Summary Reemployed annuitant: This vacancy does not meet the criteria for appointment of annuitants. Responsibilities Serves as an auditor at the Branch Office. Responsible for planning, performing, and reporting a full range of complex contract audit assignments in connection with procurement and contracting activities between the U.S. Government and contractors throughout Europe, Africa, and Asia. Audit assignments include all of those found in a normal CONUS mobile environment, plus other special audit assignments. In addition, auditors may be required to provide TDY assistance to the Israel and Saudi Arabia Suboffices based upon staffing and workload demands. Overtime is sometimes required. Applicable immunizations for travel to these countries/regions are recommended prior to arrival in Europe, but are available and may be obtained at no charge to the auditor in Europe. Requirements Conditions of Employment Qualifications You may qualify for consideration if meeting time-in grade, specialized experience, education requirement, 90 days after competitive appointment requirement, and all other qualification requirements within 30 calendar days after the closing date of the announcement, unless otherwise indicated on the announcement. You must meet the minimum qualification requirements as stated in the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Operating Manual, Qualification Standards for General Schedule Positions, http://www.opm.gov/qualifications/Standards/group-stds/gs-prof.asp. Basic Requirements: Degree: accounting or a related field (such as business administration, finance, or public administration) that included or was supplemented by 24 semester hours (or 36 quarter hours) in accounting (may include up to 6 hours of business law). OR Combination of education and experience: 4 years of accounting experience or a combination of accounting experience, college-level education, and training that provided professional accounting knowledge AND 24 semester hours (or 36 quarter hours) in accounting/auditing courses or a certificate as Certified Public Accountant or a Certified Internal Auditor. Specialized experience is defined as: independently performing a variety of audit assignments such as developing audit risk assessment; evaluating and modifying standard audit programs/plans to align with the risk assessment; meeting with auditee to explain audit purpose and obtain necessary information; testing and examining accounting systems and records, cost representations, internal controls, management policies and practices, to assure compliance with accounting and auditing principles, standards and regulations; making initial audit determinations; preparing audit working papers and substantiating documents; drafting reports of audit findings, conclusions and recommendations. Selective Service: Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered or exempt from Selective Service (see www.sss.gov). Volunteer Experience: 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 to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. TOUR OF DUTY: The initial tour of duty is 36 months in length, with a possible extension of up to an additional 24 months, subject to mission needs, employee performance and management approval. Extensions are not guaranteed. Selected candidates(s) must agree to complete their full 36-month tour. Employees will be required to sign a transportation agreement and minimum service agreement prior to their assignment overseas. PAY: Locality Pay does not apply to the European Branch Office (EBO). U.S. locality pay will be discontinued upon assignment. Currently, employees assigned to the EBO in Wiesbaden receive Post (Cost of Living Allowance) and Living Quarters Allowance (LQA), both are nontaxable. These allowances are computed on Department of State guidelines and are subject to change. Current Cost of Living Allowance is at a 35% index which is applied to the expendable income determined based on gross base salary. Example of Salary Per Pay Period for hypothetical selection of current GS-12 step 5, with a base salary of $80, 579. Base Pay - 80 hours $3,098.00 Living Quarters Allowance $1,692.30 Post Allowance $350.00 Total: $5,140.70 For a family of two (including the employee). Employees may receive increments for additional family members. Rate shown in example is the maximum amount for the sample base salary. The employee receives either the maximum rate or the amount of allowable expenses, whichever is lower. Post Allowance amount is determined based on annual salary and family size. Note: Rate varies by actual cost and the value of the Euro. Reemployment rights are granted for return to CONUS position in accordance with Section 204, Chapter 38, DCAAM 1400.1. HOUSING: Unaccompanied employees as well as accompanied personnel will be required to reside on the local economy and receive living quarter's allowance (LQA). Currently, most branch employees receive sufficient housing allowances to cover their related housing costs. Depending on your housing location, size and selection, your housing allowance may not cover all your housing expenses. LQA ranges fluctuate based on the Euro exchange rate, but currently are a maximum from $41,400 (without family) to $45,000 (with family). Employees may receive increments for additional family members. CHILDREN 21 YEARS OF AGE AND OLDER ARE NOT CONSIDERED DEPENDENTS FOR THE PURPOSE OF RECEIVING EXTRA HOUSING ALLOWANCE. CHILDREN UNDER 21 YEARS OF AGE MUST BE ENROLLED IN SCHOOL (IF THEY ARE SCHOOL-AGED) TO BE CONSIDERED DEPENDENTS FOR THE PURPOSE OF RECEIVING HOUSING ALLOWANCES. Separate housing maintenance allowances is NOT authorized. Property management fees for maintaining a stateside home while you are on the overseas assignment is reimbursable. Initial out-of-pocket cost can be expensive, in some cases, up to four month's rent (three month's rent as the security deposit, plus the first month's rent). MEDICAL FACILITIES: Medical services are offered at military installations in the surrounding areas on a limited basis. The closest military hospital is approximately a one-hour drive from Wiesbaden. OTHER ITEMS: Pets are welcomed in Germany as it is not uncommon to see them with their owners in local restaurants. The costs associated with bringing a pet overseas, including transportation, quarantine and the added hotel costs incurred when housing a pet in your temporary quarters, may not be reimbursable. PLEASE NOTE: The information provided on available services is the most current information at this time. Due to the ongoing military reorganizations, realignments, and renegotiations of the Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) between the U.S and German governments, changes to some of the services may be affected at any time. Education Substitution of Education for Specialized Experience: There is no substitution of education for experience at this grade level. GENERAL INFORMATION: The European Branch Office is located in Wiesbaden, Germany which is approximately 20 miles from Frankfurt. The climate is noted for mildness, however, there is considerable rainfall in the spring and winter months. Knowledge of the German language is not essential, as English is a second language for many Germans. A non-taxable housing allowance is paid to compensate for housing rental costs, electricity, and heating of the house. Food, clothing, and automobile services may be more expensive on the economy but are available at reasonable prices at facilities provided by the Army and Air Force Exchange Services (AAFES). These services are offered to military ID holders which include DCAA employees and their dependents under 21 years of age unless that dependent is working here for the military and therefore entitled to their own ID card. Applicants should be aware that jobs for dependents, especially professional positions, can be difficult but not necessarily impossible to obtain. The definition of "Dependent/Immediate Family" for civilian employees can be found in the Joint Travel Regulations (JTR), Volume 2 (Appendix A, Part I). For a selectee to bring a Non- Dependent to Germany, the Non-Dependent will need to either be granted a Permanent Resident Visa thru the German Consulate or be given Member of Household status through the Garrison in Wiesbaden. These processes must be approved before relocating to Germany as they are both difficult to obtain. Applicants are responsible for obtaining relevant information regarding the qualification and application process for Resident Visa and Member of Household. Non-dependent members of the family do not have the same privileges as dependents on employee's PCS order. Public transportation in Europe and particularly in Germany is abundant, timely, and comfortable. Wiesbaden is centrally located and offers vacation travel opportunities for auditors and their dependents. In addition, there are a few U.S. Government owned hotels available in Europe through the Armed Forces Recreation Centers. Government hotels offer reasonable priced rates to DOD travelers. Restaurants and other eating places are abundant in Europe. Shipment of ONE privately owned vehicle at Government expense is authorized, subject to prior approval. Additional Information DCAA has a comprehensive benefits package that includes retirement, social security and thrift savings; health, life and long term care insurance; paid vacation, sick leave and holidays. DCAA employees enjoy our business-casual dress code, flexible work schedules, transit subsidies, and the opportunity to telecommute. Additional Vacancies: This announcement may be used to fill additional positions within 120 days of the certificate issuance date. HOME LEAVE/ANNUAL LEAVE: Home leave will be earned at the rate of 5 days per year and may be granted upon completion of 24 months of continuous service abroad. Employees can accrue and carry forward an annual leave balance of 360 hours, even after returning to CONUS. SPONSOR: When the auditor is selected, and security clearance has been received, a sponsor will be assigned to the selectee and the family to offer assistance in getting settled in Germany. There will be enough lead time to allow the sponsor to communicate with the selectee and the family to answer any questions or special concerns. Financial Management (FM) Certification Program: As a condition of employment, the selectee must meet the requirements of the DoD FM Certification Program. The FM Certification Program is a course-based program consisting of three certification levels. Level 2 certification must normally be completed within two years of the selectee's employment start date. Initial Probationary Period: You will be required to serve an initial probationary period of 1-year if one has not already been completed. Background Investigation: All selectees will be subject to a personnel security investigation which must be favorably adjudicated for occupancy of a sensitive position and/or access to classified information. If you are selected for a critical/special sensitive position, you will be subject to a Single Scope Background Investigation (SSBI). For a critical sensitive position, you must be able to obtain and maintain security clearance eligibility at the Top Secret level. For a special sensitive position, you must be able to obtain and maintain security clearance eligibility at the Top Secret/Sensitive Compartmented Information (TS/SCI) level AND you will be subject to a random counterintelligence scope polygraph. Drug Testing: If you are given access to classified information, you will be subject to random drug testing. If you are selected for a special sensitive position, you will be placed in a drug testing designated position. You must pass a drug test before your assignment to such a position and you will be subject to random drug testing subsequent to your assignment. Performance Appraisal: If you are a current Federal employee, you must be rated fully successful or higher on your current performance rating to be eligible for promotion. You may be asked to provide a copy of your performance appraisal during the evaluation and selection process. Defense Acquisition Workforce Improvement Act (DAWIA) Certification Program: As a condition of employment, the selectee must meet the requirements of the DAWIA Certification Program. The selectee must obtain the required certification within the specified grace period for their applicable certification level, except that designated Key Leadership Positions at the GS-14/15 levels require certification completion at the time of assignment.