Summary Who may apply: Current, permanent DoD Federal Civilian Employees in the competitive service, eligible Priority Placement Program DoD Military Spouse Preference applicants, eligible PPP applicants, and current DoD VRA employees. **This Job Opportunity Announcement is using an additional online assessment tool to evaluate applicants. Please review the HOW YOU WILL BE EVALUATED, REQUIRED DOCUMENTS, HOW TO APPLY and NEXT STEPS sections below for instructions. Responsibilities Provides Retired and Annuitant Pay knowledge for functional and system requirements. Researches and analyzes Defense Retired and Annuitant Payroll System (DRAS), interface systems, databases, and processing cycle issues to assist with automated system advancements. Performs extensive analyses and evaluations of the intra and interrelationship of functions to identify and determine current and future Automated Information System requirements, technological advancements and corporate initiatives. Conducts research to obtain data to be utilized as supporting documentation for problem identification and testing. Studies, analyzes, and evaluates the capability to support DFAS with potential automated system advancements. Recommends improvements and/or simplifications for processing efficiencies. Participates in the daily application of Agile Principles and Scrum practices. Prepares and prioritizes user stories, to include establishing acceptance criteria, to document customer requirements. Performs work such as the transfer of DRAS related workload, monitoring the systems transfer, and validating the reliability of financial data identifying and initiating corrective actions concerning problems associated with the transfer. The duties, described above, represent the major duties performed at the GS-11 level. The duties performed for developmental positions will be of limited scope and complexity to develop skills, proficiency, and work experience. Requirements Conditions of Employment Qualifications You may need to send proof of education or of certification to be considered for this position. Click here for more information on who must submit documentation at the time of application and what documentation is acceptable: Transcripts and Certifications .One year of specialized experience equivalent in level of difficulty and responsibility to that of the next lower grade within the federal service, which demonstrates the ability to perform the duties of the position, is required. To be hired at the GS-9 grade level: One year of specialized experience equivalent in level of difficulty and responsibility to that of the next lower grade (GS-07 if applying at the GS-09 level) within the federal service, which demonstrates the ability to perform the duties of the position, is required. Specialized experience at the GS-09 level is defined as: Researching and interpreting financial regulations, policies and laws to provide substantive recommendations and advice to managers; analyzing and evaluating reports and data from financial systems to identify issues and discrepancies; and researching and interpreting financial policies and laws to resolve financial issues. To be hired at the GS-11 grade level, applicants must minimally have: One year of specialized experience equivalent in level of difficulty and responsibility to that of the next lower grade (GS-9 if applying at the GS-11 level) within the federal service, which demonstrates the ability to perform the duties of the position, is required. Specialized experience at the GS-11 level is defined as: analyzing payroll systems to recommend system enhancements; describing payroll system specifications and requirements to computer programmers and software specialists; developing functional system tests, and performing tests of system changes. Time-in-Grade: Current or former federal employees who have held a GS position in the preceding 52 weeks, must meet the time in grade requirement. To be considered for the GS-9, applicants must have served 52 weeks as a GS-7 or higher in the Federal service. To be considered for the GS-11, applicants must have served 52 weeks as a GS-9 or higher in the Federal service. You may qualify for consideration if meeting time-in grade, specialized experience, education requirement, 90 days after competitive appointment requirement, and all other qualification requirements within 30 calendar days after the closing date of the announcement, unless otherwise indicated on the announcement. Education SUBSTITUTION OF EDUCATION FOR GS-9 SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: A Master's or equivalent graduate level degree or 2 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.B. or J.D. may be substituted to meet the specialized experience requirement. Such education must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work. Equivalent combinations of successfully completed graduate level education and experience may be used to meet total experience requirements. The percentage of education and experience which when combined must total 100% of the necessary education and experience to qualify for this position. (Only education beyond the first 18 semester hours will count toward the percentage.) (You MUST submit transcripts or proof of education to verify your claim) GS-11 Substitution of Education for Experience: Three full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree may be substituted to meet the specialized experience requirement. Equivalent combinations of successfully completed higher-level graduate level education and experience may be used to meet total experience requirements. Additional Information Moving expenses will not be paid. We may use this announcement to make a temporary promotion. For some positions, the temporary promotion may be made permanent without further competition. Selections are subject to restrictions resulting from the DoD Program for Stability of Civilian Employment. As a condition of employment, you may be required to serve a 1-year probationary period during which we'll evaluate whether your continued employment advances the public interest. The evaluation will consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment advances agency or governmental goals; and whether your continued employment advances the efficiency of the Federal service. At the end of the probationary period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification that your continued employment advances the public interest. We may use this announcement to fill additional vacancies within 120 days of the closing date. This position is exempt from the Fair Labor Standards Act. Travel requirement is seldom. This position is covered by a bargaining unit. Priority Placement Program (PPP) Military Spouse Preference (MSP) eligible candidates will receive priority consideration at the highest grade level for which they have applied and been determined best qualified up to and including the full performance level. PPP Application Based Preference Eligibles (Military Reserve and National Guard technicians, Military Reserve and National Guard technicians receiving disability retirement, and Retained Grade employees) will receive priority consideration at the full performance level only. Pay for first time hires to the Federal Government will typically be set at step 1 salary range for their respective grade level. Retired Civil Service Employee: Employment of retired Federal employees receiving an annuity is subject to the requirements of the Department of Defense (DoD) policy guidance. (See DoD Instruction 1400.25, Volume 300, here. The Security Designation will vary and dependent upon position and may require a secret clearance or higher. Employment in this position requires a background investigation which may delay starting date. If you are selected and cannot obtain a favorable security determination within a reasonable period of time due to disclosed/undisclosed background issues, the employment offer may be withdrawn. Individuals selected are required to obtain/maintain a favorable security determination to occupy a sensitive position within the agency as a condition of employment. Failure to maintain eligibility to occupy a sensitive position may result in termination. For more information see the security section of Understanding Vacancy Announcements. This position requires you to obtain and maintain a Level 2 Certification under the DoD Financial Management (FM) Certification Program as a condition of employment. If you are selected, you will have to obtain this certification within two (2) years of your entry on duty in the position unless you are already in a position that requires a Level 2 Certification in which case you must complete the certification within the original 2-year period. Failure to become certified within the required time-frame may be grounds for removal from the position and/or from Federal service. Information about the DoD FM Certification Program is available at: https://www.dfas.mil/onboarding2/certifications/?
