Summary This position is located in the U.S. Department of Education (ED), Federal Student Aid (FSA), Partner Participation and Oversight (PPO), Partner Outreach and Communication (POC) Directorate, Partner Technical Assistance Group (PTAG), Minority Serving and Under Resourced Schools Division (MSURSD). The MSURSD provides a range of support services to strengthen the Title IV administrative capabilities of HBCUs, Tribally Controlled Colleges, Hispanic Serving and other under-resourced institutions. Responsibilities As a Customer Relations Specialist, GS-1101, 13, you will be responsible for: Providing on-site technical assistance to customers Developing performance improvement plans to enhance the administrative capabilities of Title IV Programs for Minority Serving Under Resourced School Division (MSURSD). Providing guidance to MSURSD institutions and monitoring/supporting their progress. Collaborating with various internal and external stakeholders (including subject-matter experts) to determine the most effective solutions for ensuring Title IV compliance. Evaluating effectiveness of the MSURSD and Title IV policies and procedures to achieve optimal outcomes, compliance and accountability of Federal Funds. Developing high quality instructor-led and web-based training courses. Requirements Conditions of Employment Qualifications ALL QUALIFICATIONS MUST BE MET BY THE CLOSING DATE OF THIS ANNOUNCEMENT. MINIMUM QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS: All applicants must meet the qualification requirements outlined below to be considered minimally qualified for this position. The qualification requirements are in accordance with the OPM Qualification Standards. You may meet the minimum qualifications for the GS-13 if you possess: One year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level in federal service that has equipped you with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position (see description below). Specialized experience for the GS-13 is demonstrated by performing one year of experience equivalent to the GS-12 level in at least two (2) of the following three (3) duties or work assignments: Extensive experience training institutions, particularly Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs), Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCUs) regarding the administration of Federal Financial Aid Programs under Title IV of Higher Education Act, 1965 (as amended) in conference settings; either in person or online through webinars, demos, tutorials, and other print-media, as needed Skill in providing technical assistance to a variety of institutions, particularly Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs), Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCUs) regarding the administration of Federal Financial Aid Programs under Title IV of Higher Education Act, 1965 (as amended). Ability to objectively analyze financial aid operations to determine compliance with regulations and make recommendations based on best practices for expedient and accurate delivery of aid to students. Volunteer Experience: Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service program (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. Credit will be given for all appropriate qualifying experience. You must include months, years and hours per week worked to receive credit for your work and/or volunteer experience. For current Federal employees, if hours worked per week are not included on your resume, you must submit a non-award SF-50 as part of your application to be used to validate your work schedule and determine the amount of specialized experience that you will be granted. An award SF-50 will not be acceptable documentation for which to consider your amount of qualifying experience. Any individual who is currently holding, or has held within the previous 52 weeks, a General Schedule position under non-temporary appointment in the competitive or excepted service, must meet time-in-grade requirements (must have served 52 weeks at the next lower grade or equivalent in the Federal service). Time-in-grade requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement. Time-In-Grade requirements also apply to former Federal civilian employees applying for reinstatement as well as current employees applying for Veterans Employment Opportunities Act of 1998 (VEOA) appointment. Education Additional Information This announcement may be used to fill additional positions if identical vacancies occur within 90 days of the issue date of the referral certificate. Equal Employment Opportunity: We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, status as a parent, marital status, or political affiliation. People with Disabilities: We are committed to expanding access to employment by hiring people with disabilities; providing reasonable accommodations for people with disabilities; and, identifying and removing barriers to work. Persons with disabilities, including disabled veterans, may apply for jobs filled either competitively (where qualified individuals compete with one another through a structured process), noncompetitively (where a qualified individual may be selected based on a special hiring authority), or through an excepted appointing authority for people with disabilities (i.e., Schedule A). If you require a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application process, please contact us. The decision on granting reasonable accommodation is made on a case-by-case basis. For more information, please visit: http://opm.gov/disability/PeopleWithDisabilities.asp 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). 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 subject to a pre-appointment investigation/background check. Level of Risk and Sensitivity: Level of this position T2 and the sensitivity is Moderate. Time After Competitive Appointment: Candidates who are current Federal employees serving on a non-temporary competitive appointment must have served at least 90 days in that appointment before the agency can promote, transfer, reinstate, or detail an employee to a different position or different geographical area. When moving employees is consistent with open competition principles, OPM may waive the restriction against movement to a different geographical area upon written request from an agency.