Civilian Pay Clerk
Defense Finance and Accounting Service
Posted: March 20, 2026 (0 days ago)
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Defense Finance and Accounting Service
Department of Defense
Location
Salary
$41,115 - $61,638
per year
Type
Full-Time
More Maintenance & Trades jobs →Closes
Base salary range: $33,878 - $44,042
Typical requirements: 1 year specialized experience. Bachelor's degree.
Note: Actual salary includes locality pay (15-40%+ depending on location).
This job involves handling payroll for federal civilian employees, including setting up accounts, making adjustments, and ensuring accurate payments through financial systems.
It's an entry-level role in a government finance agency, ideal for someone with basic accounting or financial experience who wants to build a career in public sector payroll.
A good fit would be detail-oriented individuals comfortable with data entry and following procedures, possibly starting at a beginner level with room to advance.
Open to United States Citizens Pay for first time hires to the Federal Govt will typically be set at step 1 salary for their respective grade level.
This announcement will be used to fill positions at entry grade level of GS-05 with promotion potential at the GS-06, or at the Full Performance Level GS-06.
To view pay rates in a specific location visit the OPM pay tables at https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/pay-leave/salaries-wages/ This position is being filled under the Direct Hire Authority for Certain Personnel of the Department of Defense via delegated authority by the Office of the Secretary of Defense.
We reserve the right to close this announcement early or to extend, as appropriate, based upon the needs of the Agency.
Qualified application packages may be referred to management at various points in the selection process depending on the number and timing of applications received.
Selections may be made at any point during the announcement open period.
Applicants MUST have related financial experience AND/OR a related financial degree (examples include: Finance, Accounting, Management, Actuarial Science, or related), in addition to meeting Office of Personnel Management (OPM) minimum qualification requirements.
Substitution of combination of education and experience must still, in conjunction, minimally satisfy the DHA qualification requirement.
GS-05: One year of specialized experience equivalent in level of difficulty and responsibility to that of the next lower grade (GS-04) within the federal service, which demonstrates the ability to perform the duties of the position, is required.
GS-05: Specialized Experience is defined as: Performing duties that support the processing of financial/accounting transactions using standardized procedures that may include reviewing financial/accounting systems information/documents for accuracy/completeness, inputting financial/accounting information into automated systems, or correcting invalid financial/accounting transactions.
GS-06: One year of specialized experience equivalent in level of difficulty and responsibility to that of the next lower grade (GS-05) within the federal service, which demonstrates the ability to perform the duties of the position, is required.
GS-06: Specialized experience is defined as: processing a variety of non-routine payroll actions, such as establishing, adjusting and closing payroll accounts; or preparing and balancing a variety of payroll reports.
Volunteer Experience: 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) is qualifying.
Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates to paid employment.
You will receive credit for all qualifying experience. The Security Designation will vary and dependent upon position and may require a secret clearance or higher.
Employment in this position requires a background investigation which may delay starting date.
If you are selected and cannot obtain a favorable security determination within a reasonable period of time due to disclosed/undisclosed background issues, the employment offer may be withdrawn.
Individuals selected are required to obtain/maintain a favorable security determination to occupy a sensitive position within the agency as a condition of employment.
Failure to maintain eligibility to occupy a sensitive position may result in termination. For more information see the security section of Understanding Vacancy Announcements. Major Duties:
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