Program Support Assistant (OA)

Summary

These positions are located in the Agricultural Research Service (ARS), Field Organization, Plains Area, Integrated Cropping Systems Research Unit/Grand Forks Human Nutrition Research Center located in Brookings, SD and Grand Forks, ND. In these positions, you will provide essential administrative support by coordinating daily operations, managing records and business processes, and assisting with budgeting, travel, procurement, personnel actions, and research documentation.

Duties

• Processes routine project coordination, travel documentation, budget tracking, procurement, agreements, and HR-related administrative tasks using automated workflow tools.
• Assists in developing annual resource or financial plans by compiling routine financial data and preparing reports in electronic planning tools.
• Compiles personnel, financial, and resource data for annual reporting requirements.
• Processes administrative transactions (financial, procurement, agreements, property, personnel) in automated business or office systems.
• Prepares travel authorizations and vouchers using automated travel management systems.
• Serves as principal timekeeper to the work unit, including reviewing time and attendance logs of employees for completeness and accuracy.
• Coordinates research documentation and maintains project files using electronic documentation or research-tracking systems.
• Notifies researchers of documentation deadlines, updates, and required submissions.
• Assists with preparation and submission of project materials through automated reporting or review systems.
• Advises on procedural and documentation requirements for research plans, progress reports, research proposals, manuscripts, travel, grants, and agreements.
• Maintains calendars, leave schedules, electronic documents, and correspondence logs using standard office software and digital tools.
• Produces documents in correct format with accurate spelling, grammar, and punctuation.

Qualifications

Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement including specialized experience and/or education, as defined below. GS-06 Specialized experience is experience directly related to the position to be filled. Specialized experience must be described for each grade level advertised. The specialized experience requirements for this position are: Qualifying experience for GS-06 includes one year of specialized experience comparable to GS-05 which is directly related to the work of this position and which has equipped the applicant with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position. For this position, specialized experience is experience performing routine program and administrative support, including preparing travel or project documentation, maintaining administrative or research records, and processing financial, procurement, personnel, or agreement actions using established procedures. GS-07 Specialized experience is experience directly related to the position to be filled. Specialized experience must be described for each grade level advertised. The specialized experience requirements for this position are: Qualifying experience for GS-07 includes one year of specialized experience comparable to GS-06 which is directly related to the work of this position and which has equipped the applicant with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position. For this position, specialized experience is experience independently performing complex program and administrative support, including coordinating research or administrative projects, analyzing and verifying financial or personnel data, preparing and processing travel or procurement actions, and managing research or program documentation that requires interpreting guidelines and applying judgment in resolving issues. In addition to meeting the specialized experience requirements listed above, all applicants must be able to type 40 words per minute. Physical Demands Work is essentially sedentary, however, requires some walking, standing, bending, and carrying of light items such as papers, books, or small parts. No special physical demands are required to perform the work. Work Environment The work environment involves the everyday risks or discomforts that require normal safety precautions typical of such places as offices, meeting and training rooms, libraries, or commercial vehicles, e.g., use of safe work practices with office equipment, avoidance of trips and falls, observance of fire regulations and traffic signals. The work area is adequately lighted, heated, and ventilated. 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 and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.