Quality Assurance Specialist (0511)

Summary This position is located in the Office of the Inspector General The supervisor is the Assistant Inspector General for Audits and Evaluations Division Expenses associated with an interview will be paid; however, expenses associated with a relocation will NOT be paid. This position is subject to Confidential Financial Disclosure reporting requirements. This position is subject to Securities Ownership Prohibition. This position is non-bargaining unit. Responsibilities Like all positions within the OIG, this is a hybrid-telework position, combining virtual work with in-person work. The in-person component involves attendance at the OIG office, located within the NRC Headquarters building (free garage parking), at least three days per week, that is, at least six days per two-week pay period, subject to revision by the Inspector General. There is flexibility as to which in-person days are chosen. The person selected for this position will be required to relocate to the Washington, DC metropolitan area within 120 days after accepting the position if residing more than 50 miles from NRC headquarters. The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) Office of the Inspector General (OIG), Audits and Evaluations Division (AED), performs audits and evaluation work and reporting of NRC and Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board (DNFSB) programs and operations. As the Quality Assurance Specialist, you will carry out the day-to-day quality assurance functions to ensure audit and evaluation work and reporting adhere to appropriate professional standards (I.e., Yellow Book and Blue Book). You will advise AED staff on results of quality assurance reviews and edits as appropriate. You will work with agency officials to coordinate resolution on OIG audit recommendations and appropriate closure of corrective actions. You will draft new and revise existing policies and procedures outlined in the Audit and Evaluations Manual to ensure operations comply with Yellow Book and Blue Book standards. You will collaborate with AED staff in the preparation of the annual plan, management and performance challenges, and Semiannual Report to Congress. You will ensure that the quality assurance system is suitably designed to provide reasonable assurance for compliance with Government auditing and peer review standards. Finally, during the course of each project, you will work in close coordination with the responsible AED team, other appropriate OIG staff, appropriate agency personnel, and other stakeholders. The Quality Assurance Specialist (QAS) is responsible for establishing policies and procedures for monitoring the system of quality control. The QAS performs monitoring to assess compliance with professional standards and quality control policies and procedures. At least annually, the QAS analyzes and summarizes the results of its monitoring to identify any systemic or repetitive issues needing improvement and makes recommendations to management for corrective action. The QAS gathers and analyzes data to identify systemic trends and conditions. The QAS collaborates with management to identify opportunities for process improvements and to implement an enhanced quality control system. Demonstrates thought leadership and an inquisitive mind to bring value-added insights to analyses and solutions related to audits and Provides guidance and mentoring to AED staff on best practices and quality assurance processes. Monitors AED annual training requirements, ensuring staff compliance with standards and prepares annual CPE certification Assists with preparing various quality reports to senior leadership and the NRC and Reviews existing and proposed legislation, regulations, and standard operating procedures in terms of their impact on economy, efficiency, and effectiveness, and their prevention of fraud and abuse. Provides detailed feedback to AED staff on quality deficiencies and areas for improvement. Remains current on industry trends, professional standards, and best practices for quality assurance in audit and evaluation work. Leads the development of annual audit plans and management challenges reports by collaborating with teams for content creation and synthesizing the final product. Leads the response to peer reviews of AED work by addressing findings, coordinating input from relevant teams, and ensuring corrective actions are implemented. Evaluates and assists in the response to requests, inquiries, and complaints, which may be from Congress, OMB, other Federal agencies, OIG or NRC management and the general public. Maintains the AED Manual to comply with current Yellow Book and Blue Book requirements and revisions as well as OIG policies, procedures and audit software product platforms. Other duties as required. A description of how you possess the specialized experience as well as how you meet the qualifications desired in an ideal candidate should be addressed in your resume. Requirements Conditions of Employment Background investigation leading to a "Q" clearance is required. This position is covered and subject to prohibited securities rules. This is a Drug Testing position. You must meet the qualifications for this position by no later than 30 calendar days after the closing date of this announcement and before placement in the position. Qualifications To qualify for this position, you must have at least one year of specialized experience at the GG-12 grade level (or equivalent) in the Federal service performing audits. Specialized experience is experience which demonstrates thorough knowledge of the Government Accountability Office's Government Auditing Standards (GAGAS) applicable to audit techniques and procedures and skill in training, conducting, and reporting on audits and evaluations that promote economy, efficiency, and effectiveness. The ideal candidate for this position will be able to demonstrate the following: Knowledge of Generally Accepted Government Auditing Standards (GAGAS) to ensure that a system of quality control provides reasonable assurance that an organization’s audit function complies with professional standards. Demonstrated ability to review, analyze, and edit audit/evaluation reports to ensure compliance with professional. Demonstrated ability to maintain effective working relationships with agency officials to coordinate resolution on audit recommendations and appropriate closure of corrective actions. Ability to write policies and procedures to ensure audit and evaluation operations comply with professional. Superior written and verbal communications. Solid understanding and proficiency of auditing standards and reporting. Education Applicants that wish to apply for the Auditing occupational series 0511, must meet the following educational requirements to qualify: Applicants must have a degree in 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. Certified Public Accountant certifications preferred, but not required. Five (5) or more years of work experience, required. Education requirements: All education must be accredited by an institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Applicants can verify accreditation here: www.ed.gov/admins/finaid/accred. Special instructions for candidates with foreign education: Education completed outside the United States must be deemed equivalent to that gained in U.S. education programs. You must submit all necessary documents to a private U.S. credential evaluation service to interpret equivalency of your education against courses given in U.S. accredited colleges and universities. For further information visit: http://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html Additional Information The NRC provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities where appropriate. Individuals with disabilities may contact the Selective Placement Coordinator for assistance with the application or hiring process via Disability.Resource@nrc.gov. Deaf applicants may contact the Disability Program Manager by calling the NRC videophone at 240-428-3217. Individuals who are eligible for non-competitive appointment under an Office of Personnel and Management (OPM) special appointing authority may apply for consideration under a comparable NRC non-competitive appointing authority. Veterans, please visit: http://www.fedshirevets.gov/ Selectees will be required to complete a "Declaration of Federal Employment", (OF-306), prior to being appointed to determine their suitability for Federal employment and to authorize a background investigation. False statements or responses on your resume or questionnaire can jeopardize your employment opportunity and subject you to disciplinary action, including removal from federal service. A transferable security clearance from another agency or a background investigation leading to a clearance is required for all new hires. To begin work at the NRC without a security clearance, you must be granted a temporary waiver of the required clearance, referred to as a 145(b) waiver. To be eligible for a 145(b) waiver you will need a favorable education verification, reference, credit, and criminal history checks. If a wavier is granted, the successful completion of a background investigation and favorable adjudication is required for continued employment. If you have resided outside the U.S. for an extended period of time, the agency may not be able to (1) grant the 145(b) waiver where the required investigation cannot be completed in a timely manner, or (2) achieve timely completion of the background investigation required for a security clearance. The NRC is a zero tolerance agency with respect to illegal drug use. Individuals selected for this position will be subject to pre-appointment drug testing unless currently in an NRC position subject to random drug testing AND will be subject to random drug testing upon appointment to the NRC.