Interior, Bureau of Indian Affairs Logo
Position Title
Accounting Technician (Collections)
Agency
Interior, Bureau of Indian Affairs
Announcement Number
ST-24-12398733-CAWX-KL Opens in new window
Open Period
Friday, May 3, 2024 to Tuesday, December 31, 2024
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 or former federal employee displaced from the agency hiring for this position? If yes, confirm:

• you are located in the same local commuting area of 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.

To verify your eligibility, you must submit supporting documentation such as a Reduction in Force (RIF) separation notice or a Proposed Removal/Separation notice to include your latest performance rating (if the notice does not have this information included, you must submit a copy of your most recent performance appraisal) and a copy of your latest Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50.
(limit characters)
3. Were you formerly employed as a Federal civilian employee on a permanent competitive appointment or did you obtain career-conditional status (and are within 3 years of the date of separation or are a preference eligible) and have you never held the full performance level of this position?

-OR-

Are you currently employed as a Federal civilian employee in the Competitive Service and have you never held the full performance level of this position?

To verify your eligibility as a current or former Federal civilian employee, you must submit a copy of your Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50 (SF-50) or equivalent personnel action form reflecting your permanent, competitive status. Your SF-50 (or equivalent personnel action form) must reflect:

• career or career-conditional (Tenure field is 1 or 2); AND,
• status in the competitive service (Position Occupied field is 1).
 
(limit characters)
4. Are you a veteran who separated from active duty under honorable conditions AND you:

• have a rating by the Department of Veterans Affairs showing a compensable service-connected disability of 30% or more; OR,
• are retired from active military service with a service-connected disability rating of 30% or more?

For more information, review USAJOBS Veterans resources.

To verify your eligibility, you must submit a copy of your latest Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, DD-214 (copy indicating character of service, member 4) or other proof of your service which includes character of service. You must also submit the disability letter from the Department of Veterans Affairs or Armed Service and the Application for 10-Point Veteran Preference, Standard Form 15.
 
(limit characters)
5. This position is subject to the Indian Preference Act of 1934 (25 U.S.C. 472), which affords employment preference to qualified Native American candidates.  Proof of eligibility, in the form of a completed Verification of Indian Preference, BIA - 4432 Form, must be provided with your application by the closing date to be granted such preference.  

Are you claiming Indian Preference, and submitting your BIA-4432 Form?
 
(limit characters)
6. Are you a current or former federal employee displaced from a position in a Federal agency other than the agency hiring for this position? If yes, confirm:

• you are located in the same local commuting area of 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.

To verify your eligibility, you must submit supporting documentation such as a Reduction in Force (RIF) separation notice to include your latest performance rating (if the notice does not have this information included, you must submit a copy of your most recent performance appraisal) and a copy of your latest Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50.
 
(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:
• 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 break in service of two or more years; and,
• performed at an acceptable level of service 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 departed that position in good standing.

To verify your eligibility, you must provide a copy of your latest Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50 (SF-50) and performance appraisal that demonstrates you meet the requirements outlined in the Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act.
(limit characters)
8. Do you wish to be considered as a Military Spouse?

To be eligible for appointment under this authority, you must be the spouse of one of the following:

Active Duty Spouse

  • Includes all spouses of members of the armed forces on active duty
  • Spouses do not have to relocate with active duty spouse

Based on 100% Disability - As a military spouse, you may be eligible to be considered under this authority if:

  • The military member was retired under Chapter 61 of title 10, United States Code with a 100% disability rating from the military; or
  • Was released from active duty and has a disability rating of 100% from the Department of Veterans' Affairs or the military department.

Note: There is no geographic limitation under this category. You will be required to provide documentation of your spouse's disability.

Based on Service Member's Death - As the military spouse, you may be eligible if the military member was killed while on active duty (it does not have to be combat related), and you have not remarried.

Note: There is no geographic limitation in this category. You will be required to provide documentation on the death of the spouse and your marital status at the time of death.


In order to receive consideration, you must submit documentation showing proof of eligibility. For more information regarding Military Spouse, see here.

(limit characters)
9. Do you meet one of the following Non-Competitive Merit Promotion Eligibilities:

Individual eligible under other non-competitive appointment authorities such as: Veterans Recruitment Authority; Military spouses under E.O. 13473; Certain former overseas employees; Present and former Peace Corps, Vista or Action volunteers; Former White House staff; Present and former Foreign Service officers and employees; Certain National Guard technicians; Schedule A; OPM Interchange Agreement and Other Miscellaneous Authorities.

To verify your eligibility, you must submit supporting documentation. For example, a copy of your latest Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, DD-214 (copy indicating character of service) or other proof of your service which includes character of service; a copy of your Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50 (SF-50); etc. All required documentation will be outlined in the Job Opportunity Announcement.
(limit characters)
10. Are you currently employed as a Federal civilian employee in the Competitive Service at the same grade level as this position or higher with the same or higher promotion potential?

-OR-

Were you formerly employed as a Federal civilian employee on a permanent competitive appointment or have you obtained career-conditional status (and are within 3 years of the date of separation or are a preference eligible) and have you held the same grade as this position or higher with the same or higher promotion potential?

To verify your eligibility as a current or former Federal civilian employee, you must submit a copy of your Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50 (SF-50) or equivalent personnel action form reflecting your permanent, competitive status. Your SF-50 (or equivalent personnel action form) must reflect: 
• career or career-conditional (Tenure field is 1 or 2); AND,
• status in the competitive service (Position Occupied field is 1).
 
(limit characters)
11. Do you have a severe physical, psychiatric or mental disability that qualifies you for a Schedule A Disability appointment?

For more information, review USAJOBS Individuals with Disabilities resources.

To verify your eligibility, you must provide appropriate medical documentation, i.e., a letter signed by a licensed medical professional or licensed vocational rehabilitation specialist stating your condition and restrictions.
(limit characters)
12. 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,

• are entitled to veterans' preference?

For more information, review USAJOBS Veterans resources.

To verify your eligibility, you must submit a copy of your latest Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, DD-214 (copy indicating character of service) or other proof of service which includes character of service.
 
(limit characters)
13. Are you a veteran who separated from active duty under honorable conditions AND you:

• recently separated (within the past 3 years);
• are a disabled veteran;
• served on active duty during a war, campaign or expedition; OR,
• received an Armed Forces Service Medal?

For more information, review USAJOBS Veterans resources.

To verify your eligibility, you must submit a copy of your latest Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, DD-214 (copy indicating character of service) or other proof of your service which includes character of service. If claiming disability preference, you must also submit the disability letter from the Department of Veterans Affairs or Armed Service and the Application for 10-Point Veteran Preference, Standard Form 15.
(limit characters)
Other
1. This position requires a valid driver's license. Do you possess a current, valid driver's license? (limit characters)
2. My performance is at an acceptable level, and I am not serving under a Notice of Opportunity to Demonstrate Acceptable Performance (NODAP) or equivalent plan to improve my performance. (limit characters)
Current of Former Federal Employees: Due weight will be given to performance appraisals and awards during the interview/selection process conducted by the hiring manager. If referred, all relevant documents including performance appraisals and awards submitted with your application package will be forwarded to the hiring official for review. If you do not have your most recent performance appraisal, please submit an explanation as to why it is unavailable and attach as a document. (limit characters)
Assessment 1
Thank you for your interest in an Accounting Technician position with the Federal government. (limit characters)
1. Select the one statement that best describes the level of experience that you possess to perform Accounting Technician work at the GS-5 level in the Federal service.
(limit characters)
For each task in the following group, choose the statement from the list below that best describes your experience and/or training. Please select only one letter for each item. (A) I have not had education, training, or experience in performing this task. (B) I have had education or training in how to perform this task, but have not yet performed it on the job. (C) I have performed this task on the job. My work on this task was monitored closely by a supervisor or senior employee to ensure compliance with proper procedures. (D) I have performed this task as a regular part of a job. I have performed it independently and normally without review by a supervisor or senior employee. (E) I am considered an expert in performing this task. I have supervised performance of this task or am normally the person who is consulted by other workers to assist or train them in doing this task because of my expertise. (limit characters)
Select the one statement that most accurately describes your training and experience carrying out each task using the scale provided. (limit characters)
2. Serve as teller to collect payment directly from the customer and acknowledge receipt of collections per 42 Bureau of Indian Affairs Manual Supplement 3.
(limit characters)
3. Prepare timely and accurate bills.
(limit characters)
4. Ensure that updates of billing account and customer information are up-to-date.
(limit characters)
5. Develop repayment plans/payment extensions based on account and other information in accordance with DOI/BIA San Carlos Irrigation Project authorized procedures.
(limit characters)
6. Monitor receipts, maintain suspense on delinquent accounts and ensure that system accounts (late fees, rates, deposits) are accurate.
(limit characters)
7. Determine the general ledger accounts, journals and subsidiary accounts affected and the debit/credit entries to be made.
(limit characters)
8. Summarize transactions and prepare control documents or other posting documents reflecting the entries to be made.
(limit characters)
9. Monitor and reconcile collections and expenses from multiple accounting systems comparing year-end estimate of budgets. ACCOUNTING OPERATIONS: Knowledge of general ledger accounting and the control/subsidiary account relationships and reconciliation techniques, including accounts receivable, accounts payable and disbursing officer's accountability.
(limit characters)
10. Prepare worksheets or reports reflecting the examinations made, discrepancies noted and the corrective entries required to adjust accounts.
(limit characters)
11. Classify accounting transactions that include verifying the accuracy and completeness of the accounting data.
(limit characters)
12. Receive, analyze, and classify all commitment and obligation documents.
(limit characters)
13. Assign appropriate accounting codes to set up accounts in multiple automated systems.
(limit characters)
14. Review documents for validity, expenditure limitations, completeness and correctness of accounting data.
(limit characters)
15. Compile, analyze and provide statistical data used in the preparation of the narrative analyses of the budget reports.
(limit characters)
16. Perform audits on accounts and organize draft installment agreements contracts for installment payments on an individual basis to assist individuals to resolve inability to pay current utility bill.
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17. Receive visitors and answers incoming calls to respond to customer questions, concerns.
(limit characters)
18. Screen callers and visitors to determine if subject matter involves routine or procedural matter of the office that can be handled personally.
(limit characters)
19. Answer questions from own knowledge of organization or based on data from files.
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20. Contact customers by phone and/or in writing to resolve outstanding payments.
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21. Reconcile accounts comparing account balances with related data to assure agreement.
(limit characters)
22. Review records and source documents to identify the sources of discrepancies, and determine the entries required to bring the account into balance.
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23. Research all transactions to resolve any problems.
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24. Prepare worksheets or reports reflecting the examinations made, discrepancies noted and the corrective entries required to adjust accounts.
(limit characters)
25. Make determinations and recommendations, as to the necessary actions needed for each delinquent account.
(limit characters)
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)
26. Failure to agree to the statement below will disqualify you from further consideration for the position.
(limit characters)