Summary This position is located with Bonneville Power Administration, in Payroll and Travel (FTOT), Finance Operations (FTO), Treasury (FT), Finance (F). A successful candidate in the Disbursement Specialist position will serve as a developmental disbursement specialist, performing work assignments using conventional procedures and practices that apply to most payroll or travel situations encountered. Responsibilities This position is approved to work remotely full-time as part of a pilot, but the employee will be expected to reside within 125 miles from the DOE worksite (Portland, OR). As a Disbursement Specialist, you will: Participate in a variety of analyses and evaluations required to develop policies, operating procedures, and internal controls related to both payroll and travel. Participate in audits to ensure proper application of guidelines and recommend changes to policies, operating manuals, and user guidance as required. Participate in communication and coordination of accounts payable operations with purchasing staffs, program managers needing contract payments, general ledger staff, accounts receivable staff, staff managers, material handling operations, employees that travel, and regional administrative staffs. Participate in analyses of reports of systems operations and user performance and recommends modifications for management improvement. Provide advice to program officials on interpretation of directives and policies pertinent to payroll and travel operations. Work with higher-graded disbursement specialists, managers and subject matter experts to document and recommend improvements to business processes within the organization. Requirements Conditions of Employment Qualifications SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS: GS-07: A qualified candidate's online application and resume must demonstrate at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level, GS-05, in the Federal service. Specialized experience for this position is defined as: 1) providing administrative support of the disbursement, payroll, or travel operations procedures under the guidance of senior specialists; 2) participating in the audit and reconciliation of financial statements; and 3) assisting in the analysis of financial policies and recommendations for process improvements. You may substitute education for specialized experience as follows: One year of graduate-level education, or superior academic achievement (S.A.A.) gained in a bachelor degree curriculum that is qualifying for the position to be filled (based on class standing, grade-point average, or honor society membership). See the following link for more information: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-policies/#url=app -OR- Combination of education and experience as described above. Less than one year of specialized experience may be combined with completed graduate education. GS-09: A qualified candidate's online application and resume must demonstrate at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level, GS-07, in the Federal service. Specialized experience for this position is defined as: 1) assisting with analysis of financial policies and procedures and making recommendations for improvements to business processes; 2) ensuring organizational policy for the custody and disposition of employee funds are in compliance with regulatory requirements under the guidance of senior specialists; and 3) coordinating audits with purchasing staff and leadership under the guidance of senior specialists. You may substitute education for specialized experience as follows: Master's or equivalent graduate degree; or 2 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree; or a LL.B. or J.D. if related; your education must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work. -OR- Combination of education and experience as described above. Less than one year of specialized experience may be combined with graduate education in excess of the amount required for the next lower grade level (i.e., credit hours beyond the first year of full-time study may be credited). One academic year of graduate education is considered to be the number of credits hours the graduate school has determined to represent one academic year of full-time study. If the graduate school's definition of one year of graduate study is not available, 18 semester hours (or 27 quarter hours) is used. When crediting education that requires specific course work the number of hours of related courses required, as a proportion of the total education, is prorated. "Experience" refers to paid and unpaid experience. Examples of qualifying unpaid experience may include: volunteer work done through National Service programs (such as Peace Corps and AmeriCorps); as well as work for other community-based philanthropic and social organizations. 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. CTAP/ICTAP candidates: To receive selection priority for this position, you must: 1) meet the eligibility criteria; and 2) be rated "well-qualified", which is defined as having a score of 85 or better. If you believe that you are eligible for the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP), please visit the OPM ICTAP/CTAP website for more information. You must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of this announcement. Education If substituting education for specialized experience you must submit proof of your qualifying education. Education must be obtained from an accredited institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. See Department of Education Accreditation Search to verify school accreditation. Foreign education must be reviewed by an organization recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. For special instructions pertaining to foreign education and a list of organizations that can evaluate foreign education, see the Department of Education website.DO NOT email or mail in any of your application documents. Documents will not be accepted outside of the online application system. Failure to provide college transcripts may result in a rating of 'Ineligible'. Additional Information This announcement is also being advertised under Merit Promotion as announcement 23-BPA-34850-11983029-MP. If you are a status candidate or intend to apply under a Special Hiring Authority (e.g. Schedule A, VEOA, etc.), please apply under the Merit Promotion announcement as well. The U.S. Department of Energy fosters a diverse and inclusive workplace and is an Equal Opportunity Employer. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional similar vacancies across DOE. For general information on government-wide Telework polices visit: www.telework.gov Information on how to create a federal resume https://www.usa.gov/government-jobs https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/how-to/account/documents/resume/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8YX7o1PBoFk Veterans and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply. For more information, please visit the links at the bottom of this page or visit the FedsHireVets website. If you believe that you are eligible for the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP), please visit the OPM ICTAP/CTAP website for more information. In order to be considered under the ICTAP program, your application must score within the pre-established "well qualified" category as stated in the Qualifications section. Some positions may require completion of a probationary period of up to 1 (one) year. Many positions require successful completion of a background investigation. All males born after December 31st 1959 must abide by laws regarding Selective Service registration. To learn more about this law, visit the Selective Service web page, Who Must Register. If you are not registered and don't have an approved exemption, you will not be eligible for employment with the Federal government. EEO Policy: http://www.usajobs.gov/eeo Reasonable Accommodation Policy: http://www.usajobs.gov/raps Veterans Information: http://www.usajobs.gov/vi Telework: www.telework.gov Selective Service Registration: http://www.sss.gov/ Hiring incentives may be authorized for a highly qualified candidate based on budget availability and in accordance with federal regulations. BPA strives to ensure a safe, positive, inclusive work environment, supported by Leadership Behaviors. For more information on Leadership Behaviors visit: www.bpa.gov/goto/LeadershipBehaviors We also understand the importance of work/life balance and offer a variety of programs and policies designed to create more flexible, responsive work environments supportive of commitments to community, home and family members. BPA also supports employees' overall wellness through its Be Well program, which helps employees adopt healthier lifestyles and feel better about their work/life balance. The program supports five key areas of life: career, community, financial, physical and social.