FINANCIAL SYSTEMS SPECIALIST

About the role

This job announcement uses the USA Hire Assessment to evaluate applicants. For more information, visit USA Hire Assessment.

What you will do

• Conducts System Acceptance Testing (SAT) and Operational Testing and Evaluation on military pay systems to validate calculations, entitlements, and reporting integrity.
• Evaluates workflow processes and defines functional requirements to support configuration management and system transition across service branches and field sites.
• Analyzes Master Military Pay Account (MMPA) discrepancies, executing systematic data fixes and coordinating manual adjustments to ensure continuous payroll accuracy.
• Validates and maintains legacy system interfaces and Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) to ensure uninterrupted data exchanges between external agencies and payroll systems.
• Coordinates software deployment across military departments, developing standardized training materials, instructing end users, and providing operational help desk support.

Education

GS-9 Substitution of Education for Experience: Two full years of progressively higher level graduate education, Master's or equivalent graduate degree, may be substituted to meet the specialized experience requirement. Equivalent combinations of successfully completed graduate level education and experience may be used to meet total experience requirements.

GS-11 Substitution of Education for Experience: Three full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree may be substituted to meet the specialized experience requirement.

Equivalent combinations of successfully completed higher-level graduate level education and experience may be used to meet total experience requirements. The Security Designation will vary and dependent upon position and may require a secret clearance or higher. Employment in this position requires a background investigation which may delay starting date.

If you are selected and cannot obtain a favorable security determination within a reasonable period of time due to disclosed/undisclosed background issues, the employment offer may be withdrawn. Individuals selected are required to obtain/maintain a favorable security determination to occupy a sensitive position within the agency as a condition of employment.

Failure to maintain eligibility to occupy a sensitive position may result in termination.

For more information see the security section of Understanding Vacancy Announcements. This position requires you to obtain and maintain a Level 2 Certification under the DoD Financial Management (FM) Certification Program as a condition of employment.

If you are selected, you will have to obtain this certification within two (2) years of your entry on duty in the position unless you are already in a position that requires a Level 2 Certification in which case you must complete the certification within the original 2-year period.

Failure to become certified within the required time-frame may be grounds for removal from the position and/or from Federal service.

Information about the DoD FM Certification Program is available at: ***

How you will be evaluated

IMPORTANT NOTE - YOU MUST FOLLOW ALL APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY.

ERRORS OR OMISSIONS MAY AFFECT YOUR RATING.

You will be evaluated based on how well you meet the qualifications listed in this vacancy announcement. Your qualifications will be evaluated based on your application materials (e.g., resume, supporting documents), your responses on the application and your responses to all assessments required for this position.

You will be assessed on the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics): Accountability Arithmetic/Mathematical Reasoning Attention to Detail Customer Service Decision Making Flexibility Integrity/Honesty Interpersonal Skills Learning Reasoning Self-Management Stress Tolerance Teamwork The USA Hire Assessment includes a cut score based on the minimum level of required proficiency in these critical general competencies.

You must meet or exceed the cut score to be considered.

You will not be considered for the position if you score below the cut score or fail to complete the assessment.

Reasonable Accommodation (RA) Requests: If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be granted the opportunity to request a RA in your online application.

Requests for RA for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for RA must be received prior to starting the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. Decisions on requests for RA are made on a case-by-case basis.

If you meet the minimum qualifications of the position, after notification of the adjudication of your request, you will receive an email invitation to complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, based on your adjudication decision.

You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, if you received the link after the close of the announcement.

To determine if you need a RA, please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments. ***

Documents you must provide

• You must provide a complete Application Package which includes: 1.
• Resume: A two-page maximum resume is required.
• Applicant guidance on the two-page resume requirement may be found at OPM.gov or at USAJ Resource Center.
• Complete initial Eligibility Questionnaire: Your resume must demonstrate the quality of your work as it relates to the experience requirements outlined in the job announcement.
• Other Supporting Documents.
• If you are requesting a reasonable accommodation to the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, submit documentation to support your request, including the Reasonable Accommodation Request Form found here.
• The following supporting documents are ONLY required if applicable to your personal qualifications or status.
• They must be received by the closing date of the announcement.
• Transcripts and/or Certifications: You must submit documentation if you are substituting education for experience.
• For additional information on acceptable documents or to see if you must submit documentation click here Transcripts and Certifications.
• You must also document your education and/or certifications in your resume.
• SF-50: Current and former federal employees, including current and former DFAS employees, must submit their SF-50 (Notification of Personnel Action) reflecting their highest grade held on a permanent basis for at least 52 weeks, tenure, and appointment type.
• Failure to provide this document may result in disqualification.
• Veterans Documentation: Click to review these authorities and documents verifying eligibility for a VEOA, VRA and/or 30% or more disabled veterans hiring authorities.
• Military Spouse Preference (MSP) Eligible: Military Spouse Preference applicants, must be selected and placed at the highest grade level for which they have applied and been determined best qualified up to and including the full performance level.
• You must include a completed copy of the Military Spouse PPP Self-Certification Checklist dated within 30 days along with the documents identified on the checklist to verify your eligibility for Military Spouse Preference.
• To download the checklist, select "Save" or "Save As" instead of "Open." Save the document to your device then open it as a PDF.
• Once the form is opened, select "Enable All Features" and the form will populate so that it can be completed. *** 5.
• Military Reserve (MR) and National Guard (NG) Technicians PPP Eligible: MR and NG technicians PPP applicants must be selected and placed at the full performance level if determined well qualified.
• You must include a completed copy of the Military Reserve and National Guard Technician PPP Self-Certification Checklist to verify your eligibility for Military Reserve and National Guard Technician preference.
• Click here to obtain a copy of the Military Reserve and National Guard Technician PPP Self-Certification Checklist.
• Military Reserve (MR) and National Guard (NG) Technicians Receiving Disability Retirement PPP Eligible: MR and NG technicians receiving disability retirement PPP applicants must be selected and placed at the full performance level if determined well qualified.
• You must include a completed copy of the Military Reserve and National Guard Technician Disability PPP Self-Certification Checklist to verify your eligibility for Military Reserve and National Guard Technician Disability preference.
• Click here to obtain a copy of the Military Reserve and National Guard Technician Disability PPP Self-Certification Checklist.
• Retained Grade PPP Eligible: Retained Grade PPP applicants, must be selected and placed at the full performance level if determined well qualified.
• You must include a completed copy of the Retained Grade PPP Self-Certification Checklist to verify your eligibility for Retained Grade preference.
• Click here to obtain a copy of the Retained Grade PPP Self-Certification Checklist.
• ICTAP Eligibles: A copy of the RIF separation notice and SF-50 if available.
• Other Special Hiring Authorities: Click here to review these authorities and the documentation you are required to submit.
• You may submit a cover letter which will be forwarded to the selecting official with your resume.
• Your cover letter will not be used to verify your qualifications or eligibility.
• WARNING: Failure to submit a complete application package including any required documentation by 11:59 PM (EST) 09/30/2026, or at the time of application for announcements with an extended closing date, may result in an ineligible rating and loss of consideration.
• To verify that your application is complete, log into your USAJOBS account, select Application Status and More Information.
• The Details page will display the status of your application.
• It is the applicant's responsibility to verify that information entered, uploaded, or faxed is received, legible and accurate.
• HR will not modify answers submitted by an applicant.

What to expect next

The resume you submit will be used to assess your qualifications for the job and to identify the best-qualified applicants to be referred to the hiring manager for further consideration and possible interviews. We will notify you of the outcome after each of these steps is completed.

After making a tentative job offer, we will conduct a suitability/security background investigation.

Additional information

Moving expenses will not be paid. The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 makes certain reimbursements/payments taxable. For information on these changes and the Relocation Income Tax Allowance (RITA), for which some appointees are eligible, click here.

For positions where relocation is paid (see Location block of vacancy announcement), you can learn more about relocation allowances and entitlements. Telework availability is limited and will only be provided on a rare case-by-case basis during situations where Agency Leadership has determined that telework serves a compelling DoD need.

We may use this announcement to make a temporary promotion. For some positions, the temporary promotion may be made permanent without further competition. Selections are subject to restrictions resulting from the DoD Program for Stability of Civilian Employment.

As a condition of employment, you may be required to serve a 1-year probationary period during which we'll evaluate whether your continued employment advances the public interest.

The evaluation will consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment advances agency or governmental goals; and whether your continued employment advances the efficiency of the Federal service.

At the end of the probationary period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification that your continued employment advances the public interest. We may use this announcement to fill additional vacancies within 120 days of the closing date. This position is Exempt from the Fair Labor Standards Act.

Travel requirement is seldom (1-24%). This position is not covered by a bargaining unit. Priority Placement Program (PPP) Military Spouse Preference (MSP) eligible candidates will receive priority consideration at the highest grade level for which they have applied and been determined best qualified up to and including the full performance level.

PPP Application Based Preference Eligibles (Military Reserve and National Guard technicians, Military Reserve and National Guard technicians receiving disability retirement, and Retained Grade employees) will receive priority consideration at the full performance level only.

Pay for first time hires to the Federal Government will typically be set at step 1 salary range for their respective grade level. Retired Civil Service Employee: Employment of retired Federal employees receiving an annuity is subject to the requirements of the Department of Defense (DoD) policy guidance. (See DoD Instruction 1400.25, Volume 300, here.

Criminal History Inquiries- For some positions, criminal history inquiries may not take place before you receive a conditional job offer. Please see Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs Act of 2019 (dfas.mil) for more information on The Fair Chance to Compete Act, exceptions, and DFAS contact information.