Job Title:Program and Staff Assistant, GS-0301-07 (DEU)
Department:Department Of Education
Agency:Office of Postsecondary Education
Job Announcement Number:OPE-2013-0003
SALARY RANGE:
$42,209.00 to $54,875.00 / Per Year
OPEN PERIOD:
Wednesday, October 17, 2012 to Tuesday, October 30, 2012
SERIES & GRADE:
GS-0301-07
POSITION INFORMATION:
Full time - Permanent
PROMOTION POTENTIAL:
09
DUTY LOCATIONS:
1 vacancy in the following location:
Washington, DC, US
WHO MAY BE CONSIDERED:
***One or more vacancies may be filled under this announcement*** The area of consideration for this position is "All Recruiting Sources" for Non-status candidates. Announcement OPE-2013-0004 is open concurrently with an area of consideration of "Federal Agencies" for status candidates. Applicants with non-competitive eligibility (i.e. 30% Disabled Veterans, Sch. A, etc.) should also apply under announcement OPE-2013-0004.
JOB SUMMARY:
Join our Team! The U.S. Department of Education (ED) is looking for the best and brightest to ensure equal access to education and to promote educational excellence throughout the nation.
ED is recruiting for new professionals interested in Program and Staff Assistant duties. This position provides the incumbent with advanced training and development in the performance of a variety of administrative and program related support functions.
KEY REQUIREMENTS
You must be a U.S. Citizen
Must complete a Background Investigation and fingerprint check
Must complete a One-year Probationary Period
Relocation Expenses will not be paid
DUTIES:
The incumbent will serve as a focal point for administrative and operational procedures and processes for the assigned work unit; prepares administrative and fiscal forms; develops and maintains office filing systems and file plans; coordinates requisitions for office supplies, equipment maintenance, facility repairs, and printing services; schedules and coordinates travel, facilitates travel arrangements and accommodations; assists in preparing related vouchers and reports; processes and validates time and attendance documents; tracks obligations of funds and advises on adequacy of funds. Maintains a master calendar of events. Schedules meeting, conferences, seminars, workshops, panels, and other special or recurring events. Attends meetings, conferences, and special events. Receives and distributes mail; controls incoming correspondence and FOIA requests; reviews and edits outgoing correspondence, documents, or reports for format, grammar and punctuation; corrects grammatical and typographical errors. Performs a variety of administrative and technical support functions for internal and external customers. Responds to written and verbal inquiries. Conducts necessary research and analysis to respond to inquiries. Performs a variety of administrative and technical support functions for internal and external customers. Identifies problems, researches standards, develops recommendations. Assists in determining the need for, establishes, and maintains work standards and tracking and control systems. Gathers, consolidates and presents data information to inform decisions. Maintains a robust tracking system, coordinates the status of numerous activities; updates and prepares recurring and special reports. Assists in performing work studies or providing analyses to develop requirements for program management, process improvement, or work methods. Implements less complicated portions of larger assignments in order to facilitate the work of higher-grade specialist or senior managers. Exercises a high degree of discretion and tact when handling confidential matters on behalf of the supervisor.
QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED:
APPLICANTS MUST MEET QUALIFICATIONS REQUIREMENTS BY THE CLOSING DATE OF THIS VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT.
(GS-07) 1 full year of graduate level education or superior academic achievement or 1 year equivalent to at least GS-05; Examples of such experience include: preparing administrative and fiscal forms; developing and maintains office filing systems and file plans; coordinating requisitions for office supplies, equipment maintenance, facility repairs, and printing services; scheduling and coordinating travel, facilitating travel arrangements and accommodations; assisting in preparing related vouchers and reports; processing and validating time and attendance documents; tracking obligations of funds and advising on adequacy of funds; maintaining a master calendar of events; scheduling meetings, conferences, seminars, workshops, panels, and other special or recurring events; developing agendas and assisting in planning; compiling and preparing event materials; coordinating pre-event logistical supports and services; managing event logistics; taking minutes, recording tasks and distributing reports; controlling incoming correspondence and FOIA requests; reviewing and editing outgoing correspondence, documents, or reports; writing simple or repetitive, non-technical correspondence; conducting research and analysis to respond to inquiries; maintaining a robust tracking system; gathering, consolidating and presenting data and information to inform decisions;exercising a high degree of discretion and tact when handling confidential or sensitive matters on behalf of the supervisor.
To perform successfully the duties of this position, applicants are expected to possess the Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs) listed below. Your answers to the on-line experience questions will serve as responses to the KSAs.
Knowledge of organizational and administrative principles, concepts, and methodologies sufficient to carry out segments of projects.
Knowledge of a wide range of qualitative and/or quantitative methods for the assessment and improvement of program effectiveness or the improvement of complex management processes and systems.
Knowledge of Microsoft Office suite of tools and other common software packages, specifically knowledgeable in: Outlook, Excel, Project Work, PowerPoint, Publisher, and Access.
Ability to conduct studies and prepare analyses and reports to assess the accuracy and quality of programs and procedures.
Ability to apply well established program operations techniques and methods.
Ability to review and edit materials for proper grammar, spelling, format and messaging.
Skill in communicating effectively, both orally and in writing for the purpose of clearly and concisely conveying policies, guidelines and procedures; as well as for producing effective and professional documents, reports, briefing, speeches, talking points, presentations or emails.
Skill in using stand-alone and networked office equipment such as computers, copiers, printers, scanners, shredders, etc.
Skill in performing basic research functions to find information and verify facts or data using traditional and automated, web based tools.
Skill in office management and allocation of work assignments. Ability to
analyze and evaluate various documents and make necessary assignments
to appropriate divisions or develop appropriate replies.
HOW YOU WILL BE EVALUATED:
WARNING! High self-assessment in the vacancy questions that is not supported by information in your resume, essay responses, and/or supporting documents may eliminate you from best-qualified status or result in a lowered score. Your responses to the vacancy questions must be substantiated by your on-line resume. Be sure that the experience/education as described on your resume contains accurate and sufficient information that clearly supports your responses to all of the questions by addressing experience and education relevant to this position. If you exaggerate or falsify your experience, education and/or your responses to questions, your ratings can/will be changed, or you may be removed from employment consideration. You should make a fair and accurate assessment of your qualifications. Applicants who do not respond to the application questions will be rated ineligible. Eligible candidates will be placed for selection consideration into three (3) categories as described below: 1 - Qualified Category - Applicants who have a "Q" score between 70 and 84.99 meet the specialized experience outlined in the Minimum Qualification Requirements section of this announcement. 2 - Well Qualified Category - Applicants who have a "WQ" score between 85 and 94.99 exceed the Minimum Qualification Requirements based on review of resume and vacancy specific questions. 3 - Best Qualified Category - Applicants who have a "BQ" score between 95 and 100 Outstanding level based on review of resume and vacancy specific questions. Do not overstate or understate your level of experience and capability. You should be aware that your ratings are subject to evaluation and verification.
To preview questions please click here.
BENEFITS:
The Department of Education offers a comprehensive benefits package including paid vacation and sick leave, federal holidays, health and life insurance, and participation in the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS), including the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP). Click on Benefitsto find out more about federal benefits. Why Work at ED? The U.S. Department of Education (ED) is a great place to work. For more detailed information regarding our various work sites, please click on the link below: Work Site Locations As an ED employee, you will benefit from our family-friendly work environment. As part of our commitment to maintain a productive balance between work and home, we offer excused leave for Parent/Teacher Conferences (4 hours); excused leave for annual health screenings (4 hours); and matching leave for community volunteer service. Other incentives such as Telecommuting and Alternative Work Schedules also may be available to you. ED offers positions that are fair and competitive in compensation; developmental opportunities to exhibit teamwork and goal-oriented projects to enrich your federal career.
OTHER INFORMATION:
Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP)- Eligible federal employees who were in positions and who were displaced from their positions may be eligible for selective priority over other candidates, under the ICTAP or the CTAP. Information about these programs may be found at the following links. In order to qualify, your application must receive a score of 85 in comparison with the knowledge, skills and abilities criteria. If you believe you are eligible for this special consideration, it is critical that you read the information provided in the links below. CTAP ICTAP Veterans' Preference: If you are entitled to veterans' preference, you should indicate the type of veterans' preference you are claiming on your application. Your veterans' preference entitlement will be verified by the employing agency. If you believe you are entitled to veterans' preference, it is critical that you read the information provided in the link below. Veteran Eligibility Student Loan Default Applicants selected for positions are subject to a background check to verify that he or she has not defaulted on any loan funded or guaranteed by the U.S. Department of Education. Applicants found to be in default will be contacted to make arrangements for repayment prior to being made an official offer of employment. Selective Service Any male applicant who was born after December 31, 1959, and who is subsequently selected for this position must certify that he is registered for the military selective service by the date he is to enter on duty. False certification may result in termination after appointment
.
HOW TO APPLY:
Please carefully read the information provided under the link listed below. The section entitled "How to Apply" provides detailed instructions on faxing your supporting documentation. All required supporting documentation MUST be received by midnight Eastern Time on the closing date of the announcement. You are encouraged to thoroughly review the list of supplement documents required. It is critical to note that many documents may not pertain to you. You are only required to submit those that apply to you. Required Documents
Veterans interested in receiving tips on preparing a Federal resume and/or how to prepare for an interview, may send an email to Iwork@ed.gov to schedule an appointment for a session. Veterans Counseling Session must be placed in the subject line of the email.
REQUIRED DOCUMENTS:
Applicants must submit the forms listed below if they pertain to them. Copy of college transcript; DD-214 (only applicants with prior military service) SF-50 (current or former federal employees only)
AGENCY CONTACT INFO:
Latrina Thomas
Phone: 202-401-8520
Fax: 202-401-0520
Email: Latrina.Thomas@ed.gov
Agency Information:
EDUCATION-OFFICE OF POSTSECONDARY EDUCATION
400 Maryland Ave. S.W.
Room 2E214
Attn: Human Resources Services
Washington, DC
20202
US
Fax: 202-401-0520
WHAT TO EXPECT NEXT:
We will inform you of the status of your application at four stages: (1) Upon receipt of your application; (2) Upon minimum qualification determinations; (3) Upon issuing the highly qualified candidates to the hiring official; and finally (4) once a selection is made. It is essential that you have a current e-mail address on file with USAJOBS. You be notified of our application status by the servicing Human Resources Specialist via email. You may also check the status of your application at USA JOBS.
