Auditor (Performance), GS-0511-07/09 (DE) Open Continuous

Summary This position is with the U.S. Department of Education (ED), Office of Inspector General (OIG), Audit Services component. Audit Services is responsible for all audit, inspection, and other activities relating to improving ED programs and operations. It fulfills this responsibility, in large part, through teams that are aligned to provide oversight of assigned functional areas that include ED operations, elementary and secondary education, and higher education. Learn more about this agency Duties This is an open continuous announcement to fill current and future vacancies until 12/31/2026, or if management decides to close the announcement early. Fraud doesn’t stop, and neither do we. We’re ED OIG, an independent oversight office within ED charged with identifying and preventing fraud, waste, and abuse, and ensuring accountability and effectiveness in ED programs. If you want to help fight fraud and make a difference for America’s students, schools, and taxpayers, we may have the career for you! We offer competitive salaries, opportunities for rapid and substantial salary increases and career growth, great benefits, employee recognition programs, and more. Often referred to as America’s watchdogs, it’s the OIG’s job to help ensure that hard-earned tax dollars that fund ED programs and operations are used as intended by law, achieve the desired results, and reach the intended recipients. OIG conducts audits and reviews of issues involving Federal student aid, K–12 schools, charter schools, special education, career and technical education, adult education, and more. When our work identifies problems, we propose solutions. Our work has resulted in improvements to ED programs and changes to some of the most important Federal education laws in our country. OIG also conducts criminal and civil investigations into suspected fraudulent activities by schools, colleges, universities, contractors, subcontractors, school officials—any entity or individual that participates in ED programs or receives ED funding. Our work has unraveled multimillion-dollar fraud schemes by people placed in positions of trust to educate our children. We’re also on the cutting edge of cybersecurity, using the latest technology and techniques to discover and defeat current and emerging threats from cyber and economic crime. We tackle new and emerging issues head-on, continually work to improve our techniques and capabilities, and consistently expand our expertise by training and developing staff. This dedication has enabled OIG to become a leader in the Federal government in the areas of audits, investigations, and fighting cybercrime. Whether you’re just entering the workforce or are a seasoned professional, if you’re looking for a career rather than just a job, and interested in shaping the next generation of Americans tackling tomorrow’s challenges, consider joining our team. Audit Services is responsible for all audit, inspection, and other activities to promote economy, efficiency, and effectiveness, and prevent and detect fraud and abuse, in ED programs and operations. This position would be with one of the following Audit Services teams: Internal Operations Oversight Team. Based in Washington, DC, this team conducts audit-related work focused on ED-wide operations and program management, including high-profile work related to contracts and grant programs, requests by Congress, OIG Hotline complaints, and statutorily-required assignments. It provides the means for OIG to build and maintain program and technical expertise in a multitude of areas across ED. Elementary and Secondary Education Oversight Team. Based in various offices throughout the country, this team conducts audit-related work focused on Federal elementary and secondary education programs, as well as special education and rehabilitative services programs. It provides the means for OIG to build and maintain program or technical expertise in these areas. Higher Education Oversight Team. Based in various offices throughout the country, this team conducts audit-related work focused on Federal higher education programs, including the Federal student aid programs, as well as career and technical education programs. It provides the means for OIG to build and maintain program or technical expertise in these areas. As a Performance Auditor at the GS-7 level in an entry-level capacity, the incumbent will participate in the planning and design of Audit Services projects; completion of evaluation, research, and data analysis activities, and in assessments of data quality and reliability, risk, and internal control design and implementation; and preparation of written work products, including interview writeups, document reviews, spreadsheets, summaries, and exhibits. As a Performance Auditor at the GS-9 level in a developmental capacity, the incumbent will assist in the planning and design of Audit Services projects and contribute to the completion of related activities; assist in the completion of evaluation, research, and data analysis activities, and in assessments of data quality and reliability, risk, and internal control design and implementation; and participate in the preparation of written work products, including interview writeups, document reviews, spreadsheets, summaries, and exhibits, and in the development of conclusions and preparation of reporting elements in relation to the project’s objectives. Requirements Conditions of employment You must be a U.S. citizen. May be required to complete a background clearance and fingerprint check. Males 18 and over must be registered with the Selective Service. Condition of Employment: As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you may be required to serve a probationary period or 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 OR trial period your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest. You must meet all qualification requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this vacancy announcement. 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. We will consider all qualifying experience, including any volunteer experience. Qualifications Basic Requirements for Performance Auditors Degree: auditing; or a degree in a related field such as business administration, finance, public administration or accounting. OR Combination of education and experience: at least 4 years of experience in Performance Auditing, or an equivalent combination of performance auditing experience, college-level education, and training that provided professional auditing knowledge. The applicant's background must also include one of the following: A certificate as a Certified Internal Auditor or a Certified Public Accountant, obtained through written examination; or Completion of the requirements for a degree that included substantial course work in auditing or accounting, e.g., 15 semester hours. In addition to meeting the Basic Requirement above, the incumbent must also meet the minimum qualification requirements below. Minimum Qualification Requirements: For the GS-7, you must meet one of the following: Specialized Experience for the GS-7 level: One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-5 grade level or equivalent public or private sector experience that has equipped you with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the three (3) following duties or work assignments below: Knowledge of auditing concepts, principles, and practices. Skill in written and oral communication.  Ability to work well on a team/interpersonal communication. OR One (1) year of graduate-level education. OR A bachelor's degree with Superior Academic Achievement (S.A.A). S.A.A. is based on (1) class standing, (2) grade-point average or (3) honor society membership. 1. 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. 2. 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. Grade-point averages are to be rounded to one decimal place.  For example, 2.95 will round to 3.0 and 2.94 will round to 2.9. 3. Honor society membership -- Applicants can be considered eligible based on membership in one of the national scholastic honor societies (except for freshman honor societies).  These honor societies are listed by the Association of College Honor Societies https://www.achshonor.org/ OR Combination of Experience and Education. Completion of a percentage of the one-year graduate education requirement and a percentage of the one-year specialized work experience that combined equals 100%. Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs) The quality of your experience will be measured by the extent to which you possess the following knowledge, skills and abilities (KSAs): Ability to carry out assigned tasks using specific methods. Ability to research and interpret financial, statistical, performance, economic, and/or accounting data and other information. Ability to analyze information and accurately reflect that analysis in a written work product. For the GS-9, you must meet one of the following: Specialized Experience for the GS-9 level: One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-7 grade level or equivalent public or private sector experience that has equipped you with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the three (3) following duties or work assignments below: General knowledge of auditing concepts, principles, and practices, and of methods and techniques to perform assignments. Skill in written and oral communication, including an ability to develop sound conclusions and effective recommendations and to communicate with officials at various organizational levels. Ability to work well on a team/interpersonal communication, and to provide accurate guidance and timely assistance to team members and others.  OR Master's or equivalent graduate degree OR; Two (2) full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree; OR LL.B or J.D., if related; OR Combination of Experience and Education. Completion of a percentage of the two-year graduate education requirement and a percentage of the one-year specialized work experience that combined equals 100%. Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs) The quality of your experience will be measured by the extent to which you possess the following knowledge, skills and abilities (KSAs): Ability to identify appropriate information sources and follow protocols specific to assigned programs and reviews. Ability to research and interpret financial, statistical, performance, economic, and/or accounting data and other information, and to apply conclusions to recommend actions and decisions. Ability to analyze information from multiple sources and accurately reflect that analysis in a written work product that requires limited revision by other team members. Education This position has a positive education requirement.  Please see Basic Requirements above. Additional information Veterans’ Career Counseling: If you are a veteran interested in receiving tips on preparing a Federal resume and/or how to prepare for an interview, you may email [email protected] to schedule a session with a career counselor (“Veterans Counseling Session” should be placed in the subject line of the email). Student Loan Default: If selected for this position, we will verify that you have not defaulted on any loan funded or guaranteed by the U.S. Department of Education. If you are found to be in default, we will contact you to make arrangements for repayment prior to making an official offer of employment. Suitability and Investigation: If selected for this position, you will be required to complete the Declaration for Federal Employment (OF-306) to determine your suitability for federal employment and successfully complete a pre-appointment investigation/background check. Essential/Non-Essential: This position is considered non-essential for purposes of reporting to work during federal government closures. Selections: Agencies have broad authority under law to hire from any appropriate source of eligibles and may fill a vacancy in the competitive service by any method authorized. We may make additional selections from this vacancy announcement within 90 days from the date the selection certificates are issued, should vacancies occur. We may also share selection certificates amongst program offices across the agency. Expand Hide  additional information 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. Benefits A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits. As an ED employee, you will also benefit from our family-friendly work environment. As part of our commitment to maintain a work life balance, we offer excused leave for Parent/Teacher Conferences (3 hours); excused leave for annual health screenings (4 hours); and matching leave for community volunteer service. Other flexibilities that may be available to you include alternative work schedules. You may be eligible to receive a recruitment incentive for this position. To receive this incentive payment, you will be required to sign a service agreement obligating you to remain with the U.S. Department of Education for a specified period as agreed upon. You may be eligible to receive a relocation incentive for this position. To receive this incentive payment, you will be required to sign a service agreement obligating you to remain with the U.S. Department of Education for a specified period as agreed upon. You may be eligible to participate in the Student Loan Repayment Program as a recruitment incentive for this position. To receive student loan repayments, you will be required to sign a service agreement obligating you to remain with the U.S. Department of Education for a specified period as agreed upon. Review our benefits Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.