PATHWAYS RECENT GRADUATE (PDP) - Financial Specialist

Please be sure that you have read and meet the following mandatory requirements before proceeding:

• DOT Pathways Recent Graduate Program requirements (outlined under the Requirements section).

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

You must provide a copy of ALL of your college/vocational/technical transcript(s). See  "Required Documents" section for additional information.

Note that current students enrolled in a qualifying degree program can apply if the anticipated graduation date is within six months of the closing date of this announcement. Graduation transcript must be received before start date. Other applicants must meet all qualification requirements by the closing date of this announcement.

If the above has been met, then review the following grade specific experience and/or education qualifications to determine if you meet full eligibility before applying:

To meet the minimum qualifications for this position, you must meet the education requirement AND experience qualifications for the grade at which you are requesting consideration.

For the GS-07:

On Experience, you must have at least one year of experience, equal or equivalent to the GS-05 grade level, which included:

• Experience gathering and entering data to produce reports and queries from various systems or databases. Or
• Experience utilizing standard procedures and customer service techniques; Or
• Experience organizing and accomplishing work assignments and meeting deadlines.

Or on Education, you must have at least completion of one full year of graduate level education OR superior academic achievement* at the baccalaureate level in a financial program.

• *Superior Academic Achievement is based on (1) class standing, (2) grade-point average, or (3) honor society membership. (In order to be creditable under this provision, superior academic achievement must have been gained in a curriculum that is qualifying for the position to be filled.)
  • 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.

You can also have a combination of graduate education and experience.  This must be fully supported by your resume and transcripts, provided with your application.

For the GS-09:

On Experience, you must have at least one year of experience, equal or equivalent to the GS-07 grade level, which included:

• Experience analyzing and interpreting data to produce reports and queries from various systems or databases. Or
• Experience utilizing standard procedures and customer service techniques; Or
• Experience organizing and accomplishing multiple work assignments and meeting deadlines.

Or on Education, you must have at least completion of two academic years of graduate level education OR a master's or equivalent graduate degree (such as Bachelor of Laws or Juris Doctor as specified in qualification standards or individual occupational requirements in a field directly related to the fillable position).

You can also have a combination of graduate education and experience.  This must be fully supported by your resume and transcripts, provided with your application.

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:

1. Principles of Finance - Knowledge of the basic principles, practices, and methods of financial management, including requisitions, apportionments, allotments, investments, fiscal management, activity reporting, and fiscal year guidelines.
2. Written Communication - Writes in a clear, concise, organized, and convincing manner for the intended audience.
3. Oral Communication - Expresses information (for example, ideas or facts) to individuals or groups effectively, taking into account the audience and nature of the information (for example, technical, sensitive, controversial); makes clear and convincing oral presentations; listens to others, attends to nonverbal clues, and responds appropriately.

For all types of consideration, 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