Financial Analyst

This position is in the Office of the Under Secretary, Build America Bureau, Office of Credit Programs (OCP). The OCP administers the Department’s transportation investment credit programs applying consistent credit policies and management practices across all Bureau credit programs in the application process and credit agreements.

Qualifications:

To meet the minimum qualifications for this position, you must meet the experience qualifications for the grade at which you are requesting consideration.

To qualify for the Grade 15, you must have at least one year of specialized experience equal or equivalent to the GS-14, it must include:

• Experience independently performing credit underwriting and execution functions (i.e., evaluating credit applications, credit analysis, structuring financing packages, negotiations with borrowers up to final signing of agreements) for infrastructure project financings (i.e., the debt and/or equity provided to finance the project are paid back from the cash flows generated by that project) with transaction size greater than $50 million within a reputed and established financial institution as a regular and recurring part of your job with minimal supervision.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES (KSAs): Your qualifications will be evaluated on the basis of your level of knowledge, skills, abilities and/or competencies in the following areas:

1. Technical Competence - Transportation Infrastructure/Project Financial Analysis (i.e., Knowledge of the principles, methods, and techniques of infrastructure/project financial analysis, forecasting, and modeling to interpret quantitative and qualitative data; includes data modeling, earned value management, and evaluating key financial indicators, trends, and historical data).
2. Risk Management - Knowledge of the principles, methods, and tools used for risk assessment and mitigation, including assessment of failures and their consequences.
3. Capital Planning and Investment Assessment - Knowledge of the principles and methods of capital investment analysis or business case analysis, including return on investment analysis.
4. Organizational Performance Analysis - Knowledge of the methods, techniques, and tools used to analyze program, organizational, and mission performance; includes methods that deliver key performance information (for example, comparative, trend, diagnostic, root cause, predictive) used to inform decisions, actions, communications, and accountability systems.
5. Federal Funds Processing - Knowledge of methods and procedures for processing direct and reimbursable program funds (for example, automatic and funded reimbursements, inter-agency agreements, transfer appropriations), grants, loans, and credit programs.

For all types of consideration, 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 directly to paid employment.  You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

For additional information about applying to Federal positions, please click on the following link: https://www.opm.gov/frequently-asked-questions/employment-faq/federal-hiring/how-do-i-apply-for-federal-jobs/

All applicants must meet all qualification requirements by the closing date of this announcement.

Responsibilities:

As a Financial Policy Advisor, you will:

• Serve as a Senior Underwriter on the Underwriting Team to ensure a comprehensive evaluation of assigned projects through the application of expert and well-established infrastructure finance credit evaluations and practices and the credit program criteria. Lead a team of USDOT employees and contractors in evaluating requests for credit assistance to borrowers seeking to develop transportation projects of regional and national significance.
• Negotiate a credit instrument; establish the schedule and goals for the negotiations and serve as the point of contact with the borrower’s representatives while in underwriting; recommend negotiating strategy and position to Bureau Leadership for each approved project. Identify the conditions that justify Federal credit assistance and protect Federal credit security regarding each proposed loan.
• Analyze borrower financials and evaluate credit risks inherent in complex projects, including analyzing and evaluating financial models and forecasts containing sensitivity analyses. For each executed credit agreement, work with the Bureau Portfolio Management team to establish a Project Monitoring Plan that addresses the project particular risks identified during evaluation and negotiation.
• Consult with potential applicants regarding opportunities for Federal credit assistance. Keep management informed and suggest financial structures that would best utilize Federal credit assistance to enhance the project’s credit profile.
• Maintain peer relationships with industry professionals – bankers, bond insurers, attorneys, financial advisors and credit analysts – who structure financings that would utilize Federal credit assistance. Represent USDOT at meetings and conferences on credit programs. Provide feedback to Bureau Leadership regarding industry views of the Bureau credit programs.

The ideal candidate is a seasoned, motivated and self-reliant professional with experience utilizing expertise in credit analysis, project finance and the capital markets to evaluate, negotiate and monitor credit agreements for transportation infrastructure projects while safe guarding the federal investment.

Salary : $169,279