EXAMINATION SPECIALIST

DutiesSummary

Incumbent, working with senior team members or the Supervisory Examination Specialist, assists in the development of work plans and assists in determining the scope of examination activities in the area of the D & I of minorities, women, disabled individuals and their business activities as mandated by the Housing Economic and Recovery Act of 2008 (HERA), including workplace activities, marketplace activities, D & I governance, strategy, organization, operations, reporting and performance.


Responsibilities

The incumbent contributes to formulating conclusions about the GSEs' degree of compliance with statutory and regulatory requirements and identifies key operational and management risk and performance areas within the GSEs.

The incumbent assists in the execution of examination strategies and work plans, and contributes to developing new or adapted work methods and procedures as needed; serves as a contributing member of an OMWI examination team to identify emerging risks and assess overall D & I governance and performance; utilizes technical capability to participate in complex examinations.

Follows supervisory guidance such as the OMWI examination manual, advisory bulletins, examination guidelines and policy statements to ensure that the development of examination scope and reports are completed according to prescribed FHFA regulatory and supervisory policy and program guidelines and standards.

Communicates examination findings and their bases to senior management to elicit management's views.

Develops sources of material appropriate for the evaluation of new or unique types of activities or operations, develops new or adapted work methods and procedures, and performs research to identify material suitable for unprecedented issues. During the course of the examination, the examination specialist, in coordination with the senior team members or the Supervisory Examination Specialist, facilitates the flow of information and ensures an accurate understanding of the key risks, processes and controls, and the factual basis for examination findings.

Drafts written reports including evaluative commentaries appropriate to the operations being examined. Documents examination findings through a combination of GSE source documents, report comments and other examination workpapers that address both management practices and condition. Workpapers are completed in accordance with FHFA's workpaper standards, as provided in the examination.

Keeps abreast of significant issues, events, trends and emerging risks that may impact the continued operations of the GSEs in their D & I mission.

Develops knowledge of issues, trends, and advances in D & I, workforce management, contracting and procurement management, risk management and risk-based examinations of large, complex financial institutions.


Travel Required

75% or less - You will be expected to travel 50% of the time or more.

Supervisory status

No

Promotion Potential

14

• Job family (Series)

  0570 Financial Institution Examining

• Requirements

  RequirementsConditions of Employment
  • Status Candidates (Merit Promotion and VEOA Eligibles).
  • The selectee's duty station is his/her private residence, which must allow ready access to a major metropolitan airport, which offers direct, reasonably efficient routes (from a time and cost perspective) to cities in which the FHLBanks are located.
  • Resume' and supporting documents (See How To Apply).
  • Suitable for Federal employment, as determined by background investigation.
  • May be required to successfully complete a probationary period.
  • Only experience and education obtained by the closing date of this announcement will be considered.
  • Status candidates must meet time-in-grade requirements (52 weeks at the next lower grade level).
  • Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective Service.
  QualificationsQualifying experience for the EL/GS-12 level includes one year of specialized experience at the equivalent to EL/GS -11 which is in or directly related to the line of work of the position to be filled and which has equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position.
  
  
  Examples of specialized experience include the following:
  
  Participated in examinations in a large financial institution.
  
  Assisted with the planning and conducting of examinations of large, midsize, or complex financial institutions.
  
  Assisted in the development of examination strategies and work plans and in determining the scope of examination activities.
  
  Adhered to supervisory guidance such as the OMWI examination manual, advisory bulletins, examination guidelines and policy statements to ensure that the development of examination scope and reports are completed according to prescribed regulatory and supervisory policy and program guidelines and standards.
  
  Used knowledge of the bank supervision process across the range of institution functions, programs, and policies, including the planning, execution, and reporting phases of the supervisory and examination cycle.
  
  Assisted with the documentation of examination findings through a combination of GSE source documents, report comments and other examination workpapers that address both management practices and conditions.
  
  Served as a member of an examination team to identify emerging risks and assess some of the following areas: Governance, Regulatory Compliance, Operations (Including, but not limited to, workforce and vendor management), and Investment and Capital Markets.
  
  Assisted with the writing of analytical reports and gathering and conveying information to examination teams and others.
  

  
  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.

  Education

  This job does not have an education qualification requirement.

  Additional information

  If you are a veteran with preference eligibility and are claiming 5-points veterans' preference, you must submit a copy of your DD-214 or other proof of eligibility. If you are claiming 10-point veterans' preference, you must also submit an SF-15, "Application for 10-Point Veterans' Preference" plus the proof required by that form. For more information on veterans' preference visit: https://www.usajobs.gov/Veterans.

  Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered or exempt from Selective Service (see https://www.sss.gov/RegVer/wfRegistration.aspx).

  Career Transition Assistance Programs: These programs apply to employees who have been involuntarily separated from a Federal service position within the competitive service or Federal service employees whose positions have been deemed surplus or no longer needed. To receive selection priority for this position, you must: (1) meet CTAP or ICTAP eligibility criteria; (2) be rated well-qualified for the position with a score of 90 or above; and, (3) submit the appropriate documentation to support your CTAP or ICTAP eligibility. For more information visit: http://www.opm.gov/rif/employee_guides/career_transition.asp.
  
  FHFA is an Equal Opportunity Employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment regardless of race, color, religion, gender (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, and gender identity), national origin, disability (physical or mental), age (40 years of age or over), genetic information, parental status, marital status, prior protected EEO activity, political affiliation, or other non-merit factors.
  
  REASONABLE ACCOMODATION:
  
  FHFA provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities, except when doing so would pose an undue hardship on the Agency. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please notify FHFA at (202) 649-3963. The Agency's decision on granting a reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis.
  
  
  Ethics: FHFA employees are subject to government-wide ethical standards of conduct, financial disclosure requirements, and post-employment prohibitions. In addition, certain FHFA employees are prohibited from accepting compensation from Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac for a two-year period after terminating employment with FHFA. Furthermore, to avoid financial conflicts-of interest or the appearance of conflicts-of-interest, FHFA employees may need to divest or sell certain assets they, their spouse, or minor children own or control, including securities issued by Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, or the Federal Home Loan Banks. Employees who work on Federal Home Loan Bank issues may need to sell or divest financial interests with any of the Federal Home Loan Bank members, which may include stock in bank holding companies, insurance companies, and other financial services firms. Questions regarding these requirements and prohibitions should be directed to the Office of General Counsel at (202) 649-3088.

  Noncompetitive Appointment Authorities: For more information on noncompetitive appointment authority eligibility requirements:

  • Persons with Disabilities-Schedule A
  • Special Hiring Authorities for Veterans
  • Special Hiring Authority for Certain Military Spouses
  • Other Special Appointment Authorities
  
  
  How You Will Be Evaluated

  You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

  You will be rated based on your responses to the job specific questionnaire and assigned a score ranging from 70 to 100 points. The top ten candidates, and those tied for the tenth spot, will be referred for selection. All qualified non-competitive applicants will be referred.
  
  Candidates meeting the qualification requirements and selected for an interview will be asked to prepare and provide a writing sample on a topic of the Agency's choosing.
  
  Competencies:
  
  Examination Techniques and Procedures
  Oral Communication
  Writing
  Knowledge and understanding of diversity and inclusion principles, practices, standards, issues, and trends.
  
  
  
  To preview the assessment questionnaire: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/11016011

  All of the information you provide will be verified by a review of the work experience and/or education as shown on your application forms, by checking references or through other means, such as the interview process. This verification could occur at any stage of the application process. Any exaggeration of your experience, false statements, or attempts to conceal information may be grounds for rating you ineligible.

  
  
  Background checks and security clearanceSecurity clearance

  Other

  Drug test required

  No

  Position sensitivity and risk

  Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk

  Trust determination process

  Suitability/Fitness

• Required Documents

  Required Documents

  To apply for this position, you must submit a complete Application Package which includes:

  1. Your resume showing hours worked per week, dates of employment and duties performed.
  2. It is strongly recommended that status candidates submit an SF 50 showing highest grade held on a permanent basis in the competitive service.
  3. Other supporting documents:

  • Cover Letter, optional
  • Veterans' Preference documentation, if applicable (e.g., DD-214 Member Copy 4 showing type of discharge/character of service, SF-15 Form and related documentation, VA letter, etc.)
  • Career Transition Assistance Program/Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program documentation, if applicable (e.g., Certification of Expected Separation, Reduction-In-Force Separation Notice, or Notice of Proposed Removal; SF-50 that documents the RIF separation action; and most recent performance appraisal.)

• Benefits

  Benefits

  A career with the U.S. Government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Learn more about federal benefits.

  Review our benefits

  Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time, or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.

• Federal employees - Competitive service

  Current or former competitive service federal employees.

• Special authorities

  Individuals eligible under a special authority not listed above, but defined in the federal hiring regulations.

• Veterans

Status Candidates (Merit Promotion and VEOA Eligibles)