Ombudsman (OO), EM-0301-00 (Merit Promotion)

Summary

This position is located in the Office of the Ombudsman (OO) of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation in Washington, D.C.

The FDIC Office of the Ombudsman (OO) strives to facilitate strong and transparent communications between the agency, its employees, and the financial industry.

Salary reflects a pay cap for this position of $310,000.

This job is open to

• Individuals with disabilities
• Federal employees - Competitive service
  
  Current or former competitive service federal employees.
• Federal employees - Excepted service
  
  Current excepted service federal employees.
• Military spouses
• Peace Corps & AmeriCorps Vista
• Senior executives
  
  Those who meet the five Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs).
• Special authorities
  
  Individuals eligible under a special authority not listed above, but defined in the federal hiring regulations.
• Veterans

Clarification from the agency

Applicants with status (i.e., current permanent Federal employees in the competitive service and former Federal employees with reinstatement eligibility); those eligible for appointment under special hiring authorities; and veterans eligible for VEOA appointment. Applicants without status should apply under FDIC announcement 2024-EM-PJN-0152 or 2024-EM-PJN-0153 (for Attorneys) to be considered.

Duties

• Serves as the principal liaison between the agency and any person/entity with respect to problems they have in dealing with the agency resulting from its regulatory activities, and ensures that safeguards exist to encourage complainants to come forward, while preserving confidentiality, building trust, enhancing relationships, and improving communications.
• Develops, implements, evaluates, and improves an independent, confidential, neutral problem resolution function for FDIC-regulated financial institutions and complaint resolution function for the general public. Provides strategic direction; continually monitors and evaluates the program for effective and efficient accomplishment of objectives, maximum utilization of resources, and successful interaction with related programs or operations within the agency.
• Performs and/or coordinates the investigation of complaints, and reviews Reports of Examinations and other supervisory materials to identify a range of options for the resolution of complex or sensitive inquiries, complaints, and appeals relating to FDIC regulatory and financial institution supervision, examination, and resolution activities. Interprets and applies laws, rules, and regulations governing FDIC-regulated institutions, including guidelines and protocols governing the appeals of FDIC's material supervisory determinations.
• Operates and responds independently to questions and complaints received from the industry; shares data, trends, and reports in a manner that protects confidential information and maintains the office as an independent, impartial, and unbiased resource. Meets with insured depository institution senior officials and/or boards of directors, and FDIC and other federal and state government regulators to discuss and resolve complaints brought to the attention of the OO.
• Actively promotes awareness of the OO's mission and services to industry stakeholders, federal and state regulatory counterparts, and trade associations through the development and implementation of an effective nationwide outreach program. Regularly visits with financial institution presidents and CEOs; participates in various industry events (e.g., annual state banker trade conferences), and fosters and maintains collaborative working relationships with other financial regulators, state banking authorities, trade associations, and FDIC stakeholders.
• Serves as a change agent for the FDIC by identifying systemic challenges and recommending a range of options to address them. This may include identifying emerging trends, policy gaps, and patterns of problematic areas in agency policies, procedures, or regulations pertaining to financial institution examination, supervision, and resolution matters.
• Resolves conflict, facilitates communication, assists with surfacing issues, and provides feedback on emerging or systemic concerns related to financial institution supervision and examination policies and principles; works to resolve issues or concerns on complex regulatory and financial institution supervisory policy and examination matters affecting FDIC-supervised institutions and their customers.
• Serves as a non-voting member of the Supervision Appeals Review Committee (SARC), advocating for a fair process, validating that both parties to each appeal receive all materials considered by the SARC, and monitoring the supervision of the appealing financial institutions for signs of retaliation. Periodically reports to the FDIC's Board of Directors on the post-appeal monitoring process.
• Performs the full range of supervisory duties to include: planning, assigning, and reviewing work products of subordinates; establishing guidelines and performance expectations; and, evaluating work performance and providing feedback to others on their performance. Identifies training and developmental needs for staff and provides regular recognition. Works in collaboration with the appropriate Human Resources and Legal staff to administer disciplinary action. Hears and resolves grievances or other disputes as appropriate. Approves/disapproves requests for leave, telework, travel, training, etc.
• Shares in the Corporation-wide commitment and efforts to develop Employment Opportunity (EEO), Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA), employee development, employee performance, and other personnel plans, processes, programs, and metrics in compliance with Corporate policy, legal requirements, and the mission of the Division; leads efforts to mature the organization and management of work within area of responsibility; leads diverse groups of employees to: direct work, review outcomes/effectiveness, develop and assess subordinate managers, and promote inclusion.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

Registration with the Selective Service.

U.S. Citizenship is required.

Employment Conditions.

High-Risk-Background Investigation.

Employee may be relocated to any duty location to meet management needs.

Qualifications

To meet the minimum qualifications, applicants must possess the leadership and technical experiences listed below. These qualifications would typically be gained through progressively responsible management or executive-level assignments.

Qualifying experience may be obtained in the private or public sector. 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, skills, and abilities and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: All applicants must submit a resume that addresses each minimum qualification experience. Examples should be clear, concise, and emphasize your level of responsibilities; the scope and complexity of the programs, activities, or services you managed; program accomplishments; policy initiatives undertook; level of contacts; the sensitivity and criticality of the issues you addressed; and the results of your actions. You should use action-oriented leadership words to describe your experience and accomplishments and quantify your experience wherever possible to demonstrate your accomplishments (e.g., number of employees supervised). Leadership experiences identified must have been performed in an official supervisory role.

Leadership Experience 1: Experience in overseeing and coordinating the work of organizational units, including assigning work; directing changes to programs and priorities; and evaluating performance against goals; AND

Leadership Experience 2: Experience in managing employee performance and growth, including evaluating employee readiness for successive roles; recognizing accomplishments, providing feedback and development opportunities, and addressing performance/conduct issues; AND

Leadership Experience 3: Experience in overseeing the implementation of and improvements to recruiting, hiring, training, utilization, and succession readiness of staff.

Technical Experience 1: Experience in conducting reviews of supervisory materials to identify solutions to inquiries and complaints relating to financial supervision, examination, or resolution activities; AND

Technical Experience 2: Experience in applying a variety of dispute resolution techniques to lead the resolution of complex and sensitive disputes in a financial industry regulatory context.

Education

There is no substitution of education for the experience for this position.

Additional information

For FDIC Employees: The five-day notification process does not apply to corporate and executive manager positions. Failure to provide your application documentation (i.e. up-to-date resume) in support of your qualifications for this position by the closing date will limit your ability to receive maximum consideration. Take a moment to ensure that your resume and assessment questionnaire responses reflect the qualifications and eligibility requirements of this position by the closing date.

To read about your rights and responsibilities as an applicant for Federal employment, click here.

If selected, you may be required to serve a supervisory/managerial probationary period.

If selected, you may be required to serve a probationary or trial period as applicable to appointment type.

Additional selections may be made from this vacancy announcement to fill identical vacancies that occur subsequent to this announcement.

FDIC Executive Managers (EM) are in the Federal competitive service and not the Senior Executive Service (SES). As an EM at the FDIC, you will provide executive leadership and managerial direction over substantive activities related to planning, developing, executing, and coordinating the Corporation's programs and policies.

Current or Former Political Appointees: The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) must authorize employment offers made to current or former political appointees. If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C or Non-Career SES employee in the Executive Branch, you must disclose this information to the HR Office.

• Benefits
  
  A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
  
  The FDIC offers comprehensive benefits to its employees. These benefits, some at minimal cost, are some of the best and most competitive in both the private and public sectors.
  
  In addition, under FDIC's Group Life Insurance Program, basic life insurance coverage for Executive Managers is automatically equal to 3 times their salary (rounded to the next higher thousand) up to a maximum of $800,000. Executives may also choose from two other lower coverage options. The Corporation pays for the cost of the basic coverage unless employees also elect to be covered under the Federal Employees Group Life Insurance Program (FEGLI).
  
  To find out more, click here.
  
  Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.

How You Will Be Evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

Your resume will be reviewed, to determine whether you meet the qualification requirements outlined in this announcement. Therefore, it is imperative that your resume contains sufficiently detailed information upon which to make the qualification determination.

If you are found minimally qualified, a Management Rating Panel (MRP) will review your qualifications and experience against pre-established benchmarks. The rating panel will place applications in one of three quality categories, i.e., Best Qualified, Highly Qualified, or Qualified. These category assignments are a measure of the degree in which your background and responses to the assessment questions match the competencies listed below.

Top ranked (Best Qualified) candidates will be referred to the selecting official for further review and consideration.

The competencies/KSAs you will be assessed on are listed below.

• Conflict Management
• Critical Thinking
• External Awareness
• Influencing Others
• Interpersonal Relationships
• Leveraging Diversity
• Oral/Non-Written Communication
• Organizational Performance
• Strategic Thinking
• Knowledge of alternative dispute resolution (ADR) facilitation techniques and methods, and skill in their use to successfully resolve highly complex and sensitive matters.
• Knowledge of the examination, supervision, resolution, and receivership of financial institutions, including policies, procedures, guidance, laws, and regulations.
• Knowledge of the financial industry, including innovation and nascent risks.
• Knowledge of FDIC bylaws, resolutions, policies, programs, and guidelines governing the operations of the agency and the conduct of its business.

Applicants must provide details of the duties performed as they relate to the qualifying experience and competencies/KSAs. Experience must be explicitly stated in the resume as experience not specifically described in the resume cannot be assumed. Resumes that are vague or don't address specific requirements will not receive maximum consideration.

You may preview questions for this vacancy.

• Benefits
  
  A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
  
  The FDIC offers comprehensive benefits to its employees. These benefits, some at minimal cost, are some of the best and most competitive in both the private and public sectors.
  
  In addition, under FDIC's Group Life Insurance Program, basic life insurance coverage for Executive Managers is automatically equal to 3 times their salary (rounded to the next higher thousand) up to a maximum of $800,000. Executives may also choose from two other lower coverage options. The Corporation pays for the cost of the basic coverage unless employees also elect to be covered under the Federal Employees Group Life Insurance Program (FEGLI).
  
  To find out more, click here.
  
  Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
• Required Documents
  
  As a new or existing federal employee, you and your family may have access to a range of benefits. Your benefits depend on the type of position you have - whether you're a permanent, part-time, temporary or an intermittent employee. You may be eligible for the following benefits, however, check with your agency to make sure you're eligible under their policies.
  
  If you are applying under any special hiring authority you MUST submit proof of eligibility with your application.
  
  Failure to provide all of the required documentation as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible determination or may affect your consideration status. Please review the following to determine your eligibility and which document(s) is required to complete your application:
  
  
  1. VETERANS EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY ACT (VEOA) ELIGIBLES AND SPECIAL HIRING AUTHORITIES FOR VETERANS: If you are applying for consideration under VEOA and special hiring authorities for veterans, click here. You must submit documentation (e.g., DD-214, VA Letter, SF-15, etc.) to demonstrate veterans' eligibility.
  2. SPECIAL APPOINTING AUTHORITIES FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES, i.e. SCHEDULE A: If you are applying for consideration under special appointing authorities for people with disabilities, you will be required to provide proof of disability documentation to specify that you are a person who (1) has a severe physical disability; (2) an intellectual disability; or (3) a psychiatric disability. The documentation does NOT need to detail your specific disability, medical history, or need for accommodation, however; the letter MUST clearly state that you are eligible for appointment under this authority and that your eligibility is based on a severe physical disability; an intellectual disability; or a psychiatric disability. THE DOCUMENTATION MUST HAVE BEEN OBTAINED FROM: (a). Licensed medical professionals; or (b). State or private vocational rehabilitation specialists; or (c). Any Government agency (e.g., VA, etc.) that issues or provides disability benefit. THE DOCUMENTATION MUST INCLUDE: a statement that you are eligible based on one of the following: severe physical disability, an intellectual disability, or a psychiatric disability. To view sample Schedule A proof of disability letters, click here, and for more information on this special appointing authority, click here. Please note that employees hired under this Schedule A hiring authority will be required to complete a Standard Form 256 to identify their disability status.
     
     
  3. CURRENT FEDERAL EMPLOYEES OR REINSTATEMENT ELIGIBLES WITH COMPETITIVE STATUS: A copy of your most recent SF Form 50, Notification of Personnel Action, that shows: (1) permanent or career-conditional tenure (codes 1 or 2, in block 24); and (2) position occupied in the competitive service (code 1, in block 34), and the pay plan, series, grade and salary for the position you are relying upon to be considered for this position. If reinstatement eligible include your Career/Career-Conditional SF-50. To be considered as a noncompetitive eligible candidate, the SF-50 must show the highest grade level or full performance level the applicant has attained competitively on a permanent basis, and grade must be equivalent or higher than the grade for which applying.
  4. EXCEPTED SERVICE EMPLOYEES: Your current agency must have an interchange agreement with OPM (for a list of agencies with current interchange agreements please click here); Excepted service appointees without an interchange agreement are eligible to use any other applicable special appointing authorities or must apply under the public non-status announcement for consideration.
  5. CURRENT OR FORMER CAREER SES MEMBERS: You are eligible for reinstatement to a competitive service position if you were previously employed under a career or career-conditional appointment prior to the SES appointment. SES members without competitive service career status are eligible to use any other applicable special appointing authorities or must apply under the public non-status announcement for consideration. Multiple SF-50s showing current or former career SES appointment and proof of career or career-conditional tenure must be submitted by the closing date to receive consideration as a status applicant. Both SES and Competitive Service SF-50s must be uploaded as one document to avoid overriding your first attachment or upload one SF-50 under the "SF-50" placeholder and the other under the "other supporting documentation" placeholder. If you have any questions regarding which SF-50s to submit or how to upload them, it is highly recommended that you contact the person listed on this job opportunity announcement before the closing date.
  6. FDIC EMPLOYEES: If you want to be considered non-competitively include a copy of your SF-50. The SF-50 must show the highest grade level or full performance level applicant has attained competitively on a permanent basis, and grade must be equivalent or higher than the grade for which applying.
  
  
  
  If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
  
  Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from
  schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
  
  Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
• How to Apply
  
  To begin, click the "Apply" button and follow the prompts. If you haven't already, register and establish a USAJOBS account. After you register online, click the "Apply" button to complete the online assessment questionnaire, and submit all required documents. Please be sure to click "Submit Application" to complete the application process. You must apply online.
  
  Applicants requesting an exception from the online process must contact the Human Resources Specialist or point of contact listed in this announcement prior to 12:00 noon local time on the closing date.
  
  To return to your saved application, log in to your USAJOBS account and click on "Applications" tab. Click on the "Position Title," and then select "Update Application" or "Additional Application Information" to continue.
  
  You have until 11:59 p.m. ET (Eastern Time) on the closing date of this announcement to complete the application process.
  
  Please ensure you have completed the application process by verifying the status of your application on-line to reflect: "Received". Failure to complete the application process will result in an incomplete application and you will not be considered for the position.
  
  Agency contact information
  
  Andrew Coppage
  
  Phone
  
  202-394-5891
  
  Email
  
  acoppage@fdic.gov
  
  Address
  
  Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation
  
  Human Resources, Executive Resources
  
  3501 Fairfax Dr.
  
  Room VS-D3027
  
  Arlington, Virginia 22226
  
  United States
  
  Next steps
  
  The Fair Chance Act prohibits inquiries concerning an applicant's criminal history information unless the hiring agency has made a conditional (tentative) offer of employment to the applicant. An applicant may submit a complaint, or any other information, to the agency within 30 calendar days of the date of alleged non-compliance by contacting the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation's Human Resources Staffing Policy and Accountability team at HRPolicyTeam@fdic.gov.
  
  You may check the status of your application on-line 24 hours a day, 7 days a week through USAJOBS by signing in and selecting "Application Status." Thank you for your interest in working for the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation.
• Fair and Transparent
  
  The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
  
  
  • Criminal history inquiries
  • Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Policy
  • Financial suitability
  • New employee probationary period
  • Privacy Act
  • Reasonable accommodation policy
  • Selective Service
  • Signature and false statements
  • Social security number request

Required Documents

If you are applying under any special hiring authority you MUST submit proof of eligibility with your application.

Failure to provide all of the required documentation as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible determination or may affect your consideration status. Please review the following to determine your eligibility and which document(s) is required to complete your application:

1. VETERANS EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY ACT (VEOA) ELIGIBLES AND SPECIAL HIRING AUTHORITIES FOR VETERANS: If you are applying for consideration under VEOA and special hiring authorities for veterans, click here. You must submit documentation (e.g., DD-214, VA Letter, SF-15, etc.) to demonstrate veterans' eligibility.
2. SPECIAL APPOINTING AUTHORITIES FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES, i.e. SCHEDULE A: If you are applying for consideration under special appointing authorities for people with disabilities, you will be required to provide proof of disability documentation to specify that you are a person who (1) has a severe physical disability; (2) an intellectual disability; or (3) a psychiatric disability. The documentation does NOT need to detail your specific disability, medical history, or need for accommodation, however; the letter MUST clearly state that you are eligible for appointment under this authority and that your eligibility is based on a severe physical disability; an intellectual disability; or a psychiatric disability. THE DOCUMENTATION MUST HAVE BEEN OBTAINED FROM: (a). Licensed medical professionals; or (b). State or private vocational rehabilitation specialists; or (c). Any Government agency (e.g., VA, etc.) that issues or provides disability benefit. THE DOCUMENTATION MUST INCLUDE: a statement that you are eligible based on one of the following: severe physical disability, an intellectual disability, or a psychiatric disability. To view sample Schedule A proof of disability letters, click here, and for more information on this special appointing authority, click here. Please note that employees hired under this Schedule A hiring authority will be required to complete a Standard Form 256 to identify their disability status.
   
   
3. CURRENT FEDERAL EMPLOYEES OR REINSTATEMENT ELIGIBLES WITH COMPETITIVE STATUS: A copy of your most recent SF Form 50, Notification of Personnel Action, that shows: (1) permanent or career-conditional tenure (codes 1 or 2, in block 24); and (2) position occupied in the competitive service (code 1, in block 34), and the pay plan, series, grade and salary for the position you are relying upon to be considered for this position. If reinstatement eligible include your Career/Career-Conditional SF-50. To be considered as a noncompetitive eligible candidate, the SF-50 must show the highest grade level or full performance level the applicant has attained competitively on a permanent basis, and grade must be equivalent or higher than the grade for which applying.
4. EXCEPTED SERVICE EMPLOYEES: Your current agency must have an interchange agreement with OPM (for a list of agencies with current interchange agreements please click here); Excepted service appointees without an interchange agreement are eligible to use any other applicable special appointing authorities or must apply under the public non-status announcement for consideration.
5. CURRENT OR FORMER CAREER SES MEMBERS: You are eligible for reinstatement to a competitive service position if you were previously employed under a career or career-conditional appointment prior to the SES appointment. SES members without competitive service career status are eligible to use any other applicable special appointing authorities or must apply under the public non-status announcement for consideration. Multiple SF-50s showing current or former career SES appointment and proof of career or career-conditional tenure must be submitted by the closing date to receive consideration as a status applicant. Both SES and Competitive Service SF-50s must be uploaded as one document to avoid overriding your first attachment or upload one SF-50 under the "SF-50" placeholder and the other under the "other supporting documentation" placeholder. If you have any questions regarding which SF-50s to submit or how to upload them, it is highly recommended that you contact the person listed on this job opportunity announcement before the closing date.
6. FDIC EMPLOYEES: If you want to be considered non-competitively include a copy of your SF-50. The SF-50 must show the highest grade level or full performance level applicant has attained competitively on a permanent basis, and grade must be equivalent or higher than the grade for which applying.

If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:

Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from
schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.

How to Apply

To begin, click the "Apply" button and follow the prompts. If you haven't already, register and establish a USAJOBS account. After you register online, click the "Apply" button to complete the online assessment questionnaire, and submit all required documents. Please be sure to click "Submit Application" to complete the application process. You must apply online.

Applicants requesting an exception from the online process must contact the Human Resources Specialist or point of contact listed in this announcement prior to 12:00 noon local time on the closing date.

To return to your saved application, log in to your USAJOBS account and click on "Applications" tab. Click on the "Position Title," and then select "Update Application" or "Additional Application Information" to continue.

You have until 11:59 p.m. ET (Eastern Time) on the closing date of this announcement to complete the application process.

Please ensure you have completed the application process by verifying the status of your application on-line to reflect: "Received". Failure to complete the application process will result in an incomplete application and you will not be considered for the position.

Agency contact information

Andrew Coppage

Phone

202-394-5891

Email

acoppage@fdic.gov

Address

Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation

Human Resources, Executive Resources

3501 Fairfax Dr.

Room VS-D3027

Arlington, Virginia 22226

United States

Next steps

The Fair Chance Act prohibits inquiries concerning an applicant's criminal history information unless the hiring agency has made a conditional (tentative) offer of employment to the applicant. An applicant may submit a complaint, or any other information, to the agency within 30 calendar days of the date of alleged non-compliance by contacting the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation's Human Resources Staffing Policy and Accountability team at HRPolicyTeam@fdic.gov.

You may check the status of your application on-line 24 hours a day, 7 days a week through USAJOBS by signing in and selecting "Application Status." Thank you for your interest in working for the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation.

Fair & Transparent

The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.

• Criminal history inquiries
• Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Policy
• Financial suitability
• New employee probationary period
• Privacy Act
• Reasonable accommodation policy
• Selective Service
• Signature and false statements
• Social security number request