Summary United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Marketing Service, Dairy Program, Federal Milk Market Administrator falls under the Excepted Service. This position will be filled in the 5101 Auditor series. Responsibilities As the Senior Auditor in this position, you will: Prepare audit plans and scope based on Federal Order provisions. Systematically examine and appraise production, sales, inventory, and financial records of dairy plant operations to determine the accuracy of reported data. Determine audit adjustments, changes to plant records, and recommend procedures based on Federal Order provisions. Prepare work papers and related documentation that support audit findings and conclusions. Represent the Market Administrator office in contacts with the dairy industry and co-workers in a manner which consistently demonstrates fairness, cooperation, and respect in the performance of all official business. Resolve complex auditing issues and/or identify issues that require management action. Serve as a team leader as well as a member of the audit team. You will mentor junior auditors and assist Audit Manager with their career development. Have experience in an equivalent accounting, audit, or finance position at a dairy plant or other commodity operation and are familiar with all of the regulatory and reporting requirements associated with preparation of receipt and utilization reports and payrolls associated with manufacturing of commodities or goods. Participate with other team members, providing updates on the status of audit assignments, sharing information, and identifying requisite revisions to the program and/or annual team goals. NOTE: This position falls under pay bands MA 15-19. Selectee's pay will be set between the MA 15-18 pay bands based on years of education and/or experience. Requirements Conditions of Employment Qualifications In order to qualify, you must meet the basic qualification listed below AND possess the required specialized experience specific to the series and grade you applying to. Your resume must clearly describe your relevant experience. If qualifying based on education, a copy of your unofficial transcripts must be provided with your application. Basic Requirement: Have bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, mathematics, dairy or food science, or agricultural economics with at least 9 semester hours in accounting. OR Have a bachelor's degree in any other field with at least 15 semester hours in accounting. Semester hours in investigative or research courses may be substituted for accounting. Example of these investigative/research courses include analysis, fraud, or forensic courses dealing with business, or finance, etc.. OR If you do not have a college degree, you must have the appropriate semester or quarter hours described above, and audit or accounting experience that, when combined with education, would equal a 4-year course of study. AND As a Senior Auditor, applicants must have experience working with the rules and regulations of a milk marketing order at the State or Federal level, including the review or preparation of receipt and utilization reports and dairy producer payrolls. The Senior Auditor has experience providing advice and guidance on a wide range and variety of auditing issues related to dairy plant or handler market reports. The Senior Auditor investigates unusual dairy plant or handler activities or situations. In addition to meeting one of the Basic Requirements listed above, applicants must meet the following professional experience or graduate education requirement (or an equivalent combination of both) in order to be considered. This experience or education must have equipped the candidate with the necessary knowledge and ability to fully perform the work of the position to be filled. Professional Experience Qualification Requirements: To qualify at the MA-15 payband or higher applicants must have eighteen months (1.5 years) of professional experience, and an additional 6 months of professional experience for each grade from MA 16 to MA 18 in a field directly related to the position to be filled. Required professional experience is as follows: (1) Providing systematic examination and appraisal of production, sales, inventory, and financial records to determine the accuracy of reported data; (2) Assisting with the preparation of work papers and related documentation to support audit findings and conclusions; (3) Utilizing financial reporting systems and accounting procedures to conduct on-site audits; AND (4) Documenting audit findings and recommendations for usage in final audit report. OR Graduate Education: MA -15 applicants must have 1.5 years of full-time graduate education, MA-16 applicants must have 2 years of full-time graduate educations, and MA 17 applicants must have 2.5 years of full time-graduate education in accounting, finance, mathematics, dairy or food science, or agricultural economics with at least 9 semester hours in accounting. There is no substitution of education for experience beyond the MA-17 grade level. Part-time or unpaid experience: Credit will be given for appropriate unpaid and or part-time work. You must clearly identify the duties and responsibilities in each position held and the total number of hours per week. Volunteer or unpaid experience: Refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service Programs (i.e., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community; student and social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge and skills that can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Education Education Requirements: You must provide transcripts or other documentation to support your educational claims. Unless otherwise stated: (1) unofficial transcripts are acceptable, or (2) you may submit a list with all of your courses, grades, semester, year, and credit for the course. All materials must be submitted by the closing date of the announcement. Foreign education: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show that the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. For further information, click here. You must provide translated transcripts. Additional Information Additional selections may be made from this announcement. Dairy Program offers competitive salaries and an attractive benefits package, including: health, dental, vision, life, and long-term care insurance; retirement plan; Thrift Savings Plan [similar to a 401(k)]; Flexible Spending Account; Employee Assistance Program; personal leave days; and paid federal holidays. If you receive a tentative offer of employment for this position, you will be required to complete an Optional Form 306, Declaration for Federal Employment, and to sign and certify the accuracy of all information in your application, prior to entry on duty. False statements on any part of the application may result in withdrawal of offer of employment, dismissal after beginning work, fine, or imprisonment. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, and where applicable, sex, marital status, familial status, parental status, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, political beliefs, reprisal, or because all or a part of an individual's income is derived from any public assistance program. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA's TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD). To file a complaint of discrimination write to USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20250-9410 or call (800) 795-3272 (voice) or (202) 720-6382 (TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. The applicant must be a high-school graduate, 18 years of age or older, have a valid driver license, and provide proof of insurability. You must be a U.S. citizen. Males born after 1959 must be registered with the Selective Service. If you make a false statement in any part of your application, you may not be hired; or may be fired after you begin work; and you may be subject to fine, imprisonment, or other disciplinary action. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process should contact the hiring agency directly. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis. The information requested here is used to determine qualifications for employment and is authorized under Title 5 U.S.C. 3302 and 3361. Privacy Act Notice (PL93-579)