Program Support Assistant

Summary

These positions serve as Program/Administrative Support Assistants providing administrative and support type duties in such areas of administration as: procurement, property, human resources, budget, travel, reception duties, resource support services, and miscellaneous office and clerical services.

For additional information about the duties of this position, refer to the Additional Information Section.

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Duties

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• Coordinates and executes a wide range of administrative functions, including correspondence preparation, records management, mail routing, and maintenance of manuals and directives, ensuring compliance with Forest Service policies and procedures.
• Serves as the unit's Purchasing Agent, independently procuring supplies, equipment, and services; reconciling purchases in agency systems; and maintaining procurement files in accordance with Federal regulations and agency guidelines.
• Provides front-line customer support by receiving calls and visitors, responding to routine inquiries, and supplying accurate information on office processes, report status, and program operations.
• Assists with budget preparation and financial tracking by applying knowledge of government financial techniques; supports timekeeping, travel reconciliation, collection activities, and ensures accuracy and timeliness of administrative transactions.
• Supports Fire and Aviation Management personnel by disseminating incident information, coordinating administrative requirements for fire projects, and ensuring timely distribution of daily status reports, and other operational information.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

• Must be a U.S. Citizen or National.
• Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective Service or exempt.
• Subject to satisfactory adjudication of background investigation and/or fingerprint check.
• 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 E-Verify.
• 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.

Qualifications

In order to qualify, you must meet the eligibility and qualifications requirements as defined below by the closing date of the announcement. For more information on the qualifications for this position, visit the Office of Personnel Management's General Schedule Qualification Standards.

Your application and resume must clearly show that you possess the experience requirements. Transcripts must be provided for qualifications based on education. Provide course descriptions as necessary.

Specialized Experience Requirement:

For the GS-06 grade level: You must have one year specialized experience equivalent to the GS-05 grade level in the Federal service. Specialized experience is defined as one or more of the following: Participating in general program support work such as the annual budget, financial, procurement, property, and other administrative instruments for the program; maintaining records and filing systems; providing information to visitors and callers; and/or using automated software and tools to produce written materials.

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, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

Education

There is no substitution of education for specialized experience.

Additional information

The USDA Forest Service has legislative authority to recruit and fill Permanent (Career/Career-Conditional), Temporary, and Term Appointments under the USDA Demonstration Project. Under this authority, any U.S. citizen may apply.

For additional information about the duties of these positions, please contact the following:

• Region 1, Bitterroot National Forest - Steve Brown (View email address on click.appcast.io)
• Region 5, Lassen National Forest - Michael Rahe (View email address on click.appcast.io)

Positions may be filled at one or more of the duty locations included in this announcement. Final determination of the duty location will be made at the time of the job offer.

Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP), Reemployment Priority List (RPL), or Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP): To exercise selection priority for this vacancy, CTAP/RPL/ICTAP candidates must meet the basic eligibility requirements and all selective factors. CTAP/ICTAP eligibles must meet the agency's definition for a quality candidate as provided in the How You Will Be Evaluated section of this announcement to be considered.

The Forest Service may use certain incentives and hiring flexibilities, currently offered by the Federal government, to attract highly qualified candidates. Additional Information is available on the OPM Website.

This is a bargaining unit position and is represented by either NFFE, AFGE, or NAGE.

Forest Service daycare facilities may be available.

Government Housing may be available.

We may select from this announcement or any other source to fill one or more vacancies. Multiple positions may be filled from this announcement.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

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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.

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.