Clarification from the agency

Relocation expenses will not be paid in connection with this position. Applicant's that reside outside of the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area may be required to relocate within 120 days upon entering the position.

***Like all positions within the OIG, this is a hybrid-telework position, combining virtual work with in-person work.  The in-person component involves attendance at the OIG office, located within the NRC Headquarters building (free garage parking), at least three days per week, that is, at least six days per two-week pay period, subject to revision by the Inspector General.  There is flexibility as to which in-person days are chosen.  The person selected for this position will be required to relocate to the Washington, DC metropolitan area within 120 days after accepting the position if residing more than 50 miles from NRC headquarters.***

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) Office of the Inspector General (OIG), Audits and Evaluations Division (AED), performs audits and evaluation work and reporting of NRC and Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board (DNFSB) programs and operations.  As the Quality Assurance Specialist, you will carry out the day-to-day quality assurance functions to ensure audit and evaluation work and reporting adhere to appropriate professional standards (I.e., Yellow Book and Blue Book).  You will advise AED staff on results of quality assurance reviews and edits as appropriate.  You will work with agency officials to coordinate resolution on OIG audit recommendations and appropriate closure of corrective actions.  You will draft new and revise existing policies and procedures outlined in the Audit and Evaluations Manual to ensure operations comply with Yellow Book and Blue Book standards.  You will collaborate with AED staff in the preparation of the annual plan, management and performance challenges, and Semiannual Report to Congress.  You will ensure that the quality assurance system is suitably designed to provide reasonable assurance for compliance with Government auditing and peer review standards.  Finally, during the course of each project, you will work in close coordination with the responsible AED team, other appropriate OIG staff, appropriate agency personnel, and other stakeholders.

• The Quality Assurance Specialist (QAS) is responsible for establishing policies and procedures for monitoring the system of quality control. The QAS performs monitoring to assess compliance with professional standards and quality control policies and procedures.  At least annually, the QAS analyzes and summarizes the results of its monitoring to identify any systemic or repetitive issues needing improvement and makes recommendations to management for corrective action.
• The QAS gathers and analyzes data to identify systemic trends and conditions. The QAS collaborates with management to identify opportunities for process improvements and to implement an enhanced quality control system. 
• Demonstrates thought leadership and an inquisitive mind to bring value-added insights to analyses and solutions related to audits and
• Provides guidance and mentoring to AED staff on best practices and quality assurance processes.
• Monitors AED annual training requirements, ensuring staff compliance with standards and prepares annual CPE certification
• Assists with preparing various quality reports to senior leadership and the NRC and
• Reviews existing and proposed legislation, regulations, and standard operating procedures in terms of their impact on economy, efficiency, and effectiveness, and their prevention of fraud and abuse.
• Provides detailed feedback to AED staff on quality deficiencies and areas for improvement.
• Remains current on industry trends, professional standards, and best practices for quality assurance in audit and evaluation work.
• Leads the development of annual audit plans and management challenges reports by collaborating with teams for content creation and synthesizing the final product.
• Leads the response to peer reviews of AED work by addressing findings, coordinating input from relevant teams, and ensuring corrective actions are implemented.
• Evaluates and assists in the response to requests, inquiries, and complaints, which may be from Congress, OMB, other Federal agencies, OIG or NRC management and the general public.
• Maintains the AED Manual to comply with current Yellow Book and Blue Book requirements and revisions as well as OIG policies, procedures and audit software product platforms.
• Other duties as required.

A description of how you possess the specialized experience as well as how you meet the qualifications desired in an ideal candidate should be addressed in your resume.

Conditions of employment

• Background investigation leading to a "Q" clearance is required.
• This position is covered and subject to prohibited securities rules.
• This is a Drug Testing position.

You must meet the qualifications for this position by no later than 30 calendar days after the closing date of this announcement and before placement in the position.

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, you must have at least one year of specialized experience at the GG-12 grade level (or equivalent) in the Federal service performing audits.

Specialized experience is experience which demonstrates thorough knowledge of the Government Accountability Office's Government Auditing Standards (GAGAS) applicable to audit techniques and procedures and skill in training, conducting, and reporting on audits and evaluations that promote economy, efficiency, and effectiveness.

The ideal candidate for this position will be able to demonstrate the following:

1. Knowledge of Generally Accepted Government Auditing Standards (GAGAS) to ensure that a system of quality control provides reasonable assurance that an organization’s audit function complies with professional standards.
2. Demonstrated ability to review, analyze, and edit audit/evaluation reports to ensure compliance with professional.
3. Demonstrated ability to maintain effective working relationships with agency officials to coordinate resolution on audit recommendations and appropriate closure of corrective actions.
4. Ability to write policies and procedures to ensure audit and evaluation operations comply with professional.
5. Superior written and verbal communications.
6. Solid understanding and proficiency of auditing standards and reporting.

How you will be evaluated

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

When the application process is complete, your application will be reviewed to determine if you meet the job requirements. You will be rated based on the information provided in your resume and responses to any vacancy questions to determine your level of knowledge, skill and ability related to the job requirements.  If you are among the top candidates for this position, your application will be referred to the hiring manager.

Your resume and responses in the additional space provided are the key means we have for evaluating your skills, knowledge, and abilities as they relate to this position.  Therefore, we encourage you to submit a thorough resume and responses that directly relate to this position.