Voucher Examiner (Temp)
VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT # 12A- 2017
U.S. Embassy Sofia
E X T E N D E D
APPLICANTS WHO RESPONDED TO VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT #12-2017
NEED NOT APPLY AS THEIR APPLICATION WILL BE CONSIDERED
OPEN TO: All interested candidates /All sources
NOTE: This is a temporary replacement appointment for approximately 13 months. The applicant hired for this temporary position should not expect to be hire into permanent Embassy position when his/her limited-duration contract expires.
POSITION: Voucher Examiner (Temp) – FSN-8
OPENING DATE: October 25, 2017
CLOSING DATE: November 19, 2017
WORK HOURS: Full-time, 40 hours/week
EMPLOYMENT LENGTH:
This is a temporary replacement appointment for approximately 13 months. The applicant hired for this temporary position should not expect to be hired into permanent Embassy position when his/her limited-
duration contract expires.
NOTE: Due to the agency specific skills, knowledge, and abilities required the selected applicant will be hired at a developmental level one grade lower than the full performance level.
ALL ORDINARILY RESIDENT (OR) APPLICANTS (See Appendix A for definition) MUST HAVE THE REQUIRED WORK AND RESIDENCY PERMITS TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR CONSIDERATION.
The U.S. Mission in Sofia is seeking an individual for the temporary replacement position of Voucher Examiner in the Bureau of the Comptroller and Global Financial Services/Post Support Unit, Sofia (CGFS/PSU Sofia), which provides regional payment processing services to U.S. Embassies worldwide.
BASIC FUNCTION OF POSITION:
The incumbent’s daily duty is to perform work consisting of the examination and audit for accuracy, legality, compliance with regulations, and justification of vouchers, invoices, claims, and other requests for payment from customer posts. Responsible for processing various types of vouchers E2 and E2 USAID vouchers, vendor vouchers sent through mail or ILMS and Permanent Change of Station vouchers from PSU client posts. The incumbent is relied on by the Certifying Officer to forward only correct, legal, and proper vouchers for certification. Incumbent assures compliance with regulations and correct computation on the basis of supporting documents submitted by U.S. Embassy Finance Offices worldwide, or through contact with program officials, travelers, and vendor’s/contractors. The incumbent must ensure compliance with Federal, Department of State, PSU, and individual client post policies. When vouchers are rejected, incumbent must provide detailed and tactful explanations of the regulation or policy to the submitter and inform them of the necessary corrective action.
A copy of the complete position description listing all duties and responsibilities is available in the Human Resources Office. Contact: (+359) 2-937-5233/5136 or e-mail: sofia_applications@state.gov.
QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED:
Applicants must address each required qualification listed below with specific and comprehensive information supporting each item. Failure to do so may result in a determination that the applicant is not qualified.
EDUCATION:
Bachelor’s degree in economics in accounting, banking, finance, business administration or similar is required.
WORK EXPERIENCE:
Two years progressively more responsible work experience in finance, accounting, bookkeeping or related financial field are required.
LANGUAGE:
Level IV (fluent) reading/speaking/writing English is required. Testing of English language will be performed.
Level IV (fluent) reading/speaking/writing Bulgarian is required.
JOB KNOWLEDGE:
- Must have good knowledge of accounting and payment processes and an understanding of related internal control concepts in order to develop knowledge of Department of State (DOS) specific financial and accounting regulations including DOS specific regulations. Must be able within a year from hiring to develop and maintain significant knowledge of DOS rules and regulations that pertain to vouchering, procurement, and travel, as well of those of other agencies serviced like Department of Defense.
SKILLS AND ABILITIES required:
- Strong computer skills including MS Office applications (Excel, Power Point, and Word), internet and website navigation skills, and automated financial and/accounting applications.
- Ability to analyze data, accounting and payment records and reports, and obtain necessary information to correct problems.
- Strong writing and oral communication skills; solid interpersonal skills.
- Solid interpersonal skills and ability to work in a team including with colleagues in different physical locations and under continuous pressure.
- Must be able to recommend changes in processes and procedures in order to realize improvements in operational efficiency and customer service.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION: The complete position description listing all of the duties and responsibilities may be obtained by contacting the Human Resources Office: E-mail: Sofia_Applications@state.gov; Tel: (+359) (2) 937-5233/5136; Fax: (+359) (2) 937-5231
HIRING PREFERENCE SELECTION PROCESS: When qualified, applicants in the following hiring preference categories are extended a hiring preference in the order listed below. Therefore, it is essential that these applicants accurately describe their status on the application. Failure to do so may result in a determination that the applicant is not eligible for a hiring preference.
HIRING PREFERENCE ORDER:
- AEFM / USEFM who is a preference-eligible U.S. Veteran*
- AEFM / USEFM
- FS on LWOP**
IMPORTANT: Applicants who claim status as a preference-eligible U.S. Veteran must submit a copy of the most recent Member Copy Four (4) of the DD-214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, and, if applicable, a letter from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. If claiming conditional eligibility for U.S. Veterans’ preference, applicants must submit proof of conditional eligibility. If the written documentation confirming eligibility is not received in the HR office by the closing date of the vacancy announcement, the U.S. Veterans’ preference will not be considered in the application process. Mission HR’s decision on eligibility for U.S. Veterans’ preference after reviewing all required documentation is final.
** This level of preference applies to all Foreign Service employees on LWOP.
ADDITIONAL SELECTION CRITERIA:
- Management may consider any of the following when determining successful candidacy: nepotism, conflicts of interest, budget, and residency status.
- Current OR employees serving a probationary period are not eligible to apply. Current OR employees with an Overall Summary Rating of Needs Improvement or Unsatisfactory on their most recent Employee Performance Report (EPR) are not eligible to apply.
- Current NOR employees hired on a Family Member Appointment (FMA) or a Personal Service Agreement (PSA) are not eligible to apply within the first 90 calendar days of their employment, unless they have a When Actually Employed (WAE) work schedule.
- The candidate must be able to obtain and hold a non-sensitive local security certification.
- Candidates who are EFMs, USEFMs, AEFMs, or MOHs must have at least one year remaining on their sponsor’s tour of duty to be considered eligible to apply for this position.
HOW TO APPLY: Applicants must submit the following documents to be considered: Failure to do so may result in a determination that the applicant is not qualified.
- It is strongly recommended to apply using the Universal Application for Employment (UAE) Form DS-174, which is available on our website or by contacting Human Resources. (See “For Further Information” above); or
- A current resume or curriculum vitae in English that provides the same information found on the UAE (see Appendix B); or
- A combination of both; i.e. Sections 1 -24 of the UAE along with a listing of the applicant’s work experience attached as a separate sheet; plus
- Any additional documentation that supports or addresses the requirements listed above (e.g. transcripts, degrees, etc.)
WHERE TO APPLY:
Human Resources Office U.S. Embassy Sofia
E-mail Address: Sofia_Applications@state.gov
FAX Number: (+359) (2) 937-5231
Mailing Address: U.S. Embassy Sofia, Human Resources Office, 16 Kozyak, 1408 Sofia
Please submit your application by e-mail, post mail or fax. Hand delivered applications will not be accepted.
Only applications received in the Human Resources Office before the closing date of this job notice will be considered. Only short–listed candidates will be contacted for testing and interview.
EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY: The U.S. Mission provides equal opportunity and fair and equitable treatment in employment to all people without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, political affiliation, marital status, or sexual orientation. The Department of State also strives to achieve equal employment opportunity in all personnel operations through continuing diversity enhancement programs. The EEO complaint procedure is not available to individuals who believe they have been denied equal opportunity based upon marital status or political affiliation. Individuals with such complaints should avail themselves of the appropriate grievance procedures, remedies for prohibited personnel practices, and/or courts for relief.
Appendix A – DEFINITIONS
Eligible Family Member (EFM): An EFM for employment purposes is an individual who meets all of the following criteria:
- U.S. Citizen or not a U.S. Citizen; and
- Spouse or same-sex domestic partner (as defined in 3 FAM 1610); or
- Child, who is unmarried and under 21 years of age or, regardless of age, is incapable of self-support; or
- Parent (including stepparents and legally adoptive parents) of employee, spouse, or same-sex domestic partner, when such parent is at least 51 percent dependent on the employee for support; or
- Sister or brother (including stepsisters and stepbrothers, or adoptive sisters or brothers) of the employee, spouse, or same-sex domestic partner when such sibling is at least 51 percent dependent on the employee for support, unmarried, and under 21 years of age, or regardless of age, incapable of self-support; and
- Listed on the travel orders or approved Form OF-126 of a sponsoring employee, i.e., a direct-hire Foreign Service, Civil Service, or uniformed service member who is permanently assigned to or stationed abroad or, as appropriate, at an office of the American Institute in Taiwan; and
- Is under chief of mission authority.
U.S. Citizen Eligible Family Member (USEFM): A USEFM is an individual who meets all of the following criteria:
- U.S. Citizen; and
- Spouse or same-sex domestic partner (as defined in 3 FAM 1610) of the sponsoring employee; or
- Child of the sponsoring employee who is unmarried and at least 18 years old; and
- Listed on the travel orders or approved Form OF-126 of a sponsoring employee, i.e., a direct-hire Foreign Service, Civil Service, or uniformed service member who is permanently assigned to or stationed abroad or, as appropriate, at an office of the American Institute in Taiwan; and resides at the sponsoring employee’s post of assignment abroad, or as appropriate, at an office of the American Institute in Taiwan; and is under chief of mission authority; or
- resides at an Involuntary Separate Maintenance Allowance (ISMA) location authorized under 3 FAM 3232.2; or
- Currently receives a U.S. Government retirement annuity or pension from a career in the U.S. Foreign Service or Civil Service.
Appointment Eligible Family Member (AEFM): An AEFM is an individual who meets all of the following criteria:
- U.S. Citizen; and
- Spouse or same-sex domestic partner (as defined in 3 FAM 1610) of the sponsoring employee; or
- Child of the sponsoring employee who is unmarried and at least 18 years old; and
- Listed on the travel orders or approved Form OF-126 of a sponsoring employee, i.e., a direct-hire Foreign Service, Civil Service, or uniformed service member who is permanently assigned to or stationed abroad or, as appropriate, at an office of the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT); and
- Is under chief of mission authority; and
- Is residing at the sponsoring employee’s post of assignment abroad or, as appropriate, at an office of the American Institute in Taiwan; and
- Does NOT currently receive a U.S. Government retirement annuity or pension from a career in the U.S. Foreign Service or Civil Service.
Member of Household (MOH): An individual who accompanies or joins a sponsoring employee, i.e., sponsor is a direct hire employee under Chief of Mission authority, either Foreign Service, Civil Service, or uniformed service member who is permanently assigned to or stationed abroad at a U.S. mission, or at an office of the American Institute in Taiwan. A MOH is an individual who meets the following criteria:
- Not an EFM and therefore not on the travel orders or approved through form OF-126 Foreign Service Residence and Dependency Report of the sponsoring employee; and
- Officially declared by the sponsoring U.S. Government employee to the Chief of Mission (COM) as part of his or her household and approved by the COM; and
- Is a parent, grandparent, grandchild, unmarried partner, adult child, foreign born child in the process of being adopted, father, mother, brother, sister, father-in-law, mother-in-law, son-in-law, daughter-in-law, brother-in-law, sister-in-law, stepfather, stepmother, stepson, stepdaughter, stepbrother, stepsister, half-brother, or half-sister who falls outside the Department’s current definition of Eligible Family Member 14 FAM 511.3. A MOH may or may not be a U.S. Citizen.
Not Ordinarily Resident (NOR) – An individual who meets the following criteria:
- An EFM, USEFM or AEFM of a direct-hire Foreign Service, Civil Service, or uniformed service member permanently assigned or stationed abroad, or as appropriate, at an office of the American Institute in Taiwan; or
- Has diplomatic privileges and immunities; and
- Is eligible for compensation under the FS or GS salary schedule; and
- Has a U.S. Social Security Number (SSN); and
- Is not a citizen of the host country; and
- Does not ordinarily reside in the host country; and
- Is not subject to host country employment and tax laws.
Ordinarily Resident (OR) – An individual who meets the following criteria:
- A citizen of the host country; or
- A non-citizen of the host country (including a U.S. citizen or a third-country national) who is locally resident and has legal and/or permanent resident status within the host country and/or who is a holder of a non-diplomatic visa/work and/or residency permit; and/or
- Is subject to host country employment and tax laws.
Appendix B
If an applicant is submitting a resume or curriculum vitae, s/he must provide the following information equal to what is found on the UAE.
Failure to do so will result in an incomplete application.
- Position Title
- Position Grade
- Vacancy Announcement Number (if known)
- Dates Available for Work
- First, Middle, & Last Names as well as any other names used
- Current Address, Day, Evening, and Cell phone numbers
- U.S. Citizenship Status (Yes or No) & status of permanent U.S. Resident (Yes or No; if yes, provide number)
- U.S. Social Security Number and/or Identification Number
- Eligibility to work in the country (Yes or No)
- Special Accommodations the Mission needs to provide (Yes or No; if yes, provide explanation)
- If applying for position that includes driving a U.S. Government vehicle, Driver’s License Class / Type
- Days available to work
- List any relatives or members of your household that work for the U.S. Government (include their Name, Relationship, & Agency, Position, Location)
- U.S. Eligible Family Member and Veterans Hiring Preference
- Education
- License, Skills, Training, Membership, & Recognition
- Language Skills
- Work Experience
- References.