Budget Technician (OA)

West Palm Beach VA Medical Center is looking for a Budget Technician (OA) who performs clerical and technician work in support of budget analysis and administration of fund control points in Health Administration Service (HAS). The work requires a practical understanding and skill in the application of HAS rules, regulations and procedures associated with recoding, reporting, processing, and keeping track of fund control points. The Budget Technician (OA) Performs accounting functions involving projections, contract procurement, verification of mathematical accuracy of data, while determining travel eligibility on all invoices pertaining to patient travel. They conduct transactions pertaining to Beneficiary Travel, Veteran Transportation Service (VTS), Self-Care Housing, and Fund Control Points with a budget of over 15 million dollars. The Budget Technician projects and obligates funds monthly and balances accounts. All fund control points require understanding, foresight and the ability to tract and estimate cost of different budgetary processes and procedures. Additional Duties Include But Not Limited To: Utilizes VA's Invoice Processing Payment System (IPPS) to verify accuracy, manage, and process Contractor E-vendor claims in timely manner (eCams). Prepares monthly, quarterly, and fiscal year budget forecasts based on previous account activity, inflation, new service projections, and population growth projections. Determines accurate cost data to accurately project future cost impact and to make necessary adjustment to requests for funds. Maintains current and accurate records and keeps supervisor informed of the status of invoices, expenditures, and projected needs through reports and daily interaction. Sets up and monitors 1358s and 2237s associated with contract and non-contract accounts for Vendors, calculates amount of money for each account, and requests monies for obligation through IFCAP program, while analyzing, reconciling, and validating each account payable. Maintains and monitors 1358 and 2237 accounts which include daily and weekly entering of actual invoice monies spent through IFCAP program by setting up authorization amounts, entering daily expenses, certifying invoices, and forwarding to voucher audit for payment. Assists in the verification of vouchers and audits, post transactions to account records, reconciles reports, and analyzes the running balance of all FCP monitored. Enters fund requisition for utilizing IFCAP computer system and provides approving Control Point Official with listing of requests ready for approval. Assures all obligations are made by the 15th day of the last month of the quarter to determine the need for excess funds. Reviews and audits all claims to ensure necessary information for processing is present, i.e., accuracy of transport dates, charges for transport, etc. Contacts physicians, ambulances or other transportation providers, hospitals and other medical treatment facilities, Veterans and Veteran Service Representatives to obtain additional information in the development of claims. Refers claims to the appropriate VA facility having jurisdiction over the claim if out of our area of jurisdiction. Determines allowable charges for transport by using the contract, sharing agreement, or other applicable fee schedule. Makes individual determinations on each claim based on legal entitlement and specific circumstances involved. Posts payment information to appropriate document of record and signs administrative certification necessary for processing of payment. Verifies eligibility for reimbursement of transportation on all beneficiary travel requests, the method of payment (mileage versus common carrier rate), computes final entitlement considering deductible, if applicable, whether the Veteran has a scheduled appointment or is a walk-in. Verifies residence to confirm if Veteran is being treated at the closest facility that can provide his/her type of care. Serves as an initial point of reference for Beneficiary Travel Appeal cases. Coordinates with the coordinator for the appeal board to ensure that claims are submitted for review and patients are informed of their appeal status. Work Schedule: Monday through Friday, 8:00 am to 4:30 pm. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Description/PD#: Budget Technician (OA)/PD030460 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized. Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Approved. Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized. To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 10/05/2026. Time-In-Grade Requirement: Applicants who are current Federal employees and have held a GS grade any time in the past 52 weeks must also meet time-in-grade requirements by the closing date of this announcement. For a GS-7 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-6. The grade may have been in any occupation, but must have been held in the Federal service. An SF-50 that shows your time-in-grade eligibility must be submitted with your application materials. If the most recent SF-50 has an effective date within the past year, it may not clearly demonstrate you possess one-year time-in-grade, as required by the announcement. In this instance, you must provide an additional SF-50 that clearly demonstrates one-year time-in-grade. Note: Time-In-Grade requirements also apply to former Federal employees applying for reinstatement as well as current employees applying for Veterans Employment Opportunities Act of 1998 (VEOA) appointment. You may qualify based on your experience as described below: Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-06 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: Performs cost account functions involving estimates, procurement, validation, and reconciliation; Reviews monthly orders and make adjustments as necessary to conform to budgetary limitations; Purchases supplies, equipment, and services through open market purchase by blanket agreement, credit card, or field purchase order; Manages purchases on Government Travel Charge Card to include complying with all rules and regulations for purchases; and Maintains accurate current records and keeps Fund Control Point Officials informed of the status of orders, reports, and funds. You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position: Financial Management: Prepares, justifies, and/or administers the budget for program area; plans, administers, and monitors expenditures to ensure cost-effective support of programs and policies. Auditing: Knowledge of generally accepted auditing standards and procedures for conducting financial and compliance, economy and efficiency, and program results audits. Customer Service: Works with clients and customers (that is, any individuals who use or receive the services or products that your work unit produces, including the general public, individuals who work in the agency, other agencies, or organizations outside the Government) to assess their needs, provide information or assistance, resolve their problems, or satisfy their expectations; knows about available products and services; is committed to providing quality products and services. Administration and Management: Knowledge of planning, coordination, and execution of business functions, resource allocation, and production. 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; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Note: A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. Part-time experience will be credited on the basis of time actually spent in appropriate activities. Applicants wishing to receive credit for such experience must indicate clearly the nature of their duties and responsibilities in each position and the number of hours a week spent in such employment. Physical Requirements: Work is of sedentary nature with possible prolonged periods of sitting in one position. Some walking, standing, bending, and occasional carrying of light items from one area to another. For more information on these qualification standards, please visit the United States Office of Personnel Management's website at https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/. You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959 Subject to background/security investigation Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP) As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Upon completion of your probationary period or trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest. There is no educational substitution at this grade level. Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.