Program Assistant

Summary

If selected you will be responsible for the coordination, development, and implementation of all matters and functions pertaining to the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) regulation of biotechnology as it relates to plants and plant pests, and acts as liaison on matters involving biotechnology between agencies within USDA and between USDA and governmental and private organizations.

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Duties

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• The duties described are for the full-performance level. At developmental grade levels, assignments will be of more limited scope, performed with less independence and limited complexity.
• The duties may include, but are not limited to:
• Analyzes program-related information and data for the Biotechnology Risk Analysis Programs (BRAP) to identify trends, validate accuracy, and prepare findings for reports and briefings.
• Develops administrative and automated support procedures by gathering, organizing, and evaluating information to improve consistency, transparency, and workflow effectiveness.
• Reviews monthly accounting and financial transaction reports to identify discrepancies, compile supporting documentation, and submit corrected information to Resource Management Services.
• Prepares graphic materials, visual aids, and assembled program documents for meetings, conferences, and briefings, ensuring accuracy, clarity, and timely availability.
• Researches and synthesizes information from files, documents, and databases to design, produce, and edit correspondence, reports, publications, regulatory documents, and other program materials.
• Maintains clerical, administrative, and technical processes for the unit, recommending and implementing procedural improvements to support operational efficiency and quality assurance.
• Responds to internal and external inquiries by providing technical information, resolving routine issues, and directing callers to appropriate staff with needed background materials.
• Prepares correspondence, memoranda, personnel documents, time and attendance reports, travel actions, and procurement requests, and monitors their progression through agency processing channels.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

• You must be a US Citizen or US National.
• Individuals who were born male after 12/31/1959 must be Selective Service registered or exempt.
• Subject to satisfactory adjudication of background investigation and/or fingerprint check.
• Successful completion of one-year probationary period, unless previously served. Refer to the Next Steps section for more information.
• 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 E-Verify at
• All USDA employees are required to be enrolled in Continuous Vetting, which authorizes government agencies to receive notifications of criminal activity on individuals who hold low risk, public trust, or national security positions.

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-07 LEVEL: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-GS 06 grade level) that demonstrates:

- Utilized understanding of Agency's or program's structure and needs to: identify urgent or sensitive inquiries, screen requests for information, and resolve non routine or technical issues in alignment with agency priorities.

- Applied spelling, grammar, and formatting standards to prepare and edit correspondence, surveys, charts, and briefing materials, ensuring professional quality and adherence to Agency or program's communication guidelines.

- Recommended process improvements and developed administrative procedures that enhanced office efficiency, workflow, and record management, supporting stronger overall program operations.

- Communicated effectively in both verbal and written formats to: respond to inquiries, coordinate activities with team members, and assist internal and external stakeholders with a customer focused, solutions oriented approach.

- Operated office automation tools-including word processing, database management, and spreadsheet software-to prepare forms, reports, graphics, and charts; maintain program databases; and process electronic submissions.

Note: There is no education substitution for this grade level.

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.

Education

This position does not have an education qualification requirement.

Additional information

• Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP), Reemployment Priority List (RPL), or Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP): Visit the OPM website for information on how to apply as a CTAP, RPL, or ICTAP eligible. To exercise selection priority for this vacancy, CTAP/RPL/ICTAP candidates must meet the basic eligibility requirements and all selective factors. CTAP/ICTAP candidates must be rated and determined to be well qualified (or above) based on an evaluation of the competencies listed in the How You Will Be Evaluated section. When assessed through a score-based category rating method, CTAP/ICTAP applicants must receive a rating of at least 85 out of a possible 100.
• First time hires to the federal government normally start at the lowest rate of the salary range for the grade selected.
• Travel, transportation, and relocation expenses will not be paid. Any travel, transportation, and relocation expense associated with reporting for duty will be the responsibility of the selected employee.
• Promotion Potential: If you are selected for a position with further promotion potential, you will be placed under a career development plan, and may be non-competitively promoted if you successfully complete the requirements and if recommended by management. However, promotion is neither implied nor guaranteed.
• Reasonable Accommodation (RA) Requests: If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended, that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be granted the opportunity to request a RA in your online application. Requests for RA for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for RA must be received prior to starting the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. Decisions on requests for RA are made on a case-by-case basis. If you meet the minimum qualifications of the position, after notification of the adjudication of your request, you will receive an email invitation to complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, based on your adjudication decision. You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, if you received the link after the close of the announcement. To determine if you need a RA, please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments here.

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.