Financial Management Specialist

Summary This position is located within the Department of Veteran Affairs Financial Services Center (FSC) Corporate Travel & Charge Card Service's (CTCCS) Charge Card Services Division. The incumbent serves as a Travel Card Coordinator in the Travel Card Operations Section (TCOS), responsible for being proficient with VA's E-Gov Travel Service (ETS) and travel regulations, policies, and procedures in order to provide timely, accurate, and useful customer service across VA's travel community. Responsibilities The initial application review cut-off for this job announcement is 50 applications. The first 50 applications received will be considered first. Applications received after the initial cut-off number (50 applications) may not receive consideration unless otherwise requested by management. If management requests additional certificates, applicants will continue to be reviewed in groups of 50 in the order they applied. Note: Submitting multiple applications will change the order in which your application is reviewed. Major Duties: Prepares and maintains reports and spreadsheets for internal use, customer distribution, and accounting and statistical purposes. Performs travel card management responsibilities such as generating, analyzing, and disseminating travel card reports. Proposes recommendations based on travel card behaviors and usage and refers suspected misuse of the travel card to identified points of contact for investigation and appropriate action. Apply problem solving techniques and processes to include clarifying and validating problems, breaking down problems, setting targets, determining root cause, developing countermeasures, implementing countermeasures, monitoring results and process, and standardizing successful processes. Responds to system-related inquiries received through email, phone, or customer service applications that may include unusual circumstances, variations in approach, and incomplete or conflicting data. Uses proper English grammar, spelling, and punctuation, and applies business writing etiquette and techniques. Writes in an active voice and in a clear, concise, and logical manner, conveying tactual information of a technical nature with minimal corrections. Written communication will be submitted accurately and timely. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00 am - 4:30 pm Compressed/Flexible: Available with supervisory approval. Telework: Ad hoc telework (situational telework) available as determined by the agency policy. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Description/PD#: PD15124A and PD15123A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized. Financial Disclosure Report: Not required Physical Demands: Typically, the employee may sit comfortably to do the work. There may be some walking, standing, bending, carrying of small items such as papers, books, small parts etc. No special physical demands are required to perform the work. This position involves a multi-grade career ladder. The major duties listed below represent the full performance level of GS-09. At the GS-07 grade level, you will perform assignments of a more limited scope and with less independence. You will progressively acquire the background necessary to perform at the full performance level of GS-09. Promotion is at the discretion of the supervisor and is contingent upon satisfactory performance, availability of higher level work, and availability of funds. Promotion is not guaranteed and no promise of promotion is implied. Requirements Conditions of Employment You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job To be considered for this position, you must complete all required steps in the process. In addition to the application and questionnaire, this position requires an online assessment. The online assessment measures critical general competencies required to perform the job. Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959 You may be required to serve a probationary period Subject to background/security investigation Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements ( Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment. As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you may be required to serve a one year probationary period or two year 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 one year probationary period or two year trial period your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest. Qualifications To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 07/30/2026. Time-In-Grade Requirement: Applicants who are current Federal employees and have held a GS grade any time in the past 52 weeks must also meet time-in-grade requirements by the closing date of this announcement. For a GS-07 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-05. For a GS-09 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-07. The grade may have been in any occupation, but must have been held in the Federal service. An SF-50 that shows your time-in-grade eligibility must be submitted with your application materials. If the most recent SF-50 has an effective date within the past year, it may not clearly demonstrate you possess one-year time-in-grade, as required by the announcement. In this instance, you must provide an additional SF-50 that clearly demonstrates one-year time-in-grade. Note: Time-In-Grade requirements also apply to some former Federal employees applying for reinstatement, as well as current employees applying for Veterans Employment Opportunities Act of 1998 (VEOA) appointment. See the Required Document section below for more information regarding the SF-50s needed to verify time-in-grade. You may qualify based on your experience and/or education / experience/combination as described below: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education. Specialized Experience for GS-7: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-5 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Specialized experience is defined as: Providing customer support related to financial management, accounting, travel, or similar program operations; Researching and resolving routine financial, travel, or accounting issues by applying established policies, procedures, or regulations; Processing, reviewing, or maintaining financial, accounting, or travel-related transactions or records to ensure accuracy and completeness; and Preparing reports, responding to customer inquiries, or performing administrative support using automated financial or travel systems. . OR, Education for GS-7: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have 1 full year of graduate level education or a Bachelor's degree with superior academic achievement; OR, Combination for GS-7: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have an combination of specialized experience and education beyond a full 4-year course of study leading to a bachelor's degree. Specialized Experience for GS-9: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-7 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Specialized experience is defined as: Analyzing financial, accounting, or travel-related data to identify issues and recommend solutions; Interpreting and applying financial, accounting, travel, or agency policies and procedures to resolve customer or program issues; Reviewing, validating, or auditing financial or travel transactions to ensure compliance and accuracy while resolving discrepancies; and Providing technical assistance or guidance to customers or employees regarding financial management, accounting, or travel systems and processes. ; OR Education for GS-9: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have a Master's or equivalent graduate degree or 2 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.B. or J.D., if related; OR Combination for GS-9: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have an combination of specialized experience and education beyond 1 full year of graduate level education. You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position: Customer Service Technical Competence Compliance Financial Systems Teamwork 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; religions; 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. Note: Resume must include job title and employer name, number of hours worked per week, start and end dates (including month and year), list of duties and responsibilities for each position held. In addition, if the experience was a federal position, you must list series and grade for each position held. Failure to include this information may result in an ineligible rating. A full year of work is considered to be 40 hours of work per week. Part-time experience will be credited on the basis of time actually spent in appropriate activities. Applicants wishing to receive credit for such experience must indicate clearly the nature of their duties and responsibilities in each position and the number of hours a week spent in such employment. Physical Requirements: The work is primarily sedentary in nature. For more information on these qualification standards, please visit the United States Office of Personnel Management's website at The Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) and Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) provide eligible displaced Federal/VA competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. To be qualified you must submit appropriate documentation (a copy of the agency notice, your most recent performance rating, and your most recent SF-50 noting current position, grade level, and duty location) and be found well-qualified for this vacancy. To be found well qualified, applicants must meet the following qualifications: Experience independently analyzing complex financial management, travel, or accounting issues and developing recommendations that improve program operations, ensure regulatory compliance, or resolve systemic problems. Experience interpreting and applying Federal Travel Regulations (FTR), financial policies, or agency procedures to resolve complex customer, financial, or travel-related issues requiring independent judgment. Experience analyzing financial or operational data to identify trends, recommend process improvements, and implement solutions that improve efficiency, accuracy, or customer service. Experience providing technical guidance, training, or consultation to employees, customers, or stakeholders on financial management, travel systems, accounting processes, or related program operations. Experience utilizing financial management or travel systems to research, troubleshoot, audit, validate, and resolve complex transactions or system issues involving multiple stakeholders or organizational components. Experience coordinating or leading projects, process improvements, or operational initiatives involving financial management, travel administration, or accounting functions that required collaboration across multiple offices or organizations. Information about ICTAP and CTAP eligibility is on OPM's Career Transition Resources website at Education Education for GS-07: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have 1 full year of graduate level education or a Bachelor's degree with superior academic achievement. Superior academic achievement (SAA) is a provision that recognizes students who have achieved superior academic standing as evidenced by (1) class standing, (2) grade-point average, or (3) honor society membership. To be creditable under this provision, applicants must have completed all the requirements for a bachelor's degree in a curriculum that is qualifying for the position to be filled and must submit proof from their educational institution that they meet one of the criteria listed below: Class standing -- Applicants must be in the upper third of the graduating class in the college, university, or major subdivision, such as the College of Liberal Arts or the School of Business Administration, based on completed courses. Grade-point average (G.P.A.) -- Applicants must have a grade-point average of: 3.0 or higher out of a possible 4.0 ("B" or better) as recorded on their official transcript, or as computed based on 4 years of education, or as computed based on courses completed during the final 2 years of the curriculum; or 3.5 or higher out of a possible 4.0 ("B+" or better) based on the average of the required courses completed in the major field or the required courses in the major field completed during the final 2 years of the curriculum. Election to membership in a national scholastic honor society -- Applicants can be considered eligible based on membership in one of the national scholastic honor societies recognized by the Association of College Honor Societies. Membership in a freshman honor society cannot be used to meet the requirements of this provision. For more information regarding SAA, please visit: General Schedule Qualification Policies (opm.gov) Education for GS-9: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have a Master's or equivalent graduate degree or 2 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.B. or J.D. A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education. Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: Recognition of Foreign Qualifications | International Affairs Office. Additional Information Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration (HRA) at The Fair Chance Act. Special Employment Consideration: VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply, including those eligible for hiring under 5 CFR 213.3102(u), Schedule A, Appointment of persons with disabilities [i.e., intellectual disabilities, severe physical disabilities, or psychiatric disabilities], and/or Disabled veterans with a compensable service-connected disability of 30% or more. Contact the Agency Contact for information on how to apply under this appointment authority via the Selective Placement Coordinator. Placement Policy: The posting of this announcement does not obligate management to fill a vacancy or vacancies by promotion. The position may be filled by reassignment, change to lower grade, transfer, appointment, or reinstatement. Management may use any one or any combination of these methods to fill the position. It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members. For more information on the "Who may apply" eligibility requirements, please refer to the OHRM Status Candidates and Other Candidate Definitions document. Veterans' Preference: Eligible Veterans should claim preference for 5pt (TP), 10pt (CP/CPS/XP), or for Sole Survivor Preference (SSP). Documentation is required to award preference. For more information, please visit Reasonable Accommodation (RA) Requests: If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be granted the opportunity to request a RA in your online application. Requests for RA for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for RA must be received prior to starting the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. Decisions on requests for RA are made on a case-by-case basis. If you meet the minimum qualifications of the position, after notification of the adjudication of your request, you will receive an email invitation to complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, based on your adjudication decision. You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments if you received the link after the close of the announcement. To determine if you need a RA, please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments here: Local Commuting Area: The local commuting area for this position is defined as a radius of 50 miles from Austin TX. This includes all locations that fall within a 50-mile driving distance from 8000 Metropolis Dr, Bldg B, Austin, TX 78744.