Summary This position is located in the Office of Academy Financial Management, United States Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA), Maritime Administration (MARAD). This position is established to advancing agency travel policy and procedures, and compliance with travel program requirements and mandates relative to Midshipmen. Responsibilities As a Financial Management Specialist, you will: Develop, prepare, and distribute instructions for the preparation and submission of the travel expense reimbursement voucher (package reviewed and updated/revised twice yearly, or as needed). Develop, prepare, and present a live lecture addressing the preparation and submission of an expense voucher. Deliver lecture to each midshipman class prior to their Sea Year assignment. Review drafts of revised Sea Year expense reimbursement regulations issued by the Academy Superintendent's Office and Shipboard Training, contributing Finance Travel section recommendations and opinions of operating ramifications of proposed changes in procedures and rules. The ideal candidate will possess exceptional skills in preparation and execution of local, domestic and international Travel. Proficient in identifying trends based on analysis of travel data, tracking expenditures and monitoring costs. Experience extended to processing an array of reimbursable expenses. The candidate will have experience and working knowledge of travel functions for invitational and government travel, while applying GSA Travel Regulations in alignment with agency policies and guidelines. The ideal candidate will also have advanced competencies in writing, developing/ maintaining spreadsheets and be able to effectively communicate while executing strong customer focus and orientation. Requirements Conditions of Employment You must be a U.S.Citizen and eligible for consideration. Required documents must be submitted by the closing date. Submit application and resume online by 11:59 PM EST on the closing date. CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT: SELECTIVE SERVICE: Males born after 12/31/1959 must be registered for the Selective Service. SECURITY CLEARANCE: If applicable, you must be able to obtain and maintain the appropriate security clearance of the position to which appointed. BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION: You may be required to complete a background/security investigation and meet preliminary requirements prior to onboarding. PROBATIONARY PERIOD: Varies by position and is determined by the hiring agency. If selected, a one-year or two-year probationary period may be required. FOR DIRECT HIRE CANDIDATES: You must complete a one-year probationary period (unless already completed). FOR GOVERNMENT CANDIDATES: Federal applicants must have served 52 weeks at the next lower grade in the competitive or excepted service in the executive branch to satisfy time-in-grade restrictions contained in 5 CFR 300, Subpart F. This is a Bargaining unit position represented by AFGE, local 2116. Qualifications To meet the minimum qualifications for this position, you must meet either the education or specialized experience qualifications. To qualify for the GS-09 on Experience, you must have at least one year of experience equal or equivalent to the GS-07 it must include: Experience providing travel policies, travel management by providing advice for all financial management activities, AND Experience processing financial transactions in accordance with applicable statutes, regulations, and policies. To qualify for the GS-09 on Education alone, you must have: 2 years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a master's degree or have been awarded a master's or equivalent graduate degree. You can also qualify based on 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: Program Knowledge – Monitors the travel program and performing investigations, as warranted, into unusual cases, reporting cases as needed for further investigation. Technical Knowledge – Provides technical guidance and support to a variety of working groups and taskforces in a variety of areas impacting travel management. Communication – Ability to effectively communicate management issues with supervisors, peers, agency and department management staff and external customers/interests. 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 For additional information about applying to Federal positions, please click on the following link: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-policies/#url=e4 Students enrolled in a qualifying degree program can apply if the anticipated graduation date is within six months of closing date of the announcement. Graduation transcript must be received before start date. Other applicants must meet all qualification requirements by the closing date of this announcement. Education Additional Information ADDITIONAL CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT: The agency has the option of extending a term appointment up to the 4-year limit. This announcement may be used to fill additional Merit Promotion positions if similar vacancies occur within 90 days of the issue date of the referral certificate.