Agricultural Research Service Logo
Position Title
Financial & Budget Technician
Agency
Agricultural Research Service
Announcement Number
ARS-M22PA-11987289-JMG Opens in new window
Open Period
Friday, May 26, 2023 to Thursday, June 8, 2023
For preview purposes only. To apply, please return to the USAJOBS announcement and click the Apply button.
Eligibilities
1. Do you claim Veterans’ Preference? (limit characters)
2.
Are you a current USDA employee who meets the definition of a "surplus" or "displaced" employee, in which received official notice that your job is no longer needed or that you will lose your job by Reduction-in-Force (RIF)? If yes, confirm:

• you are located in the same local commuting area as the vacancy;  AND,
• you are applying to a position that is at or below the grade level of the position from which you will be separated; AND,
• you are applying to a position that does not have greater promotion potential than the position from which you will be separated; AND,
• your last performance rating of record is at least fully successful or the equivalent.

For more information, review the USAJOBS Help Center.
 
 
(limit characters)
3. Are you a current or former permanent Farm Service Agency County employee?  (limit characters)
4. Are you a current Federal employee who currently holds a career or career conditional appointment?  (limit characters)
5. Are you a Federal employee who currently holds a career or career conditional appointment AND you have held or currently hold a position on a permanent basis in the competitive service with the same or higher promotion potential of the position being advertised? (limit characters)
6.
Are you a current or former federal employee displaced from a position in a Federal agency other than USDA? If yes, confirm:

• you are located in the same local commuting area as the vacancy;  AND,
• you are applying to a position that is at or below the grade level of the position from which you were or will be separated; AND,
• you are applying to a position that does not have greater promotion potential than the position from which you were or will be separated; AND,
• your last performance rating of record is at least fully successful or the equivalent.

 For more information, review the USAJOBS Help Center.
 
 
(limit characters)
7.
Are you a current or former employee of a land management agency (Forest Service; Bureau of Land Management; National Park Service; Fish and Wildlife Service; Bureau of Indian Affairs; or Bureau of Reclamation) who is claiming eligibility under the Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act and: 

• was originally hired to a time-limited position under a competitive appointment; and,

• served one or more time-limited appointments at a land management agency for a period totaling more than 24 months without a single break in service of two or more years; and,
• performed at an acceptable level during each period of service; and,

• if no longer employed by the land management agency, have been separated for no more than two years, and whose most recent separation was for reasons other than misconduct or performance.
  
Note: Service must be in the competitive service and have been at a successful level of performance or better.  Part-time and intermittent service will be credited only for time actually worked.  Non-pay status (such as LWOP) is credited for up to six months in a calendar year; anything beyond six months is not credited.  Applicants are responsible for providing sufficient information/documentation to determine if the 24 month criteria is met.
(limit characters)
8. Have you registered for reemployment consideration AND meet one of the below: 

• Are you a current or former competitive service USDA employee who will be or was separated by Reduction-In-Force (RIF) and received a rating of satisfactory or above as your last annual performance rating? 
OR 
• Are you a former USDA competitive service employee who separated due to a compensable injury or disability?
(limit characters)
9.
Are you:

• a veteran whose latest discharge was under honorable conditions AND you served three or more years of continuous active duty service in the military (Note: if released shortly before completing a 3-year tour, you are considered to meet the eligibility); OR,
• eligible for veterans' preference?

Note: If you are currently on active duty you may be considered under the two provisions above provided you submit  a certification of expected discharge or release from active duty service under honorable conditions not later than 120 days after the date the certification is submitted. 

For more information, review USAJOBS Veterans resources.
 
 
(limit characters)
Preferences
1. Select the lowest grade you are willing to accept for this position. (limit characters)
2. Are you a current or former Political appointee, Presidential appointee, and/or non-career Senior Executive Service (SES) appointee? (limit characters)
Assessment 1
Your responses to the questions below will be used in the evaluation of your qualifications for this position. Your resume and application materials must support the level of experience and/or education you claim in this questionnaire. If, after a complete review of your application package, a determination is made that you have overstated your qualifications, you may be rated ineligible for this position. (limit characters)
1. From the choices below, please select the response that best describes how your experience meets the minimum qualification requirements for this position at the GS-06 level. Your resume must clearly support the response you select, or you will be rated as not qualified.
(limit characters)
2. From the choices below, please select the response that best describes how your experience meets the minimum qualification requirements for this position at the GS-07 level. Your resume must clearly support the response you select or you will be rated as not qualified.
(limit characters)
Select the one statement that most accurately describes your training and experience carrying out each task using the scale provided. (limit characters)
3. Monitor the transfer of appropriated (permanent and temporary) funds.
(limit characters)
4. Review expenditure information for reimbursable agreements and ensure billings and collections are realized.
(limit characters)
5. I have received obligating documents such as the following and reviewed them for accounting code information: (Select all that apply)
(limit characters)
6. I have performed the following actions to salary related data and information in order to determine whether salary liabilities remain within parameters of established guidelines: (Select all that apply)
(limit characters)
Select the one statement that most accurately describes your training and experience carrying out each task using the scale provided. (limit characters)
7. Use an allocation tracking system to adjust funding or financial plans for terminated and replacement systems.
(limit characters)
8. Ensure obligations are recorded correctly in the official accounting system.
(limit characters)
9. Use an automated tracking system to track salary costs, by employee or by pay period.
(limit characters)
10. Use Microsoft Excel.
(limit characters)
11. Analyze budget implications related to contemplated or completed personnel actions and inform fund holders of the financial implications.
(limit characters)
12. Review and prepare budgetary data for fund holders for annual budget preparation documents, based on historical data and recurring costs.
(limit characters)
13. I have established cost estimates for recurring charges including the following and have made adjustments as spending occurs: (Select all that apply)
(limit characters)
Select the one statement that most accurately describes your training and experience carrying out each task using the scale provided. (limit characters)
14. Prepare detailed monthly financial status reports, by major object class code, for each account serviced for current and prior years, reflecting fund availability and obligations to date and balance remaining.
(limit characters)
15. Establish and maintain records, files and related documentation that affect salary costs.
(limit characters)
16. Analyze and prepare special and recurring salary reports which provide status or analytical information to organizations or levels of management services.
(limit characters)
17. I have developed special reports relevant to one-time requests for information on specific expenditures, such as the following: (Select all that apply)
(limit characters)
18. I have prepared operational studies or reports from a cost standpoint such as the following: (Select all that apply)
(limit characters)
19. I certify that, to the best of my knowledge and belief, all of the information included in this questionnaire is true, correct, and provided in good faith. I understand that if I make an intentional false statement, or commit deception or fraud in this application and its supporting materials, or in any document or interview associated with the examination process, I may be fined or imprisoned (18 U.S.C. 1001); my eligibilities may be cancelled, I may be denied an appointment, or I may be removed and debarred from Federal service (5 C.F.R. part 731). I understand that any information I give may be investigated. I understand that responding "No" to this item will result in my not being considered for this position.
(limit characters)