Clarification from the agency

United States Citizens

APPLICATION LIMIT: This vacancy announcement is limited to the first 200 applications received and will close at 11:59PM Eastern Time on the day that we receive the 200th application, or at 11:59PM Eastern Time on the listed closing date, whichever occurs first.  

We encourage you to read this entire vacancy announcement prior to submitting your application.

As an Institutional Review Specialist, GS-1101-11, you will be responsible for:
• Evaluating the institution's applications for participation in Title IV student financial assistance programs (initial, reinstatement, or renewal certification; or reporting changes to existing program scope, locations, and other institutional information) and making draft determinations about their ability to administer Title IV student financial assistance programs.   
• Assisting in conducting on-site and virtual compliance reviews of institutions that participate in Title IV student financial assistance programs and their servicers to determine if Title IV funds are being adequately safeguarded and disbursed in accordance with applicable Federal statute and regulations.
• Preparing and presenting draft reports for institutions and their servicers with findings of noncompliance while providing recommendations for improvements in the administration of their Title IV student financial assistance programs.
• Making draft recommendations to Department of Education officials and taking action, as needed, for transferring institutions to heightened cash monitoring or reimbursement method of payment.

As an Institutional Review Specialist, GS-1101-12, you will be responsible for:
• Evaluating institution's applications for participation in Title IV student financial assistance programs (initial, reinstatement, or renewal certification; or reporting changes to existing program scope, locations, and other institutional information) and making determinations about their ability to administer those programs.
• Leading and conducting on-site and virtual compliance reviews of institutions that participate in Title IV student financial assistance programs and their servicers to determine if Title IV funds are being adequately safeguarded and disbursed in accordance with applicable Federal statute and regulations.
• Preparing and presenting final reports for institutions and their servicers with findings of noncompliance and making recommendations for improvements in the administration of their Title IV student financial assistance programs. 
• Assessing the condition of institutions that participate in Title IV student financial assistance programs that have closed or are in imminent danger of closing, and, when needed, initiating action to secure the Department’s interest by obtaining records, promissory notes, close-out audits, or other items relevant to Title IV program administration.

Conditions of employment

• Must be a US Citizen.
• Relocation will not be paid.
• Males 18 and over must be registered with the Selective Service.
• You may be subject to serve a one-year probationary period.
• Must Complete a Background Investigation and Fingerprint check.

Condition of Employment:

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you may be required to serve a probationary period or trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: • your performance and conduct; • the needs and interests of the agency; • whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and • whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Upon completion of your probationary period OR trial period your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

You must meet all qualification requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this vacancy announcement.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills, and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. We will consider all qualifying experience, including any volunteer experience.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualification Requirements
You may meet the minimum qualifications for the GS-11, if you possess the specialized experience, education, or a combination of the two.

Specialized Experience for the GS-11
One year of experience in either federal or non-federal service that is equivalent to at least a GS-09 performing two (2) out of three (3) following duties or work assignments:
1. Experience with Federal statutes and regulations governing the eligibility or the administration of Title IV student financial assistance programs
2. Experience in communicating effectively, both orally and in writing, to present draft information, findings or recommendations to various internal audiences.
3. Experience evaluating internal controls, computer systems, regulations, or other relevant material to determine if Title IV funds are safeguarded as specified in federal regulations.

OR

EDUCATION (see EDUCATION SECTION of the vacancy announcement)

OR

A combination of both education and experience in which the total percentages must equal at least 100 percent to qualify an applicant for that grade level.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs)
The quality of your experience will be measured by the extent to which you possess the following knowledge, skills and abilities (KSAs). You do not need to provide separate narrative responses to these KSAs, as they will be measured by your responses to the occupational questionnaire (you may preview the occupational questionnaire by clicking the link at the end of the Evaluations section of this vacancy announcement).

1. Knowledge of Federal legislation and regulations governing the eligibility of institutions to participate in Title IV student financial assistance programs.
2. Knowledge of policies, procedures, and standards established by the Department of Education for the administration of Title IV student financial assistance programs.
3. Skill in written and oral communication to prepare and present reports for internal Department of Education officials, school officials, and their servicers.
4. Skill in evaluating internal accounting controls, computer systems, regulations, and other relevant material to determine if Title IV funds are being adequately safeguarded and used only for purposes specified in applicable Federal legislation and regulations.

You may meet the minimum qualifications for the GS-12, if you possess the specialized experience listed below. 

Specialized Experience for the GS-12
One year of experience in either federal or non-federal service that is equivalent to at least a GS-11 performing two (2) out of three (3) following duties or work assignments:
1. Experience demonstrating an intermediate understanding of Federal statutes and regulations governing Title IV student financial aid eligibility and administration.
2. Experience in communicating both orally and written to present information, findings or recommendations to various audiences, including senior level officials. 
3. Experience analyzing internal controls, computer systems, regulations or other relevant material to determine if Title IV funds are safeguarded as specified in federal regulations.   

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs)
The quality of your experience will be measured by the extent to which you possess the following knowledge, skills and abilities (KSAs). You do not need to provide separate narrative responses to these KSAs, as they will be measured by your responses to the occupational questionnaire (you may preview the occupational questionnaire by clicking the link at the end of the Evaluations section of this vacancy announcement).

1. Knowledge of Federal legislation and regulations governing the eligibility of institutions to participate in Title IV student financial assistance programs. 
2. Knowledge of policies, procedures, and standards established by the Department of Education for the administration of Title IV student financial assistance programs.
3. Skill in written and oral communication to prepare and present final reports for internal Department of Education staff, school officials, and their servicers.
4. Skill in evaluating internal accounting controls, computer systems, regulations, and other relevant material to determine if Title IV funds are being adequately safeguarded and used only for purposes specified in applicable federal statutes and regulations.

How you will be evaluated

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

We use a multi-step process to review and evaluate applicants:

1. Eligibility and Minimum Qualifications

Once the vacancy announcement closes, we will review your submitted resume and documents to determine if you meet the eligibility and minimum qualification requirements, including any required education, experience, and/or selective placement factors. You will be rated as ineligible if you are outside of the area of consideration (i.e., who may apply) or your application is missing any required documents. You will be rated as not qualified if you do not possess the minimum qualification requirements.

2. Rating and Ranking

If you are found to meet both the eligibility and minimum qualification requirements, we will assess the quality of your experience and the extent to which you possess the required KSAs by comparing your submitted resume and documents against your responses to the occupational questionnaire. Your application may be referred to a subject matter expert or panel of subject matter experts for further evaluation. Based on the outcome of this evaluation, you will be placed into one of three categories: Best Qualified, Well Qualified, or Qualified. If your responses to the occupational questionnaire are not substantiated by your submitted resume, you may be eliminated from receiving further consideration. Veterans’ Preference: Qualified veterans’ preference eligibles will be ranked ahead of qualified non-preference eligibles within each category for which they are qualified. Qualified veterans’ preference eligibles with a compensable service-connected disability of 10 percent or more (CPS and CP) will be placed at the top of the Best Qualified category, except in the case of scientific or professional positions at the GS-9 grade level or higher.

Based on the outcome of this evaluation candidates will be assigned a numerical score out of a possible 100 and be placed into one of three categories: Best Qualified, Well Qualified, or Qualified.  The three categories are defined below:

Best-Qualified Category – Applicants who have a score between 95 and 100.  Demonstrates better overall or key knowledge, skills, or abilities for a specific position.

Well-Qualified Category – Applicants who have a score between 85 and 94.99.  Possesses the knowledge, skills, and abilities which clearly exceed the minimum qualification requirements for the position but does not necessarily meet the definition of best qualified.

Qualified Category – Applicants who have a score between 70 and 84.99. Meets the minimum qualification standards for a specific position.

3. Referral and Selection

If you are found to be amongst the most highly qualified applicants, you will be referred to the selecting official. As part of the assessment and selection process, the selecting official may invite you to participate in a structured interview, check your references, and/or request that you submit a writing sample or complete a written assessment or exercise to further evaluate your qualifications for this position. If you require reasonable accommodation for any part of the interview process or written assessment or exercise, please inform the selecting official at the time of scheduling.