This Travel Program Specialist is located in Office of Information and Resource Management (OIRM), Division of Administrative Support (DAS). The Travel Management Section manages the NSF travel programs; provides special consultation on the Federal Travel Regulations (FTR) and related policies; plans and executes NSF travel activities and services; and institutes travel management best practices that most effectively support the NSF mission.

Duties

As a Travel Program Specialist, you will perform the following duties: Provides policy oversight, travel expense management, travel agency services support for the National Science Foundation Board, merit panel reviewers, advisory committees, committee of visitors, and internal NSF staff and invitees to ensure compliance with the Federal Travel Regulations (FTR) and other applicable federal guidance. Resolves complex problems in Travel operations and policy including the eTravel System, ConcurGov, Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA) Panelist Travel agency services, Passport and Visa Oversight, Government Travel Card, and NSF Employee Relocation. Oversees project management through sound data analysis and acts to ensure customer service delivery levels are consistent with Division plans and priorities. The incumbent interprets federal law and communicates it in plain language to customers and vendors. Provides guidance and advice for complex systems interface issues, including consulting related to developing, testing and modifying the financial system interfaces between NSF's financial system (Oracle Federal Financials) the NSF's travel systems; ConcurGov and the internal business system, GUEST. Performs complex analysis of existing and/or future financial and travel business processes, uses expertise in the field to independently interpret the FTR, federal financial systems/policy, associated agency travel and commercial travel policies and practices to determine how the needs of travelers can be met within the framework of existing Federal and agency guidelines. Develops studies on travel and financial system policies, and how evolving travel needs can be met within the framework of existing guidelines. Analysis and reports shall be documented using the standard MS Office suite of tools. Designs, writes and disseminates a variety of technical reports that require the retrieval of highly complex raw data and analysis, and its inclusion into appropriate report formats. Conducts data collection to resolve audit findings requiring administrative policy changes resulting from the Government Accountability Office (GAO) or Office of the Inspector General (OIG) audits and provides recommendations to Section Chief on implementation. Interprets guidance from GSA, the FTR and Appropriations Law to make recommendations that have the potential to significantly change travel policies at the NSF. Prepares and presents analysis in such a manner as to provide decision support addressing technical and financial cost-benefits and provide such analysis as a deliverable. Provides guidance and advice for routine to complex system enhancements between NSF's financial system, iTRAK and the NSF's travel systems; ConcurGov and GUEST. Uses learned knowledge to develop, build and execute custom and standard Financial and Travel Reports utilizing Cognos and Excel. Performs needs assessments, cost benefit analysis, risk identification and monitoring, business requirements analysis, business process modeling, and develop requirements specification and other highly technical documentation for software modifications to ConcurGov, GUEST or iTRAK. Reviews NSF travel policies and memorandums for accuracy and will recommend which polices are outdated or overcome by events based on newer policies. Reviews the NSF's current procedures and advises changes based on Government-wide precedence. Identifies and evaluates customer needs. Provides recommendations to Section Chief to improve customer service provided to NSF staff and panelists. Tracks and reports the status and dependencies to successfully meet the requirements in support of data calls. Manages logistics for travel training program to include providing desk side, small team and classroom training. Provides as needed as well as aiding NSF staff on both Financial and Travel systems with supported documentation. Provides technical guidance and training for more junior travel staff members. Reviews and responds to travel policy inquiries from internal and external NSF Customers. Acts as the Contracting Officer Representative (COR) for various travel program contracts. Prepares recommended replies to NSF leadership on travel program inquiries. Develops NSF-wide communications to be disseminated via multiple media outlets. Inputs Oracle iTRAK Purchase Orders and Requisitions associated to Travel Programs. Facilitates Employee Relocation requests for NSF Employees. Facilitates Official Government Passport and Visa requests. Facilitates Government Travel Card requests. Acts as the Agency Representative at various interagency working groups and travel forums ensuring that the latest updates and modifications are known and disseminated throughout the NSF. Serves as Travel Voucher Auditor.

Requirements

Qualifications

To qualify at the GS-12 level, you must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-11 in the Federal service performing a variety of functions in support of an organization's travel and relocation program. Examples of specialized experience include: researching, extracting, and analyzing travel data; contributing to the development of travel program plans and policies; conducting analysis to identify travel or relocation issues and preparing reports; contributing to the development of agency travel policies or procedures. To qualify at the GS-13 level, you must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-12 in the Federal service managing a variety of functions in support of an organization's travel and relocation program. Examples of this experience include: applying travel program knowledge to plan and conduct travel studies; analyzing travel data to determine attainment of program or organizational goals and objectives; implementing travel regulations and policies for an agency as they are issued from GSA and other sources; devising plans for the development of a travel program. Experience refers to paid/unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) & other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, & skills & can provide valuable training/experience that translates directly to paid work. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

Education

Education may enhance skills required for this position; however, no substitution of education for specialized experience may be made at this level.

Contacts

• Address NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION, OFFICE OF INFORMATION AND RESOURCE MANAGEMENT 2415 Eisenhower Ave Alexandria, VA 22314 US
• Name: Staffing and Classification Branch
• Email: [email protected]