Clarification from the agency

All U.S. Citizens

Division of FHLBank Regulation

The Division of FHLBank Regulation (DBR) is responsible for carrying out the FHFA's statutory duties for ensuring that: 1) the Federal Home Loan Banks (FHLBanks) and the Office of Finance (OF) operate safely and soundly, and 2) the FHLBanks remain adequately capitalized. These functions are performed through on-site examinations and off-site monitoring of the FHLBanks and the OF. DBR also is responsible for policy and regulatory analysis, formulating and planning strategic goals, and conducting and evaluating long-range projects and proposals for all Agency programs relating to the FHFA's supervision and oversight of the FHLBank System.

DBR monitors and analyzes the financial condition and performance of the FHLBanks and the market, credit, liquidity, operational, and model risks facing the FHLBanks. DBR collects financial and other data from the FHLBanks to support the Division's regulatory, policy, supervisory, monitoring, and examination functions. Monitoring and analysis staff participate in on-site examinations at the FHLBanks/OF and provide analyses of issues affecting the FHLBanks/OF as requested by the Deputy Director.

Position Overview

The Examiner/Senior Examiner (Exam Oversight) will develop work plans and determine the scope of examination activities; participate in the assessment of the components of the CAMELSO rating system; and serve as a member of an examination team to assess emerging or embedded risks. This position will also conduct analysis contributing to the conclusion about the Regulated Entities and the OF's financial condition, overall safety and soundness, and degree of compliance with statutory and regulatory requirements; and assist in identifying risk areas within the Regulated Entities and the OF.

Areas of examination include, but are not limited to governance, market risk, credit risk, operational risk, liquidity risk, capital management, earnings, model risk, derivatives, information technology, risk-assessment processes, accounting, auditing, and other work program areas.

Major Duties & Responsibilities

The Examiner/Senior Examiner (Exam Oversight) duties listed below are at the EL-13 grade level. Depending on the grade level selected, the incumbent will perform the following duties with varying levels of supervision and difficulty:

• Assist in the development of examination strategies, work plans, and in determining the scope of examination activities to develop new or adapted work methods and procedures as needed.
• Participate and may lead in the assessment of the components of the CAMELSO rating system.
• Serve as a member of an examination team to identify emerging and/or embedded risks.
• Use technical capability to conduct examinations.
• Analyze, evaluate, and report the financial performance and risks of the Regulated Entities and the OF.
• Follow supervisory guidance such as the examination manual, advisory bulletins, examination guidelines, and policy statements to ensure that the development of examination scope and reports are completed according to prescribed FHFA regulatory and supervisory policy and program guidelines and standards.
• Determine the scope of the analysis required; develop sources of material appropriate for the evaluation of activities or operations; follow or adapt work methods and procedures; and perform research to identify material suitable for identified issues/risks.
• Ensure an accurate understanding of the key risks, processes and controls, and the factual basis for examination findings.
• Maintain an expert knowledge of issues, trends, and advances in risk management and risk-based examinations of large, complex financial institutions.
• Provide FHFA management with advice on advances in examination management of practices and risk-based examination procedures and make recommendations for the enhancement of the examination program.
• Draft written reports including evaluative commentaries appropriate to the operations being examined.
• Document examination findings through a combination of source documents, report comments and other examination workpapers that address both management practices and condition.
• Keep abreast of significant issues or events and emerging risks that may affect the continued safe and sound operations of the Regulated Entities and the OF.
• Analyze banking, financial, housing, operational, and mortgage market developments affecting the Regulated Entities and the OF.
• Provide written analysis and recommendations for issues requiring agency approval or attention.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Conditions of employment

• Must be a U.S. Citizen.
• Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective Service.
• Suitable for Federal employment, as determined by background investigation.
• May be required to successfully complete a probationary period.
• Only experience and education obtained by the closing date of this announcement will be considered.
• Resume and supporting documents (See How To Apply).
• If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES or Presidential Appointee employee in the Executive Branch, you must disclose this information to the Human Resources Office.
• FHFA participates in e-Verify. All new hires must complete the I-9 Employment Verification form either on or before their first day of employment. If a discrepancy arises, you must take affirmative steps to resolve the matter.
• This position is eligible for inclusion in the bargaining unit. The union that represents employees in this position is the National Treasury Employees Union (NTEU) Chapter 343.
• The salary for this announcement reflects the EL-12/13 pay range in Washington, DC. Candidate's pay range is based on FHFA's geographical salary structure for their current duty station.
• If the selectee’s duty station is their private residence, it must be situated more than 50 miles from FHFA Headquarters in Washington, DC. Individuals residing within a 50-mile radius must follow the Agency’s Return to In-Person Work requirements.
• Selectees generally must reside within 50 miles of a major airport that have routes to the locations of the eleven Federal Home Loan Banks and the Office of Finance that are efficient based on flight times and costs.
• Please refer to the additional information section for a list of major metropolitan airports.
• Travel is required to the Federal Home Loan Banks, the Office of Finance in Reston, VA, and the Agency headquarters in Washington, DC.
• Salary will be based on location.
• Current FHFA employees who are designated as out-stationed may retain their approved out-stationed duty station if selected.
• Employees who are not designated as out-stationed will be required to report to Constitution Center in accordance with the Agency’s Return to In-Person Work requirements.
• The successful candidate will also enroll in the FHFA Housing Finance Examiner (HFE) Commission Program, unless the person holds a commission from another Federal banking agency.

Qualifications

You may qualify for your desired series and grade level if you meet the following qualification requirements:

BASIC REQUIREMENTS:

To be eligible for the 0570 series, you must meet one of the following requirements:

A. Undergraduate and Graduate Education: Major study -- accounting, banking, business administration, commercial or banking law, economics, finance, marketing, or other fields related to the position.

-OR-

B. Specialized Experience (for positions above GS-5): Examples of qualifying specialized experience include:

• Work requiring a thorough knowledge and the application of commercial accounting or auditing principles and practices (but less than full professional accounting knowledge) with a financial institution.
• Examining or auditing such financial institutions as savings and loan associations, savings or commercial banking institutions or trust companies, farm credit associations, or Federal or State credit unions.
• Professional accounting or auditing work that provided a broad knowledge of the application of accounting or auditing principles and practices.
• Work that provided a thorough knowledge of Federal and State laws applicable to the type of financial institution involved (e.g., savings and loan associations, Bank for Cooperatives, savings or commercial banks, investment institutions, etc.), and of the operations and practices of such institutions.

-OR-

C. Certificate: A certificate as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) obtained through written examination in a State, territory, or the District of Columbia meets the EL/GS-5 level requirements. Applicants with such certificates may also qualify for higher grade levels based on their education and or experience.

In addition to meeting the above basic education, experience, or certification requirements, applicants must also meet the following minimum qualifications for their desired grade level:

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Minimum Qualification EL-12: Applicants must have 52 weeks (one-year) of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level as described below.

Experience: I qualify for the EL/GS-12 because I have at least 52 weeks of specialized experience at the EL/GS-11 or equivalent demonstrating work experience with one or more of the statements described below.

Examples of specialized experience include:

• Conducting examinations or reviews of regulated entities by following established procedures and adapting standard methods, performing research, and developing appropriate analytical approaches under guidance; AND
• Assessing risk, controls, and remediation efforts using established examination techniques to support conclusions with evidence and identify appropriate analytical approaches; AND/OR
• Communicating examination results to management that present the basis for findings and facilitate information exchange to ensure accurate understanding of risks and controls; AND/OR
• Monitoring emerging risks and trends to prepare concise written analyses or recommendations to support supervisory or agency decision-making.

Minimum Qualification EL-13: Applicants must have 52 weeks (one-year) of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level as described below.

Experience: I qualify for the EL/GS-13 because I have at least 52 weeks of specialized experience at the EL/GS-12 or equivalent demonstrating work experience with one or more of the statements described below.

Examples of specialized experience include:

• Developing and executing examination strategies, including adapting and creating methods and procedures to address complex or emerging risk and leading components of CAMELSO assessments; AND
• Evaluating financial performance, risk management practices, and internal controls of regulated entities by conducting advanced research and analysis that identify embedded or emerging risks to tailor examination approaches; AND/OR
• Applying and interpreting supervisory guidance, including examination manuals, advisory bulletins, and policy statements, to ensure examination approaches and findings align with FHFA policies and procedures; AND/OR
• Monitoring industry and market developments to assess their impact on the safety and soundness of regulated entities and provide written analyses and recommendations to support supervisory or agency decisions.

*Audit or safety and soundness examination experience strongly desired. Commissioned examiners strongly encouraged to apply*

**Failure to provide your transcripts, when required, for any of the options above will remove you from the hiring process**

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. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

How you will be evaluated

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

This position is being filled through the Federal Housing Finance Agency's hiring authority granted by the Housing Economic Recovery Act (HERA) and is considered a Mission Critical Occupation. For this reason, veteran's preference does not apply to this announcement.

For this position, you will be required to complete a narrative assessment through your responses to the prompts in the questionnaire portion of the announcement. If you meet the minimum qualification requirements and are eligible for the position, your narrative assessment responses will be evaluated by a panel of subject matter experts. Through your narrative assessment responses, you will be measured on the following competencies:

Competencies:

• Technical Proficiency
• Critical and Analytical Thinking
• Oral and Written Communication

To fulfill the requirements of the narrative assessment, applicants must provide a written response to the following prompts in their assessment questionnaire:

1. Describe a situation where you developed or contributed to the examination strategy for a complex financial institution, including work plan design or CAMELSO component assessment.
2. Provide an example of when you identified embedded or emerging risks within a financial institution or its business line.
3. Describe a time when you applied or interpreted supervisory guidance (examination manual, advisory bulletins, policy statements) to evaluate a financial institution or determine the appropriate examination approach.
4. Provide an example of when you analyzed a large financial institution's financial performance or evaluated its risk management practices, internal controls, or management practices.
5. Describe a situation where you ensured the accuracy and factual basis of examination findings during fieldwork.

We recommend that you preview the online questions for this announcement before you start the application process. To preview the assessment questionnaire: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12927412

All of the information you provide will be verified by a review of the work experience and/or education as shown on your application forms, by checking references or through other means, such as the interview process. This verification could occur at any stage of the application process. Any exaggeration of your experience, false statements, or attempts to conceal information may be grounds for rating you ineligible.

In accordance with the Fair Chance Act, the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) may not request, in oral or written form, that an applicant for an appointment to (FHFA) disclose criminal history record information before the appointing authority extends a tentative offer to the applicant. Allegations of FHFA violations of this Act may be submitted to fairchanceactcomplaints@fhfa.gov or to Fair Chance Act Complaints, Office of Human Resources Management, Employee Relations Branch, FHFA 400 7th Street, SW Washington DC 20219 within 30 days from the agency employee's alleged non-compliance with the law.