Institutional Review Specialist, GS-1101-11/12, FPL 12 (DE)

Full Job Description

This position is located in the Department of Education's, Federal Student Aid (FSA) Division in Washington, DC.

FSA is responsible for administering key financial assistance programs under the Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 to students and their families each year for education beyond high school.

FSA is committed to keeping the promise made through the Higher Education Act. The confidentiality, integrity and availability of FSA information is critical.

Minimum Qualification Requirements You may meet the minimum qualifications for the GS-11, if you possess the specialized experience, education, or a combination of the two.

Specialized Experience for the GS-11 One year of experience in either federal or non-federal service that is equivalent to at least a GS-09 performing two (2) out of three (3) following duties or work assignments: 1.

Experience with Federal statutes and regulations governing the eligibility or the administration of Title IV student financial assistance programs 2.

Experience in communicating effectively, both orally and in writing, to present draft information, findings or recommendations to various internal audiences. 3.

Experience evaluating internal controls, computer systems, regulations, or other relevant material to determine if Title IV funds are safeguarded as specified in federal regulations.

OR EDUCATION (see EDUCATION SECTION of the vacancy announcement) OR A combination of both education and experience in which the total percentages must equal at least 100 percent to qualify an applicant for that grade level.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs) The quality of your experience will be measured by the extent to which you possess the following knowledge, skills and abilities (KSAs).

You do not need to provide separate narrative responses to these KSAs, as they will be measured by your responses to the occupational questionnaire (you may preview the occupational questionnaire by clicking the link at the end of the Evaluations section of this vacancy announcement).

1. Knowledge of Federal legislation and regulations governing the eligibility of institutions to participate in Title IV student financial assistance programs. 2.

Knowledge of policies, procedures, and standards established by the Department of Education for the administration of Title IV student financial assistance programs. 3.

Skill in written and oral communication to prepare and present reports for internal Department of Education officials, school officials, and their servicers. 4.

Skill in evaluating internal accounting controls, computer systems, regulations, and other relevant material to determine if Title IV funds are being adequately safeguarded and used only for purposes specified in applicable Federal legislation and regulations.

You may meet the minimum qualifications for the GS-12, if you possess the specialized experience listed below.

Specialized Experience for the GS-12 One year of experience in either federal or non-federal service that is equivalent to at least a GS-11 performing two (2) out of three (3) following duties or work assignments: 1.

Experience demonstrating an intermediate understanding of Federal statutes and regulations governing Title IV student financial aid eligibility and administration. 2.

Experience in communicating both orally and written to present information, findings or recommendations to various audiences, including senior level officials. 3.

Experience analyzing internal controls, computer systems, regulations or other relevant material to determine if Title IV funds are safeguarded as specified in federal regulations.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs) The quality of your experience will be measured by the extent to which you possess the following knowledge, skills and abilities (KSAs).

You do not need to provide separate narrative responses to these KSAs, as they will be measured by your responses to the occupational questionnaire (you may preview the occupational questionnaire by clicking the link at the end of the Evaluations section of this vacancy announcement).

1. Knowledge of Federal legislation and regulations governing the eligibility of institutions to participate in Title IV student financial assistance programs. 2.

Knowledge of policies, procedures, and standards established by the Department of Education for the administration of Title IV student financial assistance programs. 3.

Skill in written and oral communication to prepare and present final reports for internal Department of Education staff, school officials, and their servicers. 4.

Skill in evaluating internal accounting controls, computer systems, regulations, and other relevant material to determine if Title IV funds are being adequately safeguarded and used only for purposes specified in applicable federal statutes and regulations.

Major Duties:

APPLICATION LIMIT: This vacancy announcement is limited to the first 200 applications received and will close at 11:59PM Eastern Time on the day that we receive the 200th application, or at 11:59PM Eastern Time on the listed closing date, whichever occurs first.

We encourage you to read this entire vacancy announcement prior to submitting your application.

As an Institutional Review Specialist, GS-1101-11, you will be responsible for: • Evaluating the institution's applications for participation in Title IV student financial assistance programs (initial, reinstatement, or renewal certification; or reporting changes to existing program scope, locations, and other institutional information) and making draft determinations about their ability to administer Title IV student financial assistance programs.

• Assisting in conducting on-site and virtual compliance reviews of institutions that participate in Title IV student financial assistance programs and their servicers to determine if Title IV funds are being adequately safeguarded and disbursed in accordance with applicable Federal statute and regulations.

• Preparing and presenting draft reports for institutions and their servicers with findings of noncompliance while providing recommendations for improvements in the administration of their Title IV student financial assistance programs.

• Making draft recommendations to Department of Education officials and taking action, as needed, for transferring institutions to heightened cash monitoring or reimbursement method of payment.

As an Institutional Review Specialist, GS-1101-12, you will be responsible for: • Evaluating institution's applications for participation in Title IV student financial assistance programs (initial, reinstatement, or renewal certification; or reporting changes to existing program scope, locations, and other institutional information) and making determinations about their ability to administer those programs.

• Leading and conducting on-site and virtual compliance reviews of institutions that participate in Title IV student financial assistance programs and their servicers to determine if Title IV funds are being adequately safeguarded and disbursed in accordance with applicable Federal statute and regulations.

• Preparing and presenting final reports for institutions and their servicers with findings of noncompliance and making recommendations for improvements in the administration of their Title IV student financial assistance programs.

• Assessing the condition of institutions that participate in Title IV student financial assistance programs that have closed or are in imminent danger of closing, and, when needed, initiating action to secure the Department's interest by obtaining records, promissory notes, close-out audits, or other items relevant to Title IV program administration.