grade level in the Federal service, or comparable experience not gained through Federal service. Specialized experience is experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled. Specialized experience is defined as demonstrated experience:

1. Researching and analyzing facts (e.g. financial transactional data) and issues, and drafting memorandums, recommendations, decisions or opinions.

2. Planning, coordinating, and overseeing major initiatives or projects to develop and implement new systems and/or processes.

3. Providing technical assistance to other offices or training new or less experienced personnel.

Must meet all 3

To qualify for the GS-14, you must possess at least one full year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-13 grade level in the Federal service, or comparable experience not gained through Federal service. Specialized experience is experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled. Specialized experience is defined as demonstrated experience:

1. Researching and analyzing facts (e.g. financial transactional data) and issues, and drafting memorandums, recommendations, decisions or opinions.

2. Planning, coordinating, and overseeing major initiatives or projects to develop and implement new systems and/or processes.

3. Providing technical assistance to other offices or training new or less experienced personnel.

4. Developing new or recommending improvements to existing procedures or policies of a program, division or agency and implementing them.

5. Developing strategies and goals for an organization or a team and providing oversight and direction to achieve those goals.

Must meet all 5

Additional information on the qualification requirements is outlined in the OPM Qualification Standards Handbook of General Schedule Positions and is available at OPM's website: https://www.opm.gov/qualifications/standards/indexes/num-ndx.asp

All qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement.

Merit Promotion candidates must also meet time-in-grade requirements by the closing date of the vacancy announcement. Applicants applying under a special appointing authority (such as Indian Preference) do not have to meet time-in-grade.

Indian Preference Policy: Preference in filling this vacancy is given to qualified Indian candidates in accordance with the Indian Preference Act of 1934 (Title 25, USC, Section 472). Verification Forms BIA 4432 must be submitted with the application prior to the closing date of the announcement, if claiming Indian Preference. Applicants selected under the Indian preference from this vacancy will be appointed under the Excepted Service, Schedule A 213.3112(a)(7) appointing authority. Consideration will be given to Non-Indian applications in the absence of qualified Indian Preference eligibles.

Note: This HR Office uses an automated recruitment system. Applicants must claim eligibility for Indian Preference during the application process in order for the HR Office to identify applicants claiming Indian Preference. If you are claiming Indian Preference, you must also submit your valid BIA-4432 form to verify your claim.

Additional information

This position is included in a bargaining unit. The Federation of Indian Service Employees (FISE), Local 4524, is the exclusive representative of all employees in this bargaining unit.

Identification of promotion potential in this announcement does not constitute a commitment or an obligation on the part of management to promote the employee selected at some future date. Promotion will depend upon administrative approval and the continuing need for and performance of higher-level duties.

The application contains information subject to the Privacy Act (P.L. 93-579, 5 USC 552a). The information is used to determine qualifications for employment, and is authorized under Title 5, USC, Section 3302 and 3361.

Important Note: All Department of the Interior (DOI) employees are subject to the conflict of interest restrictions imposed upon all employees of the Executive Branch of the Federal Government and may be required to file a Financial Disclosure Report. In addition, DOI employees, GS-15 and above, who work in the Office of the Secretary; along with the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) and the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) employees (at ALL grade levels), are further restricted concerning their interests in Federal lands and resources administered or controlled by the Department of the Interior. This includes holding stock in energy corporations which lease Federal lands (e.g.: oil, gas, coal, alternative energy resources, etc.). If you have any such investments you should contact the DOI, BOEM or BSEE Ethics Office before accepting employment. DOI employees are held to the highest level of integrity. Employees must be objective and impartial in the performance of their work. All potential issues (e.g.: work-related interactions with friends, family members, or previous employers) must be disclosed at the time of application or during the interview process.

NOTICE: This employer participates in E-Verify and will utilize your Form I-9 information to confirm you are authorized to work in the U.S.
A preliminary background check must be completed before a new employee can begin work with the U.S. Department of the Interior. The preliminary background check consists of a search of Office of Personnel Management and Department of Defense background investigation files and an FBI National Criminal History Fingerprint Check; it may take up to 3 weeks to complete. If selected for this position, you will be extended a tentative offer of employment pending a satisfactory background check. Current Federal employees or individuals with an existing completed background investigation may not be required to undergo another background check; these will be handled on a case-by-case basis in coordination with the Bureau security office.

The Office of Trust Analysis and Research (OTAR), within BTFA's Trust Operations-Settlement Support (TO-SS), leads resolution of questions and claims concerning Indian trust responsibilities. It seeks to achieve and implement settlements with Native American Tribes and individuals and provides litigation support where settlement is not possible. OTAR also supports BTFA's accounting for, and prompt distribution of, funds involving complex trust fund accounts. OTAR builds trust knowledge and shares information to help prevent future disputes, improve fulfillment of the Secretary's trust responsibilities, and strengthen the trust relationship with Native American Tribes and individuals.

How you will be evaluated

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

Once the application process is complete, we will review your application to ensure you meet the job requirements. To determine if you are qualified for this job, a review of your resume, supporting documentation and responses to the online questionnaire will be made. Your responses to the online assessment will be used to measure the degree to which your background matches the requirements for this position. However, your resume must support your responses to the scored occupational questionnaire, or your score may be lowered. The best qualified candidates will be identified for referral to the hiring manager and may be invited for an interview.

Your answers to the on-line assessment will be used to evaluate your competencies in the following areas:
1. Administrative Law: Knowledge of administrative laws, including procedures, regulations, guidelines, and precedents related to case preparation and settlements.

2. Customer Service: Works with clients and customers (that is, any individuals who use or receive the services or products that your work unit produces, including the general public, individuals who work in the agency, other agencies, or organizations outside the Government) to assess their needs, provide information or assistance, resolve their problems, or satisfy their expectations; knows about available products and services; is committed to providing quality products and services.

3. Flexibility: Is open to change and new information; adapts behavior and work methods in response to new information, changing conditions, or unexpected obstacles; effectively deals with pressure and ambiguity.

4. Accountability: Holds self and others accountable for measurable high-quality, timely, and cost-effective results. Determines objectives, sets priorities, and delegates work. Accepts responsibility for mistakes. Complies with established control systems and rules.

DUE WEIGHT
Please submit 1) a copy of your most recent performance appraisal/evaluation and 2) a list of any awards (e.g. superior performance awards, special act or achievement awards, quality step increase, etc.) you received in the last 5 years. Any performance appraisal/evaluation and award documentation you provide will be forwarded to the selecting official. The selecting official will review this documentation and give it due weight consideration during the overall selection process.

If you do not have your most recent performance appraisal/evaluation, please submit a statement as to why it is not available. Please indicate if any prior performance appraisals/evaluations were at an acceptable level.

To preview the assessment questionnaire click: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12145260

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