Summary This position is located at the Great Lakes St. Lawrence Seaway in Massena, NY and is primarily responsible for planning, coordinating, and organizing the administrative aspects of the finance office. The candidate is responsible for performing technician work in support of accounting, budgeting and financial management functions. The selected candidate will perform various kinds of duties by applying practical knowledge of regulations and precedent cases. Responsibilities The Recent Graduate's duties include: Be responsible for performing technician work in support of accounting, budgeting, and financial management functions. Prepare data for automated financial systems. Use a variety of computer software. Manipulate data tables, Excel spreadsheets and correct data errors. Communicate with co-workers, suppliers/vendors and other government agencies to exchange information and to provide advice necessary for accomplishing assignments, coordinating the timely submission of information needed to compile program, accounting and administrative documents and correspondence and to obtain, clarify, or provide information on the status of accounts or administrative matters. The ideal candidate is an individual who is self-motivated and demonstrates a desire to learn and excel in a working environment. This person should have a willingness to explore and follow best practices. This person should have excellent analytical and quantitative problem-solving skills and possess strong organizational and planning skills. Candidates should possess interpersonal and customer service skills to include an ability to interact effectively with many levels of staff and leadership. Requirements Conditions of Employment You must be a U.S. Citizen and meet Pathways Recent Graduate requirement. Submit application and resume online by 11:59 PM EST on the closing date. Review Required Documents Section as documents are required by closing date Must meet Recent Grad requirements by closing date. CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT: PATHWAYS RECENT GRADUATE PROGRAM ELIGIBILITY - You must: Have obtained a qualifying associates, bachelors, master's, professional, doctorate, vocational or technical degree or certificate from a qualifying educational institution, within the previous 2 years unless military service interfered with a veteran’s eligibility to apply during that two year time frame. Veterans meeting the above exclusion may apply within 2 years of discharge or 6 years from the date of receipt of the degree whichever comes first; Provide required documentation to verify degree has been, or will be, completed prior to appointment. Meet the basic qualification standards outlined under the Qualifications section for this series and grade level. Exceptions are made for veterans, as defined in 5 USC 2108, who, due to military service obligations, were precluded from applying to the Program during the two-year eligibility period described above. These individuals have a full two-year period of eligibility upon their release or discharge from active duty. In no event, however, may their eligibility period extend beyond six years from the date on which they completed their academic requirements. If selected, you: Must sign a Pathways Recent Graduate Program Participant Agreement; Will serve on an excepted service appointment for at least a two year trial period; Will enter a formal training program with a mentor and execute an Individual Development Plan outlining training requirements and program expectations; Must be provided at least 40 hours of interactive training, directly linked to your employment field, within 45 days of appointment; Will be assigned a mentor within 90 days of appointment; Will be evaluated for conversion to a term or permanent appointment in the competitive service at the end of two years. ADDITIONAL CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT: SELECTIVE SERVICE: Males born after 12/31/1959 must be registered for the Selective Service. DECLARATION FOR FEDERAL EMPLOYMENT: Selectee is required to complete a Declaration for Federal Employment (OF-306) to determine suitability for federal employment. BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION: A background security investigation is required for all selected individuals. Appointment will be subject to the applicant’s successful completion of the security investigation and favorable adjudication. Failure to meet these requirements will be grounds for termination. Qualifications To determine which eligibility, review the following grade specific details. You will be asked questions as part of your application but make sure to verify how you meet this experience and/or education in your resume and/or uploaded transcripts or you may be deemed ineligible. To qualify on Education for the GS-05, you must have: 4 years above high school specialized experience. To meet the minimum qualifications for this position, you must meet the education requirement OR experience qualifications for the grade at which you are requesting consideration. Students enrolled in a qualifying degree program can apply if the anticipated graduation date is within six months of closing date of the announcement. Graduation transcript must be received before start date. To qualify on Experience for the GS-05, you must have at least one year of equal or equivalent experience equal to the GS-04, which includes: Experience working with internal and outside customers to problem solve and resolve issues in a professional manner. Experience reviewing documents for accuracy and completeness. Experience assisting and resolving conflicts in priorities and deadlines. Experience performing clerical or technical tasks without direct managerial influence. To qualify for the GS-06, you must have at least one year of equal or equivalent experience equal to the GS-05, which includes: Experience using accounting, budgeting and financial management filing and document control systems. Experience assisting and resolving conflicts in priorities and deadlines. Experience applying regulations, requirements, procedures, and automated operations associated with technical duties related to accounting, budgeting and financial management support functions. There is no education substitute specialized experience. To qualify for the GS-07, you must have at least one year of equal or equivalent experience equal to the GS-06, which includes: Experience preparing documents and transactions used to analyze budgetary information. Experience analyzing accounting, budgetary and financial practices, procedures, regulations, policies, and processes of accounting systems. There is no education substitute specialized experience. KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES (KSAs): Your qualifications will be evaluated on the basis of your level of knowledge, skills, abilities and/or competencies in the following areas: Computer Skills - Uses computers, software applications, databases, and automated systems to accomplish work. Customer Service - Anticipates and meets the needs of both internal and external customers. Delivers high-quality products and services; is committed to continuous improvement. Manages and Organizes Information - Identifies a need; gathers, organizes, and maintains information; determines its importance and accuracy, and communicates it by a variety of methods. Teamwork - Encourages and facilitates cooperation, pride, trust, and group identity; fosters commitment and team spirit; works with others to achieve goals. 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. For additional information about applying to Federal positions, please click on the following link: https://www.opm.gov/frequently-asked-questions/employment-faq/federal-hiring/how-do-i-apply-for-federal-jobs/ Other applicants must meet all qualification requirements by the closing date of this announcement. RECENT GRADUATE PROGRAM ELIGIBILITY: (If qualifying on education for the GS-5) *Applicants must have obtained a qualifying associates, bachelors, master's, professional, doctorate, vocational or technical degree or certificate from a qualifying educational institution, within the previous 2 years unless military service interfered with a veterans eligibility to apply during that two year time frame. Veterans meeting the above exclusion may apply within 2 years of discharge or 6 years from the date of receipt of the degree whichever comes first. (http://www.opm.gov/qualifications/policy/ApplicationOfStds-04.asp) for information on crediting education. You must provide a copy of ALL of your college/vocational/technical transcript(s). See "Required Documents" section for additional information. Applicants may refer to the U.S. Department of Education’s Institutional Accreditation System to determine whether their school/program is accredited: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/Search.aspx. Education completed outside of the United States must be deemed equivalent to that gained in conventional/accredited U.S. education programs to be acceptable for Federal employment. See OPM's General Policies (http://www.opm.gov/qualifications/policy/ApplicationOfStds-04.asp) for information on crediting education. 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. Accreditation: Only education from an accredited college or university recognized by the Department of Education is acceptable to meet education requirements or to substitute for experience, if applicable. For additional information, please go to the Office of Personnel Management at http://www.opm.gov/qualifications/ and U.S. Department of Education website at http://www2.ed.gov/admins/finaid/accred/index.html. Foreign Education: If your education was completed or is from foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show that the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. For further information, visit: http://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html. Education Additional Information Conditions of Employment Continued: GOVERNMENT TRAVEL CARD: A government contractor-issued travel card will be issued and must be retained for official business only. TRIAL PERIOD: The recent graduate is in a trial period throughout the entire Pathways Recent Graduate/FHWA PDP appointment. PHYSICAL LOCATION: The recent graduate will be required to work onsite. PLEASE NOTE: This position is for RECENT GRADUATES. For additional information regarding the Recent Graduates program visit: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/hiring-information/students-recent-graduates/#url=graduates. Duty locations will vary. The difference in salary is determined by the locality pay in each location. Salaries for all areas are available on the OPM website at: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/pay-leave/salaries-wages/2024/general-schedule/ MOBILITY AGREEMENT: Appointees will be required to sign a Mobility Agreement. If you decline a position due to geographic location, you will receive no further consideration under this announcement. This agreement states that in order to be placed in the program, or upon graduation from the program, you may be assigned to any location, within the Agency and that you will move to the new duty location. Failure to relocate can be used as the basis for non-selection and failure to relocate after completion of the program can be the basis for your termination from the Federal service. IMPORTANT: Applicants must be open to geographic mobility for developmental assignments and permanent placement relocation nationwide. If you decline a position due to geographic location, you will receive no further consideration under this announcement. SERVICE AGREEMENT: Appointees will be required to sign an agreement to continue in service upon completion of the Professional Development Program and serve in the agency for two times the length of the training period (approximately 24 months). TELEWORK ELIGIBILITY: This position is approved for occasional telework. The number of telework days approved is determined by the agency policy, emergency situations, the approval of your immediate supervisor, and if applicable, approval of additional officials. You are required to report to the office on a regular basis since this is not a full-time telework position, or approved as a remote work position. For more information on the Pathways Program, please visit: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/hiring-information/students-recent-graduates/#url=Program-Fact-Sheets. The Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs Act prohibits the Department of Transportation and its Operating Administrations from requesting an applicant's criminal history record before that individual receives a conditional offer of employment. In accordance with 5 U.S. Code § 9202(c) and 5 C.F.R § 920.201 certain positions are exempt from the provisions of the Fair Chance to Compete Act. Applicants who believe they have been subjected to a violation of the Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs Act, may submit a written complaint to the Department of Transportation by email at, FairChanceAct@dot.gov. To learn more, please visit our page at: The Fair Chance to Compete Act | US Department of Transportation This announcement may be used to fill additional positions if similar vacancies occur within 90 days of the issue date of the referral certificate.