Financial Management Specialist

Summary

This position is located in the Fiscal Service, at the VA Western Colorado Health Care System, Grand Junction, Colorado. Incumbent works with leadership and customers to provide advice, analysis, and assistance regarding payroll, accounting, budget functions to other financial managers and facility Service Chiefs.

Duties

• Duties include but are not limited to: 1. Provides advice, assistance, analysis, and information to other financial managers regarding accounting and budget functions and the application of accounting and budgeting principles, policies, and procedures. The work requires knowledge and application of accounting and budgeting principles and procedures as well as data processing techniques and procedures both directly and indirectly related to the financial management system as it relates to accounting and budget processing. This assistance impacts the day-to-day processing of financial, accounting and budget execution data and ensures the integrity, propriety, accuracy and timeliness of accounting and budgeting transactions. 2. Support to analyze and direct the recording of all transactions in the general ledger, allotment ledger, and operating cost ledger to provide a complete accounting on an accrual basis for assets, liabilities, operating, and budgeting accounts. 3. Examines a variety of documents, records and accounting/budgeting reports to ensure compliance with policies, new operating procedures and revised regulations. 4. Participates in decision-making sessions and advises the systems accountant, budget analysts and the financial manager on regulatory requirements, financial policies, and data interpretation. 5. Perform as a liaison for employee payroll, working with employee, timekeeping group, and Financial Services Center (FSC). 6. Incumbent should have an advanced working knowledge of Microsoft programs including Excel, Access, Word, Outlook, and PowerPoint. Promotion Potential: The selectee may be promoted to the full performance level without further competition when all regulatory, qualification, and performance requirements are met. Selection at a lower grade level does not guarantee promotion to the full performance level. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00am to 4:30pm; Alternate Work Schedule Available Telework: This position may be authorized for ad-hoc telework. Telework eligibility will be discussed during the interview process. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Description/PD#: Financial Management Specialist/PD137840, PD137830, and PD137820 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 09/21/2026. You may qualify based on your experience and/or education as described below: GS-07 Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-05 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: in-depth or broad knowledge of a body of accounting regulations, practices, procedures, policies, laws, and requirements to ensure compliance related to the Medical Center financial management functions; Knowledge of a wide variety of interrelated steps, conditions and procedures or processes required to maintain complex accounting or other fiscal transactions to include allotments, accrual, cost, and general ledger accounting methods and techniques; Knowledge must be sufficient to maintain, balance, and reconcile accounts with extensive subdivision of accounts; Knowledge of automated Financial Management System (FMS) to analyze and classify unusual transactions and to determine the specific procedures required to reflect the action in all related general ledger accounts; Knowledge of the VA accounting system and related documents in order to locate and analyze data pertaining to the payroll, accounting, and budgets for the various programs. Basic knowledge of the payroll, accounting, and budget procedures used to obtain appropriate funding at the Medical Center; Skill and knowledge in using a personal computer for budget related spreadsheet applications. . OR, Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have successfully completed one (1) full year of graduate level education OR superior academic achievement that demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of this position. OR, Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have an combination of specialized experience and education beyond a Bachelors degree. GS-09 Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-07 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: comprehensive detailed knowledge and understanding of VA accounting and budgetary policies, payroll, precedent setting decisions, procedures, and regulations issued by the VA and the Medical Center to assure that budget estimates and submissions conform to requirements, guidelines and financial objectives; Ability to use judgement as necessary to weigh the adequacy of prescribed procedures, maintain accuracy in all required computations, retain alertness in identifying errors, and utilize timelessness in submitting statistical summaries; Knowledge of the goals, objectives, workforce composition, work methods, and functions of research, which are sufficient to enable determination of whether requests for funding and expenditures are proper, necessary and timely; Knowledge of the VA accounting system, VATAS time and attendance, and related documents in order to locate and analyze data pertaining to the budgets for the various programs which collect and maintain a significant amount of accounting and statistical data that produce numerous reports involving a high volume of account and a complex series of relationships; Possess a high degree of skill in analytical reasoning, the ability to apply that skill to the identification, analysis, and conceptualization of budgetary programs, and the development of alternative solutions involving the resolution of conflicting goals and objectives (e.g., increasing workload coupled with decreasing availability of funds for salaries, supplies and equipment). Ability to develop a comprehensive training plan for the analysis piece of budgeting for current employees and updating it as needed; Skill and knowledge in using a personal computer for budget related spreadsheet applications. OR, Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have successfully completed a master's or equivalent graduate degree OR two (2) full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree OR an LL.B. or J.D., if related, that demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of this position. OR, Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have an combination of specialized experience and education beyond a Masters degree. GS-11 Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-09 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: comprehensive detailed knowledge and understanding of VA accounting and budgetary policies, payroll, precedent setting decisions, procedures, and regulations issued by the VA and the Medical Center to assure that budget estimates and submissions conform to requirements, guidelines and financial objectives; Ability to use judgement as necessary to weigh the adequacy of prescribed procedures, maintain accuracy in all required computations, retain alertness in identifying errors, and utilize timelessness in submitting statistical summaries; Knowledge of the goals, objectives, workforce composition, work methods, and functions of research, which are sufficient to enable determination of whether requests for funding and expenditures are proper, necessary and timely; Knowledge of the VA accounting system, VATAS time and attendance, and related documents in order to locate and analyze data pertaining to the budgets for the various programs which collect and maintain a significant amount of accounting and statistical data that produce numerous reports involving a high volume of account and a complex series of relationships; Possess a high degree of skill in analytical reasoning, the ability to apply that skill to the identification, analysis, and conceptualization of budgetary programs, and the development of alternative solutions involving the resolution of conflicting goals and objectives (e.g., increasing workload coupled with decreasing availability of funds for salaries, supplies and equipment). Ability to develop a comprehensive training plan for the analysis piece of budgeting for current employees and updating it as needed; Skill and knowledge in using a personal computer for budget related spreadsheet applications. OR, Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have successfully completed a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree OR three (3) full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree OR an LL.M., if related, that demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of this position. OR, Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have an combination of specialized experience and education beyond a Masters degree. For more information on these qualification standards, please visit the United States Office of Personnel Management's website at https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/.

Requirements

You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job To be considered for this position, you must complete all required steps in the process. In addition to the application and questionnaire, this position requires an online assessment. The online assessment measures critical general competencies required to perform the job. Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959 Physical Requirements: The work required does not inherently include any physical requirements essential for successful job performance that could not otherwise be performed with accommodation or workplace adjustment. A pre-placement physical examination is not required. Subject to background/security investigation Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP) As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Upon completion of your probationary period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

Education

A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education. Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.

How to apply

Please read the entire announcement and all the instructions before you begin an application. To apply for this position, you must complete the initial online application, to include the initial online questionnaire and submission of the required documentation specified in the How to Apply and Required Documents section. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on the closing date of the announcement to receive consideration. To preview the application questionnaire, click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13064554. The application process is as follows: To begin, click Apply Online to create a USA JOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USA JOBS resume and/or other supporting documents. Answer the questions presented in the application and attach all necessary supporting documentation. Click the Submit Application button prior to 11:59 PM (ET) on the announcement closing date, 09/21/2026. If you are required to complete any USA Hire Assessments, you will be notified after submitting your application. The notification will be provided in your application submission screen and via email. The notification will include your unique assessment access link to the USA Hire system and the completion deadline. Additionally, in USAJOBS you can click "Track this application" to return to your assessment completion notice. Access USA Hire using your unique assessment link. Access is granted through your USAJOBS login credentials. Review all instructions prior to beginning your assessments. You will have the opportunity to request a testing accommodation before beginning the assessments should you have a disability covered under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended. Set aside at least 3 hours to take the USA Hire Assessments; however, most applicants complete the assessments in less time. If you need to stop the assessments and continue later, you can re-use your unique assessment link. NOTE: Your responses to the USA Hire Assessments will be reused for one year (in most cases) from the date you complete an assessment. If future applications you submit require completion of the same assessments, your responses will be automatically reused. Visit the USA Hire Applicant Resource Center for practice assessments and assessment preparation resources at https://support-usahire.opm.gov/hc/en-us. To update your application, including supporting documentation: During the announcement open period, return to your USAJOBS account, find your application record, and click Edit my application. This option will no longer be available once the announcement has closed. To view the announcement status or your application status: https://help.usajobs.gov/how-to. Your application status page is where you can view your application status, USA Hire assessment completion status, and review your notifications sent by the hiring agency regarding your application. Beginning September 27, 2025, Federal agencies will only accept resumes up to two pages in length to comply with the Merit Hiring Plan. Resumes longer than two pages will result in ineligibility for further consideration for the position. USAJOBS will not allow you to upload or build resumes longer than two pages, and you will need to update the resumes in your profile before applying for a job. Resumes should include information relevant to the knowledge, skills, abilities, and competencies of the position to which you are applying. VA is unable to make assumptions about qualifications if not clearly listed. Resumes must be legible so they can be reviewed for eligibility, minimum qualifications and other position requirements listed in the job announcement. Your resume must be 5MB or less. We recommend saving and uploading your resume as a PDF to maintain formatting and number of pages. We also accept GIF, JPG, JPEG, PNG, RTF, TXT, PDF, ODT or Word (DOC or DOCX). We do not accept PDF portfolio files. We recommend using a sans-serif font size like Lato, if available. Other widely available options are Calibri, Helvetica, Arial, Verdana, Open San Source Sans Pro, Roboto or Noro Sans. Make your page margins 0.5 inches. Consider using 14-point size font for titles and 10-point for the main text in your resume. The resume builder can help you create a resume using these recommendations and uses the information in your USAJOBS profile to help you get started. Helpful Hints for Creating a Two-Page Resume: Prioritize most relevant and recent experience Use concise, results focused language Align language from the job announcement Focus on demonstrating skills and competencies Remove outdated or unrelated experience Use the USAJOBS resume builder Additional guidance on this new requirement and resume building tools can be found at https://help.usajobs.gov/faq/application/documents/resume/page-limit