Administrative Support Assistant

The incumbent performs a full spectrum of administrative support services of central importance to the operation of the facility.

The duties may include, but are not limited to:

• Reviews financial obligations and matches them to planned or obligated ledger records.
• Provides support in the analysis and review of historical data and collects information using cost-benefit analysis techniques to determine new and recurring fiscal needs.
• Reviews travel vouchers to ensure they are complete and accurate.
• Tracks and monitors administrative aspects of laboratory contracts and cooperative and interagency agreements for the ADODR (Authorized Departmental Officers Designated Representative).
• Maintains quarantine permit files, which are vital to the continuing operations of the laboratory, as permits must be current and up-to-date to allow the entry or shipping of exotic plant pests.
• Assures proper billings and maintenance of record files.
• Assists with managing data housed in SalesForce, a software package used to track projects, by pulling reports, maintaining plans, and editing information received from project leaders.
• Schedules video and telephone conferences as needed, providing Information to participants in a timely manner.
• Arranges conferences and meetings as needed.

Conditions of Employment

• You must be a US Citizen or US National

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.

FOR THE GS-06 LEVEL: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-05 level) that may have been obtained in the private or public (local, county, state, Federal) sectors which demonstrates:

• Experience using computer software programs such as Microsoft, or any end-user application such as word processing, spreadsheets, electronic mail, presentations, and browsers.
• Experience procuring supplies and/or equipment using a company-provided credit card or procurement system.
• Experience utilizing automated systems to accomplish assigned work.
• Experience communicating verbally and in writing to advise staff of work processes related to a wide variety of administrative topics (i.e. travel, time and attendance records, procurement requests and payments, etc.).

How You Will Be Evaluated

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

Applications will be evaluated in accordance with Office of Personnel Management's (OPM) Delegated Examining Procedures and USDA policy using category rating. This means you will be evaluated based on how well you meet the qualifications listed in this vacancy announcement. Your qualifications will be evaluated based on your application materials (e.g., resume, supporting documents), your responses to the application questionnaire, and your responses to all assessments required for this position.

Applicants who meet basic minimum qualifications will be placed in one of three categories: Best Qualified, Well Qualified, or Qualified. Within these categories, applicants eligible for veteran's preference will receive selection priority over non-veterans. Category placement will be determined based on applicants' quality of experience and the extent they possess the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities (KSAs), and other characteristics):
 

• Accountability
• Attention to Detail
• Clerical
• Compensation
• Contracting/Procurement
• Customer Service
• Decision Making
• Flexibility
• Integrity/Honesty
• Interpersonal Skills
• Learning
• Reading Comprehension
• Reasoning
• Self-Management
• Stress Tolerance
• Teamwork
• Technical Competence
• Technical Documentation

The USA Hire Assessment includes a cut score based on the minimum level of required proficiency in these critical general competencies. You must meet or exceed the cut score to be considered. You will not be considered for the position if you score below the cut score or fail to complete the assessment.

Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application materials or application questionnaire may result in your removal from consideration. Cheating on an assessment may also result in your removal from consideration.

Your application, including the online Assessment Questionnaire, will be reviewed to determine if you meet (a) minimum qualification requirements and (b) the resume supports the answers provided to the job-specific questions. Your resume must clearly support your responses to all the questions addressing experience and education relevant to this position. Those determined to be in the best qualified category will be referred to the selecting official for consideration.

Note: If, after reviewing your resume and/or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications and or experience, your score may be adjusted to more accurately reflect your abilities, or you may be found ineligible. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your rating. Providing inaccurate information on Federal documents could be grounds for non-selection or disciplinary action up to including removal from the Federal service. Cheating on the online assessment may also result in your removal from consideration.

To preview the application questionnaire, please visit: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12402256