VPD Government Solutions is a rapidly growing, employee-centric professional services company providing Strategic Communications & Stakeholder Engagement, Acquisition and Grants Management, PMO, IT PMO, and Data Analysis & Governance support to our federal clients.  Our employees proudly serve as trusted advisors and innovative problem solvers for our clients. We are seeking an ENTRY LEVEL BUDGET ASSISTANT to join our diverse and talented team. This position will begin immediately and is funded until June 9, 2024. Continuation of this position past June 9th, 2024 is contingent upon funding availability and will be determined at a later date.

The ENTRY LEVEL BUDGET ASSISTANT supports budget activities of the Office of Planning, Research, and Evaluation (OPRE) in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Administration for Children and Families (ACF). OPRE oversees contracts and grants to study ACF’s social services programs and the low-income and at-risk children and families they serve. Areas of focus include Head Start, child care, welfare, employment and self-sufficiency, child abuse and neglect, responsible fatherhood and healthy marriage, home visiting, and youth services. OPRE includes approximately one hundred federal and contracted staff, primarily research and evaluation specialists. OPRE oversees a portfolio of approximately $200 million in grants and contracts.

• Information on ACF is available at https://acf.hhs.gov. 
• Information on OPRE is available at https://acf.hhs.gov/opre

POSITION OVERVIEW:

The JUNIOR BUDGET ASSISTANT provides services for the OPRE Office of the Director and is primarily responsible for managing congressionally directed grants, to includes managing them throughout various financial systems, tracking their progress through to award, tracking payments, performing reconciliations, maintaining administration processes, and producing reports. 

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Process grants funding based on applications submitted using GrantSolutions (review for accuracy against the master grant list, verify all systems have consistent information, request corrections when needed, work with external financial management offices to resolve discrepancies, etc.)
• Track the grant as it progresses through the various stages within GrantSolutions from application to award
• Update payment records for invoices within OPRE’s financial management system
• Run weekly financial reports, track spending, and update funding lines in OPRE’s financial management system
• Search for information in a variety of internal and external data systems and make updates/inquiries as needed to ensure that all systems are accurate
• Assist budget team in developing strategies and systems for managing project workflows and implementing operational improvements
• Map out and document business processes and protocols, looking for ways to streamline existing operations
• Support records management and file organization activities
• Communicate regularly with OPRE staff to answer budget-related questions
• Assist with the compilation of responses to ad hoc and recurring data or information requests from OPRE and ACF management
• Must be available to work on September 30th and October 1st (weekday or weekend) in order to support OPRE’s fiscal year closeout activities
• Perform other duties needed to achieve VPD and/or customer mission success

REQUIREMENTS:

• Bachelor’s degree and at least 1 year of relevant professional experience is required in Finance, Accounting, Business, Public Administration, or a related field
• Skilled at communicating technical concepts within a team and across a variety of staff with varying levels of comfort with the budget process
• Adept at learning many different systems and understanding the differing natures of each system and its users
• Demonstrated ability to build and maintain relationship with program office staff and external partners
• Strong and forward-thinking problem-solving skills--able to analyze issues, extrapolate implications, develop and recommend alternative approaches and solutions, etc.
• Ability to work independently, be flexible, and work as part of a remote team in a fast-paced environment
• Excellent project and time management skills, including handling multiple projects simultaneously and on tight timeframes, while also managing shifting priorities
• Ability to be detail-oriented, process-oriented, and driven to produce high-quality work
• Strong written and oral communication skills, including the ability to write clearly and succinctly, and to be responsive
• Strong proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (Outlook, Word, Teams, PowerPoint) with specific expertise in Microsoft Excel (utilizing pivot tables, VLOOKUPs, data filtering/sorting, etc.)
• Must be fully vaccinated for COVID-19
• U.S. Citizenship required

DESIRED:

• Experience navigating federal information systems, preferred (e.g., GrantSolutions)

WHY WORK FOR VPD?

• VPD is proud to be a certified Great Place to Work in 2022-2023! See more about what our employees think! Working at VPD Government Solutions | Great Place to Work®
• Robust employee benefits package beginning on 1st of the month following hire date including health, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance
• 401(k) with 5% employer matching- immediate vesting!
• Flexible time off program including 3 weeks of paid time off
• Tuition reimbursement program
• Opportunities for professional development
• Employee-centric work culture including company sponsored events, happy hours, and team-building opportunities, frequent communications/information sharing from Leadership, supportive and positive teamwork environment, “open door” policy, etc.

WORK LOCATION: REMOTE - HHS/ACF CLIENT BASED IN WASHINGTON, DC 

VPD is Service-Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) and is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

• VPD Uses E-Verify - Right to Work Poster
• VPD Uses E-Verify - Participation Notice

Applicants have rights under Federal Employment Laws:

• EEOC Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal
• EEO is the Law - Federal Contractors/Subcontractors
• Employee Polygraph Protection Act
• Pay Transparency Nondiscrimination Provision