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Financial Specialist

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This position is available in the following series:

GS-0501 - Financial Administration and Program

Position Overview

Financial Specialist work with many levels within the Department including Program Managers, Accountants, and Budget Analysts to monitor, analyze, and recommend solutions related to budgetary and financial data to support strategic and programmatic goals.  If you are detail-oriented, enjoy researching complex issues, are a solution-based problem solver, and enjoy communicating with a diverse group of people across an organization you should consider applying as a financial specialist!  DOI’s culture is the foundation for how we interact with the public and one another as part of our unique, people-focused work environment that allows individuals to build a strong work/life balance which we feel inspires innovation and increased collaboration. We support flexible work schedules with flexibilities including alternate work schedules and telecommuting based on the position, office needs and individual circumstances. 

This position is represented at the following bureaus

Bureau of Indian Affairs
Bureau of Land Management
Bureau of Ocean Energy Management
Bureau of Reclamation
Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement
Office of the Secretary
National Park Service
Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
U.S. Geological Survey

Candidate Description

The ideal candidate has strong quantitative and qualitative skills; the ability to research and apply financial and budgetary concepts, principles, and regulations; excellent written and oral communication skills to write reports, work papers, operating procedures, and guidelines.  In addition, the ability to learn computer-based software to analyze large amounts of data and provide valuable information to stakeholders through account analysis and governmental reporting.

Specialty Areas

  • Accounting 
  • Budget
  • Financial Management
  • Program Management

Work Environment

Work is performed in an office setting with adequate light, heat, and ventilation

Minimum Education Requirements

Please see the Administrative and Management Positions Group Qualification Standard on the OPM websites.

Career Level Requirements

Responsibilities by Level

  • Entry:

    • Examining financial documents for proper accounting classification and authorization
    • Performing reconciliations, analyzing a variety of accounts and entering and processing data into various accounts and the general ledger
    • Adjusting differences between the general ledger and subsidiary accounts; closing entries; preparing monthly trial balances and financial reports; and/or analyzing financial and statistical data from a variety of sources

  • Mid:

    • Reviewing and evaluating financial systems for effectiveness of internal controls and integrity of the organization's financial information.
    • Analyzing processing flows, integration of external system interfaces, and internal subsystem modules; reviewing data in reports and financial statements and identifying abnormal trends and control weaknesses.
    • Reviewing and analyzing financial reports generated by the system, identifying problems and discrepancies, and determining if adjustments or corrections are required.

  • Journey:

    • Develops policy and guidelines for program users and provides authoritative policy interpretations and functional recommendations in the implementation of new legislative and regulatory requirements.
    • Develops systems and procedures for bureau-wide implementation of laws, standards, regulations, and policies.
    • Advises management on changes to function/program workflow practices or procedures, better internal controls, redesign of reports or faster consolidation of data, and how to reduce costs or improve operations.

  • Senior:

    • Developing and maintaining or overseeing the development and maintenance of a complex of automated subsystems to produce accounting and financial information and defining systems specifications.
    • Coordinating the resolution of accounting system issues arising from such factors as changes in legislation, regulation, and/or accounting standards.
    • Testing systems changes to ensure that they do not compromise reporting requirements; evaluating proposals to integrate the accounting system with interfacing administrative support and functional information systems.

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Strengths by Level

Entry 5-7
Mid 9-11
Journey 12-13
Senior 14-15
  • 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.
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    Entry 5-7
    Mid 9-11
    Journey 12-13
    Senior 14-15
  • Attention to Detail
    Is thorough when performing work and conscientious about attending to detail.
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    Entry 5-7
    Mid 9-11
    Journey 12-13
    Senior 14-15
  • Decision Making
    Makes sound, well-informed, and objective decisions; perceives the impact and implications of decisions; commits to action, even in uncertain situations, to accomplish organizational goals; causes change.
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    Entry 5-7
    Mid 9-11
    Journey 12-13
    Senior 14-15
  • Interpersonal Skills
    Treats others with courtesy, sensitivity, and respect. Considers and responds appropriately to the needs and feelings of different people in different situations.
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    Entry 5-7
    Mid 9-11
    Journey 12-13
    Senior 14-15
  • Oral Communication
    Expresses information (for example, ideas or facts) to individuals or groups effectively, taking into account the audience and nature of the information (for example, technical, sensitive, controversial); makes clear and convincing oral presentations; listens to others, attends to nonverbal cues, and responds appropriately.
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    Entry 5-7
    Mid 9-11
    Journey 12-13
    Senior 14-15
  • Problem Solving
    Identifies problems; determines accuracy and relevance of information; uses sound judgment to generate and evaluate alternatives, and to make recommendations.
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    Entry 5-7
    Mid 9-11
    Journey 12-13
    Senior 14-15
  • Reasoning
    Identifies rules, principles, or relationships that explain facts, data, or other information; analyzes information and makes correct inferences or draws accurate conclusions.
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    Entry 5-7
    Mid 9-11
    Journey 12-13
    Senior 14-15
  • Self-Management
    Sets well-defined and realistic personal goals; displays a high level of initiative, effort, and commitment towards completing assignments in a timely manner; works with minimal supervision; is motivated to achieve; demonstrates responsible behavior.
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    Entry 5-7
    Mid 9-11
    Journey 12-13
    Senior 14-15
  • Teamwork
    Encourages and facilitates cooperation, pride, trust, and group identity; fosters commitment and team spirit; works with others to achieve goals.
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    Entry 5-7
    Mid 9-11
    Journey 12-13
    Senior 14-15
  • Technical Competence
    Uses knowledge that is acquired through formal training or extensive on-the-job experience to perform one's job; works with, understands, and evaluates technical information related to the job; advises others on technical issues.
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    Entry 5-7
    Mid 9-11
    Journey 12-13
    Senior 14-15
  • Writing
    Recognizes or uses correct English grammar, punctuation, and spelling; communicates information (for example, facts, ideas, or messages) in a succinct and organized manner; produces written information, which may include technical material, that is appropriate for the intended audience.
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    Entry 5-7
    Mid 9-11
    Journey 12-13
    Senior 14-15