Director, Financial Operations

Full Job Description

This position is located in the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), DHS Headquarters, Management Directorate, Office of the Chief Financial Officer (OCFO).

By statute, the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) oversees all financial management activities relating to the programs and operations of the Department and develops and maintains an integrated agency accounting and financial management system, including financial reporting and internal controls.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

Candidates will not be hired based on their race, sex, color, religion, or national origin.

To meet the minimum qualification requirements for this position, you must show that you possess the Executive Core Qualifications (ECQ) and Technical Qualifications (TQ) related to this position within your resume - NOT TO EXCEED 2 PAGES.

Resumes over the 2-page limit, will not be reviewed beyond page 2 or may be disqualified.

Your resume should include examples of experience, education, and accomplishments applicable to the qualification(s).

If your resume does not reflect demonstrated evidence of these qualifications, you may not receive consideration for the position.

There is NO requirement to prepare a narrative statement specifically addressing the Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs) or the Technical Qualifications (TQs).

A sample 2-pages resume that incorporates ECQs and TQs can be viewed on this link (indexed at page 16 - 17) Guide to Senior Executive Service Qualifications and the Qualifications Review Board.

TECHNICAL QUALIFICATIONS (TQs): Your resume should demonstrate accomplishments that would satisfy the technical qualifications.

TQ 1: Demonstrated in-depth knowledge and experience in budgeting, financial accounting and reporting, performance (workload) and labor activity data collection, cost analysis and distribution, internal management control and accountability processes, and performance measurement.

TQ 2: Demonstrated ability to communicate complex, technical, and politically sensitive budget and fiscal policy issues both orally and in writing, in order to identify problems and their causes, develop practical solutions, and explain them to various audiences, including senior agency officials, Administration officials, and Congressional members and staff.

EXECUTIVE CORE QUALIFICATIONS (ECQs): In addition to the Technical Qualification Requirements listed above, all new entrants into the Senior Executive Service (SES) under a career appointment will be assessed for executive competency against the following five mandatory ECQs.

If your 2-page resume does not reflect demonstrated evidence of the ECQs and TQs, you may not receive further consideration for the position.

There are five ECQs: ECQ 1: Commitment to the Rule of Law and the Principles of the American Founding - This core qualification requires a demonstrated knowledge of the American system of government, commitment to uphold the Constitution and the rule of law, and commitment to serve the American people.

ECQ 2: Driving Efficiency - This core qualification involves the demonstrated ability to strategically and efficiently manage resources, budget effectively, cut wasteful spending, and pursue efficiency through process and technological upgrades.

ECQ 3: Merit and Competence - This core qualification involves the demonstrated knowledge, ability and technical competence to effectively and reliably produce work that is of exceptional quality.

ECQ 4: Leading People - This core qualification involves the demonstrated ability to lead and inspire a group toward meeting the organization's vision, mission, and goals, and to drive a high-performance, high-accountability culture.

This includes, when necessary, the ability to lead people through change and to hold individuals accountable.

ECQ 5: Achieving Results - This core qualification involves the demonstrated ability to achieve both individual and organizational results, and to align results to stated goals from superiors.

Detailed information on each ECQs, the underlying and fundamental competencies, and information regarding the Structured Interview QRB (SIQRB) Process are available in the "Guide to Senior Executive Service Qualifications and the Qualifications Review Board." Note: If you are a member of the SES or have been certified through successful participation in an OPM approved SES Candidate Development Program (SESCDP), or have SES reinstatement eligibility, you do not need to respond to the ECQs.

Instead, you should attach proof (e.g., SF-50, Certification by OPM's SES Qualifications Review Board (QRB)) of your eligibility for noncompetitive appointment to the SES.

Veterans Preference: Veterans' preference is not applicable to the SES.

Current or Former Political Appointees: OPM must authorize any employment offers made to current or former (within the last 5 years) political Schedule A, Schedule C, or Non-career SES employees in the executive branch.

If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C, or Noncareer SES employee in the executive branch, you must disclose that to the DHS Headquarters Executive Services team.

Major Duties:

The Director, Financial Operations, serves as a budgetary and financial advisor to DHS Headquarters leadership.

The Director assists in recommending management policies for Headquarters elements, providing insight on funding and execution strategies that address the priorities of the Secretary and senior DHS leadership, ensuring leadership is informed of emergent and topical issues affecting the component's appropriations and fund execution, and collaborates with Management Directorate leadership on policy issues and activities that impact the delivery of enterprise services required by DHS components.

Specific responsibilities include: Provides executive oversight over major acquisitions; financial management; financial systems; budget and accounting; program analysis and evaluation; internal controls; cash management, credit management and debt management policies; standards and compliance guidelines; and oversees corrective actions relating to audit recommendations.

Reviews and approves the development, implementation, and maintenance of financial management systems in compliance with accounting principles, standards, and requirements for DHS Headquarters elements.

Monitors the financial execution of the DHS Headquarters budget in relation to actual expenditures and prepares and submits to the DHS Deputy Chief Financial Officer/Chief Financial Officer timely reports on performance and status, as necessary.

Prepares an annual report to the DHS Chief Financial Officer which includes a description and analysis of the status of financial management in Headquarters elements, the annual financial statements prepared and audited pursuant to the CFO Act of 1990, a summary of the Federal Financial Managers' Financial Integrity Act Report, and any other information required by the Chief Financial Officer concerning Headquarters financial management.

Provides executive level direction to DHS Headquarters leadership in long- and short-range financial planning.

Conducts extensive evaluation of program goals and objectives and directs adjustments to ensure each complies with a rapidly changing and expanding agency mission.

Assures effective expenditure of funds. Authorizes cost-saving initiatives to increase efficiency while reducing operating costs and maintaining high professional proficiency.

Proposes detailed justifications for major expenditures to be incorporated in the overall Headquarters allocation of funds.

Provides executive level guidance to subordinate managers in resolving disputes concerning program priorities and direction and decisions on courses of action.

Advises higher level executives within Headquarters elements concerning trends and activities in the accounting and financial management areas and provides testimony to Congressional committees.

As directed and authorized, approves planning, budget formulation and implementation of legislation affecting resourcing of DHS program office and financial management (FTE, salaries and expenses systems, and other equipment) within DHS.

Monitors and approves the structure of budget execution, including any requests by DHS for apportionment and agency allotments.

Reviews all major legislative and other programmatic proposals, including major changes in cash, credit, and debt programs, in order to provide advice to the Deputy CFO, the CFO, and other officials.

Provides executive leadership over the management and direction of small purchases, contracts, and interagency agreements.