Financial Management Specialist

Summary

This position is located in the Fiscal Service, at the VA Western Colorado Health Care System, Grand Junction, Colorado. Incumbent works with leadership and customers to provide advice, analysis, and assistance regarding payroll, accounting, budget functions to other financial managers and facility Service Chiefs.

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Duties

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Duties include but are not limited to:

1. Provides advice, assistance, analysis, and information to other financial managers regarding accounting and budget functions and the application of accounting and budgeting principles, policies, and procedures. The work requires knowledge and application of accounting and budgeting principles and procedures as well as data processing techniques and procedures both directly and indirectly related to the financial management system as it relates to accounting and budget processing. This assistance impacts the day-to-day processing of financial, accounting and budget execution data and ensures the integrity, propriety, accuracy and timeliness of accounting and budgeting transactions.

2. Support to analyze and direct the recording of all transactions in the general ledger, allotment ledger, and operating cost ledger to provide a complete accounting on an accrual basis for assets, liabilities, operating, and budgeting accounts.

3. Examines a variety of documents, records and accounting/budgeting reports to ensure compliance with policies, new operating procedures and revised regulations.

4. Participates in decision-making sessions and advises the systems accountant, budget analysts and the financial manager on regulatory requirements, financial policies, and data interpretation.

5. Perform as a liaison for employee payroll, working with employee, timekeeping group, and Financial Services Center (FSC).

6. Incumbent should have an advanced working knowledge of Microsoft programs including Excel, Access, Word, Outlook, and PowerPoint.

Promotion Potential: The selectee may be promoted to the full performance level without further competition when all regulatory, qualification, and performance requirements are met. Selection at a lower grade level does not guarantee promotion to the full performance level.

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00am to 4:30pm; Alternate Work Schedule Available

Telework: This position may be authorized for ad-hoc telework. Telework eligibility will be discussed during the interview process.

Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Position Description/PD#: Financial Management Specialist / PD137840, PD137830, and PD137820

Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized

Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

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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
• Physical Requirements: The work required does not inherently include any physical requirements essential for successful job performance that could not otherwise be performed with accommodation or workplace adjustment. A pre-placement physical examination is not required.
• 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.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP)

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period or 2-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 probationary 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, 09/21/2026.

You may qualify based on your experience and/or education as described below:

GS-07

• Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-05 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: in-depth or broad knowledge of a body of accounting regulations, practices, procedures, policies, laws, and requirements to ensure compliance related to the Medical Center financial management functions; Knowledge of a wide variety of interrelated steps, conditions and procedures or processes required to maintain complex accounting or other fiscal transactions to include allotments, accrual, cost, and general ledger accounting methods and techniques; Knowledge must be sufficient to maintain, balance, and reconcile accounts with extensive subdivision of accounts; Knowledge of automated Financial Management System (FMS) to analyze and classify unusual transactions and to determine the specific procedures required to reflect the action in all related general ledger accounts; Knowledge of the VA accounting system and related documents in order to locate and analyze data pertaining to the payroll, accounting, and budgets for the various programs. Basic knowledge of the payroll, accounting, and budget procedures used to obtain appropriate funding at the Medical Center; Skill and knowledge in using a personal computer for budget related spreadsheet applications. . OR,
• Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have successfully completed one (1) full year of graduate level education OR superior academic achievement that demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of this position. OR,
• Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have an combination of specialized experience and education beyond a Bachelors degree.

GS-09

• Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-07 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: comprehensive detailed knowledge and understanding of VA accounting and budgetary policies, payroll, precedent setting decisions, procedures, and regulations issued by the VA and the Medical Center to assure that budget estimates and submissions conform to requirements, guidelines and financial objectives; Ability to use judgement as necessary to weigh the adequacy of prescribed procedures, maintain accuracy in all required computations, retain alertness in identifying errors, and utilize timelessness in submitting statistical summaries; Knowledge of the goals, objectives, workforce composition, work methods, and functions of research, which are sufficient to enable determination of whether requests for funding and expenditures are proper, necessary and timely; Knowledge of the VA accounting system, VATAS time and attendance, and related documents in order to locate and analyze data pertaining to the budgets for the various programs which collect and maintain a significant amount of accounting and statistical data that produce numerous reports involving a high volume of account and a complex series of relationships; Possess a high degree of skill in analytical reasoning, the ability to apply that skill to the identification, analysis, and conceptualization of budgetary programs, and the development of alternative solutions involving the resolution of conflicting goals and objectives (e.g., increasing workload coupled with decreasing availability of funds for salaries, supplies and equipment). Ability to develop a comprehensive training plan for the analysis piece of budgeting for current employees and updating it as needed; Skill and knowledge in using a personal computer for budget related spreadsheet applications. OR,
• Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have successfully completed a master's or equivalent graduate degree OR two (2) full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree OR an LL.B. or J.D., if related, that demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of this position. OR,
• Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have an combination of specialized experience and education beyond a Masters degree.

GS-11

• Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-09 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: comprehensive detailed knowledge and understanding of VA accounting and budgetary policies, payroll, precedent setting decisions, procedures, and regulations issued by the VA and the Medical Center to assure that budget estimates and submissions conform to requirements, guidelines and financial objectives; Ability to use judgement as necessary to weigh the adequacy of prescribed procedures, maintain accuracy in all required computations, retain alertness in identifying errors, and utilize timelessness in submitting statistical summaries; Knowledge of the goals, objectives, workforce composition, work methods, and functions of research, which are sufficient to enable determination of whether requests for funding and expenditures are proper, necessary and timely; Knowledge of the VA accounting system, VATAS time and attendance, and related documents in order to locate and analyze data pertaining to the budgets for the various programs which collect and maintain a significant amount of accounting and statistical data that produce numerous reports involving a high volume of account and a complex series of relationships; Possess a high degree of skill in analytical reasoning, the ability to apply that skill to the identification, analysis, and conceptualization of budgetary programs, and the development of alternative solutions involving the resolution of conflicting goals and objectives (e.g., increasing workload coupled with decreasing availability of funds for salaries, supplies and equipment). Ability to develop a comprehensive training plan for the analysis piece of budgeting for current employees and updating it as needed; Skill and knowledge in using a personal computer for budget related spreadsheet applications. OR,
• Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have successfully completed a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree OR three (3) full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree OR an LL.M., if related, that demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of this position. OR,
• Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have an combination of specialized experience and education beyond a Masters degree.

For more information on these qualification standards, please visit the United States Office of Personnel Management's website at

Education

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:

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/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.

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.

This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.

The Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) and Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) provide eligible displaced 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 well-qualified: applicants must possess experience that exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors, and who are proficient in most of the required competencies of the job. Information about ICTAP and CTAP eligibility is on OPM's Career Transition Resources website at

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. 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 former Federal employees applying for reinstatement as well as current employees applying for Veterans Employment Opportunities Act of 1998 (VEOA) appointment.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

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