Clarification from the agency

This announcement will be open until filled. A Moderate Risk Background Investigation (MBI) is required for this position.

The Financial Administrator performs professional and managerial work related to supervision and oversight of all aspects of the financial functions of the court, ensuring accuracy and completeness of data. The incumbent manages and oversees the court's financial support systems and services, ensures proper maintenance and analysis of all court accounting records, and develops and implements office policies, procedures, and programs for financial management consistent with the Guide to Judiciary Policy and the Treasury Financial Manual. The incumbent is responsible for developing team members, cultivating a positive team morale, and providing leadership for the department.

Responsibilities

• Manages and oversees day-to-day accounting operations of the court.
• Assists with the formulation, evaluation, and implementation of policies, procedures, and protocols related to financial operations and budgetary execution through the court/office.
• Performs reviews to ensure that the court unit is in compliance with the Guide to Judiciary Policy, internal controls, and general accepted accounting principles. Prepare documents to identify findings and develop written recommendations for changes.
• Utilizes financial systems such as JIFMS CCAM, JIFMS, eVoucher, JFinSys, JMS, and Infoweb.
• Monitors Court Registry Investment System (CRIS) activity to ensure compliance with judicial orders for the transfer of funds to and from CRIS.
• Reviews updates to the Guide, Vol. 11 and makes corresponding updates to the court's Internal Controls Manual.
• Oversees and aligns resources to support the court during internal and external financial evaluations including but not limited to the yearly Self-Assessment, the cyclical audit of the court, the CRIS audit, and the audit of the non-appropriated fund.
• Serves as the liaison with judges, attorneys, Administrative Office staff, other court units, and federal agencies regarding court wide financial operations and matters.
• Assists with the creation of programs to prevent errors and detect fraud. Makes recommendations for the overall improvement of the court's financial processes and systems.
• Verifies that expenditures are in accordance with the Judiciary's policies for proper disbursement.
• Prepares and/or reviews and files all financial reports required by the AO, either electronically or manually, with the appropriate office in a consistent and timely manner.
• Oversees the development and maintenance of general accounting procedures and other fiscal functions.
• Analyzes and interprets legislation, AO directives, court rules, and orders of the chief judge that impact the court's financial management.
• Performs projects of an analytical and administrative nature as requested by the Financial Director or Chief Deputy for Administration.
• Supervises employees that oversee or are involved in financial activities, including assigning and reviewing work, evaluating performance, and recommending personnel actions.
• In concert with the Financial Director, develops and conducts employee performance evaluations. Assists with the development of work standards.
• Plans work to be accomplished by the Financial Department. Assigns work to managers and subordinates, periodically checking progress, reviewing work for compliance with established standards of accuracy, completeness, timeliness, etc., setting department work product priorities and delivery schedules.
• In concert with the Financial Director the Financial Administrator is responsible for the development of department staff, including identification of training needs and individual development plans (IDPs) for each staff member.
• Primary contact for personnel related issues, resolving and implementing disciplinary or other courses of action as needed. Serves as a resource for staff providing counseling, information, overall guidance and assistance with performance, work progress and production.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Conditions of employment

United States citizenship is required for consideration for this position.

Employees are required to adhere to the Code of Conduct for Judicial Employees.

Employees of the United States District and Bankruptcy Court for the District of Columbia are excepted service appointments. Excepted service appointments are "At-Will" and can be terminated with or without cause by the court.

Employees are required to use the Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) for payroll deposit.

The selected candidate will undergo a background check and a Moderate Risk Background Investigation (MBI). This is a five-year background investigation with five-year periodic updates.

Selection will be made consistent with the provisions of the Equal Employment Opportunity Plan adopted by the United States District and Bankruptcy Courts for the District of Columbia.

Qualifications

Required Education and Experience: The successful candidate must possess a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in a field closely related to the subject matter of the position.

To qualify for the CL-27, the candidate must also possess a minimum of two years of specialized experience at or equivalent to the next lower level below the position for which the applicant is being considered.

To qualify for the CL-28, the candidate must also possess a minimum of two years of specialized experience at or equivalent to the next lower level below the position for which the applicant is being considered.

Specialized experience includes progressively responsible experience that is in, or closely related to, the work of the position that has provided the particular knowledge, skills and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position. For example, progressively responsible experience in at least one, but preferably two or more of the functional areas of financial management and administration such as budgeting, accounting, auditing, or financial reporting that provided a knowledge of rules, regulations, and terminology of financial administration.

Accounting and/or finance experience in the Federal Judiciary is preferred. This experience includes an in-depth body of knowledge of judicial policies, practices, regulations, and terminology related to court administration or finance.

CPA and/or CGFM certifications are preferred.

Must be able to exercise a high degree of judgment, flexibility, and initiative.

Must have excellent interpersonal skills and be able to effectively communicate with staff to determine needs and maintain complete and accurate records and files. The ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing is critical.

Excellent organizational skills, the ability to respond to requests on short notice and the ability to manage multiple tasks and stringent deadlines are essential.

Prior supervisory or management experience is preferred, but not required. Candidates should, at a minimum, be able to discuss management and staff development philosophies. The successful candidate must also complete the supervisory training series "Stepping Up to Leadership - Preparation for Supervision" within one year of appointment to the position of Financial Administrator.

How you will be evaluated

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

Please read the "Next steps" section for more information.