Executive Director, Financial Operations

This position is with the Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Office of Finance. The vacancy is located in either Washington, D.C. or Indianapolis, IN.

About the role

As Executive Director, Financial Operations, you will oversee financial management, accounting, internal controls, cash management, and debt management for U.S. Customs and Border Protection. You will lead approximately 300 personnel in Indianapolis, Indiana, and Washington D.C.

Responsibilities

• Ensure, review, and approve the development, implementation, and maintenance of a fully integrated cost accounting and financial management system, with effective internal controls capable of producing useful, reliable, and timely financial and program performance data.
• Establish policies, systems, and procedures for controlling appropriated funds (e.g., travel and transportation funds, the forfeiture fund, accounts receivable and appropriation reimbursement funds).
• Lead preparation of an annual report to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), including CBP's financial management status; the annual financial statements prepared and audited pursuant to the CFO Act; a summary of the Federal Manager's Financial Integrity Act Report; and other information required by the President and Congress concerning CBP financial management.
• Lead the development of Financial Management Policy for CBP's 67,000-person workforce.
• Represent CBP with DHS, the Office of Management and Budget, the DHS OIG, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the U.S. Treasury, and the U.S. Government Accountability Office.
• Responsible for all accounting of approximately $100B in revenue from U.S. duties, taxes and fees on imported items keeping the Nation's trade and travel economy thriving.
• Lead CBP audit functions with internal program office stakeholders and external stakeholders (HQ DHS, DHS Components, the OIG) annually completing CBP's Financial and Internal Controls audits.
• Partner with DHS OCFO to shepherd and deliver CBP's financial systems migration.

Requirements

• Must be a U.S. Citizen.
• All pre-employment processes will be conducted in English.
• May be required to pass a background investigation.
• Subject to a 1-year supervisory probationary period (unless already completed).
• Complete a Declaration for Federal Employment to determine your suitability for Federal employment.
• If you are a male applicant born after December 31, 1959, certify that you have registered with the Selective Service System or are exempt from having to do so.
• May be subject to pre-employment and random drug tests.
• File a Confidential Financial Disclosure Report OGE-278e within 30 days of appointment and annually from then on.
• May be required to obtain and maintain a security clearance prior to entrance on duty. Failure to obtain and maintain the required level of clearance may result in the withdrawal of a job offer or removal.
• Organizational and geographical mobility is essential in developing and managing SES leaders. Individuals selected for SES positions may be subject to reassignment across geographical, organizational, and functional lines, and may be required to sign a Reassignment Rights and Obligation Agreement.

Qualifications

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.

As a basic requirement, applicants must demonstrate progressively responsible leadership experience that is indicative of senior executive level managerial capability and directly related to the skills and abilities outlined under the Technical Qualifications and Executive Core Qualifications listed below. Typically, experience of this nature will have been gained at or above the equivalent of the GS-15 grade level in the Federal service or its equivalent with state and local government, the private sector, or non-governmental organizations.

Technical Qualifications (TQs)

Your resume should demonstrate accomplishments that would satisfy the technical qualifications. Candidates must possess experience at the senior level (GS-14/15 level or equivalent) in the job-specific Technical Qualifications (TQs).

• TQ 1: Expert knowledge of and experience leading complex financial management operations and accounting programs for a large government or business entity, to include developing policies, leading the accounting for the collection of duties, taxes and fees, ensuring a timely and accurate payroll process for over 67,000 people, and overseeing fiscal year audit requirements.

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:

• 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 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.

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

Education

This position involves professional accounting responsibilities that require professional accounting knowledge. Applicants must meet the minimum qualification requirements for the Accounting Series, GS-510.

• Degree: accounting; or a degree in a related field such as business administration, finance, or public administration that included or was supplemented by 24 semester hours in accounting. The 24 hours may include up to 6 hours of credit in business law.
• Combination of education and experience: at least 4 years of experience in accounting, or an equivalent combination of accounting experience, college-level education, and training that provided professional accounting knowledge. The applicant's background must also include one of the following:
  • Twenty-four semester hours in accounting or auditing courses of appropriate type and quality. This can include up to 6 hours of business law;
  • A certificate as Certified Public Accountant or a Certified Internal Auditor, obtained through written examination; or
  • Completion of the requirements for a degree that included substantial course work in accounting or auditing, e.g., 15 semester hours, but that does not fully satisfy the 24-semester-hour requirement, provided that:
    • The applicant has successfully worked at the full-performance level in accounting, auditing, or a related field;
    • A panel of at least two higher level professional accountants or auditors has determined that the applicant has demonstrated a good knowledge of accounting and of related and underlying fields that equals in breadth, depth, currency, and level of advancement that which is normally associated with successful completion of the 4-year course of study; and
    • Except for literal nonconformance to the requirement of 24 semester hours in accounting, the applicant's education, training, and experience fully meet the specified requirements.

Certificate(s): Certified Public Accountant Certificates, or the ability to obtain a CPA certificate within 12 months, are highly desired. Please upload a copy of applicable certificates.

You are strongly encouraged to submit a copy of your transcripts. Unofficial transcripts will be accepted in the application package. Official transcripts will be required from all selectees prior to receiving an official offer. Education must be from an institution accredited by an agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.