This is a career ladder position in the Disbursing Office under the Secretary of the Senate. An individual selected for the career ladder position will be placed into pay band 6 for a period of approximately twenty-four (24) to thirty-six (36) months during which time he/she will be on a training plan and provided opportunities for development and increased responsibility. Upon successful completion of the development and performance goals, the incumbent will be promoted to the position of Accounts Payable Specialist II and will be granted a promotional increase into pay band 7. NATURE OF WORK This is administrative work, which may at times be demanding and repetitive, involving the examination and interpretation of large volumes of financial data. Work involves performing audit-level review of vouchers, invoices, claims, and contracts for the Senate. Work is bound by Title 2 of the U.S. Code; generally accepted accounting principles; Secretary of the Senate policies and procedures; the U.S. Senate Handbook; the Senate Ethics Manual; and Senate Disbursing Office procedures, practices, and guidelines, but requires independent judgment in setting priorities and handling time-sensitive assignments.

Conditions of employment

• For conditions of employment and citizenship requirements, please visit the job announcement on the United States Senate Career Page at https://saa.csod.com/ux/ats/careersite/1/home?c=saa

Qualifications

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORKING ENVIRONMENT
Work is performed in an office environment with exposure to everyday risks and discomforts, and requires the use of normal safety precautions. Work requires frequent walking, standing, bending, and carrying items up to 25 pounds, as well as regular use of typical office equipment, software programs, and methods of communication such as a computer, email, telephone, and photocopier. Regular, predictable, and punctual attendance is required for the performance of duties. Work also requires physical presence in the office, except as otherwise required by the Office of the Secretary.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Work requires an associate’s degree from an accredited institution (bachelor’s degree preferred), with one to three years of accounts payable experience and the following knowledge, skills, and abilities:

Knowledge of accounting systems and related policies and procedures, as well as applicable federal, state, and local regulations. Knowledge of the Senate’s accounting systems and pertinent legislation a plus.

Knowledge of generally accepted accounting principles and practices, double-entry bookkeeping, cash management principles, cash advance and aging report procedures, and the process of obtaining payment of delinquent advances.

Basic knowledge of the Senate as an institution preferred, with a desire and willingness to learn more about the legislative process, as well as the history and operation of the Senate.

Knowledge of the flow and processing cycles of financial information. Knowledge of the Senate payroll and accounting cycles a plus.

Knowledge of accounting procedures and techniques applicable to disbursements and appropriation.

Knowledge of accrual accounting, budget object classes, data entry procedures, financial management system programs, and automated accounting systems

Ability to use computers and relevant computer software programs. Demonstrated keyboarding ability. 

Ability to deal with others using tact and diplomacy at all levels of the Senate community.

Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.

LICENSES, CERTIFICATIONS, AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS
None.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS for Phase II

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORKING ENVIRONMENT
Work is performed in an office environment with everyday risks and discomforts, and requires the use of normal safety precautions. Work requires frequent walking, standing, bending, and carrying items up to 25 pounds, as well as regular use of typical office equipment, software programs, and methods of communication such as a computer, email, telephone, and photocopier. Regular, predictable, and punctual attendance is required for the performance of duties. Work also requires physical presence in the office, except as otherwise required by the Office of the Secretary.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Work requires an associate’s degree from an accredited institution (bachelor’s degree preferred), with four to seven years of accounts payable experience (four to five years of Disbursing Office accounts payable experience preferred), and the following knowledge, skills, and abilities:

Knowledge of accounting systems, applicable federal, state, and local regulations, and Disbursing Office policies and procedures. Knowledge of the Senate’s accounting systems and pertinent legislation.

Knowledge of generally accepted accounting principles and practices, double-entry bookkeeping, cash management principles, aged cash advance procedures, and the process of obtaining payment of delinquent advances.

Experience with PeopleSoft Financial and Supply Chain Management System (FSCM) and the Senate Financial Information System (FMIS).

Knowledge of the Senate as an institution, with a desire and willingness to learn more about the legislative process, as well as the history and operation of the Senate.

Knowledge of the flow and processing cycles of financial information. Knowledge of the Senate cycles,

Knowledge of disbursements and appropriation accounting procedures and techniques.

Knowledge of accrual accounting, budget object classes, data entry procedures, financial management system programs, automated accounting systems including standard Automatic Data Processing (ADP) concepts, and familiarity with database management.

Ability to train and monitor other staff on targeted tasks as directed by the Accounts Payable Supervisor.

Ability to use a computer and relevant computer software programs.

Demonstrated keyboarding ability.

Ability to deal with others at all levels of the Senate community using tact and diplomacy.

Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.

LICENSES, CERTIFICATIONS, AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS
None.

How you will be evaluated

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

Your application will be evaluated by a panel on the quality and extent of your total accomplishments, experience, and education. Qualified candidates may be selected for an interview.