About this role
Job SummaryThis position is located in the National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility (NBAF), USDA, located in Manhattan, Kansas. The position is located in the NBAF Director's office and you will serve as a personal assistant to the NBAF Director. You will coordinate work with Research units, the Area Director's office, other ARS Research Centers and the Office of National Programs (ONP).
QualificationsApplicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement including specialized experience and/or education, as defined below. Specialized Experience: Applicant must have one year of specialized experience comparable to GS-07 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 performing secretarial and administrative support functions including coordinating meetings or conferences; arranging travel for an office; composing or managing correspondence for an office and ensuring conformance to policies and procedures; and receiving or directing phone calls or visitors for an office. In addition to meeting experience requirements, applicants must be able to type at least 40 words per minute. Time in Grade: Current federal employees applying for a promotion opportunity must meet the time in grade requirement of 52 weeks of service at the next lower grade level in the normal line of progression for the position being filled. 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.
Major DutiesServes as confidential assistant and provides procedural, clerical, program and coordination support to the NBAF Director.Reviews all incoming directives, regulations, correspondence, and publications in the Director’s office; and determines those that can be acted upon personally and tasks necessary action.Recommends changes to existing procedures or to develop new ideas to enhance or streamline procedures.Receives and reviews all incoming mail and phone calls for the Director, and uses independent judgment in handling important business and high profile visitors/phone calls or directs them to the attention of the Director.Maintains the Director’s daily calendar, scheduling appointments/arranging conferences/meetings without specific prior approval and based on personal knowledge of the Director’s workload and current issues of importance.RequirementsYou must be a US Citizen or US National. Males born after 12/31/1959 must be Selective Service registered or exempt. Subject to satisfactory adjudication of background investigation and/or fingerprint check. Direct Deposit - Per Public Law 104-134 all Federal employees are required to have federal payments made by direct deposit to their financial institution. Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit https://www.e-verify.gov/. As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Upon completion of your probationary period your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.